OT ...on the way to my deer stand...

[Mattingly23NY]

...thank you...the puppy that was with me was the one who walked up on the snake first...I heard the rattle and grabbed the pup...I had a gun and the snake didn't...end of story.
...Tote, I'm WAY out in the country and 15 miles to the nearest hospital with probably does even have the correct anti-venom...and if I were to get bitten by one of these, at my age, it could be very, very serious...possibly fatal.

...these are the largest venomous snakes in north America...and if you never seen what their bite can do, google it...it ain't pretty.

I more than understand your situation. In Perry, (JoeJah), had a few buddies, who lived near the ponds of water, near the Country Club North of town, often in the early dark hours and on the way to their vehicles in the driveway, it was a common affair to either step or jump, on or away from a Cotton Mouth, or Copperhead. Flood Lights were mandatory.

Luzianna was a bit worse, with all those bayous, full of Water Moccassins, Copperheads, and I didn't know one person, who did not encounter a venomous snake, often living in the ducts under one's driveway. An easy trip onto the warm concrete driveways, Kim damn near stepped on one, and Buckshot was their treat in return.

WORSE YET, is living out here. In 13 out of 15 years, the extremely venomous Mojave Green, resides on doorsteps, lawns, dirt, and takes on the camouflauge of either, (less concrete or blacktop). Almost impossible to see, and one of the most aggressive snakes I've ever encountered, they will NOT turn away from a Human. Their Venom is beyond belief.

One must get CroFab within the 1st 45 Minutes or DIE. Period, Death lurks in these fkrs, which have surprised myself more than a couple dozen times. All met their match with a shovel or sword. 45 Mins, then YOU ARE FKNG DEAD....!!! Venom attacks both the Cardiovascular, and Nervous System, shutting down the heart and respiratory, sending one into convulsions and quick death. Why would I allow or re-locate, a snake, so small which has enough venom to kill a few people, or animals as big as a Horse????? It IS kill or be Killed......

Ok, I'm off the pulpit......would one let a Texas Brown Scorpion Live too, if its crawling down one's walls????? I see no difference, both are pests, both have their place in the World, but not in my yard or house.....!!!

 

[yankeesince59]

...thanx Matts, I've obviously never encountered a Mojave rattler but I've read that they are bad mo-fos.

 

[Mattingly23NY]

...thanx Matts, I've obviously never encountered a Mojave rattler but I've read that they are bad mo-fos.

the pleasure is all mine 59......

any encounter with any venomous snake in any state IMHO, is worth the buckshot.....

 

[yankeesince59]

...do you actually live in/near the desert area of Cali?

 

[totus44]

...thank you...the puppy that was with me was the one who walked up on the snake first...I heard the rattle and grabbed the pup...I had a gun and the snake didn't...end of story.
...Tote, I'm WAY out in the country and 15 miles to the nearest hospital which probably doesn't even have the correct anti-venom anyway...and if I were to get bitten by one of these, at my age, it could be very, very serious...possibly fatal.

...these are the largest venomous snakes in north America...and if you've never seen what their bite can do, google it...it ain't pretty.

I know what western diamondbacks can do, also not pretty. I'll never forget my first out on trail experience with Ajax as a pup....3 god damn rattlers, including a juvi which are actually the most dangerous. Born with intact venom glands, juvi's will pump 100% of the time..until empty. Adults maybe envenom-ate 1/3 of the time, and even then its controlled. The pup learned...don't pick up "sticks that move". He's more scent (tracking) oriented vs prey (motion) drive, and does not like the way snakes smell, so he has the good sense to leave them be. We know folks that have lost horses to bites and even not uncommon for riders to get serious hurt or killed when horses get hit.

Would have made a belt in your situation as well. No satisfaction in it, just risk mgmt.

 

[totus44]

...do you actually live in/near the desert area of Cali?

Rob IS the burning man!

 

[yankeesince59]

Would have made a belt in your situation as well. No satisfaction in it, just risk mgmt.

...yeah, I would have except I shot it twice while coiled up...22 magnum hollow point...went through the head/neck and ripped up the body pretty bad...being past the point of trying to skin it out and tan it. Two shots made a total of about six holes...exit holes were about an inch in diameter.