Photos Blades on Hikes

Short hike today, just under 3 miles. We got some snow last night, so it finally looks like winter.

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I got uncreative with blade pics, both taken in the same spot. You get the idea though.

Victorinox 7/Harvester
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Paramilitary 2 in CPM 15V
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RLB0414 said:
Beautiful country. Looks like prime rattlesnake country.
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Grew up in Olivenhain CA in 70s catching rattlesnakes (mostly Southern Pacific and Red Diamond) with my brother. Been removing them and relocating the last 10 years or so for friends n family! Not many out this time of year unfortunately! Of course if my wife never sees one again..she’s happy.😃
 
DA170 said:
Grew up in Olivenhain CA in 70s catching rattlesnakes (mostly Southern Pacific and Red Diamond) with my brother. Been removing them and relocating the last 10 years or so for friends n family! Not many out this time of year unfortunately! Of course if my wife never sees one again..she’s happy.😃
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Understand not seeing another one equals happiness. I grew up in Northwest Florida so encounters with big Eastern Diamondbacks were routine as were encounters with Cottonmouths near the water. One learns to respect rattlers and be leery of cottonmouths.
 
RLB0414 said:
Understand not seeing another one equals happiness. I grew up in Northwest Florida so encounters with big Eastern Diamondbacks were routine as were encounters with Cottonmouths near the water. One learns to respect rattlers and be leery of cottonmouths.
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Respect is the proper word!! Most folks don’t know Rattlesnakes are a keystone species. When encountered in the wild the snake will always go the other way, if given space to move. Even a lot of people who are trained to handle them grab the head for no reason. When removing from property and using the right tongs/hook (I use equipment from Midwest tongs) you never have to go near the head. But tons of video show people grabbing the head , Unfortunately sometimes with bad outcomes. Recently I’ve removed 2 babies from my daughter’s kitchen and garage. I try to be available to friends/family at all hours as the fire department will kill the animal.
 
DA170 said:
Respect is the proper word!! Most folks don’t know Rattlesnakes are a keystone species. When encountered in the wild the snake will always go the other way, if given space to move. Even a lot of people who are trained to handle them grab the head for no reason. When removing from property and using the right tongs/hook (I use equipment from Midwest tongs) you never have to go near the head. But tons of video show people grabbing the head , Unfortunately sometimes with bad outcomes. Recently I’ve removed 2 babies from my daughter’s kitchen and garage. I try to be available to friends/family at all hours as the fire department will kill the animal.
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Agree. Rattlers will go the other way if not cornered. Cottonmouths on the other hand can and will be aggressive and bring the fight to "you".
Glad you are able to help others with snakes
 
RLB0414 said:
Agree. Rattlers will go the other way if not cornered. Cottonmouths on the other hand can and will be aggressive and bring the fight to "you".
Glad you are able to help others with snakes
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not always. easterns sometimes will sit and wait for you to step on them or around them.

step on them and you're getting bit. step next to them....better odds, but they still can strike. they don't always run away. plus they are super camouflaged.

here's one on my property with his head near the size of a softball. I almost stepped on him. he didn't run and he knew I was there walking and making noise towards him.
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I also have coral snakes, pygmy rattlers on the property. water mocassins are around my property in the wetter areas. I've seen cotton mouths run toward water for safety when spooked. they don't always attack. all poisonous snakes and pit vipers can be very aggressive especially when young, and all can easily be threatened and stay still/hide or run. since they see us as predators.

it's best to stay on clear paths, not step over fallen trees and look where every step is going and what's in front or around it. I wear snake boots nowadays when I get into the thick jungle where you can't see every step ya take.
 
jbmonkey said:
not always. easterns sometimes will sit and wait for you to step on them or around them.

step on them and you're getting bit. step next to them....better odds, but they still can strike. they don't always run away. plus they are super camouflaged.

here's one on my property with his head near the size of a softball. I almost stepped on him. he didn't run and he knew I was there walking and making noise towards him.
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I also have coral snakes, pygmy rattlers on the property. water mocassins are around my property in the wetter areas. I've seen cotton mouths run toward water for safety when spooked. they don't always attack. all poisonous snakes and pit vipers can be very aggressive especially when young, and all can easily be threatened and stay still/hide or run. since they see us as predators.

it's best to stay on clear paths, not step over fallen trees and look where every step is going and what's in front or around it. I wear snake boots nowadays when I get into the thick jungle where you can't see every step ya take.
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We have had much different experiences with them. Either way being aware of where your feet are going is the key.
That is a nice sized one.
 
RLB0414 said:
We have had much different experiences with them. Either way being aware of where your feet are going is the key.
That is a nice sized one.
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don't y'all only have only 1 type pit viper up there. a smaller, size wise, rattlesnake?

yep easily 5 or 6 feet. I didn't try to measure it. I left it be.
 
jbmonkey said:
don't y'all only have only 1 type pit viper up there. a smaller, size wise, rattlesnake?

yep easily 5 or 6 feet. I didn't try to measure it. I left it be.
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I grew up north of Pensacola Florida. I spent many summers on the Perdido River in the Northwest part of Florida. A little dot on the map called Walnut Hill. We had very large Diamondbacks. All farm country around where I grew up.
Where I call home now I'm SE Michigan the only put viper I am aware of is the copperhead.
Just looking at your photo it is easy to see it is a big snake.
 
RLB0414 said:
I grew up north of Pensacola Florida. I spent many summers on the Perdido River in the Northwest part of Florida. A little dot on the map called Walnut Hill. We had very large Diamondbacks. All farm country around where I grew up.
Where I call home now I'm SE Michigan the only put viper I am aware of is the copperhead.
Just looking at your photo it is easy to see it is a big snake.
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I didn't think y'all had copperheads up there. I saw there is some kinda eastern massasauga rattlesnake, but maybe your corner of the state up there has them? course ya had copperheads in north fl. they aren't down where i am.

yep. not the biggest ive ever run into, but a big boy.
 
jbmonkey said:
I didn't think y'all had copperheads up there. I saw there is some kinda eastern massasauga rattlesnake, but maybe your corner of the state up there has them? course ya had copperheads in north fl. they aren't down where i am.

yep. not the biggest ive ever run into, but a big boy.
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I never encountered a copperhead in the 25 years living in NW Fl. I have not encountered a snake here since the early 90's.
I have encountered some big ones in Florida.
 
DA170 said:
View attachment 2751876View attachment 2751877View attachment 2751878View attachment 2751879View attachment 2751880View attachment 2751881View attachment 2751882View attachment 2751883View attachment 2751884View attachment 2751885Went a few miles farther today..awesome weather. Lil guy had to be leashed 3/4 of the way back because of coyotes.
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Beautiful country. Looks like the puppy was happy and energetic for a bit. Sucks about the totes. Remington 870, full tube of #4 with a full choke solves the yote problem every time.
 
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