Help!!! Snake!!!!

LarryD · Jul 29, 2005

Even unincoporated areas have animal control, usually falls under the sherrif's dept.

I haven't see anyone suggest Jack Russels. When we were kids we used to swim at the creek and some of the kids brought their dogs. It took all of about 1 minute to figure out where the snakes were at and another 2 minutes before the dogs had them dead. There were three dogs and they would surround the snake and whenever he would strike out, one of the off-side dogs would bite him /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Even when it was too cold to swim, we went down for the entertainment.

beenthere · Jul 29, 2005

There are two kinds of .22 long rifle shells, one I think will work for sure, the other I don't think I would bother.

I don't like the CCI Shotshell with #12 shot. It doesn't travel far, and more that 12-15', hasn't performed well for me.
The other that I use is Federal .22 LR Bird Shot with #10 lead shot. I use this for gophers at 20-30' (kills them, and penetrates to draw blood), and for sparrows at 66' (just paced it off). I shoot at the sparrows when they decide to compete for the nest box set out for the bluebirds. In fact, at 66', there is still shot that is imbedded into the cedar wood of the birdhouse. I haven't had a kill at that distance that I know of, but certainly have ruffled some feathers and seen some feathers fly.
At 10-20', I would expect the snake to get some serious hurt with the Bird Shot.

If the snake leaves the pond, then a back-up with the 12ga should offer sufficient protection. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Or flailing it with the rifle if nothing else is handy. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Glad to be of a little help here. Good luck.

beenthere · Jul 29, 2005

That kind of snake hunting sounds like fun. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Is a Jack Russel a dog type?

We are out where there would be no assistance with such a snake job. County sheriff, and/or deputies, would just laugh at the request (unless a young lady called), and may run from the job. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

LarryD · Jul 29, 2005

Is a Jack Russel a dog type?


Yep, just picture the Energizer Bunny running on nuclear fuel.

silo36 · Jul 29, 2005

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents worth.Yesterday, I watched a German Shepherd kill a copperhead at a construction site where I am working.The snake was 28 inches long( before the dog got hold of it).The dog circled once and, when the snake struck, it was dead in less than 1 second.It didn't even wiggle.I would look for a snake killing dog if i were in your shoes.I am afraid of them too, but I can stand to get close enough to kill one.Good luck!

bczoom · Jul 29, 2005

( There are two kinds of .22 long rifle shells, one I think will work for sure, the other I don't think I would bother.

I don't like the CCI Shotshell with #12 shot. It doesn't travel far, and more that 12-15', hasn't performed well for me.)

Hmmm. I have a box of the CCI's and my Ruger MK-II pistol sitting on my desk. I haven't had any problem although my shots have been no greater than 30' and the target is small (mice and moles). I'll see if I can find some of the Federal's tonight.

SteveInMD · Jul 29, 2005

After you kill it, look it up in a book or online and see if you correctly identified it. Or better yet post a picture so we can all have a look.

kensfarm · Jul 29, 2005

"I once found a cooperhead in our bathroom"

I probably should title this.. "How to keep relatives from coming to visit you!"

I woke up in the middle of the night(bathroom break).. and went downstairs to my 1/2 bath.. lifted the lid.. standing there taking care of business(didn't turn on the light).. thought I saw a cat's tail go over the toilet seat(we have 2 inside cats).. (light switch is w/in reach)turned on the light to see a snake in the toilet.. not enjoying the shower I was giving him. My reaction.. yep.. flushed him. (Followed later by some bleach.)

My house is old.. 1790.. so we probably have more snake "guests appearances" then most people.

"I haven't see anyone suggest Jack Russels."

Last fall I was out in the field picking potatoes when my fiance comes running out of the house screaming "Snake". I was a dirt ball.. usually too dirty to be allowed in the house.. by the time I got inside.. my Jack Russel already had the snake.. carried it under the bed.. and was in the process of shredding it into pieces. I told her I'd pick up the pieces later..

***

Maybe try a fishing net(fine mesh).. w/ a extendable pole?

Redfox · Jul 29, 2005

Most likely the only reason this snake is going to bite someone is if they try poking him with a stick and get too close. Furthermore, there is no reason to kill him if he isn't venomous. If it's a venomous snake you're far better off finding someone who knows how to deal with him. Being bitten by a cottonmouth will likely ruin your day.

Ryno1 · Jul 29, 2005

First I'd agree with jinman and others about harmless snakes being mistaken for cottonmouths but the only REALLY good snakes are those smart enough to show up at a distance (say 25 ft) or dead ones. Any snake popping up under foot is to stupid to live, and I'm to scared to let it.

The bird shot should work and I believe if you use a .410 with #7 you can shoot the snake in the water without damaging your pond liner. Those #7 will run out of steam quickly in the water. A good stout hoe works, I've been know to throw rocks, long handled shovels, gas weed eater, and when all else fails - RUN. Good luck

BoneheadNW · Jul 29, 2005

kensfarm-

Snake in the toilet, huh? Good thing that you didn't sit down to relieve yourself! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif A bite in those nether regions would really hurt, I would imagine. I guess you would find out who your real freinds are when it came to sucking out the poison! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (It was too tempting, I had to say it).

Bonehead

Mavrik02 · Jul 29, 2005

I'm not fond of snakes either. The hoe works well. I've also used a BB gun to great affect (but you have to be a good shot to hit its head). Water mocassins (or cottonmouths) are poisonous and not good to have around the house or kids. I agree that many non poisonous snakes are mistakenly identified as poisonous and hunted/killed but in my book there are no "harmless" water snakes. Even the Northern Water Snakes we have around here are very agressive and will bite (especially when you stand around and poke at them for 10 minutes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

Good luck

P.S. I'v seen the minnow trap recommended by bczoom kill several snakes (by drowning). They get in but can't get out.

awlchu · Jul 29, 2005

Make sure you get it with the first shot!

Slamfire · Jul 29, 2005

I know where there is an out of work Jack Russel, his last job was dragging my sister's granddaughter across the front yard, but somebody gave the girl a pony so now she can escape.

Redfox · Jul 29, 2005

( I'm not fond of snakes either. The hoe works well. I've also used a BB gun to great affect (but you have to be a good shot to hit its head). Water mocassins (or cottonmouths) are poisonous and not good to have around the house or kids. I agree that many non poisonous snakes are mistakenly identified as poisonous and hunted/killed but in my book there are no "harmless" water snakes. Even the Northern Water Snakes we have around here are very agressive and will bite (especially when you stand around and poke at them for 10 minutes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif).

Good luck

P.S. I'v seen the minnow trap recommended by bczoom kill several snakes (by drowning). They get in but can't get out. )

He'll be gone as soon as he eats all the Koi. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

DrRod · Jul 30, 2005

I just read an article on killing snakes and the one fact that stuck with me was...
Over half the people bitten by venimous snakes are bitten after they see it. In other words, they don't get bit because they step on it or get surprised by it in the barn, its ususally when they try to kill or just poke at it.

So be careful out there if you go after this thing.

EddieWalker · Jul 30, 2005

Of all the replies so far, my vote goes for the snake trap with some minnows in it. Let the snake do all the work and you just have to check on it every now and then. Hunting it down with a gun, any gun, opens up a whole new list of issues. The liner is just the begining.

I've hunted all over the world, so I'm not anti gun, or anti killing things.

I am a big believer in only shooting something when your absutely 100 percent positive of the outcome of that shot. In this situation, there are way too many variables.

Even if it's a harmless water snake, it still needs to be removed for your personal safety and more importantly, your kids safety. Just becaus it's not poisonous doesn't mean it can't hurt you, or cause you to hurt yourself in a moment of fear. Lots of people are hurt from getting away from snakes that are harmless too.

Eddie

tcb · Jul 30, 2005

the 22 or 38 with rat shot will work just fine. i use a 38 all the time at my boat house for dispatching snakes. stand about 10 feet back and it should not hurt the liner.

tim

JINMA224XR · Aug 1, 2005

I have a small Koi fish pond (about 350 gallon size) in my back yard. I have a water mocassin that has take up residence in it. I want to kill this beast but, I don't know how without damaging my pond. I can't shoot it or I would probably put a hole in the pond in ruin it and kill my fish. The pond has a black rubber liner in it. Now for the real problem.. I am deathly afraid of snakes. 

Hello Bob,

I hope by now that you have eliminated the Snake in your Pool.

Well, Bob, I am a little bit further South of Mobile, closer to the coast. Today, there was a CottonMouth, in front of my Trailer. He was as scared of me, as I was of him. When he saw me, He crawled underneath my Pickup Truck. I went straight for the garage and got the Hoe , I drug him/her out from under neath the truck with the Hoe and then mashed the snake until it was immobolized, guts hanging out. Then I went and got the Shovel and cut it's Head off.

I have a big fear of snakes as well, and have killed many over the years. For some reason, I have always wanted to cut the heads off, just to make sure that there is no chance of the snake recovering. I figure after all of that, he might want to take revenge if he/she could. So I try to eliminate that probability.

Really though, if you want to know the truth, I hated to harm the snake. I don't like to harm living things. But on the other hand, I would also hate to step on the snake and then have to go through all of the medical procedure's afterwards.

As other's have stated, the Hoe and the Shovel work very well.

Hope you survived, Bob.

Get your tractors Running &
Have a nice day,
Joe /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

SailorBob · Aug 1, 2005

Snake UPdate!! I bougt some 22 "rat shot" as the lady and the ammo counter called it and got all primed to dispatch the beast. I saw him one time took a shot and haven't seen hide nor hair of him since. I think RedFox is right. I thnk he ate all but one of my fish. The fish was just too big for the last snake to eat. We have had this pond for over 3 years and have never noticed a snake before. He definitely eat at least a dozen fish. He may be gone. Since I could not see any fish so I decided to drain the pond. Whe the water level down to about 6 inches I discovered the one lone fish but, no sign of the snake. I watched for him all weekend to no avail.

I went ahead and refilled the pond and will keep a watch on it. I think I may try the minnow trap idea and see if the sneaky SOB comes back. I would prefer to have a corpse.

In spite of the snake hunt I still managed to get in a couple hours seat time. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I will let you know if I see him again.