The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SNIPE HUNT

PART OF INITIATION AND USUALLY SUCKED UP BY NAIVE
FRESHMEN ON THEIR FIRST CAMPOUT. STORY IS TOLD
OF RARE ANIMALS WHO ARE AFRAID OF LIGHT AND COME OUT
ONLY AT NIGHT. THEREFORE A HUNT IS PLANNED TO CATCH
SOME. NEW SCOUTS ARE TEAMED UP WITH EACH OTHER
AND OLDER SCOUTS TEAM UP WITH OLDER SCOUTS. EACH
PAIR IS GIVEN A PAPER BAG AND THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT
SNIPE ARE SMALL, FAST, NOISELESS AND EASILY SCARED
BY SOUND AND LIGHT. THEY ALL GO OUT AND OLDER
SCOUTS SLIP BACK, LEAVING TENDERFEET OUT ALL NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOY SCOUTS

Date learned: NOT GIVEN