doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Snipe?

Snipe is a classic quarry of hunting over bird dogs in Russia and Europe. I always wondereв why not in the US...

To me, they--and sora rail--taste a lot like woodcock. And I like woodcock.

For those that tout grouse and woodcock as being a challenging pair of gamebirds because of the differences in speed, the way they maneuver, etc . . . they should try mixed bag shooting for snipe and soras. Soras fly low, slow, and drag their landing gear. Snipe are sort of like woodcock with jet assist takeoff.

[quote=ASavageFox]and coot though never again)

Very wise words there grasshopper......

When I was stationed down on the slower lower eastern shore of VA we would gun for rail/snipe. On a high tide that would cover the flats, all you had to do was bump your boat into duck blinds (they were the only thing above water) and blast away.... tho that only happened once or twice a season, the rest of the time we'd walk the flats and tumps.

As noted taste like timberdoodle, and I like doodle!!!

Gary

"Snipe" at one time was an all encompassing description of long billed shorebirds including Wilson's Snipe which is what we legally hunt. It is not the same as the common snipe which is pursued on other continents. Our Wilson's Snipe specializes in freshwater wet areas, mostly shunning saltwater flats. In 1941 there was a total ban on hunting Wilson's Snipe. Shorebird hunting was illegal long before 1941 and had been banned totally by the 1920s. When Wilson Snipe populations rebounded by 1953 and the season re-opened, a lot of hunters lost interest and didn't resume hunting again which suits me just fine. I know some who use dogs, but I would never endanger my Brittany here in the low country of Georgia. We have mild winter days during the snipe season and venemous cottonmouth mocassins and large gators frequent the same marshes where I hunt snipe. On mild winter days, these two reptiles become active. I am aware of some hunters who use pointing breeds and flushers to successfully hunt snipe.

From my experience, dogs are of more value when wading for sora rail. (I've only hunted them in the Midwest.) Most places I've found snipe, they were more out in the open and did not need much encouraging to flush. I think duck hunters may miss a bet, however, by not using those birds as a tuneup for waterfowl, where the snipe and rail seasons open before duck season.

GLS

I agree that Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) is not the same as the common snipe(Gallinago gallinago) at gunpoint from wikipedia (the differences are for experts only). I hunt areas with Gallinago gallinago (Common snipe), Gallinago stenura (Pintail snipe) and Gallinago megala (Swinhoe's snipe). I have to say that all are extremely sporting birds and are indistinguishable on the table. All are excellent!

Anybody who has the opportunity should give the birds a try.

Wonderful hunting!

All the best

Skeeterbd

GLS - Thanks for the info on the two snipe species - I didn't know that.
I mostly hunt them without a dog, just walking the mudflats and hoping one happens to fly into my pattern. Upland hunting, however, for early season sharptails and huns, my French Brits often point snipe, which means I actually have a chance to hit them.
And yes, they are great table fare - otherwise I wouldn't shoot them.

A limit of snipe ready for the grill. I like'em best plucked with skin on. No shortcuts on these delectables:

For a wonderful read find a copy of J.J. Pringle's book on snipe shooting in the south. There are some reprints
available.....originals go for around 5 grand. Great book for the gunner's library.

GLS, I wish you would have put a ruler or your hand in that picure so I can see how big snipe are when ready for the frying pan. Them things don't look much bigger than a meadow lark.