Snek...

[Travis Montana]

Only shot enough rattlers to make a pair of boots. Left the others for someone else.

 

[mikerjf]

I've been carrying a stick and keepin my eyes open around the Florida backlands, wanted to keep all 5 chambers available for more serious ammo. (If a gator grabs you, you don't want round 1 to be snakeshot!)

So far (4 years) only seen one snek, and that was in our parking lot and was a nice snek.

 

[Oldsalt66]

I've lived in south Florida forever and spent quite a bit of my time in scrub country, swamp, and agricultural land.

I see a variety of snakes from time to time including the venomous kind, but although I carry everywhere its legal, I've never had the need for a "snake gun".

When I spot them, I avoid them, but I'm guessing the great majority of them pass unnoticed as I walk by.

The ones I see, I avoid, and those I can't see; well a snake gun isn't going to prevent being struck.

Bass Pro sells snake bite proof gaters which are much more effective protection.

 

[petepeterson]

Had a large black snake that took care of all the mice in the chicken coop.
Then he decided he liked eggs more than mice.
He outlived his usefulness...

 

[Pocketrocket]

Snek

Snake shot won't hurt the gun. I live in the foothills in No. California and we do have some big rattlers around here. Out in the woods or trails I try to avoid them but on the patio or driveway they gotta go. I used some .22 snake shot once but it took a few shots. Changed up my garage gun to a .44
with snake shot, but haven't seen any yet this year.

You can also try to distract them with root beer...

 

[pawncop]

Must watch out for the sneky snek

Sorry, I could not resist.

 

[mmaher94087]

I don't mind relocating the D-backs. Mojave's and Blacktails. I removed five last year. They like to camp two miles back in the National Forest. I keep a five-gallon bucket, lid, duct tape and snake tongs within reach. The winner last year was a cute 10" diamondback that had a button rattle that was going a thousand miles an hour but was barely audible as it was so small.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Mohave Rattlesnakes are possibly the most dangerous reptiles in North America: their venom is hemotoxic & neurotoxic! I once (in 1970) helped a Biology teacher I had in high school who was working on his PhD with a researcher who was trying to develop the anti-venom for the Mohave. Even the very youngest snakes (female carries the eggs in her body and there is a live birth) have venom sufficient to defend themselves!

Cheers!

P.S. The CroFab antivenin was not FDA approved until 2001: 30 years later!

 

[mmaher94087]

Mohave's are different. Greenish hue to the skin and they may not rattle. I was laying on my back working on changing the blades on my 54" riding mower last year, when I heard that chilling sound of the rattles coming from behind me. I felt something sliding along my back and I stayed perfectly still for an eternity. I finally rolled over and grabbed my gear and put that sucker in my bucket and went for a ride in the forest. NO, I don't want to do that again.

 

[Rudi]

I saw a feature on PBS many years back that some Rattlers are learning not to rattle. True evolution.

 

[smoothshooter]

I generally leave non-poisonous snakes alone. The poisonous ones are dead meat.

 

[squidsix]

Poison is something that if you try to eat it, it makes you sick.
Venom is something that if it tries to eat you, it makes you sick.
There ARE poisonous snakes, but those are extremely rare. Most of us are talking about venomous snakes.
Either way, I have little kids and a puppy: snakes get dead when they make an appearance in my yard.
Shot shells for pistols are largely just gimmicks. I do have a .410 double inside the porch for critters.

 

[gwpercle]

Bring walking stick.
Walk around snek.
Leave snek alone, snek no bite.

Great advice ...
Big stick and an eye on the trail beats snakeshot Seven Ways To Sunday .
Learn how to identify all the snakes in your area and you will be able to tell the good guys from the ones that can bite . Not all snakes are bad if you know who's who .
Sometimes shooting on a walking trail isn't safe ...others around bend in trail ... don't want any accidentials .
Be careful out there and watch where you step ...
Gary

 

[Bald1]

Anyone know how many different types of snakes are in DC area ?

 

[Dvus]

No Step On Snek

 

[pmanton]

I have a neighbor who calls the Western Diamondbacks Coon Tail snakes for the bands on their tails. That said sneks eat nasty little critters.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Anyone know how many different types of snakes are in DC area ?

Mostly Hypocraptus Poluticious, I'd opine...?

 

[Protocall_Design]

Mostly Hypocraptus Poluticious, I'd opine...?

That's the most venomous kind, for sure...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I don't see any love for snake shot. I load my own snake shot for the .38 Special using Speer shot capsules. I tested them on targets and it seems to take the head right off the darn things. I have not used them on live snakes but a friend has and he said they work very well.

 

[quikdraw67]

I don't know of any snake in North America that will chase you down. They want nothing to do with you. A rattle snake rattles to warn you to leave him alone. If you listed to that warning you are fine. Rattlers eat rodents which is a good thing.

You never did say what type of snakes are in your area.
As for your dog, just teach him/her to come to you when you call. That will keep your dog safe. Teach the dog, don't kill the snakes. (unless you are going to eat them of course)

About the snake shot, it will not harm your gun.

I take it you are not going the World Famous Noxen Rattlesnake Roundup this weekend?