Overlooked snipes and rails

Steve Cordts, waterfowl specialist for the DNR, spends most of his time talking about ducks. But if you want to get him really excited, mention hunting snipe (found in shallow marshes) and sora rails (found in wild rice lakes). Both species are abundant in Minnesota, yet few hunters target them. "As far as a sporting bird for wingshooting, there's really probably nothing more challenging" than snipe, Cordts said. And rails? "Hunting them is just downright fun." Hunters target the birds with shotguns — 12-, 20- and 28-gauge versions will suffice — and small shot.