A Snipe Hunt is a practical joke that has roots in North America as far back as the 1840's.
Originating in summer camps among American boys in the mid-1800's, the target of a snipe hunt is seen as the butt-end of a joke. The target is gaslit into thinking that a "snipe" is a real creature that exists and needs to be captured for the target to be accepted into the crew.
The target is given a bag or pillowcase and taken out to try and capture the snipe. The pranksters lead the target away and ditch them alone in the woods until they finally figure out it's a joke and welcome them back at camp.
In 2026, the Springfield Cardinals baseball team added "The Ozarks Snipe Hunters" as an alternate identity, playing select home games as the Snipe Hunters to honor the American cultural phenomenon.
