Snipe hunting is a phenomenon that has puzzled many outdoor enthusiasts in Colorado and beyond. For those unfamiliar, a snipe is a small, fast shorebird with camouflaged brown and black plumage that inhabits marshes and wetlands. They are notoriously difficult to spot thanks to their speed and coloring. Yet despite confirmed sightings in neighboring states, their presence in Colorado remains hotly debated. So what’s the real story – are there snipe in Colorado or not?
The Origins of the Snipe Hunt Tradition
The tradition of snipe hunting as a fool’s errand or wild goose chase dates back over a century. As early as the 1840s, stories circulated of experienced hunters taking greenhorns out at night to hunt the elusive snipe, only to abandon them shivering in the darkness. The snipe hunt became a common hazing ritual, popular at summer camps and with hunting clubs. But true believers maintained that the snipe does exist, and set out to find evidence in the Centennial State.
Early Sightings and Search Efforts
Sporadic reports of snipe sightings in Colorado date back to the late 1800s. A newspaper article from 1891 recounts a group of hunters spotting “peculiar brown waterfowls” along the banks of the Platte River that matched descriptions of the evasive snipe. Throughout the early 20th century, curiosity seekers scoured marshes, flood plains, and wetlands in hopes of glimpsing one. Most came back empty-handed, furthering the notion that snipe were imaginary creatures.
In 1917, the Colorado Department of Wildlife commissioned a study to settle the debate. A team of wildlife experts surveyed a wide swath of eastern Colorado over 6 months. While they observed an array of bird species, surveyors concluded no evidence of snipe could be found. Many considered this the final nail in the coffin for Colorado snipe.
Modern Efforts to Prove the Snipe’s Existence
In recent decades, alleged snipe sightings have continued to occur sporadically. While most biologists remain skeptical, some naturalists believe the birds may indeed inhabit certain wetland habitats. The rise of the internet and social media has allowed Colorado snipe devotees to connect and organize targeted search efforts.
In the early 2000s, message boards like HuntTalk.com became gathering places for discussing and logging possible sightings. Groups like the Colorado Snipe Society formed to conduct seasonal surveys and field studies. Members stake out likely snipe locations for days on end, keeping careful notes and photos. They say evidence is mounting, though indisputable proof remains elusive.
Some cryptozoologists posit that snipe used to inhabit Colorado but ecological changes caused them to die out over the 20th century. Habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization as well as drought may have impacted hypothetical snipe populations. Without scientific documentation, it is impossible to disprove this extinction scenario.
The Case For and Against Colorado Snipe
Those who believe snipe calls ring out over certain Colorado wetlands point to the following as evidence:
- Multiple accounts of strange, unidentified birds approximately the size and shape of snipe
- Feather samples purported to be from snipe found at a few marshes
- Sounds recorded matching descriptions of snipe calls from other regions
- Blurred photos of possible snipe-like birds taken near dawn and dusk
Skeptics of the Colorado snipe offer these counterpoints:
- No clear photo or video evidence has emerged despite extensive efforts
- No specimen has been collected, trapped, or definitively identified
- Habitats searched do not match ideal snipe environments
- Sounds attributed to snipe could easily be other species
The lack of a verified carcass, nest, or other physical evidence keeps the Colorado snipe permanently in the realm of legend for most biologists. But believers feel they are getting closer to definitive proof with each passing season.
Snipe Habits and Behaviors
If the snipe does exist in Colorado, certain conditions and habitats would be required to support even a small population. Here are key facts about the behaviors and preferences of snipe that may explain how they have avoided detection:
- Nocturnal activity – Snipe are most active at dawn and dusk, making daytime observations unlikely.
- Camouflage – Their brown, black, and white speckled plumage lets them blend into marshes.
- Solitary lifestyle – They do not migrate or fly in flocks except during mating season.
- Wetland habitat – They favor marshy areas with squishy ground and vegetation to hunt worms and insects.
- Low profile – Their compressed bodies allow them to hide in grass and are hard to spot in flight.
- Erratic flight – They take off suddenly and fly rapidly while zigzagging and changing direction.
These qualities make snipe masters of evasion. Colorado certainly offers suitable pockets of wetlands for the birds to lurk undetected by all but the most patient observers.
When and Where to Search for Colorado Snipe
For the determined few who wish to seek out the mythical Colorado snipe, certain locations and seasons offer better odds. Here is some guidance on finding where snipe may roost and when they are most active:
- Focus efforts near river floodplains, marshes, wet meadows, and other prime snipe habitat.
- Areas with plentiful vegetation and mud provide food sources and cover.
- Spring and fall migrations offer the best chance of spotting movement.
- Dawn and dusk sightings are most likely when snipe are active.
- Listen for unusual winnowing or bleating calls near sunrise or sunset.
- Patience and stealth are required. Use blinds and minimize noise and scent.
Promising locations to focus search efforts include marshes along the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers, wetlands around Monte Vista, and irrigated valleys northeast of Denver. A snipe hotspot guide could certainly help organize the efforts of hopeful enthusiasts.
Snipe Hunting Regulations in Colorado
If definitive proof of snipes in Colorado emerged, they would immediately gain protected status as an endangered species. Colorado Parks & Wildlife does not currently include snipe in any regulations as there is no evidence they exist.
Hunting of any wildlife without proper permits and outside of seasons is illegal. Trespassing on private property to search for snipe is also against the law. Currently, snipe hunting at night has contributed to some landowners becoming hostile towards all wildlife watchers and hunters.
Those who believe they may have spotted a snipe are encouraged to contact Colorado Parks & Wildlife to report it and any evidence collected. Biologists may be able to identify other species mistaken for snipe. If evidence ever warranted, emergency protections could be enacted while investigating further.
Snipe Hunting Hoaxes and Pranks
The tradition of snipe hunting as a prank or fool’s errand is likely to blame for much of the skepticism around alleged sightings. By taking the uninitiated on futile snipe hunts at night, experienced outdoorsmen have pranked greenhorns for over a century.
Common snipe hunting tricks include:
- Leading hunters to secluded fields and handing them sacks or nets for catching birds.
- Telling them to be very still and refrain from speaking or turning on lights.
- Banging metal objects like tin cans to mimic bird calls.
- Secretly abandoning the hidden “hunters” for an hour or more.
Generations of campers, Boy Scouts, fraternity pledges, and country bumpkins have fallen for these antics. Most snipe hunt “sightings” are simply cases of gullibility or creative imaginations run wild. But some maintain that amid all the fakery, there is an authentic bird at the heart of this folklore.
The Future of the Colorado Snipe Hunt
Will definite proof of the snipe in Colorado ever materialize? After decades of failed expeditions and misidentified sightings, most biologists think evidence should have surfaced by now if the birds existed here. However, rare species have eluded detection for years before being confirmed.
Advances in technology like night vision, trail cameras, and DNA analysis improve the odds of verifying an undiscovered population. Crowdsourcing through social media allows more eyes to join the search across wider areas. Could all this lead to snipe finally being crossed off Colorado’s list of mythical creatures? Only time will tell.
While the snipe’s existence is debated, its enduring legacy as a fool’s errand is rock solid. The imagery of camouflaged bird hunters armed with sacks being duped in the darkness remains etched in American folklore. Real or not, snipe hunting has given us more laughs than confirmed sightings over the past 150 years.
Conclusion
The snipe hunting tradition is firmly woven into the culture and history of Colorado outdoor enthusiasts. Though evidence remains scant, the possibility of a small snipe population eluding detection in western wetlands cannot be completely ruled out. Believers intent on solving this mystery just need persistence, careful observation skills, and maybe a bit of luck on their side during future expeditions.
Whether or not snipe actually inhabit the Centennial State, the allure of this folklore creature persists. The snipe hunt endures as a rite of passage for each new generation discovering the Colorado wilderness. Those fooled learn humility and resilience while gaining respect for the land’s wildlife, real and imagined. So long live the snipe—a bird etched more indelibly in myth than fragile flesh and feathers.