By Tom Cadden, public information officer, Arizona Game and Fish Department

Have you ever wondered how many beginning campers have been duped into participating in a “snipe hunt?”

The ritual goes like this: The unsuspecting newbie is told about a unique bird called a snipe and is given some ridiculous method of catching it, such as running around the woods with a bag while making strange noises or banging sticks. The practical joke leaves the recipient red-faced and his pals with a good laugh.

Many Arizonans, including some hunters, might be surprised to know that snipe not only exist, but offer some enjoyable, sporty hunting opportunities.

“Snipe are one of the most overlooked game birds in the state,” says Randy Babb, information and education program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Mesa region. “They flush similar to quail, and their zig-zag flight patterns make for a challenging target.

Snipe prefer marshy habitats along rivers and lakes and will also use flooded agricultural areas. Birds can often be spotted by the hunter prior to entering an area by glassing the water’s edge with binoculars.

Babb advises hunters to check snipe habitat often, as the birds tend to suddenly appear and disappear in the feeding areas.

“Snipe offer a great ‘extra’ for duck hunters,” says Babb. “After a morning duck hunt, hunters should walk the nearby marshy areas or other flooded vegetation. If you prefer to jump-shoot ducks, snipe are common visitors to stock tanks.”

The season dates for common snipe this year are Oct. 5 through Jan. 13 in the mountain zone, and Oct. 19 through Jan. 27 in the desert zone. You must have a valid Arizona hunting license and an Arizona migratory bird stamp. For more information on open areas, bag limits and other regulations, check the Arizona Waterfowl and Snipe Regulations on the Department’s Web site, or pick up a copy at department offices.

Snipe are classified as an upland game bird, and steel shot is not required for hunting them.