Snipe Hunting
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Senior Member
Joined: 08-27-2006
Posts: 2,566
From: Anaheim, CA
A snipe hunt, also known as a fool's errand or wild goose chase, is one of a class of practical jokes that involves experienced people making fun of newcomers by giving them an impossible or imaginary task.
For example, inexperienced campers are told about a bird or animal called the snipe as well as a usually ridiculous method of catching it, such as running around the woods carrying a bag or making strange noises. Real snipes (which are often mistakenly thought to be non-existent) are difficult to catch for experienced hunters, so much so that the word "sniper" is derived from it to refer to anyone skilled enough to shoot one[citation needed]. The hunt never succeeds for novices. In another, more cruel version, the unsuspecting "snipe hunter" is secretly abandoned to see how long will it take for him to notice this and start to panic.
Snipe hunts are similar to hazing except that the abuse is embarrassment from trickery rather than physical humiliation.
The name comes from a family of shorebirds named snipe that are notoriously difficult to shoot. However, the term "snipe hunt" does not describe a hunt for actual prey. Often, the pranksters will tell the victim, "we need to spread out," and then go home.
For example, inexperienced campers are told about a bird or animal called the snipe as well as a usually ridiculous method of catching it, such as running around the woods carrying a bag or making strange noises. Real snipes (which are often mistakenly thought to be non-existent) are difficult to catch for experienced hunters, so much so that the word "sniper" is derived from it to refer to anyone skilled enough to shoot one[citation needed]. The hunt never succeeds for novices. In another, more cruel version, the unsuspecting "snipe hunter" is secretly abandoned to see how long will it take for him to notice this and start to panic.
Snipe hunts are similar to hazing except that the abuse is embarrassment from trickery rather than physical humiliation.
The name comes from a family of shorebirds named snipe that are notoriously difficult to shoot. However, the term "snipe hunt" does not describe a hunt for actual prey. Often, the pranksters will tell the victim, "we need to spread out," and then go home.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-15-2007
Posts: 125
From: Homer Glen
When i was in the Air Force we used to send guys out for a bucket of prop wash.... or a bucket of K9P cleaning agent..... the whole base knew what was going on with the K9P. it literally was the persons whole first day searching it out as it was the way to show them the base and make them do it on their own. Funny stuff until they got to the law enforcment office and the guy hands him a bucket and walks him out by the police dogs 
Senior Member
Joined: 01-13-2006
Posts: 3,000
From: Superior, WI - Over the Hill Warranty Club member
We used the Relative Bearing Grease or the Keys to the Sea Chest Locker.
Hey Z, I have been across the Equator, International Date Line and a Great Lakes sailor (sailed on all 5 great lakes on a Coast Guard Ship)
Hey Z, I have been across the Equator, International Date Line and a Great Lakes sailor (sailed on all 5 great lakes on a Coast Guard Ship)
Senior Member
Joined: 12-30-2006
Posts: 661
From: Lower Alabama
When i was in the Air Force we used to send guys out for a bucket of prop wash.... or a bucket of K9P cleaning agent..... the whole base knew what was going on with the K9P. it literally was the persons whole first day searching it out as it was the way to show them the base and make them do it on their own. Funny stuff until they got to the law enforcment office and the guy hands him a bucket and walks him out by the police dogs
We tell them that we use it to tie down the helicopters when it gets real windy.
Senior Member
Joined: 07-21-2006
Posts: 1,708
From: Ft Walton Bch FL
Of course, there's no such thing as a snipe. It's just cruel joke adolescent boys like to pull on each other. I guess you're it!