Caution while in the boonies
- Thread starter RedSled
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Knight-Errant
New member
While I was mountain biking this weekend at a local park in Virginia, signs were posted warning that copperhead snakes had been spotted in the area. They're usually not even on the threat radar, but I appreciated a friendly reminder that these guys are out there.
Watch Your Step! Prosper Residents Warned of Snake Sightings | NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
Rains are forcing snakes in Texas to get creative (back from April, but still a problem)
Rains are forcing snakes in Texas to get creative (back from April, but still a problem)
jrm
New member
I guess my greatest
cautionary issue is coming across illegal grows guarded by armed folks and armed people that are on the run/lamb.
Once on my moto i came accross a state conservation camp out in the boonies and was greeted by a shotgun yielding female prison guard. She was nice enough and all but...
cautionary issue is coming across illegal grows guarded by armed folks and armed people that are on the run/lamb.
Once on my moto i came accross a state conservation camp out in the boonies and was greeted by a shotgun yielding female prison guard. She was nice enough and all but...
Zonie Taco
New member
Cant wait until Trump builds the wall. no more snakes.
seriously though, the thing that scares me most about these things is how expensive anti venom costs. heard about some guy with a 300k hospital bill. hope my insurance will cover. that and these things are fast. ive scared them out in the desert and i swear they can move at 10-15 mph when they want to
seriously though, the thing that scares me most about these things is how expensive anti venom costs. heard about some guy with a 300k hospital bill. hope my insurance will cover. that and these things are fast. ive scared them out in the desert and i swear they can move at 10-15 mph when they want to
Jernik
New member
This guy was on the edge of the rock pile we were camped against. The kids were climbing all over those rocks all day too. Was discovered later in the night when everyone was using that corner as the bathroom and one guy stepped close enough for it to set off a warning.
I'm guessing he did his business in his pants?
:toilet:
Drunner97
New member
I'm guessing he did his business in his pants?
Damned near I'm sure. Needless to say we paid a lot closer attention to where we were pissing that night.
Bigshankhank
New member
As evidenced by recent events at Disneyworld, you don't have to be in the boonies to meet face to face with natural predators.
Drunner97
New member
I think for the most part, just back away slowly. The most aggressive rattlesnake that I'm aware of that likes to chase people is the Mojave Green. That one in my picture was identified as one of the LEAST aggressive (can't remember what it was). He wasn't even rattling as I was taking pictures and I was pretty close. I ran across a 5-7 foot Sidewinder in Joshua Tree once, and even though he was up and ready to strike, once I took a couple steps back he took off into the brush.
Ray Dunakin
Senior Member
Main thing with rattlesnakes is to just keep an eye out for them. They are rarely aggressive and usually just want to either get away or stay still and hope you don't see/attack them.
Know what to look out for -- snakes like to shelter under bushes or rocks, so don't put your hands or feet in/near those areas without making sure it's safe first. I recommend using a walking stick when hiking, and poke around with it.
Also, don't get so focused on something else that you forget to look down. Early one morning I went to check out the ruins of an old cabin. Walked right up to it, then happened to look down and see a coiled rattler literally 3 inches from my foot!
In the desert in hot weather, the snakes will often be active at night, so if you're taking a walk after dark, use a flashlight.
Know what to look out for -- snakes like to shelter under bushes or rocks, so don't put your hands or feet in/near those areas without making sure it's safe first. I recommend using a walking stick when hiking, and poke around with it.
Also, don't get so focused on something else that you forget to look down. Early one morning I went to check out the ruins of an old cabin. Walked right up to it, then happened to look down and see a coiled rattler literally 3 inches from my foot!
In the desert in hot weather, the snakes will often be active at night, so if you're taking a walk after dark, use a flashlight.
nevada
Senior Member
we think we are top of the food chain...
BigredTEX
New member
The best thing to do is what has already been stated....watch where you put your hands and feet. Regardless of species, they all like to hide under bushes, rocks and logs. When out in the woods I always use hiking sticks. They come in handy to test for what's on the other side of that rock or log.
Rattle snakes and cotton mouths are a nasty bite. Copper heads less so, but still will be extremely painful and most likely lead to tissue loss. They are also the most camouflaged. Their marking blend in perfectly with leaf debris and are very prevalent in your neck of the woods.
Bottom line - watch where you step and reach and wear appropriate shoes. Surprisingly there are more bites to the hand than foot/lower leg. Also watch your pets. Natural curiosity gets a lot of dogs bitten on the snout.
