Rattler

David Martin

David Martin

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Apr 7, 2008
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Watch it, --- we are still finding rattlers. jbmonkey will post a photo of a Prairie Rattler that I
nearly stepped on today. Crumb! DM
 
This one came much closer than I cared to be. Within striking range before I saw him and my mind kicked into gear.
Plus, I had no fire arm. So, I grabbed a shovel and began fighting as he was striking at me. I need to be looking and
aware even when tired. I was carrying my 110. DM
 
PTL that you were not bitten! I do not mind poisonous snakes as long as they are not around my house or anywhere that I am.
(although when I was a youngster, we used to catch them for fun)
 
While dove hunting in an area known for rattlers, I almost stepped on what I thought was a rattler...had my snub nose 38 with birdshot...when going to take the rattles with my 110, there were none! Turned out to be a hog nosed snake. I have pictures but they are to large, so will post when I can. There are pics of the hog nose on google. Preston
 
David Martin said:
This one came much closer than I cared to be. Within striking range before I saw him and my mind kicked into gear.
Plus, I had no fire arm. So, I grabbed a shovel and began fighting as he was striking at me. I need to be looking and
aware even when tired. I was carrying my 110. DM
Click to expand...

quite a fight. least you were on your toes enough and came out unbit and safe, Sir. gonna use ole blue to skin it.:)
 
The skin was damaged by shovel contact and it was only 3 ft.. This species is not known to be large. So, I merely removed the rattles. DM
 
Snakes,

I understand why they exist. And they certainly serve a purpose. But I am not a fan. At least not of the venomous ones. Fortunately, we are somewhat protected by geography up here. Although we do have Eastern Timber Ratlers and a few Copperheads in some spots. But mostly a none issue in my immediate vicinity.
 
"The skin was damaged by shovel contact and it was only 3 ft.. This species is not known to be large. So, I merely removed the rattles. DM"

...and ate it? If you kill it you gotta eat it!
 
I tried but the small ones don't have much meat on them. They have to be a large diameter rattler to carry much meat. If I were better at catching them I would have carried it far away. But last summer my dog was bite and the vet bill quite high. So, I didn't want to pay for another one of those. Just glad it didn't bite my wife. DM
 
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drei3ree said:
"The skin was damaged by shovel contact and it was only 3 ft.. This species is not known to be large. So, I merely removed the rattles. DM"

...and ate it? If you kill it you gotta eat it!
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yeah normally i agree with ya on no waste on hunting or mercy killing......but poisonious snakes being genocided, im fine with. im not a fan of snakes as ive had to deal with cottonmouths for decades and snake "experts" say they arent aggressive but spook on with water between you and it by accident and it will come at ya and strike and bite each and every time. same with easterns....not water but step close to them unknowingly and they strike and bite each and every time. not gonna talk coral or rare few copperheads or pygmys, but i dont have good exepriences with them so maybe im biased.
 
I guess I'm the odd man out. I leave copperheads and rattlers alone. Even under my pier and beam house where I routinely get under. All my animals have been bitten, but they get over it. Snakes are preferable to field mice and field rats. They do a lot of damage.
 
kossetx said:
I guess I'm the odd man out. I leave copperheads and rattlers alone. Even under my pier and beam house where I routinely get under. All my animals have been bitten, but they get over it. Snakes are preferable to field mice and field rats. They do a lot of damage.
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fair point. ones here just dont seem to eat enough citrus rats. yard cats do a far better job.
 
kossetx said:
I guess I'm the odd man out. I leave copperheads and rattlers alone. Even under my pier and beam house where I routinely get under. All my animals have been bitten, but they get over it. Snakes are preferable to field mice and field rats. They do a lot of damage.
Click to expand...

True. Not too odd, I agree with ya. Where I live now, snakes under the porch are good luck...better than skunk :) But then rattlers tend not to go under the porch.
 
I have killed a few but stopped. They don't typically bother anyone unless they are spooked or stalked. Dogs tend to rile them up.
 
good looking dogs, Sir. keep them safe from those pit vipers.;)
 
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Rattlers do us good by eating rodents. But they cost me 400$ last year on vet bills. (my dog on the right) Money that could have fed my family. Now I have a German Short-haired Pointer. The puppy on the left. So, we have to be very watchful during these first few years of his training. So, I can save his skin from dangers as he learns. Just the reality of where we live. Hoping we'll have many pleasant times and get years of service out of him. Watching our livestock, as a guard and companion & working birds. A dog is called on to do many tasks here. Thanks jbm. DM
 
Great looking pup David!!! Look at you, proud Dad. These are really good hunting dogs with lots of energy. Good for you, Congratulations!
 
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