Snipe Hunting

Ahsan Ahmed

Ahsan Ahmed

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Mods - please note the intent via the thread here is not to promote an external Forum on CGN but to offer some glimpses of a type of hunting that come under Waterfowl category (Snipe) and what is almost non-existent here in Canada. Thought I'd post this as a topic of interest since I had spent many years in the past pursuing this swift quarry :)

I came across this US based site with very nice hunting images i.e. of birds/shotguns...... http://www.thesnipehunter.com/index.html

and the Forum - http://thesnipehuntersforum.yuku.com/
 
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I take exception to your "almost nonexistent" comment sir! Snipe hunting is reserved for the very few elite wingshooters, who appreciate them, and have the required skills to hit the little *bleep*ers when they fly the way they do! I myself an an expert at missing snipe. I can shoot over, under, behind, way way behind, and generally too late. Snipe exist to keep wingshooters humble. Here is the only pictures I have of last falls' few successful efforts, snipe as part of a mixed bag in Saskatchewan.
P1000166.jpg

IMG_2235.jpg
 
Snipes are rare? I hate to break it to you buddy, they're all over the place here. I don't know anyone who has actually eaten one, but the limit is 10 a day. What does a snipe taste like?
 
Dogleg said:
Snipes are rare? I hate to break it to you buddy, they're all over the place here. I don't know anyone who has actually eaten one, but the limit is 10 a day. What does a snipe taste like?
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Never said anything about snipes being rare here.....what I meant was the type of hunting is (note the term) "almost" non-existent.....I do realize few folks hunt those here in Canada.

Taste may vary among species....some are excellent. Other, not so.

sjemac - I recall you posting those images last year....nice.

LW - think I may have hit a nerve there :D
 
Ahsan, you didn't hit a nerve, I just love to hunt snipe and to promote snipe. So few people ever try, but those who I've introduced to snipe hunting generally like it. And they do taste good.
 
Snipe. Only ever shot one.
see them regularly where I hunt, but they are usualy to deep in the swamps for me to get a good shot at
 
Longwalker said:
I take exception to your "almost nonexistent" comment sir! Snipe hunting is reserved for the very few elite wingshooters, who appreciate them, and have the required skills to hit the little *bleep*ers when they fly the way they do! I myself an an expert at missing snipe. I can shoot over, under, behind, way way behind, and generally too late. Snipe exist to keep wingshooters humble. Here is the only pictures I have of last falls' few successful efforts, snipe as part of a mixed bag in Saskatchewan.
P1000166.jpg

IMG_2235.jpg
Click to expand...

Hey, nice hunt and btw you have fine dog, love to have one,
 
cdngunner said:
Wooops. I meant woodcock, almost the same;)
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I'm glad you brought that up..there is a difference from those "Snipe" in the prarie sloughs, that are smaller and so damn quick...to the larger, areobatic Woodcock found in the east. I have hunted "woodcock", in fair numbers in Europe..however, have never seen so many, and such nice birds as while posted to Gagetown NB. NB, in the right parts has unreal woodcock hunting. When they would be migrating, they would rest in flocks at the lake shore and lawns around the lake. Never have I seen such plentyful and nice birds. A springer heaven...
BTW, in France, the intestines, fried in garlic butter and served on toast as a spread, are a delicacy...very expensive, lol, and no I never tried it. Just on a side note for interest..In Europe, like with most game animals, the woodcock is and has an interesting, and historical trophy. If you go to the end of the wing, and seperate the feathers,on the leading edge, you will find a sharp and small, like a spear point, feather, this is called the "painters feather", and in days gone by was used as such. Also,, on the back, above the tail feathers is the Woodcocks beard. A gland or group of small feathers called, "the beard"...These are removed by the shooter as his trophy, and usually saved or placed in a special pewter hat pin, with the painters feathers, to show that you are an accomplished woodcock shooter..and shows respect to the bird..they are great table fare also..
 
Plenty of snipe here in Manitoba..."jacksnipe" we call them. After a good hard frost in October they arrive in good numbers from the north. Have shot them only a few times when conditions were right. During wet falls they are common in lower areas on alphalpa and wild grass pasture near marshes.

Have only seen other hunters going for them once. They were four Italian fellas that spoke no english at all.

As for table fare I remember them being fat and delicious... reminded me of eating chicken livers.
 
I personally would love to hunt snipe. In fact I wish I could do a lot more of all kinds of bird hunting, alas I no longer have a bird dog. I am convince if I did have a nice bird dog I would hunt big game 1/3 of what I do now.
 
I've hunted Snipe (Wislon's Snipe - Gallinago delicata ) here in Ontario, as well as out west in the fall and down in Cuba, "beccasina", in the winter. They don't differ much in looks from the Common Snipe of Eurasia ( G. galinago ) , and no matter which species or where they're shot, they are most certainly a wingshooter's challenge.

Snipe are often confused with Woodcock (American Woodcock - Scolopax minor ) or "timberdoodles" as some refer to them. They too have a European counterpart ( Eurasian Woodcock Scaolpax rusticola "becasse" ) which is a somewhat larger bird. Woodcock here are primarily Eastern Canadian/New England birds, save their annual migration into the Gulf coast of Louisianna.

I find them ( bothWilson's Snipe & Am. Woodcock) delightful table fare when well-prepared, but "hold the trail", not for me, thanks ! I understand the European Woodcock is also highly regarded by sportsman & epicureans alike, but to some, they are either very much of an acquired taste , or absolutely unpalatable ! Many pointers/setters will refuse to pick up a woodcock, even though they point them.

Either you "like 'em or you don't" .... but you'll never know if you don't try!
 
I just came back from a snipe/ptarmigan hunt. I haven't been seeing too many ptarmigan the last few years close to home but there's always a few snipe around. Shot 3 over the dog this evening and missed a 4th (didn't see any sign of ptarmigan). Alot of folks here with bird dogs will not shoot snipe over their dog but I see more snipe than ptarmigan and they are a good sporting bird (ie, well camoflaged, fast erratic flyers etc)....so why the heck not, I say. The dog has fun too :)
 
Ahsan Ahmed said:
Never said anything about snipes being rare here.....what I meant was the type of hunting is (note the term) "almost" non-existent.....I do realize few folks hunt those here in Canada.

Taste may vary among species....some are excellent. Other, not so.

sjemac - I recall you posting those images last year....nice.

LW - think I may have hit a nerve there :D
Click to expand...

I don't shoot them as I wouldn't know one shorebird( I am assuming they are shorebirds, correct me if I am wrong please) from another! I see tons of long beeked little birds in huge flocks here at times in the late fall but wouldnt know if they are snipe or not. The one being held in that pic and the two laying side by side in the other close up photo look like woodcock to me so best I don't shoot and land myself in trouble, LOL . Do they taste like timberdoodles?
 
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