All things Snake - Boots to Bites

[Egbert]

With spring fast approaching, warmer weather will bring out the critters - snakes included. I thought this might be a good time to have a little Q&A to see if we could share experience(s) and perhaps learn something to help keep us all safe.

I know my property in northeastern Oklahoma, as for poisonous varieties, has Copperhead and Water Moccasin, although I've seen relatively few. I suspect there are Rattle Snakes but I've not had that pleasure. I wear 14" snake boots whenever I know I'll be in tall grass or in the wooded areas. I recently picked up an inexpensive 18.5" 20ga to keep handy in the field.

I'd like to hear: What do you wear for protection? What wisdom can you share from maintaining your property. equipment & barns? Have you done anything to try and reduce snake problems in your yard? Have you been bitten (even more than once?) and, if so, by what and what was your treatment and recovery? Have your boots or chaps been "tested?" Do you have a favorite firearm/caliber that you carry for snakes? And, there must be much more that I don't even know to ask.

Please chime in and educate this city boy turned country

 

[Buppies]

28 Ga shotgun and we have copperheads, rattlesnakes and numerous others but mostly non poison variety. Afraid if I see them they are dead. No advice on snake boots

 

[Ed of all trades]

Lived in central Va for 30 years. Went all over that place day and night year in year out, had a black snake try to bite me once, it died in the attempt. I was turkey hunting. I have picked up a grease gun that had a small water moccasin under it and killed a few others in my day. I never carried anything for protection from snakes or wore anything for protection. Knew of one person that got snake bit by a water moccasin and he put a plug of half chewed tobacco in his sock on the bite and went home. (don't try this at home) In a couple days he was back fishing again. I never knew anyone who worried about snakes. the odds of getting bit are just to long to fool with.

 

[/pine]

Around here we have copperheads and timber rattlers...the former being more predominate...however we are lucky to have a larger Eastern (black) King snake population that keep the poisonous snakes in check...

 

[9973720wb19]

i purchased snake boots for mowing around my pond. you can find them with a search. you will not want to wear them all day...slip on and mow - remove...comfortable as ski binding...if'n you know what i mean.

 

[jveretto]

Here in Central Texas we have Copperheads and a few rattlers. I never have worried about them. They will get out of the way unless you step on them. I feed livestock in the dark without a thought. I do look careful under anything I move. I do have a dog that barks at a snake.

 

[DutchHenryBrown]

I purchased a set of snake knee high guards when I first moved back to AZ wore them for a while when the ground was being worked on for the house. I think we had 3 or 4 rattlers that first year then a couple the next and then knock on wood have not come across any the last 2 years. My everyday carry gun is a 38 in the summer time I load it with rat shot it has worked for me when needed.

 

[creekbend]

I have never been bitten. In the woods or fields, I try my best to observe my surroundngs and shuffle my feet. I get out of creeks and areas with water when I spot a Cottonmouth, though.

 

[txdon]

Central Texas also and we have mean little copperheads and lazy large coral snakes. Last year there were 8 copperhead bites in our county none fatal all very painful I hear. I wear boots and my dog walks in front and grabs the snakes and shakes and throws them. Sometimes I help her out with the copperheads in the yard with a hoe. She has only been bitten three times. I guess she thinks she a cat with nine lives.

 

[Looking4new]

I have heard that we have rattlers up here, but I have never seen one. Other that those we've got garters (harmless) and copper belly water snakes and they are harmless too. They have a nasty disposition, but they are harmless. The copper bellies are supposed to be a first cousin of the garters.