Neat picture! I've got to ask, though: How are Snipe prepared? Are they like Woodcock to eat? I've never actually hunted them, though I saw quite a few while duck hunting this year. The low water was probably to their liking.

 

Actualy, I have 2 28's. An SKB 505 and a Verona. Their only used for skeet and I'm using the 505 all the time. The Verona has become a safe queen which I should probably sell.

 

Neat picture! I've got to ask, though: How are Snipe prepared? Are they like Woodcock to eat? I've never actually hunted them, though I saw quite a few while duck hunting this year. The low water was probably to their liking.

Snipe are a little smaller and milder than woodcock, closer in size and taste to dove than anything else. Some people get fancy with recipes and even though I cook quite a few I usually keep it simple. Probably my favorite way to eat them is to sprinkle the breast with Tony Chachere's creole seasoning and wrap half of a piece of bacon around it. Some people like to add a slice of jalapeno. I have an electric griddle that I use to cook them on and I turn it to 475 degrees which is as hot at it gets. I cook the bird on all three sides (back first and then each side of the breast) for three minutes each. The bacon takes longer to cook than the bird and as much as anything it serves to keep the breast from overcooking. That amount of time on my griddle cooks them to medium. We feed quite a few snipe to friends and neighbors and I've never had anyone tell me they didn't like them, even people that don't usually eat wild game.

It sounds like your water level is making conditions favorable this year. Most people have the problem of not enough water. Your situation might be more like mine. If it didn't rain one drop between November and February each year the areas I hunt would only get better.

 

I like Snipe Hunters approach to switching it up every year on his gauge choice. Lately, I have been all over the map with my .16 vs.20ga and back to 12ga and as a result not comfortable with any this season. Maybe I'll give this approach a try!

 

Nice picture. What is it?

 

It is an A y A 4/53. The picture below is from this past weekend. I have used it four of the nine days I've hunted snipe since my season opened in November. I will shoot it again Saturday so to give me a little variety I shot a four-ten yesterday.

 

Great gun. I just acquired a 28 gauge AYA. I love it.

 

They are solid little guns. They don't have a bunch of frills and that is how I like a bird gun to be. I have owned that one for sixteen years and this was the first year I hunted with it on opening day. I wouldn't mind having the same gun in 20 gauge.

 

They are solid little guns. They don't have a bunch of frills and that is how I like a bird gun to be. I have owned that one for sixteen years and this was the first year I hunted with it on opening day. I wouldn't mind having the same gun in 20 gauge.

I agree. I'm looking at a new 16 gauge and would like a round action sidelock but keep coming back to the AYA boxlock. What is your 16?

 

In 16 gauge I have a field grade Ithaca, a field grade L.C. Smith, and a Cogswell & Harrison. One of the days this season that I will deviate from my "28 gauge and smaller" rule will be on January 21. I will shoot the Cogswell & Harrison because that was the date of completion. We will go out and shoot snipe that day to celebrate its ninety-ninth birthday.

 

Both you guys managed to get beautiful wood on those AyAs! Nice bunch of birds too!

 

Very nice AyA's boys. I have my eye on a nice 4/53 in 28ga. I just don't think I can swing something like that right now but hey, a guy never knows. I always keep my eye on guns I want. Just in case the $$$$$ gods shine down on me at the right time.