I leave the snakes alone here. We have lots of them too. 2 different species of rattler, king snakes, garters, hog noses and bull snakes. I thought I saw a copper head the other day too but I wasn't sure. I didn't know we had any.
The bull snakes eat rattlers I know. When I was plowing about a week ago I saw a big old bull snake with about 3 feet of the tail end of a diamond back hanging out of his mouth. That was cool.
The little prairie rattlers are the only ones I ever mess with. I got bit by one several years ago and a couple years ago I stepped on another one in the tall grass. My son was right behind me with a shotgun and shot him right between my feet. I'm sure glad he has good aim!!!! I've been shot before too but not with a shotgun at close range. That would ruin a day, I'm sure.
Really though, after having to rewire one of my pickups and finding a rats nest in the air filter of my new tractor once I have been leaving the snakes alone as much as possible. The bull snakes I will actually get off my tractor and help them out of the way when I see them so they don't get hurt.
We have a bunch of farm cats now too.