?You guys that live in Rattlesnake country

kenv1950

kenv1950

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Just curious. Where is the most common place to be bit on the body ? 20 miles away from me across a river there are rattlesnakes. In my area its very rare if anybody sees one.
Seeing I live in an area where there was a Civil War camp, I go out often with a metal detector in the mountains and always wonder about them not being far away (don't like any kind of snakes). If you should happen to be bit,how much time do you have ?
Anybody here been bit ?
 
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I have never been bit but I did hear a story a while back about a bite victim. She was bit in the leg I think. went to the hospital they said it was non posion sent her home. Leg got real bad over night went to a different hospital they of course told her it was posion got her the anti venom and that was that.

Rattlesnake bite victim recovering | Health | yakimaherald.com

Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.
 
Yes, it does depend on where one is bit, but it also depends on the specie and age of the rattler. Here in the West, the one to avoid at all cost is any Mojave Green. Their venom is very toxic to anyone. The least worrysome is the mature Sidewinder with the young Sidewinders just a little more potent. Only the very young or the very old need worry too much about a Sidewinder bite on an extremity. We also have the Arizona Diamondback and the Speckled Rattlesnake. They fall in between the Sidewinder and the Mojave Green.

I have no idea what species you have in your neighborhood. Do a research and then call a few experts about toxicity and treatments. After a close call with a rather large Arizona Diamondback while hunting Mt. Quail, I wore snake leggings from then on out. ....
 
Big Cholla said:
Yes, it does depend on where one is bit, but it also depends on the specie and age of the rattler. Here in the West, the one to avoid at all cost is any Mojave Green. Their venom is very toxic to anyone. The least worrysome is the mature Sidewinder with the young Sidewinders just a little more potent. Only the very young or the very old need worry too much about a Sidewinder bite on an extremity. We also have the Arizona Diamondback and the Speckled Rattlesnake. They fall in between the Sidewinder and the Mojave Green.

I have no idea what species you have in your neighborhood. Do a research and then call a few experts about toxicity and treatments. After a close call with a rather large Arizona Diamondback while hunting Mt. Quail, I wore snake leggings from then on out. ....
Click to expand...

Timber Rattlesnakes here.... They were released in that area because they say its an endangered species so they've repopulated the area.
 
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Since you're doing a lot of walking with the metal-detector hobby, boots and/or leggings designed to protect against snake bite make sense.
Just as important is being very careful where you put your hand while reaching or climbing.
 
Problem With Endangered

kenv1950 said:
Timber Rattlesnakes here.... They were released in that area because they say its an endangered species so they've repopulated the area.
Click to expand...

Ok, you have a second problem. It will be against the law for you to kill a rattlesnake that you encounter. You need leggings and a snake stick. When I was on patrol in rattlesnake country in a Conservation Area I always had a snake stick with me. Because I was in Mojave Green territory I wanted a longer snake stick than was commercially available. I went to Goodwill and Salvation Army and bought a couple of common ski poles. I cut them down to 48" long and put a new metal pointer in the end. I then built a steel collar to go around the lower part of the stick about " up. I then drilled and threaded a hole to receive a self made curved snake hook. It worked so well that before I was done with that job most of the Biologists and Zoologist working the area had snake sticks made by me. I still have one leaning against the wall just inside my shop door because we live very close to the edge of the desert and it is not uncommon for someone close by to encounter a Sidewinder. They usually call me. I keep a plastic 5 gal. bucket with a lid that has some air holes available. I pickup a snake, drop it in the bucket and put the lid on real quick. Then within a day or two I take it well out into the desert and release. ....
 
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I wear Snake Proof boots and carry a Model 696 with 44 Special snake shot. According to my hunting buddies, a 68 year old over weight out of shape furniture salesman can go straight up in the air while firing his revolver on FULL AUTO at the Rattler at his foot.{They also added screaming like a girl, I however dispute that.} All the best, Joe.
 
I relocated a lot of rattlesnakes around campgrounds in the Grand Canyon, using a trash picker. Every year, a few folks were bitten in the Canyon, usually in the hand when they were climbing up onto ledges; otherwise, they were bitten in the lower legs near streams, where the sound of rushing water covered the warning rattle. Rattlesnake venom contains a component that attacks tissues, and can cause permanent muscle destruction if not treated in a timely manner. Wearing protection like snake proof leggings, chaps, or boots is a good idea in their turf. If you're metal detecting, you probably have a shovel with you. Use it to move brush or test an area for snakes. If bitten, don't panic. Stay calm, but get to medical help ASAP. An ice compress will help reduce swelling in the affected area. Do not elevate the affected area unless necessary.
 
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I live in said land, and last year I encountered this 2 feet from my ankle:

image_zpsyjfgjreo.jpeg


I just bought these, and have been warned they need to be broken in before long hikes

[ame]https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AKZT2Y/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1[/ame]

Two years ago a girl was jacking with a dead mojave in west Texas, it pricked her on the finger. Hospital bill was $400,000.
 
kenv1950 said:
Just curious. Where is the most common place to be bit on the body ? 20 miles away from me across a river there are rattlesnakes. In my area its very rare if anybody sees one.
Seeing I live in an area where there was a Civil War camp, I go out often with a metal detector in the mountains and always wonder about them not being far away (don't like any kind of snakes). If you should happen to be bit,how much time do you have ?
Anybody here been bit ?
Click to expand...

Decades ago my grandfather was struck by a rattler while tending his garden in south Texas. The snake did not penetrate the uppers of the cowboy boots he was wearing, or survive the counter-strike from his garden hoe.

When dove hunting in snake prone areas I use the barrel of my shotgun to push back high grass and brush around a downed bird to make sure the area is clear of snakes before putting my hand down to pick up the bird. It's hard on the guns, but that's part of the sport.

I knew a fellow that was bitten on a finger by a rattler while de-fanging it for dog training. After a hour or so ride to the hospital he was there for three days. His dog snake proofing classes were canceled for the season. :rolleyes:
 
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Come to Colorado. In their infinite wisdom our State Legislature has declared rattlesnakes a protected species. Hunting license required, established season, regulated methods of taking, daily bag limits, etc, etc, etc. Killing a rattlesnake out of season, or without the proper license, or by an unauthorized method, etc, are criminal violations.

I just kill them.
 
No doubt below the knee. Then the hand. Always watch your step and where you place your hands. Awareness. In the warmer months I'm always scanning the ground in front of me. The Diamondbacks in my area really blend in with the desert floor. Avoid wearing sandals and shorts as well. The people that have a problems are the ones that get careless. Nothing to fear with reasonable precaution. Snakes are beneficial to the environment as they help keep the rodents in check. Sonora
 
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