Snipe 2015
 

Well finally got to do some hunting myself today.Two weeks into the snipe season and had the morning to myself.Started off slow as I could not hit a barn door.Finally connected and knocked one down after several shots

Then another shooting a trojan 20ga I picked up over the summer.Sweet little gun with plenty of wear but handles beautifully.

Went another 100yds and hit the mother load.Birds all around flushing in all directions.Third time I connected was actually a one shot double.So now with my confidence built back up I finished my limit.
Birds were holding great and plenty of them.Made a few calls when I finished and got the word out.Tomorrow got a client coming out to enjoy the birds.

I never ate a snipe - what do they taste like?






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Taste a little like liver which I like so suits me fine.Best thing other than their sporting flush is that alot of my clients love to shoot them but don't like eating.So I get plenty for myself even if I'm not hunting.

I have some great memories of snipe hunting. Unfortunately there are not a lot of good places to hunt them around here

That would make a great Parker Pages article

It would be a great story I am not skilled at putting pen to paper.If I can get someone to take on the task there are plenty here now for a story.It would be thrilling with the smaller sub gauge.
I'll report tomorrow after the hunt.Should be another awesome day.

Mills,
When your ready, Bob has just the place for you to hunt Snipe and many othe types of game. He donated a hunt to our silent auction in 2014 at his place http://www.littlelakelodge.net/ in Florida. I hope to get down there one day as well.

Great hunt ! Do you just walk them up or do you use a flushing dog ? Danny

We mostly walk them up they were holding tight last two days but sometimes its a little tougher.Most dogs will point them but they flush more than they point it seems.And all dogs will turn their nose once they retrieve one.They are something like woodcock but I guess a little more pungent taste.I've seen countless dogs point and then retrieve and then do anything to get the taste out of their mouth.
Nothing I can smell I imagine its from their glands since in water and mud all the time.

Not snipe hunting but a little quail action this morning.Clients dog(rosie)pointing some quail.She had a great day with 10 birds in the bag.Later she did a retrieve on a snipe.

Great pictures of a handsome setter ! If a dog is forced broken to retrieve I think they would pick up snipe. My Boykin retrieves woodcock. Danny

We talked about that yesterday.I have been told you run a chance of taking some hunt out of a dog when force fetch trained.She probably would be ok because she's a 100 mile an hour dog but starting to mature now.I think she'll really come on this season.My pointers will retrieve to hand and won't have anything to do with snipe.

Back when I had pointers and bird hunted, a lot of the dogs ( mine and dogs of friends would not point woodcock) Many times they acted as if they were not there. When to Vermont in Oct. and my Boykin flushed and retrieved woodcock. A couple of times my host setters would point and I whistled my Boykin to sit while we got in position to shoot then sent her in to flush. When that works it is COOL. Never force broke a bird dog, only labs and my Boykin. Force broke dogs are more dependable I think.Danny

How are the tree ducks looking?

Not seeing many this season.The cattle operations are in full swing around here and I think have pulled them from the ranch with their daily millage feed schedule.It has been warm but saw several flocks of ducks past couple days in front of a front approaching today.

Great pics

Nobody that I know of around here hunt Snipe, but reading articles and seeing pictures sure has me wanting to try it. We have tons of them around here right now. I'll have to give it a shot one afternoon. I really enjoy this Hunting with Parker thread. I am so jealous of you guys that get to bird hunt with Parker and bird dogs. Here in Arkansas we do not get to enjoy a good setter or pointer without having to drive 10hours one way.

They are the most sporty game bird ever. Small and they dart around in zig zagged lines.

My first snipe hunt was on an old rice plantation right across from Savannah. It was me and my Dad, one of Dad's friends and the friend's father. I shot more snipe than Dad did, but Dad snagged an old four row planter they did not want. I will always remember that hunt.

Probably the most underrated bird in North America as far as flush and speed in the bald open.But any cover close by and they will put it between you and them.

Hmmm... Sounds a lot like the "Ruffed Timberdoodle" :rolleyes:





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I love to hunt woodcock and go every year(chance).Going for 5 days this Jan. in La. again.But the snipe is just a great bird to hunt with it generally easy to find.Great bird to start beginners on or introduce seasoned veterans.

Last week of snipe season with cool weather and lots of rain.Birds don't seem to mind.Had good hunt this morning with client.

When do hogs and turkey seasons begin?






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Hogs are year round here in Florida.Osceola turkey season begins March 5th and again (2nd opener)March 19th.Season is split between north and south zone.I am on the border and have property in both so we have 2 openers.
Here is pic of new love of my life.The simple trojan 20ga..
Can't get enough of this gun.

Those small bore Trojans are great little guns. I've had a few of them.






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My favorite gun is also a 20 gauge Trojan

The more I shoot it the more it grows on me.I let her down in La. woodcock hunting.But in my defense birds were few and far between.But get her back home and the old girl swings and rolls them with the best.
I wish all Parkers came with a log book of past adventures.That would be icing on the cake.

Great hunt. They must be lots of fun. Two openings of turkey season is cool. Years ago, we would pack up and go to south Mississippi for the first few days because the turkeys started to gobble at least week to 10 days earlier than in north Mississippi.

Not gobbling yet but should start any day.Just need it to dry up a little.