My biggest detractor on a hunt like this; how was the snake activity? Being your from FL you are maybe a bit numb to them..? Either way, was it “cold enough” to keep them hiding or did you run into/see any? Beautiful ram btw!!
I appreciate it!
I didn't see a single snake, and not too many bugs, though it did warm up to 70s-80s during the day as the week went on. The 20s to mid-high 30s at night probably kept them at bay.
And you're right, in FL we pretty much have snakes year-round, with exception to the coldest days in Jan-Feb. Mostly non-venomous, but still numerous pygmy rattlers, some moccasins, and the occasional Eastern Diamondback. Our most venomous are Coral Snakes, which will absolutely kill you without treatment if bitten, but they're super chill and only bite if picked up. A tiny spot in N FL near where I grew up has copperheads, and a pretty high density, but it take a lot to make them aggressive as well. You pretty much have to get them riled up and pin them down with a stick to make them strike.
Honestly, I grew up loving snakes, and my wife and kids do to. It's always a big deal when we see them, and I grew up catching them with my brother and dad, so they definitely have no bearing on where I would hunt. For me, they would absolutely up the enjoyment factor.
That's not to say we don't take precautions and watch for them. I have Listo Provision snake gaiters, and took them with me to NM, mainly for cactus. They are infinitely better than snake books. My girls just use nice rubber boots that should be adequate for the little pygmies, my main concern because they're so small and hard to see.