diff --git a/include/sniffer.h b/include/sniffer.h
index 58e9340..ad1acae 100644
--- a/include/sniffer.h
+++ b/include/sniffer.h
@@ -234,6 +234,16 @@ namespace Tins {
          * Retrieves an end iterator.
          */
         iterator end();
+
+        /**
+         * Retrieves the pcap handle used by this sniffer.
+         */
+        pcap_t* get_pcap_handle();
+
+        /**
+         * Retrieves the pcap handle used by this sniffer.
+         */
+        const pcap_t* get_pcap_handle() const;
     protected:
         /**
          * Default constructor.
@@ -242,10 +252,6 @@ namespace Tins {
 
         void set_pcap_handle(pcap_t* const pcap_handle);
 
-        pcap_t* get_pcap_handle();
-
-        const pcap_t* get_pcap_handle() const;
-
         void set_if_mask(bpf_u_int32 if_mask);
 
         bpf_u_int32 get_if_mask() const;