Rattlesnake

[OregonSteeler]

We have timber rattlers in PA. You generally have to look for them, but when you find them you can find a bunch.

I count 9??

 

[Svivian]

Theres a mega den or two here in CO with live cams on it. Heres two videos of a badger doing badger things

Project RattleCam

We are excited to share the first ever livestream of a rattlesnake rookery, or communal birthing site. This technology allows people from around the world to watch rattlesnakes in real time and scientists to study their behaviors without disturbing them. Sometimes you will see no snakes because...

www.youtube.com

 

[OregonSteeler]

I remember a similar thread couple years back and found it.

For those who want to know what a rattlesnake bite can do. Here's a blog on bowsite from someone who got bit and documented the entire encounter and recovery:

https://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?threadid=477900&forum=36

 

[OregonSteeler]

Some other helpful links:
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/exploration-survival/lets-talk-about-snakebites/

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snakeprotection.com

 

[Lowedown]

That sounds definitely invokes a primal fear when it surprises you. I still remember about 25 years ago running across a very active and aggressive snake. He was on the move and I was going after him because he was really close to the rancher's house, snake would stop and his body flowed like a fountain and the rattle was incredibly intense. He'd take off again and I'd get a couple steps and repeat. We kill them with shovels and this snake ended up getting away because it was so fast aggressive and intimidating, and it was also big enough to have a pretty good reach.

Rocks can become a "long range" alternative when the shovel handle isn't long enough

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Rocks can become a "long range" alternative when the shovel handle isn't long enough

True, that one was a long time ago and I must have felt like it wasn't safe to keep going after this one for whatever reason. Need a pretty big rock though lol. Keep in mind, we often find them in pairs (a big one and a little one) and the one you see has your focus. Sometimes it's best to just let them be. I don't know the actual stats but I've heard that most of the rattlesnake bites happen when people are trying to catch or kill them.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

True, that one was a long time ago and I must have felt like it wasn't safe to keep going after this one for whatever reason. Need a pretty big rock though lol. Keep in mind, we often find them in pairs (a big one and a little one) and the one you see has your focus. Sometimes it's best to just let them be. I don't know the actual stats but I've heard that most of the rattlesnake bites happen when people are trying to catch or kill them.

From my unofficial research it seems like most rattlesnake bites happen in the southern snake handling churches. Like generational deaths by rattlesnake, grandfather, father, son.


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[HairyScandinavian]

From my unofficial research it seems like most rattlesnake bites happen in the southern snake handling churches. Like generational deaths by rattlesnake, grandfather, father, son.


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Nah those guys drink the venom, it's crazy.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Nah those guys drink the venom, it's crazy.

Sure, but if you go through a history of deaths by rattlesnake in the US a large portion of them come from snake handling churches, most of the ones that aren’t are kids that get bit in their backyards in the desert SW


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[HairyScandinavian]

Sure, but if you go through a history of deaths by rattlesnake in the US a large portion of them come from snake handling churches, most of the ones that aren’t are kids that get bit in their backyards in the desert SW


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lol I mean it makes sense... I think the term about playing with fire applies here.

 

[Hondo64d]

Might be a fun post. I ran across this one today. Big and sassy in the Nebraska Sandhills.

Feel free to share what you got!


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Here’s a Western Diamond Back I killed a few years back. Problem was he had no rattles!

John

 

[coya]

Few years back I found this timber rattlesnake at an overlook in PA. Figures it was a couple weeks before snake season

 

[Agross]

I don’t want to live anywhere where snakes or spiders can kill me. I don’t know how u people can live where these snakes exist. I couldn’t go in the woods. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy myself outdoors

 

[coya]

That's how I feel about ticks but they're hard to avoid

 

[Owens]

I've come across plenty running on trails or at the archery range in the Denver area. The one in the first pic was annoyed when we got there because a mountain bike had just gone through. The second pic was just off the main path at the archery range.

 

[Jusgunn3]

I have not come across one bigger than about 2-3 feet so far but man these pictures of the big ones are spooky

 

[Patriotpower]

Bartow, GA

 

[Coyote Commander]

I always get a kick our of us Americans and our snake chaps, snake boots, etc.

You go to Africa or Australia where they got some REAL nasty snakes and they hunt in short hiking shoes and shorts! haha


I never give rattlesnakes two thoughts. Till I see one. Than I spend the rest of the day VERY aware of their existence. Haha. Funny how that works.

Few years back I ran into a gaggle of rattlesnakes during breeding season in August. Must have been 7-8. I started smacking with my shooting sticks and got four before they all made it to holes. Cut the heads off and than had to carry them two miles back to the truck as I didnt want to throw them bleeding in my pack.

Two miles with a fistful of squirming, striking, headless rattlers will test a guys nerve! I knew they were safe at that point, but it still gives a guy the heebee jeebees.

 

[Patriotpower]

In the southeast, rattlesnakes will let you pass by but copperheads are hard to see and will pursue you. Snake boots are required.

 

[2531usmc]

Reading this thread about people taking shooting sticks, shovels, hoes to rattlesnakes…..

I live on the eastern shore of Maryland and we have very, very few copperheads here and no rattlesnakes. So I have no real experience with poisonous snakes. Is a rattlesnake striking distance so limited that hitting them with a shovel is pretty much a risk free thing?