Gather your friends for an unforgettable night filled with laughter and mystery beneath the stars.
What better way to create lifelong memories than by participating in one of the most classic, hilarious, and enduring prank traditions of all time: The Great Snipe Hunt?
At first glance, it sounds like a serious adventure — an elusive animal, a challenging forest terrain, and a mission to prove your courage. But as seasoned campers know, it’s all in good fun. The snipe hunt is not just a prank — it’s a bonding experience, a lesson in humility, and a rite of passage rooted in centuries of folklore.
🌿 What Is a Snipe Hunt?
The snipe hunt is a practical joke played primarily on newcomers in a group — campers, scouts, or new friends — who are led to believe they’re going on a serious nocturnal wildlife capture expedition. In reality, the snipe does not exist, at least not in the mythical form described.
Victims are usually given absurd tools: pillowcases, sticks, or flashlights. They’re told to stay very quiet, make strange noises, or use bizarre bait to lure the elusive “snipe.” Meanwhile, the rest of the group hides nearby, often trying not to laugh — or worse, quietly sneaking away to leave the “hunter” wondering what happened.
📜 A Timeless Tradition: Origins and History
The concept of a snipe hunt dates back as early as the 1700s, and while there is a real bird called a snipe — a small, fast, marsh-dwelling bird known for being hard to catch — the “hunt” as we know it is purely fictional.
In American folklore, the snipe hunt gained traction in the Boy Scouts of America and summer camps throughout the 20th century. It became a way to break the ice, initiate newcomers, and reinforce group bonds through harmless humor.
It’s not unlike other prank traditions found around the world:
- In France, you might be sent to find “de l’huile de coude” (elbow grease).
- In Australia, apprentices might be asked for a left-handed screwdriver.
- In the U.S., the snipe hunt rules the forest night.
🪵 How to Organize a Snipe Hunt (The Classic Setup)
Planning a snipe hunt takes more creativity than cruelty. The goal isn’t to mock — it’s to create a moment that everyone, including the victim, will remember fondly.
🎒 What You Need:
- A secluded outdoor location (like a forest, park, or campground)
- A flashlight or lantern
- A bag or pillowcase (“to catch the snipe”)
- Ridiculous bait (e.g., marshmallows, granola bars, shiny rocks)
- Several accomplices who know the prank
- Optional: snipe calls (invented on the spot!)
