sure - we can show you if you want to go on a snipe hunt.

A snipe does not exist - you tell someone you are going on a snipe hunt and do they want to go. Then you hand them a bag - tell them that everyone else is going out in all different directions and will chase the snipes toward you. You are to stand there on the ready to catch the snipes in the bag you are holding. Well everyone else takes off, leterally and you are left holding the bag.

in fact the first indication that a snipe hunt is emminent is someone asking "what is a snipe"

Yep, that's about it. There are some different local variations. In my neck of the woods in South Georgia, my Mother, and my uncles and aunts, had been on hunts previously.

And there was a lot of laughter when they talked about going out, and which team got back first, and like that.

I was about 10 I think when I went out for the first time (and probably the only real time).

We called it a croker sack (a burlap bag), and one team was supposed to "beat the bushes" with sticks. The other team would hold the croker sacks near the ground with the neck open for the snipe to run into, and a flashlight on and aimed from near the neck of the bag.

I was told that it was similar to the way that rabbits will freeze when the light hits them, but actually opposite. The snipes, startled by the noise of the sticks hitting the bushes, would run toward the light.

As the sack holders intently focused on the snipe that would be coming toward them, the bush beaters would move on outward, and then sneak home.

In my Mother's day, she said they would go deep into the woods near their home. When I went, it was in the field near the woods, but not really that far (but it was dark).

The aunt nearest me in age (in fact, the same difference in age between me and my oldest younger sister) and I were a team. And she didn't give anything away, but I had figured it out. So we were back at the house BEFORE the bush beaters! And roaring with laughter when they arrived home.

I have later tales, but this one was one that I actually participated in. Actually, the dictionary does list a snipe. One is a fish, I think, and I think there is some kind of bird - but not like what is told in this "wild goose chase" scam.

Wow -- that's some elaborate snipe-hunting, Carl!

Years ago I worked in the service dept. of a car dealership. The "initiation rite" (prank, really) the mechanics did to a new, young mechanic reminds me of snipe hunting: the kid was told to help an older guy by finding him the left-handed screwdriver! There was also something about a "brass magnet..."

That is so mean, lol.

How do people fall for that?

If you asked me on a snipe hunt, i would be like where , when what is the snipe how big is it show me a picture, ccan you catch disease from it, I could go on.. didn't anyone question standing out in the forest alone waiting with a sack for some wild creature?

Yes, military men send people on "wild goose chases" also. When I was aboard an aircraft carrier, I sent a fellow electronics tech to the supply department (who sent him on to other places) for [now you have to understand that this was the day that the electron tube was used in electronic equipment; later more and more the solid state circuitry was used] to requisition a fallopian tube. [also this was in the mid 60s - long before women served aboard U.S. naval ships]

And when I served on a little wooden-hulled minesweeper, all metallic materials that were not part of the ship's magnetic "signature" had to be offloaded onto the pier before the ship could go on minesweeping exercises. So I told a young and low rank kid that he would have to make an appointment with the base dentist to have all his magnetic fillings removed and replaced with non-magnetic fillings before our next exercise.

He had begun the steps to get the appointment when we took mercy on him.

And there was "striped" paint, and "mail buoy" watches. And I'm sure others know of many more.

Fallopian tube! Non-magnetic fillings! -- ROFL!

yeah - a bucket of steam -

ROFL!!!!!!! it still happens carl.. when i was in a few years ago, got out in 2002, we had the same things on the small boys. destroyer ships for those who don't know navy lingo. hehe. there were left handed screw drivers and stripped paint and fallopian tubes too. the mail buoy watch is still around too. and, yes BLR, the bucket of steam. all kinds of crazy stuff. LOL.
i can't remember the one about the water line. that was popular with the boatswains mates. haha

and we also caught fireflies when i was a kid, when i lived in OK. we had jars for them too and put them in our bedrooms too. we even put holes in the lids so they could breath. lol.
and i forgot that when we lived there we had a duck. it ended up flying away a few months after we got it.

After I got out of the Navy, I remained in San Diego (I had been on the Duluth, LPD-6).

I got active at Skyline Wesleyan Church (then in Lemon Grove, California), and after seminary, spent a year there as a Resident Intern Pastor. My primary job that year was assisting the Junior High Director, who had a program involving over 200 Junior Highers. My very first night there, was on a Wednesday night. Steve (the director) believed in tiring the kids out first, and then going back to the church for the learning activities. So this night was soccer - and all the counselors and leaders played, too! And there were TWO soccer balls in action at the same time. My tongue was hanging.

Anyway, as I drove kids to various activities in San Diego and LA, I had talked about snipe hunts. And the kids learned real quick that it was a scam. Most people you can laugh, and then get serious and pretend that your laughter meant nothing, and get them at least half-believing again.

Not so these kids. They pretended to believe, but on a beach trip to Mission Beach, some of them (near time to go) wanted to go on a coeducational snipe hunt down the beach. I said, NO! Get in the bus. I wasn't born yesterday.

PS - I WANTED someone to send me on a wild goose chase. I had a space for one of my ECM gear (the active ECM) that could only be entered from the portside catwalk along the flight deck. I figured I'd go there and sack out, and nobody would be able to find me right away. And I'd have the perfect excuse - I was ordered to do such and such.