Rattlesnake in my path!

[Bowhuntr64]

I was going for a training run on a backcountry trail in CO this afternoon, preparing for Elk Season. This small demon coiled up on my trail, began to rattle furiously, and was preparing to strike. I took him out with a couple big sticks. One less rattlesnake to worry about.

 

[MuleyFever]

I almost step on at least one every year. No mistaking that rattle. Makes me jump 10 Ft every time.

 

[Trr15]

Just killed one over the weekend while camping with my family. Walked past it in the dark and heard it rattle. Come back with a flashlight, and sure enough it was coiled up about 10ft from my camper door. Hate those damn things!

 

[Terrapin]

Now go kill the rest of them... Please.

 

[Ozz08]

Lots of rattlers near me this year. I've killed 4 in my neighborhood in just the last 2 weeks.

 

[Hungarydog]

Had the first one at my place in 13 years last week and I have 4 bird dogs, they all got snake training since

 

[5MilesBack]

I was going for a training run on a backcountry trail in CO this afternoon, preparing for Elk Season. This small demon coiled up on my trail, began to rattle furiously, and was preparing to strike. I took him out with a couple big sticks. One less rattlesnake to worry about.

Poacher. Rattlesnake season ended Aug 15th in Colorado.

 

[elkyinzer]

Had the first one at my place in 13 years last week and I have 4 bird dogs, they all got snake training since

I would like to hear more about snake training your dog - did you do it yourself? I imagine it would be an e-collar but can you do it with harmless snakes/ do they keep the association with rattlers?

I hike in the mountains of PA with our black lab pup when I can...there are timber rattlers here but not a lot. I see one or two a year not really looking for them so I usually just put her on a lead on the rocky ridges. My wife would kill me if she got bitten though.

 

[Dos Perros]

I would like to hear more about snake training your dog - did you do it yourself? I imagine it would be an e-collar but can you do it with harmless snakes/ do they keep the association with rattlers?

I hike in the mountains of PA with our black lab pup when I can...there are timber rattlers here but not a lot. I see one or two a year not really looking for them so I usually just put her on a lead on the rocky ridges. My wife would kill me if she got bitten though.

Like with rabbits or deer, when my bird dogs attempt to interact with snakes I keep my mouth shut and light them up on the collar. The folks you pay money to to do snake avoidance training do use real rattlesnakes but I believe their fangs have been clipped or something so they are "harmless." My dogs have only come across a couple rattlesnakes, but I still take advantage of any training opportunity when they do come across non-venomous snakes. Sometimes they'll even take wide paths around oddly shaped sticks or anything else they are confusing for a snake.

Check out your local NAVHDA chapter, they might do snake avoidance sessions.

 

[Art Vandeley]

Good for you. At least he rattled. Most of the ones I come across don't rattle at all. I hate them

 

[jim thorpe]

Was training two days ago with 65 pounds on my back, was running a little late on the trail so it was dark and just about stepped on a nice sized cottonmouth sitting smack dab in the middle of the path. They don't make a sound either and usually stand their ground. Got lucky.

 

[MuleyFever]

You can get your dog vaccinated for rattlers too. Not sure on cost or effectiveness.

 

[NVCHUKAR]

My dog got popped last year by a non rattling adolecent snake. She had three years of the vaccine, the vet that treated her after the bite says there is no proof on wether it works or not. It can't hurt but I quit giving them to her as I would rather spend the 75 on the avoidence class each year.

 

[MuleyFever]

I agree the class is a better solution. Even with the vaccine your day is ruined when your dog gets bit. Better to just avoid them.

 

[jmez]

The vaccine appears to be effective. Vaccinated dogs don't get as sick and don't require as much treatment and care as the non vaccinated dogs. My wife treats a lot of snake bites out here and has yet to have to administer anti venom to a vaccinated dog. It is hard to equate that all to the vaccine as you have no idea of the type of bite received. Some bites are dry whereas others get a full envenomation. We also only have prairie rattlers so not near as severe as the big diamondbacks. There is definitely a trend there with differences in treatments and outcomes between the two, enough so that the vaccine is at least partially effective. There was also a study published earlier this year with mice and the vaccine was very effective in the vaccinated vs unvaccinated mice with diamondback venom. It is pretty cheap insurance if you live in snake country.


Avoidance training is usually done with a defanged snake and shock collar. You can use a fresh dead snake but the live one works much better.

 

[In God We Trust]

I killed one on Green Mountain while running a few weeks back. They have been thick around Lakewood/ Golden this year.

 

[Hungarydog]

Yes, the training is done with live snakes and an e-collar, The professional trainers have their snakes defanged by a vet. The dogs are introduced to snakes in the open as well as ones in cages hidden in the grass so they associate smell and sound with the correction. They will also be introduced to a gopher snake (non venomous) so all snakes are to be avoided.

 

[MuleyFever]

I plan to get a sporting dog in the future to take with me when hiking and suck. Currently my Dane would rather stay on the couch. How long does the training last in a dog if they dont encounter a snake for long periods? Do you have to keep refreshing them every year?

 

[Hungarydog]

They recommend occasional refreshers and most pros give discounts on the refreshers. My 3 year old had previously had the training but no interactions and when he heard that buzz he couldn't get away fast enough.

 

[BroodBuster]

Both of my Brittany's avoided them instinctively. A lot of rattlers in one of my qual spots and they have always stayed clear of them. Just last year Sage jumped over one that was sunning itself in the middle of the trail. Happened so fast I don't think the snake ever even moved.

And no I didn't kill it. I've never even thought of killing one. Why bother?