Yep, that's about it. There are some different local variations. In my neck of the woods in South Georgia, my Mother, and my uncles and aunts, had been on hunts previously.

And there was a lot of laughter when they talked about going out, and which team got back first, and like that.

I was about 10 I think when I went out for the first time (and probably the only real time).

We called it a croker sack (a burlap bag), and one team was supposed to "beat the bushes" with sticks. The other team would hold the croker sacks near the ground with the neck open for the snipe to run into, and a flashlight on and aimed from near the neck of the bag.

I was told that it was similar to the way that rabbits will freeze when the light hits them, but actually opposite. The snipes, startled by the noise of the sticks hitting the bushes, would run toward the light.

As the sack holders intently focused on the snipe that would be coming toward them, the bush beaters would move on outward, and then sneak home.

In my Mother's day, she said they would go deep into the woods near their home. When I went, it was in the field near the woods, but not really that far (but it was dark).

The aunt nearest me in age (in fact, the same difference in age between me and my oldest younger sister) and I were a team. And she didn't give anything away, but I had figured it out. So we were back at the house BEFORE the bush beaters! And roaring with laughter when they arrived home.

I have later tales, but this one was one that I actually participated in. Actually, the dictionary does list a snipe. One is a fish, I think, and I think there is some kind of bird - but not like what is told in this "wild goose chase" scam.