As one who spends most of my time above 8,000, one perk of my main area is lack of harmful snakes, spiders, and scorpions. My question is how do you deal with snakes in the lower elevations of Colorado, or in Oklahoma? what do you put on your feet, and do you pack? I have a hunters safety card but have never owned a gun. I grew up in an area where everyone carries their guns on the gunrack of their unlocked pickup, and their handguns are piled up in the dash box and basements.?ÿ
My Potawatomi name is "Afraid-of-Snakes".?ÿ
How would you outfit me if you were sending me out on your crew if you only wanted me to survive a snake?
?ÿ
charter arms bulldog 44, with birdshot
Nearly all snake bites on homo sapiens are on the feet and hands.?ÿ In my time I have heard of one victim that was bit on the buttocks; apparently in the process of sitting down on a rock occupied by the offending serpent.?ÿ I have had several snake "hits" on my boots in my career making?ÿgood high-topped thick boots standard issue.?ÿ For your hands either wear thick high shanked leather gloves (I do not) or just be damned careful where you put your hand.?ÿ
My greatest danger probably comes from rooting around in the dead leaves scattered on the ground in the woods.?ÿ Every year I kick up two or three nests of baby copperheads, which are just as venomous as an adult copperhead.?ÿ Timber rattlers also like the cool dirt under a layer of leaf mold.?ÿ I try to make sure my pin-finder and shovel are the only things that get near the ground. And flipping over rocks, old boards or scraps of plywood and such is a definite no-no this time of year.?ÿ If you don't like snakes you won't like what you find.
But don't be disheartened just because you have a fear of snakes.?ÿ God instilled humans with super-powers to keep us safe.?ÿ It's called "human herpalevitation".?ÿ That is the ability to defy gravity and remain in the air for a short moment when a snake is encountered.?ÿ We call it "the snake hover" or just "treading air".?ÿ
For those unbelievers that are now snickering; don't be so sure it isn't real.?ÿ I've seen it happen.?ÿ ??ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
charter arms bulldog 44, with birdshot
A noble and brave plan for sure Pete.
But the trouble is getting off a shot is difficult because?ÿMr. Snake is so quick and most of us are so startled by his presence.?ÿ Besides, it's hard to aim when you're thrashing the air wildly with a pin-finder and screaming like a little girl.. ??ÿ
"God instilled humans with super-powers to keep us safe. It's called "human herpalevitation". That is the ability to defy gravity and remain in the air for a short moment when a snake is encountered. We call it "the snake hover" or just "treading air".
Us Southern uneducated rednecks can achieve the same levitation results with what we call a Giant Protective Fart. And they automatically occur during an encounter with venomous reptiles.
Warren, search for snake proof boots/leggings. Also when in snake territory stamp your feet when approaching your destination, most snakes hate you as much as you hate them and will try to avoid you.?ÿ ? ?ÿ
?ÿ
Paden,?ÿ
You are correct about the adrenalin-powered phenomenon of floatation: I once came two steps from a skunk. I was so close that I could see my own, beady little black eyes in the reflection of his beady little black eyes. I somehow WILLED my way backwards, 20 feet, in the air, without alarming the little bugger. If i knew how to harness that reaction on demand, I could really use it to stay away from some humans I've regretted coming into contact with.?ÿ
the other thing about snakes - they have it all wrong: they think WE are threatening THEM!!!! I honestly only want to dig a hole or two, and go on, thank you very much.?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
Warren,
Having been bitten on the thumb by a copperhead the day before Thanksgiving whilst surveying in Arkansas, I can concur with quite a few of the above suggestions.
Stomp the ground around where you may be placing your hands.
Poke around in tall grass with a lath, or locator first.
Do not wear sandals, or tennis shoes.
An eight inch boot is good, taller boots are better. I have a set of snake boots that nearly reach my knees. There are places around Big Spring, TX where I wish they went up to my neck.
While a pistol with bird shot is good, I prefer a machete. Why shoot yourself in the foot while panicking over a snake with your pistol when you can chop that foot off while panicking over a snake with your machete?
Ticks and chiggers are as big a problem for me as snakes, spiders, and scorpions.
The same holds true for poisonous plants. I have a pretty serious sumac allergy.
Two shirts, a long sleeved Tee Shirt or Compression type of shirt, covered by a long sleeved Fishing type of shirt.
Long pants (shorts are not an option unless you have steel legs)
Tall boots, preferably tall enough to tuck the bottom your pants into. (Duct tape around the top of the boot, helps keep the ticks and chiggers out.)
Gauntlet style gloves with good grip and knuckle protection. (If you are cutting brush you will truly appreciate these.)
A long stick, a pistol with bird shot, a razor sharp machete with a blade at least 21 inches long, a brush axe, bug repellent, a few smelly dryer sheets (stick them in your hat, they help keep mosquitoes, biting flies, and other assorted vampires away from your head).
Eat lots of asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, take a lot of vitamin E, drink vinegar, and stay above 7500 feet which is not possible in Oklahoma.
I prefer to just leave them alone, they have their place and purpose in the world, let them be.
...that is unless you have one in a populated location where it is an actual hazard.
I had one next to my burn barrel a few years ago. After several days firm encouragement he still refused to leave.
RIP via the 44 (the bulldog is pocket size)
a pistol with birdshot is great at about 1 or 2 meters, for disposal purposes, if you need to get into their location to grub around or make a measurement.
Golden Rule: Do Not follow another person in the brush. The first one wakes them up, the Second one gets nailed.
I prefer to just leave them alone, they have their place and purpose in the world, let them be.
?ÿ
I agree, but as you point out, there are exceptions!
Loyal
Dittos on the heavy leather boots and gloves. That, together with a hyper consciousness of the potential dangers, is usually enough.
The worst condition is when it's not too warm yet.?ÿ When it's hot they will usually beat a retreat long before you know they are there. But they are torpid in the cool of the morning. They'll just lay there until you get within striking range.?ÿ?ÿ
No need to carry a gun for snakes. They aren't going to hunt you. You would have to be one hell of a good shot to hit one with a bullet at any range, and even with a snake load at any comfortable range, in any case. Western movies notwithstanding.
BTW, The only time I go with short sleeves and pants is weekends. I wear long sleeved collared Carhardtt shirts and canvas carpenter pants in the field year round.?ÿ ?ÿ ?ÿ
Hey Jon, long time, no see? How you been?
Though I don't have to deal with snakes, chiggers and ticks and the like where I live, I've been an avid hiker since childhood and have run across many snakes, both down there and in Asia. You have much more to fear of their like in Asia, both in venom toxicity and aggressiveness. The best approach IMHO?ÿis avoidance. When in snake country I never wear snake armor aside of from hiking boots?ÿas it's generally too hot, but I find a stout 6+' walking staff to be most invaluable both for maintaining balance in rough terrain?ÿand for poking ahead and clearing spider webs from trails, pushing back overhanging brush?ÿand in snake country, to warn any snakes of my approach. If absolutely necessary the staff makes a most effective club for dispatching anything posing a threat, including aggressive dogs. In other words, I like to carry a big stick. Nobody has ever accidently blown their foot off with a 6' length of hickory.
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
N
But don't be disheartened just because you have a fear of snakes.?ÿ God instilled humans with super-powers to keep us safe.?ÿ It's called "human herpalevitation".?ÿ That is the ability to defy gravity and remain in the air for a short moment when a snake is encountered.?ÿ We call it "the snake hover" or just "treading air".?ÿ
For those unbelievers that are now snickering; don't be so sure it isn't real.?ÿ I've seen it happen.?ÿ ??ÿ
?ÿ
a small green stick. 3+ ft long. whip them. breaks there vertebrae. flexes, to the ground. pretty effective.
?ÿ
?ÿ
@paden cash
you forgot to mention that little part about involuntary bowel evacuation.
Here in the Rain Forest of the Ark-La-Tex since we have been invaded by Wild Hogs the snake population is in a definite down turn. All of the above advice is very good, for myself I wear thick leather boots, never touch the ground with my hands 1st and carry a 24" machete. We used to see an average of 2 to 3 snakes a day of some sort, since the hogs arrived we rarely see more than 1 a week.
?ÿ
?ÿ
Don't chase a poisonous snake that is traveling away from you with a machete. Especially a Moccasin but that should not apply to you much. I don't know about Rattlesnakes.
I had a Moccasin that I was trying to kill from behind with a machete and it doubled back on me. Almost got my hand. I never tried that again.
I prefer a hoe or long handle shovel.
James
Don't chase a poisonous snake that is traveling away from you with a machete. Especially a Moccasin but that should not apply to you much. I don't know about Rattlesnakes.
I had a Moccasin that I was trying to kill from behind with a machete and it doubled back on me. Almost got my hand. I never tried that again.
I prefer a hoe or long handle shovel.
James
Water Moccasins are definitely the "bad boys" of all the snakes found in my part of the world.?ÿ I have seen plenty of them cop an attitude when you start messing with them.?ÿ I smacked at one with a short oar while boat fishing one day.?ÿ That snake chased us for a good hour.?ÿ?ÿOne of the guys was so 'creeped out' by it he slept in his truck that night instead of out by the fire with the rest of us.
I'll be damned - I never saw a water moccasin with a machete.
?ÿ
Any snake that steals my machete can keep it.
I must support Paden's assertion that snakes can give surveyors the power of levitation. ?ÿNo doubt about that.
Any snake that steals my machete can keep it.
I must support Paden's assertion that snakes can give surveyors the power of levitation. ?ÿNo doubt about that.
I'm not too sure about Rankin File's "involuntary bowel evacuation" though...
Last time I was startled by a snake I was so "sucked up" you couldn't have gotten a greased sewing needle up my backside with a three pound hammer.?ÿ It took me two days to relax enough to go the bathroom.