Aug 28, 2019
Mention upland bird habitat and more than likely images of thick emerging stands of aspen, endless rows of CRP, or the pinewood flats of a Southern quail plantation come to mind. But wet soggy ground, mud, cow pastures, and river banks? Not if your pursuit is grouse or pheasant, but most certainly if you are looking for snipe. If you are new to snipe hunting or think it’s a childhood prank, the Wilson’s Snipe-Upland Game Bird Profile is a great place to start. Before we dive into locating snipe habitat, let’s start with some fast facts:
- Snipe are a global bird, found across North America, Europe, and Asia
- The Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata) is found in North America
- The Common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is found in Europe and Asia
- Snipe are migratory birds, reaching as far south as Central America, Africa, and the Middle East
- In the U.S., every state but Hawaii has a snipe season
- The migration typically starts in late September, after the teal migration