Snakes

[lkwoolsey]

So, I'm going to be down at Ft. Huachuca from the beginning of January to the end of March, and wanted to do a little javelina hunting, maybe some random small game and just general backpacking on the weekends. I imagine that up higher I won't need to worry, but in javelina country, do I need to be paying more attention than normal to snakes? I'll be taking a megatarp with me, and was just thinking this morning about the snakes getting in and trying to curl up next to me. Are there any extra precautions that any of you guys would take in that country?
I'm from northwestern WA and haven't ever had to worry about snakes, as I've always hunted pretty high country out of state and we just don't have them here.
Thanks in advance!

 

[JPHuntingAUS]

So, I'm going to be down at Ft. Huachuca from the beginning of January to the end of March, and wanted to do a little javelina hunting, maybe some random small game and just general backpacking on the weekends. I imagine that up higher I won't need to worry, but in javelina country, do I need to be paying more attention than normal to snakes? I'll be taking a megatarp with me, and was just thinking this morning about the snakes getting in and trying to curl up next to me. Are there any extra precautions that any of you guys would take in that country?
I'm from northwestern WA and haven't ever had to worry about snakes, as I've always hunted pretty high country out of state and we just don't have them here.
Thanks in advance!

Take it from an Aussie, you need to get yourself some gaiters. We have something like 9 of the world's 11 most venomous snakes here so you need to be switched on to them here.

As for climbing into bed, I've heard of a few stories like that but generally they hop in when people aren't there.

Just don't step blindly over logs and avoid long grass where possible and you'll be right.

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[lkwoolsey]

I did pick up a pair of snake gaiters last year, which I will definitely be bringing. I really appreciate your insight!

 

[kicker338]

If it was me I would stay home, I don't like snakes.

 

[neverquit]

I hunt and backpack all over Arizona all year long And I was stationed at ft huachuca for a few years. I watch where I'm walking. I've. Ever had an issue

 

[Violent Hippie]

I have slept in the backcountry outdoors of the S.E. U.S (GA, TN, NC)as well as the SW (Northern / Central AZ, Southern UT, Southern CA ) many nights in varying seasons . Both of these regions have alot of poisonous snakes and I have slept under the stars in a sleeping bag only at most with no bites or known close calls. Now that I'm older and have more knowledge and budget I at the least use a fully enclosed bivy just for bug management and piece of mind .As far as traveling on foot in the desert SW goes ; I have stepped over or next to several rattlesnakes with no problem.A few times I have been mid stride and catch the visual of the snake as my foot is coming down and did a quick readjust to make sure I dont step on it or too close. The snakes never budged. I never wore snake boots or gaiters and just try to be more aware of my foot placement while traveling and just travel a little bit slower.

 

[Violent Hippie]

BTW. Rattlesnake tastes pretty good.

 

[Doghed]

I lived in Las Cruces for many years and never thought about snakes that time of year. The dogs would tangle with them occasionally, but I feel like if they aren't with you when you go to bed they won't be there when you wake up. Just my experience.

 

[Doghed]

BTW. Rattlesnake tastes pretty good.

Yep.

 

[kicker338]

BTW. Rattlesnake tastes pretty good.

Will never know cause I aint eating one

 

[oldgoat]

Will never know cause I aint eating one

You're missing out, they are delicious, reminded me of frog legs. Have to get a big one though to be worth the effort! Snakes aren't magical, they can only strike something like half the length of their body! You have way way more to worry about than snakes, way more likely to get hit by scorpions etc than snakes. Now if you were going some place with water moccasins or copperhead, then you would want to be a little more careful, rattlesnakes are generally petty passive and let you know they are there long before you are in danger!

 

[KMBH]

I have run across Rattlesnakes hunting Javelina in Az. I have hunted and hiked around CA rattlesnakes for more than 30 years. It is not a big deal. Just use a bit of caution, and do not stick your hand into blind spots. However, when I am in a Desert or Chaparral environment, I sleep in a zipped enclosure, and keep everything inside with me. I do not like the Scorpions. Here in CA they are not dangerous, but I still do not want them in my stuff.

BTW. Rattlesnake tastes pretty good.

I used to like eating Rattlesnake. One day I was pet-sitting my brother-in-laws 8 foot Boa. I kept giving it a rat, but it would not eat so I would take the rat out and wait another day. After four days, I finally got impatient and just left the rat in there for several hours. The rat killed the snake and fed on it a bit. That smell of dead snake under a heat lamp has ruined my taste for snake.

 

[HawkCreek]

Rattle snakes aren't much of a worry (at least the ones we have here on the dry side of WA aren't). Just watch the trail in front of you and dont pick up anything you haven't kicked over first (a hiking stick or trekking poles come in handy for this). I'd be more worried about poisonous spiders and scorpions.

 

[kicker338]

You're missing out, they are delicious, reminded me of frog legs. Have to get a big one though to be worth the effort! Snakes aren't magical, they can only strike something like half the length of their body! You have way way more to worry about than snakes, way more likely to get hit by scorpions etc than snakes. Now if you were going some place with water moccasins or copperhead, then you would want to be a little more careful, rattlesnakes are generally petty passive and let you know they are there long before you are in danger!

Ha Ha aint eating no toad either.

 

[Lockster]

Take it from an Aussie, you need to get yourself some gaiters. We have something like 9 of the world's 11 most venomous snakes here so you need to be switched on to them here.

As for climbing into bed, I've heard of a few stories like that but generally they hop in when people aren't there.

Just don't step blindly over logs and avoid long grass where possible and you'll be right.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Take it from another Aussie, a hammock setup will give you an amazing sleep and Zero worries about snakes slithering into your bed.

I run the Warbonnet Blackbird hammock, its an enclosed hammock and keeps flies, mosquitoes away too.

 

[Mjm316]

Ahhh another joy about living in Alaska, no F-ING snakes! God I hate them nasty things!

 

[Muckamuck4]

I live an hour NW of there and have camped near there. I personally camp in an enclosed tent, but I think you have a better chance of getting attacked by a lion than you do getting Snake bit that time of year. The only reason you need to pay attention to the ground is to keep quite while you're stalking. the summer is a different story.