Snipe Hunting

A discussion occurred on Scouts-L about the merits of troop snipe hunting, with both viewpoints having it's adherents. This page contains helpful information for whichever opinion you hold.

Many boys introduce new scouts into "snipe hunting" on one of the first outings. An ASM in a local troop here in Fairfax, VA put the following together:

THE SNIPE HUNT

Gentlemen:

Over the past several years, a controversy has been raging within several of the local troops as to the existence of snipe. Well, the common snipe, otherwise known simply as snipe, is one of several snipe species that inhabit new- and old- growth forests of the north-central Atlantic states. The snipe is a nocturnal bird. This means that, like owls, it feeds after night-fall, by foraging for worms, grubs, snails, and seeds. However, unlike owls it does not fly at night, but instead, runs rather fast though the underbrush. Snipe are extremely territorial and tend to travel in mated pairs, though not always. A snipe will aggressively chase a competitor out of its territory.

In the early part of this century, the snipe inhabited marshy areas exclusively. However, a great deal of predation, primarily by duck hunters, forced several of the remaining snipe species to migrate to forested areas which offered more places to hide. Please note: The snipe is not a federally listed threatened or endangered species.

The Snipe Hunting Method

The successful snipe hunt is a cooperative effort. It should be undertaken by groups of boys. Each group should number a minimum of 4 boys but not more than 11. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD A BOY ATTEMPT TO HUNT A SNIPE ALONE. Besides the fact that he is not likely to succeed, he could get himself hurt, disoriented, and lost. There is only one recorded instance in the annals where one boy hunted a snipe alone, though his success is a matter for debate. A young lad from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, being somewhat hefty, was slow and tired, and got himself separated from his hunting group when he stopped to rest. Realizing that he was lost, he began to panic and wandered aimlessly in the woods until at last he caught sight of one of his fellow hunter's flashlight beam. Anxious to catch up, he ran toward the light and squashed a napping snipe under his boot. Obviously, the disgustingly bloody and gutsy mess was not edible. But worse yet, having squashed the hapless snipe, he slipped as though he stepped on a banana peel, sprained his left ankle and broke his right arm in two places. SO REMEMBER BOYS: STAY TOGETHER!!!

Hunting Method and Strategy

Experience and statistical analyses over the past several years have clearly demonstrated that the following method and strategy are tried and true. However, due to the fact that snipe are quite cunning, hunting success by boys is usually limited to less than 50 percent.

  1. Each hunting group is to designate a hunt coordinator, one snipe caller, and one alternate snipe caller. The callers should be scouts who are good whistlers. The callers are to get calling instructions from the Senior Patrol Leader.
  2. Each Hunting group will be equipped with a brown paper bag. Shaman will demonstrate how to fold each bag to simulate a snipe burrow.
  3. Each hunting group will divide itself into two subgroups. A subgroup is to place itself at about 25 yards from the other. The subgroup with the brown paper bag is to also have the snipe caller with it.
  4. Both subgroups are to remain as hidden and as quiet as possible. The brown paper bag is placed low to the ground to simulate a snipe burrow and held open with both hands. At a given signal (by flashlight), the snipe caller will begin his call.
  5. The idea is to listen for any approaching sound through the underbrush.
    A snipe will rush toward a snipe call to either find a potential mate or to fight off a potential competitor.
  6. When an approaching sound is heard by the subgroup holding the bag, they are to signal the other subgroup (by a different flashlight signal) to rush the approaching snipe.
  7. The snipe, upon hearing the noise behind it, will think that it is being hunted by some animal, will then pick-up speed and will run into the simulated snipe burrow (brown paper bag), whereupon the bag must be closed shut as quickly as possible to prevent the snipe from escaping.

A WORD OF CAUTION

The brown paper bag is to be held away from the body, since the speeding snipe could poke its pointy beak through the bottom of the paper bag and into your leg, knee, or other sensitive body parts, so PLEASE BE CAREFUL. SNIPE MAKE GOOD EATING, BUT THEY ARE NOT WORTH GETTING INJURED OVER.

In the event that you catch a snipe see your leader for defeathering, gutting, and cooking instructions.

Jack

An Alternate Viewpoint

In my neck of the woods, "snipe hunting" is considered hazing.

As such it is considered to be against the policies of BSA. I have been in and conducted such hunts many years ago and felt they were fun, but they are an initiation rite and do not send an appropriate message to the new and older scouts and leaders. Consequently we no longer use them. If you or others disagree with this, please discuss it openly, maybe someone's mind will change. There are other activities that do not purposely single out individuals for possible embarrassment and may teach real skills in the process. Our troop enjoys lights-off night hikes with unexpected program features attached to them.

For example, we have used these as features so far:

These hikes are strictly voluntary and all participate equally. They do not single out new or old scouts, and everyone, including the event leader learns something new that is valid not a ruse. Troop 461 likes these better than "snipe hunts". Your mileage may vary.

YiS

I used to be an Eagle NE-V-19-20
Eagle Scout Class of 1967
Vigil-Wagion Lodge 6

(Mr.) Gary W. Sherwin SM
Troop 461 Yukon, Pa.
sherwin@sunshine.pgh.wec.com

Last edited: February 22, 2004
The NetWoods Virtual Campsite, Steve Tobin, Campmaster