First rattlers of the season

Those are some nice ones. I probably won't see any rattlers out for another month and a half or so. Looks like a good place to go hiking as well.
 
Wow ! Those are some good sized rattlesnakes :eek: You said you walked right past the 2nd one & didn't see it :eek: You are Lucky you didn't get Struck ! Did it not play that sweet song they like to play ?
Nice pics, Thanks for sharing !
 
techna said:
I have never understood why men hate snakes. Fear I guess I kinda get. But hate? I mean so many of us love or at least have a fascination with, almost every other fast, sleek, potentially lethal thing we come across. Though not all will admit it, guns, knives, fire, motorcycles, fast cars, airplanes, big dogs, whiskey, and sleazy girls all seem to have at least a little place in our hearts.
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I don't think many hate snakes.
It's just that most of the things in your list aren't a serious threat to your kids, pets, etc if they run across them in the backyard. The exception being fire, but we rush to put out fire that we don't intentionally set, yes? Why the fire hate? ;)

I rather prefer rattlers to other venomous snakes for two reasons:
1.) They do make noise when aroused, and it's distinctive and fairly loud.
2.) Eastern Rattlers are fairly docile and will generally try to get away if given the chance. Western rattlers are more aggressive, but will still tend to retreat when given a chance.

Also, it's not the snake's fault, but they really do make great straps, belts and bow coverings, and go good with bell peppers, onions and a bit of garlic in butter sauce.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I don't think many hate snakes.
It's just that most of the things in your list aren't a serious threat to your kids, pets, etc if they run across them in the backyard. The exception being fire, but we rush to put out fire that we don't intentionally set, yes? Why the fire hate? ;)

I rather prefer rattlers to other venomous snakes for two reasons:
1.) They do make noise when aroused, and it's distinctive and fairly loud.
2.) Eastern Rattlers are fairly docile and will generally try to get away if given the chance. Western rattlers are more aggressive, but will still tend to retreat when given a chance.

Also, it's not the snake's fault, but they really do make great straps, belts and bow coverings, and go good with bell peppers, onions and a bit of garlic in butter sauce.
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I disagree on several points.

You would do well to teach your kids not to touch MANY of the things I mentioned if they stumbled upon them, and ALL of them are a threat if not treated with the proper respect. Yes, even the sleazy...Wait, check that, ESPECIALLY the sleazy girl.

As far as the hatred comment goes, well maybe I am out of touch. Maybe my experience is a generational thing. You see, I am closer to 50 than 40 and from an early age spent a lot of time out of doors in south Texas. Most of that time I had some sort of projectile firing device in my hand and was usually hanging around with other like minded folk. From my early teens to my late thirties, I hunted and fished Texas and parts of Mexico pretty regularly with all sorts of people and one thing was pretty consistent. Any, and I do mean ANY, snake found when guns and people were present pretty much paid the butchers bill. Most of the time the killing was done with a relish seemingly reserved only for snakes. Hopefully things have changed among younger outdoorsmen.
 
Unless they're in my yard and won't leave, or they become aggressive, or screw with me in the field, I leave them alone.

Which means for the most part, I leave rattlers alone.

Moccasins almost always start some stuff and end up dead.
 
Looks like a great day for a hike. I always enjoy seeing snakes along the trail, those are some nice ones.:thumbup:
 
I'm glad they're staying out there. :D

In the 80s huh? We're getting SNOW here...

B
 
What's a snake? Still have a foot of snow in the woods here, and just 5 miles north, snowshoes are still required for woods travel. As for fearing animals, none is meaner then a human. Can't trust those things at all.
 
Snakes are awesome creatures. One of natures most elegant IMO.:cool:

I spot em, I shoot em with a camera if I have one, but if Im alone I just leave em be. If Ive got my kids with me, Im a little more cautious, and wouldnt hesitate to put one down if its a particularly aggresive sucker.:thumbup:

That said, man they are tasty!! Ive had some very well prepared rattlers. I just prefer to not kill em on purpose if I dont have to.:thumbup:

Some great pics T! Those are pretty good sized ones. Looks like they are startin to move around more out there!
 
Nice pics. Looks like some healthy rattlers there. I like to shoot them with the camera also. We have seen many on trips out west and usually they get out of our way.
 
Whooooowheeee those are some good examples! Kinda scary that you walked right by that one, but it does prove that they will generally leave you alone if you leave them alone.
 
Nice pics..I love snakes.. Ioften hike to areas just to catch a glimpse of them... there are' quite as many rattlers here and the colder weather keeps 'em pretty docile.
 
Nice Rattlers, Here in Pa last summer I saw more than ever. Be awhile before we get some nice warm weather to go looking this year.
 
pvicenzi said:
What's a snake? Still have a foot of snow in the woods here, and just 5 miles north, snowshoes are still required for woods travel. As for fearing animals, none is meaner then a human. Can't trust those things at all.
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A snake is a strange legless creature that people on this site seem to generally respect (which is good) and also seem to find tasty (also good). Some North American species are venomous, but the vast majority are not. It has been said that they somehow help a person find out who his true friends are....Something about being bit in a sensitive area by a venomous one and the venom needing to be sucked out. I don't know. Its an old story.

What is this snow you speak of? Some kind of weird animal? There must be a lot of them where you live if they are a foot deep. And snowshoes? Shoes made of these snows, or are they like protective footwear to keep you safe from them? Please splain. :)
 
Snow is indeed a strange animal that falls from the sky here on the south shore of the worlds largest lake. After about 5 months of this snow, one tends to act a little goofy, so please forgive me. We are predicted to get 2 more inches tonight.
How does one go about getting bit in one of those "sensitive areas"? Then again, don't answer that.
 
Great pics buddy, they look a good size eh ! I love all reptiles and wish I could be there to see those for real !!!!
 
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