Saw the first rattlesnake of the year at the farm today.

[warhammer]

I have a shotgun that I would like to rig up a mount for on the tractor. I am thinking maybe a crossbar clamped onto the ROP with a pair of those ATV type rifle holder forks they sell at Cabela's or TSC.
That or some way to attach a pistol holster.

Warhammer

This gun would seem right up your alley.
Bond Arms Texas Defender Derringer - Bond Arms by Big Sky Guns LLC

 

[Kays Supply]

It is off subject, the rattler made me think. Do you have any prairie dogs in your area? I'm always looking for more.

 

[kenstrac]

Good Mornin Guys,
OK I have to ask you guys down south a dumb question ! When you are out on your property and you know you are in rattler country, do you guys wear high boots to your knees, and is that enough protection from a large snake ? Or is there something else that you can do to prevent being bitten ? I realize that you probablly have a certain awareness level if your in an area that is known for heavy snake traffic !

Thanks,

When I was down in GA looking for property I bought a pair of snake chaps they would seem to do the job they were pretty thick but hard to walk in after awhile.

 

[mikim]

Good Mornin Guys,
OK I have to ask you guys down south a dumb question ! When you are out on your property and you know you are in rattler country, do you guys wear high boots to your knees, and is that enough protection from a large snake ? Or is there something else that you can do to prevent being bitten ? I realize that you probablly have a certain awareness level if your in an area that is known for heavy snake traffic !

Thanks,

Generally when I'm out there I'm running chainsaw and tractor so the possibility of me hearing one with my hard of hearing ears is pretty well nil. I wear snake boots - kevlar uppers up to the knee - and chainsaw chaps - but with my luck he'll git me when I'm bent over cutting brush.

 

[blueriver]

Snakes where a real problem when I bought this place, it was over grown and thick, ponds had not been kept up ... cotton mouth and rattlers. The 410 with bird shot and the S&W 9mm with rat shot provided for excellent snake killers.

Since I have cleaned the place up, put cattle, horse's, mules, donkeys and pigs ... the activity has moved them on to I quess other un-inhabited places, an occassional cotton mouth and if one of the weapons is handy they are no more.

 

[kthompson]

I hope not but may get bitten this year do not wear snake proof gear. Then I don't go running into such areas in the summer either. Learned years ago running chain saws will run snakes off. A friend who was in logging family taught me that. Ask had I ever heard of logger being bitten. Their concern was when in woods with NO saws running. So when in woods where I cannot see I have learned it is easy to tote an idling chain saw and to this day what little have been in such an area like this have yet to see any snake unless it was running away. Now, had one last summer crawl beside the tracks of excavator with diesel engine running. So guess it is the pitch of the small gas engine.

 

[mikim]

running chain saws will run snakes off.
glad to hear it. it'll rest my mind a bit when I'm in that heavy brush with one.

 

[radioman]

ok - i gotta ask - for those in the rattlesnake area - If you do get bitten, what can you do to survive ? will you have enough time to get help ? I dont know since i am up too far north and its not common knowledge around here.

 

[warhammer]

I read somewhere that most bites are not fatal and that it takes a couple of hours before your organs are damaged by the venom.

Warhammer

ok - i gotta ask - for those in the rattlesnake area - If you do get bitten, what can you do to survive ? will you have enough time to get help ? I dont know since i am up too far north and its not common knowledge around here.

 

[warhammer]

Thats my working plan. I am fencing 15 or so acres in to run cattle on and have been working at brush hogging and clearing the overgrowth. Last year was the first time in 20-30 years that the brush had been cut back at all and the barn got cleaned out in order to use it. We'll see if that cuts back the sightings any.
I am thinking at this point though that the manual clearing and tramping thru the brush is over til next fall/winter when the snakes get inactive again. That won't stop cutting with the brush hog though.

Warhammer

Snakes where a real problem when I bought this place, it was over grown and thick, ponds had not been kept up ... cotton mouth and rattlers. The 410 with bird shot and the S&W 9mm with rat shot provided for excellent snake killers.

Since I have cleaned the place up, put cattle, horse's, mules, donkeys and pigs ... the activity has moved them on to I quess other un-inhabited places, an occassional cotton mouth and if one of the weapons is handy they are no more.