Snipe

[Susie]

Someone mentioned to me the other day that they had eaten Snipe. For some reason I thought that bird like this are protected. Is this not the case?

[Stewy]

As far as I am aware they are a game bird with the season starting on the 12th August and finishing on the 31st January.

[salukiwhippet]

They're a gamebird, open season as Stewy says.

Traditionally eaten on toast with their innards still in. Can't say I fancy that much but I've never shot one so it hasn't arisen yet.

That's the common snipe (Gallinago gallinago). Jack snipe (Lymnocryptes minimus) are fully protected in England and Wales. I think they're on the quarry list in Ireland though.

James

[Susie]

Thanks for your replies. Much appreciated.

[Fauna]

Didn't the term Sniper originate from this bird...could be wrong here. It took a good marksman with high fieldskills to stalk and shoot these species (before shotguns), a person who regularly took snipe was called a Sniper( a highly trained marksman).

[salukiwhippet]

It still takes great skill with a shotgun! They get up and fly in a very random, zig-zag path to start with, only levelling out when they're on the very edge of range.
You're right about the 'sniper' bit. I think it was from Indian colonial days, when officers used to shoot a lot of snipe and wildfowl on the marshes.

James

[FUDGEY]

the saying goes "shoot before they sh##" as once they do they start to zig zag. I think snipe and woodcock should be on the protected list. I think it's scandolous that they are not protected.

[muldonach]

Originally Posted by FUDGEY

the saying goes "shoot before they sh##" as once they do they start to zig zag. I think snipe and woodcock should be on the protected list. I think it's scandolous that they are not protected.

Is there any justification in terms of population decline for such protection? We certainly have healthy populations of both right through the winter months and have no impression of a shortage.

That having been said I do not shoot snipe nor encourage others to do so since since although they offer a very testing shot there is seldom enough to make it worthwhile cooking them, nor as James has indicated are they actually all that popular on the table.

Woodcock are a different matter and make a good table bird.

Regards
Mac

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by muldonach

Woodcock are a different matter and make a good table bird.

Regards
Mac

Very true, one of the best say many.
When I was a kid, my granddad was always coming home from the pub with various birds for the pot. The most unusual I remember was a 'peewit' (lapwing). It was many years ago, but I remember it tasting okay, somewhat pheasant-like as I recall. I certainly would not like to see these bagged for the table these days. There aren't half as many as there used to be.
My granddad would eat 'owt', even starlings as a lad he said, which he called 'shepsters'.

Regards, Chris

[FUDGEY]

Originally Posted by muldonach

Is there any justification in terms of population decline for such protection? We certainly have healthy populations of both right through the winter months and have no impression of a shortage.

That having been said I do not shoot snipe nor encourage others to do so since since although they offer a very testing shot there is seldom enough to make it worthwhile cooking them, nor as James has indicated are they actually all that popular on the table.

Woodcock are a different matter and make a good table bird.

Regards
Mac

Well there are not huge numbers around where I live, but perhaps there are plenty in other parts of the UK. One good thing in my arae is the "gentlemens agreement" amongst the shooting fraternity is that they agree not to shoot Hares as there is not that many. They have to be applauded for that I say.