NDR - For those that live and/or play in snake country

Pete McMiller

Pete McMiller

Well-known member
Here is a thread from another site detailing the experience of being bitten by a rattler. In my 69 years I have never seen a venomous snake in the wild. After reading this thread I'm looking for snake gaiters or boots before I hunt down south again.

https://forums2.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=477900&messages=88&forum=36
 
Pete,

Thanks for sharing his story. I suspect the only thing that has protected me is dumb luck. I often THINK about snakes but don't actually do much about it. After reading his account, snakes went from "creepy" to "despised".
 
Pete,

I haven't read the thread posted but I will share my experience living and hunting in snake country.

I am a yankee, grew up in northern Illinois so I was not exposed to snakes the bite or swamps. Most of my snake encounters occurred in early fall during bow season or spring turkey hunting. I never felt the need for snake boots. Early mornings snakes are pretty lethargic. When out walking in the woods during the days I was usually trying to be quiet so I was watching my steps. I was more concerned about my Lab getting bit than me.

A buddy of mine, from New Jersey, had a rattlesnake curl up at the base of the tree he was in one evening. When he climbed down he jumped away from the tree. Using he flashlight he could find the snake so removed his climbing treestand and finally made it to the truck. I figured he had shot something since he showed up so late.

Dave and I were a couple of yankees who had a lot of fun in the woods and swamps of north Florida. But, we sure got ourselves scared a few times worrying about what was out in the dark! The worst was coming across an armadillo in the dark.

Tom
 
Yikes! That had to be scary for that guy.


I'm so glad that I dont have any rattlers here locally. Or at least it would be very rare. Less than 100 miles west they are very common. I would like to try for some prairie grouse with my dog but until a cold snap or two I won't even think about it. I don't need either of us bit, even though prairie rattlers aren't nearly as bad as those timber rattlers are.

Tim
 
Pete et al,

After 26 years in Michigan I moved to duck purgatory but snake nirvana: the Low Country of South Carolina.

I've only run across two copperheads in my eight years here. But my secretary was bitten by a copperhead walking to her garage. That required hospitalization. Two families in my congregation have found baby copperheads in their house. A local golf course pro shop found a 4' eastern diamondback sunning itself on the entry steps a few years ago.

I first bought snake chaps and realized that was overkill. Then I bought the snake gators in the link below.

They give me peace of mind when I am in the woods or trimming bushes around my yard. The word here wherever you go is "watch where you walk; always!"

Larry

https://www.snakeprotection.com/snake-gaiters-
 
The SOLUTION

Stay north and out of snake country!!!! We do have Timber rattlers in NE Iowa.. about 30 miles SE of me are the Massasauga Rattlesnake. And around Decorah (20miles north of me) there are Timber Rattlesnake . Some little ones have been found on the school playground. I have never seen any of them... Some of my friends have seen some while canoeing on the Upper Iowa River.

GOD BLESS SNOW AND COLD WEATHER!!!!
 


We have snow, cold, and rattlesnakes here.

Respect them, and where they live, cuz your in "Their House".

The more that your learn about them the better you are prepared.

Knowledge is the best defense.
 
I've relocated a baby copperhead my lab found at the end of my driveway. I've walked swampy areas here in SC showing property and seen a dozen cottonmouths. You just have to be vigilant and give them fair warning, they'll leave you alone. Odds of getting hit by a venomous snake are 1:37,000. Dying by snake bite 1:50,000,000.

Our deer season opened last Wednesday here in SC. 100 degree heat and snakes are very very plentiful!
 
I trout fish just east of Benzette and have not yet (50 years) run across a rattler while fishing. Have seen two on roads. But believe me it is constantly on my mind. It's like you are just waiting for one.

Local fire departments used to have snake round ups. They would dig a pit then pairs of hunters would go in with just a burlap sack and be judged on getting 3 snakes into the sack. Because of the expense of anti venom, the contest would be over immediately if one person got bitten, as they only had one vial of anti venom. This was a way to get tourists and raise money for the department. I never attended one, but I researched it. In mid 1980's, a state law was passed that made the practice illegal due to "cruelty and in humane treatment to the snakes".

My Uncle fished up near Georgian Bay portaging into lakes. In 25 years never saw a Mississauga rattler. Then in less than 24 hours we ran across 3. High water had concentrated them on higher ground. The first was on the trail back into the lake. The second was when I was cleaning up in the lake and started back to camp. I had a towel/tennis shoes on and nothing else. It was dusk and I heard the rattle. Held the towel out to keep between me and the sound as I couldn't see it in grass. Yelled to my Uncle who came down with a flashlight and shovel and dispatched the snake. This was in the late 60's and we left the other two snakes alone, but this one was near camp and we didn't want to take a chance. We ate for dinner the next night before heading home. The third was on the portage trail the next morning. We turned right around and my Uncle said enough is enough.

If I never see another I'll be a happy boy.
 
Some of you may recall late last spring me asking about a firearm for Thomas. He bought a pistol at the urging of a coworker who said the farm was a snake haven and he'd need protection. After three months of work he shot over a dozen venomous snakes, mostly around the equipment barns. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and water moccasins were all but one of the kills. I think the gun was a good purchase.
 
I was popped by a 50in timber while turkey hunting several years back. By myself, probably 800 yards from the truck and 45 min from a hospital. Thank goodness for snake boots, he got me on top of the boot, chaps wouldn't have helped. Wear boots fellas.

My wifes uncle killed a 5ft diamondback this past weeked coiled up only a few feet from his corn feeder.

In my experience, we run into most during a change of seasons, with snakes searching for a place to warm up on a spring or fall day. Rarely ever run across one in the heat of the summer....I believe they are more nocturnal during the heat waves.
 
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