The story takes place in the village of Shalmovo, where two peasant sportsmen, Filimon Slyunka and Ignat Ryabov, are sitting in a pothouse turned restaurant. Slyunka is an old man who used to be a house-serf and now lives off his old wife's alms. Ryabov is a silent, sturdy peasant. Slyunka and Ryabov are trying to convince the innkeeper, Semyon Mitritch, to give them a gun that they had left as collateral. Semyon refuses, citing the Lenten season and the lack of game. Despite their pleas and promises to return the gun, Semyon remains firm in his decision. Slyunka and Ryabov leave the tavern and decide to go stand-shooting in the forest, hoping to find snipe. They walk to the forest, but find no snipe and decide to wait another five days before trying again. The story ends with the sportsmen walking home in silence. Overall, the story portrays a slice of rural life and explores themes of poverty, longing, and the connection between humans and nature.