Model 67 saves 3 year old boy from fearsome rattler!
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Texas Star
US Veteran
Many years ago, zoo director Marlin Perkins was bitten on one finger by just one fang by a Gaboon viper, Bitis gabonica. The bite was a quick hit, not a long feeding response bite.
He nearly died. I read the medical report, and it was very close.
Those things have fangs up to two inches long, maybe a bit more. And the venom is a really nasty mix of nuero and hemo toxins.
51plymouth
Member
Nice shot.
This area of CA is the most snake infested place that I have ever seen.
I generally use a single action Razor-Back.
This area of CA is the most snake infested place that I have ever seen.
I generally use a single action Razor-Back.
Great shot. We don't get any rattlers here in NE Ohio. It should make some good soup or maybe a steak. You should get something for the cost of the .38 spl. My son (28 years old) and I were just admiring my new to me Model 67 after dinner tonight. I'll have to send him this link.
I am glad your boy is ok. That is now joking matter.
I am glad your boy is ok. That is now joking matter.
charlie sherrill
Member
Around here we have Eastern Diamondbacks mostly with an occasional Timber Rattler. My first experience with them was deer hunting with my uncle when I was 13. We were looking for dogs on a frosty morning when we passed a gopher tortoise burrow. There in the sun with the surrounding area frosted over lay a single rattlesnake with his head poked out of that burrow getting a little sun. I told my uncle and he said "watch this" He got a siphon hose and sucked a little gas out of the tank of the old pickup we were in and walked over to the burrow. He told me to load up my shotgun with birdshot and get ready. He stuffed that hose down in that hole and when he blew that gas in there three diamondbacks and a timber rattler came out. I killed all four with the largest being over 6". We skinned them and fried them in fish batter at the camp that night along with fries and hushpuppies. I have killed probably somewhere between 30-40 in my LEO career. If you get a snake call you kill it. If you don't the caller doesn't feel safe. I've caught some but you have to know what you're doing or you might get bitten. I've also dealt with cottonmouth water moccasins, copperheads, and one corral snake. To me, the cotton mouths seem more aggressive.
Snake joke: Bubba and Billy Joe were cutting pulpwood deep in the woods when nature struck Billy Joe. He had to go bad and went over to the edge of a brush pile, pulled his pants down, squatted and began to take care of business when a rattlesnake bit him on a very sensitive part of his anatomy. He screamed in agony and told Bubba to go to a nearby small town and fetch the doctor. Bubba jumped in the old pulpwood truck and raced to town. When he got to the doctor's office he told the doctor what had happened and that he needed the doctor to come with him and help save Billy Joe. The doctor already had an emergency in the office and gave him a scalpel with the instructions to cut an "X" on each fang mark, suck the poison out, and bring Billy Joe back to the office. Bubba raced back to Billy Joe and found him on the ground with his condition worsening. Billy Joe screamed "where's the doctor" and Bubba told him about the emergency that was already in the office. "Well what did he say?" Bubba replied "the doctor said you gonna die."
Snake joke: Bubba and Billy Joe were cutting pulpwood deep in the woods when nature struck Billy Joe. He had to go bad and went over to the edge of a brush pile, pulled his pants down, squatted and began to take care of business when a rattlesnake bit him on a very sensitive part of his anatomy. He screamed in agony and told Bubba to go to a nearby small town and fetch the doctor. Bubba jumped in the old pulpwood truck and raced to town. When he got to the doctor's office he told the doctor what had happened and that he needed the doctor to come with him and help save Billy Joe. The doctor already had an emergency in the office and gave him a scalpel with the instructions to cut an "X" on each fang mark, suck the poison out, and bring Billy Joe back to the office. Bubba raced back to Billy Joe and found him on the ground with his condition worsening. Billy Joe screamed "where's the doctor" and Bubba told him about the emergency that was already in the office. "Well what did he say?" Bubba replied "the doctor said you gonna die."
dcxplant
Member
Our local FD moves them if you call. They always come back...
I don't call. I wasted some ammo on the first couple when we moved out here, but now I just clip em with a shovel. It's easier and the disposal tool is still in yer hands.
I tried a flat shovel, but find a round one is better. I keep a decent edge on our garden shovel for this purpose.
After 3-4 rattlers a year for a few years, I haven't seen one this year yet, thank goodness!
With a 4year old boy (snake wise of course) and two Labradors, no rattler gets out alive at my place!
I don't call. I wasted some ammo on the first couple when we moved out here, but now I just clip em with a shovel. It's easier and the disposal tool is still in yer hands.
I tried a flat shovel, but find a round one is better. I keep a decent edge on our garden shovel for this purpose.
After 3-4 rattlers a year for a few years, I haven't seen one this year yet, thank goodness!
With a 4year old boy (snake wise of course) and two Labradors, no rattler gets out alive at my place!
Just 20 minutes ago I had to pull one out of the flower beds, my wife was weeding and called me over, I normally just chuck them back in the swamp. I think I broke the back of this one getting him out of the spot it was wedged in, it didn't seem to be able to crawl out on the grass so I put it out of it's misery with a hoe and tossed it.
I live on the edge of about 30,000 acres of swamp so they are common here, they often get into the sheds, garage, porches, even the house once in a while. Usually non poisonous rat or mudsnakes, they scare the heck out of the ladies, and some guys anyway.
Steve W
I live on the edge of about 30,000 acres of swamp so they are common here, they often get into the sheds, garage, porches, even the house once in a while. Usually non poisonous rat or mudsnakes, they scare the heck out of the ladies, and some guys anyway.
Steve W
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Here is the best way to take care of a snake close to the house that goes down a hole or in a crack in your sidewalk or driveway. Go in the house and put on a pot of water. When it is boiling, take the pot outside and dump it into the crack or hole. Get ready because whatever is in there is coming out and it isn't going to be happy. Works every time. If a snake is getting in the house, put down some of those sticky pads that are used for mice. It will stop them right there on the spot. They will start wiggling hard to get away but usually they start rolling. A couple of pads will usually do the trick. How you dispatch the snake is up to you.
Glad everything worked out for the OP and his son. I would have used more than one shot though. I shoot till they quit moving or until I can get the shovel.
Glad everything worked out for the OP and his son. I would have used more than one shot though. I shoot till they quit moving or until I can get the shovel.
rburg
Member
This is a good thread. Someone started by asking what kind of snake it was. A poster responded that it was a dead one, and another that it was a good snake. I agree with those conclusions. Dead rattler is a good rattler. The more you kill the fewer you see. Any that inhabit places where kids play need to become good snakes. And you can't really tell were kids might decide to play. So be safe and just kill 'em all. Some twice. As in real dead.
Once the head is gone, you can start operations on the back part. Most folks take the rattles. I remember one that was 17 rattles and a button! If'n I had one now, I'd be going for a hatband. I wonder if folks sell them already made up. My dad had a thing about a hoe being better for snake head removal than a shovel. Something about distance from the critter to your forward foot. He had a lot of good advice. I figured a 12 gauge was better than a hoe.
Once the head is gone, you can start operations on the back part. Most folks take the rattles. I remember one that was 17 rattles and a button! If'n I had one now, I'd be going for a hatband. I wonder if folks sell them already made up. My dad had a thing about a hoe being better for snake head removal than a shovel. Something about distance from the critter to your forward foot. He had a lot of good advice. I figured a 12 gauge was better than a hoe.
Great shot!! No sympathy for rattlers here. I hate them things! We live in the country and over the years rattlers have bit my horse, several cows, killing one cow, dogs and my Dad spent 3 days in the hospital and was very sick because of a bite. As was mentioned above: the little ones are very dangerous. My Dad was bitten by one less than a foot long, only one fang got him on the finger, they have no rattles to warn you. His arm swelled up 3 to 4 times normal and turned black.
As the nurse mentioned above, dispose of the head by smashing and burning as a neighbor was bitten by a dead snake after he had killed it and spent a couple days in the hospital.
I got this one the day before yesterday with my 9mm while mowing, 42 inches long with 14 rattles.
Take care!
Rod
As the nurse mentioned above, dispose of the head by smashing and burning as a neighbor was bitten by a dead snake after he had killed it and spent a couple days in the hospital.
I got this one the day before yesterday with my 9mm while mowing, 42 inches long with 14 rattles.
Take care!
Rod
fat tom
Absent Comrade
fat tom
Absent Comrade
DaGOOSExyz
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When a human is in danger or a pet, kill the snake. When it's just
crawling along not hurting anything, leave it alone. I am glad your
son is OK. Goose
crawling along not hurting anything, leave it alone. I am glad your
son is OK. Goose
Texas Star
US Veteran
Somone should post about coral snakes, of which we have two genera in N. America. Others occupy tropical America, and do not have the same color patterns as do ours.
The usual phrase about the colored rings touching (in USA examples) is red and black, friend of Jack. (King Snake) Red and yellow, kill a fellow. (Coral)
I think of them as sort of New Word kraits, and both are indeed elapids. Fortunately, our corals have small mouths and short fangs. But if they get you, you have been seriously gotten!
I almost stepped on one in East Texas. Fortunately, looked down and saw its vivid colors in time. I had a .22 pistol, but this was out in the woods, so I just watched the colorful little snake for awhile and left. It was about a foot long.
The usual phrase about the colored rings touching (in USA examples) is red and black, friend of Jack. (King Snake) Red and yellow, kill a fellow. (Coral)
I think of them as sort of New Word kraits, and both are indeed elapids. Fortunately, our corals have small mouths and short fangs. But if they get you, you have been seriously gotten!
I almost stepped on one in East Texas. Fortunately, looked down and saw its vivid colors in time. I had a .22 pistol, but this was out in the woods, so I just watched the colorful little snake for awhile and left. It was about a foot long.
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Malpasowildlifer
Member
I love it!
BigCityChief
Member
Great post - another clear example of the uncertainties of life. Because you never know what the next moment has in store for you, it's good to ALWAYS be armed. I'm happy for your sake and that of your son that your Model 67 was readily available. Great shooting!
gdnagle
US Veteran
Couldn't you have just use a ball point pen to protect your self.
Did your son spot it first and know what to do?
Glad you were prepared and handled the situation like you did. Not a good thing to have a little one bitten by any snake.
Did your son spot it first and know what to do?
Glad you were prepared and handled the situation like you did. Not a good thing to have a little one bitten by any snake.
Norsk_jaeger
Member
Great shot!! No sympathy for rattlers here. I hate them things! We live in the country and over the years rattlers have bit my horse, several cows, killing one cow, dogs and my Dad spent 3 days in the hospital and was very sick because of a bite. As was mentioned above: the little ones are very dangerous. My Dad was bitten by one less than a foot long, only one fang got him on the finger, they have no rattles to warn you. His arm swelled up 3 to 4 times normal and turned black.
As the nurse mentioned above, dispose of the head by smashing and burning as a neighbor was bitten by a dead snake after he had killed it and spent a couple days in the hospital.
I got this one the day before yesterday with my 9mm while mowing, 42 inches long with 14 rattles.
Take care!
Rod
Judging by the pictures you lawn doesn't need too much mowing! Maybe a little water would help?
I'd kill the last one, if I could.
Well, you don't know where the snake might be an hour from now, tomorrow, next week or who might have contact with it. Will it be a small unsuspecting child, someone's pet or an elderly person? If you have ever seen what a dog, horse, cow or a person goes through after being bitten by a rattler, you'll look at this differently and wish you could kill the last one. I have experienced all of the above, the death of two of my dogs, one cow, including seeing my Dad get very sick and spending 3 days in the hospital. The snake that bit him was a baby only around 10 inches long, too young to warn with a rattle, and only got Dad with one fang on his finger. His arm swelled 3 times normal size and turned black. It wasn't what any of us want to see any 75 yr. old go through. It's true rattlers kill very few people but those that are bitten generally get very sick and some have permanent nerve/muscle damage. I only wished I or someone else would have had a chance to kill the snake that bit Dad prior to his getting bit.
I hope you rethink just letting a very dangerous creature go to endanger someone. There are other non-poisonous snakes and other predators that control mice, rats and other vermin, I'm sure you would not want in your house.
Just my 2 cents and you can keep the change.
Rod
Well, you don't know where the snake might be an hour from now, tomorrow, next week or who might have contact with it. Will it be a small unsuspecting child, someone's pet or an elderly person? If you have ever seen what a dog, horse, cow or a person goes through after being bitten by a rattler, you'll look at this differently and wish you could kill the last one. I have experienced all of the above, the death of two of my dogs, one cow, including seeing my Dad get very sick and spending 3 days in the hospital. The snake that bit him was a baby only around 10 inches long, too young to warn with a rattle, and only got Dad with one fang on his finger. His arm swelled 3 times normal size and turned black. It wasn't what any of us want to see any 75 yr. old go through. It's true rattlers kill very few people but those that are bitten generally get very sick and some have permanent nerve/muscle damage. I only wished I or someone else would have had a chance to kill the snake that bit Dad prior to his getting bit.
I hope you rethink just letting a very dangerous creature go to endanger someone. There are other non-poisonous snakes and other predators that control mice, rats and other vermin, I'm sure you would not want in your house.
Just my 2 cents and you can keep the change.
Rod
Judging by the pictures you lawn doesn't need too much mowing! Maybe a little water would help?
Well, I put him on our gravel drive way so he would show up nice for the pic. You probably would have been bitten as they are hard to see in the weeds. I think I mentioned he was in weeds not lawn. I've had 2 hips replaced this summer and the weeds around the yard have done pretty well, some were knee high.
model70hunter
Member
Had me going for a few seconds. Out in the wild I let them go, around the house, well they don't get a last minute call from the governor.....
The Rattle snake you let go "out in the wild" one day could be on your, or someone's, door step a day or two later. They travel miles from their dens in the spring returning in the fall, going through many inhabited areas. I don't give them a second chance. They're worse than a rabid skunk. Would you let one of them go out in the wild?
Rod
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Earlier this year my wife and I was driving out in the boonies. We seen a eagle swoop down in the brush, never stopped and when it raised up we could see it had a large probley rattelsnake! It gained a lot of altitude and then dropped the snake and flew down to it! Later I was telling the story to a local and they said they drop the snake from altitude to kill it! It was neat to see.
In the south, There is an old wives tale about there being a poisonous powder in the rattles of a rattlesnake.... A bit of investigation turned up that the slave kids mammas told the kids that tale so when they "killed" a rattlesnake, they wouldn't try and cut the rattles off.....If you try to grab a "dead " snakes tail...He will inflict a nasty bite I forgot that once, but being rather young at the time & rather quick...I got away with out a bite...
Be careful out there!!!
JIM.................
Be careful out there!!!
JIM.................
Autococker07
US Veteran
Yup killed a 2 foot coral down here at the RV park just two weeks ago.... I hate to kill them because they are so shy and will typically try to run from you when they see you but I have a snake policy, If I know you ain't poisonous you can be on your way, If I think you are you will be my way... I grew up around too many cottonmouths to let a poisonous one walk...
I do like critters though, and other than accidentally hitting my grass snakes and racers with the lawnmower, never hurt a non venomous one.
I had a buddy who was a Border Patrol Agent. He worked his whole life around rattlesnakes on the SW border. He retired in Montana. Less than a year after retirement he got bit by a rattlesnake and died 3 days later. The universe loves irony.
What a pity! You have to wonder if anyone gave the snake a "pass" because it was out in the "wild" and didn't kill it.
I hope stories like yours gets more people to understand how dangerous rattlers or any poisonous snakes are.
Thanks for sharing.
Rod
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Texas Star's big brain is showing, and I believe his point needs a bit of explanation - specifically, the term: elapid. What TS was saying is that the Coral snake is in the same family of snakes as the Kraits, the Cobras (King and Egyptian), the Taipan, and the Black Mamba. I learned this fact when watching a documentary about dangerous snakes on the Animal Planet. The snake expert was handling a Coral snake while giving his lecture, and I was surprised at how fast that snake could move. Also, the members of the elapids have venom that is neurotoxic (literally, deadly to nerves), and/or cardiotoxic (literally, deadly to the heart). With regards to the Coral snake, that's a lot of death in a small package. Proceed with caution.
Regards,
Dave
Hack
Member
My daughter lived in Midland/Odessa, TX for a couple of years. Her apartment was across the street from a rather large vacant lot. I have no doubt there were a number of good sized rattlers over there. When I visited her, I would always be on 'snake alert' walking from the parking lot to her front door. Luckily they never made it across the street alive.
She has since moved to the Houston area. First living in North Houston/Spring, then moving out to the 'burbs' of Cypress. Still, I don't go walking around in my bare feet. Or get complacent about stepping out of my car.
From the last couple of posts with snake kill pics, I need to go do some practice shooting at cans on the ground. My model 60 doesn't have the ammo capacity for my marksmanship skills. Probably need to carry my Mini-14 with the 100 round drum magazine...
She has since moved to the Houston area. First living in North Houston/Spring, then moving out to the 'burbs' of Cypress. Still, I don't go walking around in my bare feet. Or get complacent about stepping out of my car.
From the last couple of posts with snake kill pics, I need to go do some practice shooting at cans on the ground. My model 60 doesn't have the ammo capacity for my marksmanship skills. Probably need to carry my Mini-14 with the 100 round drum magazine...
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