"Snipe hunting" redirects here. For the game bird, see
Snipe § Hunting.
A snipe hunt is a type of
practical joke or
fool's errand, in existence in North America as early as the 1840s, in which an unsuspecting newcomer is duped into trying to catch an elusive, nonexistent animal called a snipe. Although
snipe are an actual family of birds, a snipe hunt is a quest for an imaginary creature whose description varies.
The target of the prank is led to an outdoor spot and given instructions for catching the snipe; these often include waiting in the dark and holding an empty bag or making noises to attract the creature. The others involved in the prank then leave the newcomer alone in the woods to discover the joke. As an American
rite of passage, snipe hunting is often associated with
summer camps and groups such as the
Boy Scouts. In France, a similar joke is called "
hunting the dahu".
In North America
Although
snipe are a real family of birds, the snipe hunt is a
practical joke, often associated with
summer camps and other types of outdoor
camping, in which the victim is tricked into engaging in a hunt for an imaginary creature.[1]
Snipe hunters are typically led to an outdoor spot at night and given a bag or pillowcase along with instructions that can include either waiting quietly or making odd noises to attract the creatures. The other group members leave, promising to chase the snipe toward the newcomer; instead, they return home or to camp, leaving the victim of the prank alone in the dark to discover that they have been duped and left "
holding the bag".[2]
The snipe hunt is a kind of
fool's errand or
wild-goose chase, meaning a fruitless errand or expedition, attested as early as the 1840s in the United States.[3][4] It was the most common
hazing ritual for boys in American summer camps during the early 20th century, and is a
rite of passage[5] often associated with groups such as the
Boy Scouts. In camp life and
children's folklore, the snipe hunt provides an opportunity to make fun of newcomers while also accepting them into the group.[6][7]
Setting the stage for the prank is often done with imaginative descriptions of the snipe, similar to
tall tales. For instance, the snipe is said to resemble a cross between a jackrabbit and a squirrel; a squirrel-like bird with one red and one green eye; a small, black, furry bird-like animal that only comes out during a full moon, and so on.[8] According to American Folklore: An Encyclopedia:
While the snipe hunt is known in virtually every part of the United States, the description of the prey varies: it may be described as a type of bird, a snake, or a small furry animal. In one version, the snipe is a type of deer with a distinctive call; the dupe is left kneeling and imitating the snipe call while holding the bag to catch it.[9]
In another variation, a bag supposedly containing a captured snipe is theatrically brought to the campsite after a group hunt; the snipe quickly "escapes" unseen when the bag is opened.[10]
Variations
A similar practical joke in France is known as "
hunting the dahut".[11] While the description of the prey differs from the North American snipe hunt, the nature of the joke is the same.[8]
In Spain, a similar joke is called cazar gamusinos ('hunting gamusinos'). The gamusino [
es] is an imaginary animal with no defined description.[12]
In the
Pixar movie Up, Carl tells Russell to go look for a snipe. Later on they find a giant bird which Russell identifies as a Snipe and names it Kevin. They find that Kevin is a female.[non-primary source needed]
Season 1, Episode 3[15] of
King of the Hill features Bobby and other members of a Boy Scout troop on a snipe hunt. While the other boys realize the hunt was a trick, Bobby kills an endangered whooping crane he believes to be a snipe.
^According to
Fee & Webb (2016), "Similar fool's errands or wild-goose chases of this kind might include being sent to find a 'smoke-bender' for the campfire or a 'sky-hook' to move a heavy object" (p. 514).
^See
Glimm (1983, p.
187): "Collected all over the United States, the snipe hunt story is an old European folktale (motif J2349.6). In France it is known as 'Hunting the Dahut'".
See also
Chartois & Claudel (1945): "Translator's note: Dahut hunting is comparable to our American snipe hunting".
Chartois, Jo; Claudel, Calvin (1945). "Hunting the Dahut: A French Folk Custom". The Journal of American Folklore. 58 (227): 21–24.
doi:
10.2307/535332.
ISSN1535-1882.
JSTOR535332.
Glimm, James Y. (1983).
"Snipe Hunting". Flatlanders and ridgerunners : folktales from the mountains of northern Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh Press. pp. 12–13.
ISBN0-8229-5345-5.
Posen, I.S. (1974). "Pranks and practical jokes at children's summer camps". Southern Folklore Quarterly. 38 (4): 299–309.
ISSN0038-4127.