It was stressful! NDR
- Thread starter Al Hansen
- Start date
Vince Pagliaroli
Well-known member
Jeff - In 1990 they still had the Roundups, close to Kettle Creek. When the snakes became protected it changed the whole deal. In the 1980's &1990's I spent lots of time in that area, fly fishing and Spring turkey hunting. I recall seeing the signs and banners about the Roundup. I was more interested in the Leek Festival to tell the truth.
Al - NEVER is correct, but sometimes people lapse and bad things happen. The best advice we got when bird hunting in Montana was - "As soon as it hits 60 degrees stop hunting". It proved correct, as my hunting partner had to shoot one rattler that struck and missed his female Chessie. Everyday on our way back to town there were rattlers all over the road. The ones that got run over folks would cut the rattles off and sell them.
I was not there when John killed the snakes. I never liked being around them, and declined ever to go with him on his hunts. He did not get them from the side of the road. He invited me to partake when they were cooked, and I did. It was mostly for the experience and not wasting what he killed. Can't say if they are good or bad tasting themselves, just very edible. He had a local chef that knew what she was doing prepare them. So I am sure that was a big factor.
I have encountered Copperheads while fishing in PA, but so far no rattlers in PA or NY, thank goodness, and they are very close by. As much time as some of us spend outdoors in areas these snakes call home. It makes one wonder how many times we were close to them, but never knew it...
To deal with them on a regular basis like you do. One really has to condition themselves, as you and your wife have. So I will not complain about 6 months of winter and 7-8 feet of snow...
I enjoyed this post as well. Thank you.
Al - NEVER is correct, but sometimes people lapse and bad things happen. The best advice we got when bird hunting in Montana was - "As soon as it hits 60 degrees stop hunting". It proved correct, as my hunting partner had to shoot one rattler that struck and missed his female Chessie. Everyday on our way back to town there were rattlers all over the road. The ones that got run over folks would cut the rattles off and sell them.
I was not there when John killed the snakes. I never liked being around them, and declined ever to go with him on his hunts. He did not get them from the side of the road. He invited me to partake when they were cooked, and I did. It was mostly for the experience and not wasting what he killed. Can't say if they are good or bad tasting themselves, just very edible. He had a local chef that knew what she was doing prepare them. So I am sure that was a big factor.
I have encountered Copperheads while fishing in PA, but so far no rattlers in PA or NY, thank goodness, and they are very close by. As much time as some of us spend outdoors in areas these snakes call home. It makes one wonder how many times we were close to them, but never knew it...
To deal with them on a regular basis like you do. One really has to condition themselves, as you and your wife have. So I will not complain about 6 months of winter and 7-8 feet of snow...
I enjoyed this post as well. Thank you.
Al Hansen
Well-known member
This was a great post, Jeff. I sure appreciated all that you said. First of all I had no idea that these snakes, if introduced, were being "reintroduced". I never knew they were out there from the beginning.
I got a kick out of the last portion of the post because it reminded me of the things I have done here.
One day when I was teaching, I had 4th grade boy in my class who lived on a ranch. I asked him what his family did for fun knowing that they lived in quite an isolated area. He then explained about how much fun it was to jump in the truck after supper and go for a ride. They, too, were looking for snakes. "The Skippy Peanut Butter jar is almost full of rattles," he replied.
As for me, Jeff, one day in the beginning of April, knowing that all snakes are out by then down here, I was in the bosque cutting firewood. Since I was in sort of a jungle, I found myself on my hands and knees, dragging my chainsaw behind me to get to a small opening. Once there I commenced cutting firewood. About 2 hours later I decided to go home. Once the ranch gate was locked I got on the county road and hadn't gone 100 feet when I saw a dead rattler on the road. Boy was that an awakening!
Al
I got a kick out of the last portion of the post because it reminded me of the things I have done here.
One day when I was teaching, I had 4th grade boy in my class who lived on a ranch. I asked him what his family did for fun knowing that they lived in quite an isolated area. He then explained about how much fun it was to jump in the truck after supper and go for a ride. They, too, were looking for snakes. "The Skippy Peanut Butter jar is almost full of rattles," he replied.
As for me, Jeff, one day in the beginning of April, knowing that all snakes are out by then down here, I was in the bosque cutting firewood. Since I was in sort of a jungle, I found myself on my hands and knees, dragging my chainsaw behind me to get to a small opening. Once there I commenced cutting firewood. About 2 hours later I decided to go home. Once the ranch gate was locked I got on the county road and hadn't gone 100 feet when I saw a dead rattler on the road. Boy was that an awakening!
Al
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Thanks, Tom. We are pretty vigilant when it comes to being on guard around our property. However when you go three years without seeing a snake one can get complacent. Not good but a very normal thing that occurs.
All of our dogs are vaccinated for snake bite. It is not a cure all by any means but gives you a head start towards recovery if a dog is bitten. I worry mostly about pups and we watch them like hawks.
Al
All of our dogs are vaccinated for snake bite. It is not a cure all by any means but gives you a head start towards recovery if a dog is bitten. I worry mostly about pups and we watch them like hawks.
Al
Dave Church
Well-known member
Al,
Not too many things scare me, but I hate to be startled. With the idea that copperheads are on my property, it only takes a quick hop by a toad while you are digging your hands to clean the flower beds to stop your heart. My neighbor across the street lost his chocolate lab a few years ago to a copperhead and I have a co-worker that was bit on the foot by one. NOT a good way to spend your time trying to heal up from a copperhead bite. Hope all is well for you and your family.
Dave
Not too many things scare me, but I hate to be startled. With the idea that copperheads are on my property, it only takes a quick hop by a toad while you are digging your hands to clean the flower beds to stop your heart. My neighbor across the street lost his chocolate lab a few years ago to a copperhead and I have a co-worker that was bit on the foot by one. NOT a good way to spend your time trying to heal up from a copperhead bite. Hope all is well for you and your family.
Dave
Vince Pagliaroli
Well-known member
During a 1980's September Teal hunt in Ohio, near Kinsman Swamp. My hunting partner's Yellow Lab was making a retrieve in some thick stuff. Then made loud yelp. We rushed in. I looked for and found the snake bite on his leg and told my partner. "We gotta go NOW!!" He looked at me all puzzled. "We gotta get your dog to a vet or he is gonna die!" We took turns carrying the dog and ran like hell in old fashioned waders.
Long story short the dog lived. Tissue around the bite rotted, and surgery needed to repair the area. Long recovery, and I don't recall he and his dog ever hunting the early Teal season after that.
Long story short the dog lived. Tissue around the bite rotted, and surgery needed to repair the area. Long recovery, and I don't recall he and his dog ever hunting the early Teal season after that.
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Dave and Vince, there are quite a few dogs that lose their lives while hunting. Dove and quail season are open in prime time for snakes. Our early teal season sure is, also. I can verify that with sitting 12 inches next to a 4 foot western diamondback. The only thing that spared me from not being bitten was my timing. It was before shooting hours and with it being quite cool, most likely around in the high 40sF to low 50sF, it was too cold fro the snake to move much. It was when Chili retrieved my 4th teal and my season was over for the morning that I heard a very faint rattle. The snake was of course giving me a warning that I was invading in its environment. I'm just glad that my friend, Tim, came by to remove the snake. Hard to imagine what took place. I found this great place to hide and so did this snake. By the way, we made sure she was released into another area and could crawl away like nothing much happened that morning.
Al
PS Guardian angel hard at work again for that one
Al
PS Guardian angel hard at work again for that one
Dennis Schneider
Active member
Afternoon Al & Bev,
Reminds me of the time you almost sat on that same type of snake during the early Teal season, remember be sure to keep watching were you sit.
Dennis S. (Rio Rancho, NM)
Reminds me of the time you almost sat on that same type of snake during the early Teal season, remember be sure to keep watching were you sit.
Dennis S. (Rio Rancho, NM)
Dennis,
While I don't think a snake has ever bit Al,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I'm sure that something, at one time or another, has bitten him in the butt. :>) :>)
Al Hansen
Well-known member
Hi Dennis---good to hear from you. You have a great memory and you are correct. That one was way too close.
57 days until teal season. If you want to come down here and help me with the "Rain Dance" I would appreciate it.
The Rio Grande has been dry for weeks and now it is really flowing at 6.4cfs. That will MAYBE float a tooth pick. It must have rained in the mountains last night.
Al
57 days until teal season. If you want to come down here and help me with the "Rain Dance" I would appreciate it.
The Rio Grande has been dry for weeks and now it is really flowing at 6.4cfs. That will MAYBE float a tooth pick. It must have rained in the mountains last night.
Al
Dennis Schneider
Active member
Afternoon Al,
I will be sure to stop by and do the rain dance with you. Getting ready to head to Sask. in September, looks like they have been getting rain over the summer, that will mean mosquitos to whack along with the Snow Geese and ducks.
Dennis S. (Quack)
I will be sure to stop by and do the rain dance with you. Getting ready to head to Sask. in September, looks like they have been getting rain over the summer, that will mean mosquitos to whack along with the Snow Geese and ducks.
Dennis S. (Quack)