If you're a male of certain age who grew up in a rural area or had relatives who did, chances are you went snipe hunting when you were a boy. This is a rite of passage that seems to have died out lately and that's too bad.
A snipe hunt usually began after supper with older male members of the family reminiscing about their adventures while snipe hunting; how hard it is to catch a snipe, and how tonight might be just the right kind of night to catch one if anyone wanted to try. By the time they were finished, most little boys ten years old and under wanted to go.
What could be more exciting than bravely standing in the middle of a pitch black field or forest, alone, holding a bag, while waiting for your older male relatives to drive the snipes toward you? The scary dark night, the suspense building, the certainty that tonight, for certain tonight, you are finally going to be the one who captures an elusive snipe. The waiting. The sound of voices that gradually grow more faint and then disappear altogether. What was that rustle? A snipe? Maybe I should rattle the bag a little louder to attract it in! But what if it's not a snipe? What if it's a big snake? Or something with claws and teeth? Where is everyone?
Then, finally, you can't stand it any longer. "Dad?" you say in a quavering little voice. "Uncle Carl? Scott? Where are you?" Miraculously, they appear from the darkness of the trees, strolling casually toward you. "Did you catch one? You weren't scared; were you? Didn't you even hear one? Oh well, maybe next time. Maybe you didn't hold the bag just right. You sure did try, though," they say as all of you walk toward the safety of the house where the females of the family are waiting to hear all about your experience.
Although it may take a while, it finally occurs to you to ask what snipes look like and to wonder if there is really such a thing. Don't hold your breath waiting for a definitive answer. After all, no one has ever really seen a snipe – they've only hunted snipes.
We were reminded of our nephew, Neil's, snipe hunting experience recently. This is what he said: "Out of all the memories that I have of your family, the first thing that pops in my mind when I think of you guys is fearlessly attending my first (and only) snipe hunting expedition in your field. Doggon' it, I thought I had really nailed the ability to rub the paper bag just right to attract a snipe into it. I still chuckle at that and I continue to hope that I'll have the ability to repeat the prank someday."
A little boy has to be very brave to go snipe hunting.
