The snipe hunt is a right of passage

Starkly alone in the abyss of the night woods atop Bruce’s Mountain, I was engaged in a long awaited rite of passage. I should have been ecstatic, but my insides were a chaotic battleground or unrestrained pride in fierce combat with waves of terror. I could cry out in fear and frustration. Surely, rescue would be immediate, but no, I could not bear the humiliation.

Brothers, friends and other family members had gathered on this night to share in my joy. We had all heard the stories of the legendary snipe hunts and those individuals of larger-than-life stature who had snared several of the elusive quarry. Alas, most others had tried and met only with disappointment. I was confident; the elusive snipe was no match for my cunning maneuvers and a capture was certain. I would leave the mountain victorious!

The common snipe is a medium-sized bird of the wading family closely resembling the woodcock. Alaska and Canada are popular breeding grounds utilizing Virginia and regions south for winter habitats.

I had been told that the bird usually stays hidden in the grass, and if startled, will burst out from its cover and fly in a zig-zag pattern to evade predators. However, I had not been told that “wading” birds frequent marshy areas not hard wood forests. I have also come to learn that the common snipe is a pretty fair game bird, difficult to snare and commonly hunted with a shotgun.

On this auspicious evening, most of this information had been omitted due, as I was informed, to the unique nature of snipe hunting in this part of Virginia. Not just anybody could go on such a hunt. Nerve was a prerequisite, as was great patience, a quality essential to the mandate to stand in the woods alone, in the dark, sometimes for hours. Did I mention that the ability to find the way back home was pretty important?

There were no guns allowed; it was truly a test of wits.

As the honored one on this notable night, I took a central position near where the snipe had been recently sighted and stood at the ready with my sack, a key element. It needed to be large, flexible and without noise; gunny or burlap bags were the best choice.

The others were to encircle the area where the snipe was thought to be and herd it or them toward the hunter and the waiting gunnysack. The hunter could set the sack in position and step away or stand motionless with sack in hand. It was highly recommended to call the snipe quietly but one must never, never call out to the others, an action guaranteed to scare away the snipe.

Several times I thought I heard the rustle of feathers in the leaves, but after two hours with no results, I gathered my sack and walked home. I was now proudly one of the hunters; I would get to go again and next time maybe I could be a herder.

Should you have any desire to go snipe hunting in this part of Virginia, I know several very good guides who would love to take you. Until next week, be well.