Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I hunt WV, MD and Ky. I see the occasional copperhead while turkey hunting, and early bow season in Ky. Nothing too serious. I hate em. Always have.

I am just curious to hear from the fellers down in Mississippi, SC, Florida, southern Alabama. What do you guys do about the snakes while Spring gobbling or early Oct. Bow hunting? Everytime I work down there, it seems they are everywhere. Mean ones too. Eat ya alive.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Simple, just take a 3 foot stick and pop his head.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Thats what bullets are for. Early Oct. ???? hell I have seen rattlers in December

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Gotta watch out for em. Copper heads and Rattlers. Especially during Sept. bow season. If it's a big rattler, I'll keep him to eat, if not I just avoid them or kill em.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

[:@]Nothing is more distracting than having to "watch" for snakes. Here in NC, we have copperheads and rattlers as well as moccasins. [:@]

Nothing BETTER than a good ole pair of snake chaps or leggings.....:)

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Heck I'm worried about the gators where I hunt. I seem to run into them alot more than any snake. Hunting swamp country provides for some interesting, albeit, nerve wrecking distractions!

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I wear snake proof boots to hunt in the spring. I hate snakes. With some of the crap I walk through you need snake proof boots.

During turkey season I usually carry a light load of 7 1/2 or 6 shot, along with my turkey loads in case I need to blast a cottonmouth or copperheads head off...

And I am a snake magnet, lemme tell ya...

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I use a .45 pistol loaded with shot shells. Copperheads and rattlers aint so bad, it's the cottonmouths you have to watch out for, they love to bite hunters!

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I used to collect timber rattlesnakes for the State of PA. Had a scientific collectors permit.
Me? I'd just watch it :)
I can't believe you guys are "hunters" and are scared of a snake. Hell, Im more scared of stepping on a nest of hornets, wasps, and cow hornets.
"Cow hornets" about 3 inches long, with bright red and black striped backs. They burrow in the ground, you step on a nest and thousands will pour out.
A snake? bwahahahaha

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

For the most part I hardly ever see any snakes down here, but the ones I do see I usually avoid if I can. Other wise if they get to close I either shoot them or keep really still and wait for them crawl away.

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I saw a few snakes the first week of Blackpowder season in VA last year, if I see them I just look away and keep on walkin'

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When i am turkey hunting i won't shoot a snake. i just keep on going unless he is a danger to me. i am after turkeys not snakes.:D

i wear rubber boots for what they are worth i have thought about chaps just haven't gotten any yet.

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we don't worry to much about the snakes ; the gators eat them all!!!!!!!!!!![8D][&:]:D

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I hunt various parts of KY as well & you can run into copperheads and rattlesnakes. Generally I have not seen a lot in the spring for turkey season but those dang little ticks will eat you alive!

I have seen more snakes in the aummer & early fall (June - Sept.).

I hunted in Alabama for turkey's one year & did nto see any snakes but I sure looked wherever I stepped. I have heard the rattlesnakes can be really bad at times. If I ever go back I am buying snake boots just because I would feel better about it!

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RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Tracker, you took the words right off of my keyboard!
I made a trip to the woods yesterday, and the chiggers and ticks are awful! I'm more afraid of them than of any snakes!

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You can help keep the poisonious snakes numbers down if you get a book describing them. Especially the King snake. Learn to identify this fellow. He is a cannibal. And he will do his best to take down any rattler, Cottonmouth or Copperhead he can find. I have a great number in my timber and I educate everyone I can to not molest them. In 15 years here on the farm I have seen one poisonous snake, a Cottonmouth. There one advantage? They are immune to a snake bite; and if bitten, just go ahead and eat the biter. The best friend a hunter/fisherman can have.

Russ

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Ive been stomping through the Florida Swamps since i was 12. Only been bit once and that was a couple of years ago. Luckily I had on my jeans over my rubber boots. The rattler penetrated both but only scratched the skin. I now wear 18" snake boots. Im so used to the creepy crawlys down here that I dont give it alot of thought. Until I step or almost step on one.
Even the swamps and creeks I have to wade across usually have a few gators lurking about. That does get me a bit nervous at times. ESpecially heading back in the dark after an evening hunt and seeing gator eyes right at the creek crossing I came in on.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I live and hunt in Ky and have not had any trouble with snakes while turkey or early bowhunting for deer. But thats not to say that I'm not prepared for them either. I carry a cheap little double-barrel Cobray .410 pistol and if I run across a copperhead or a rattler, he's DEAD!! I know that they're supposed to be more afraid of me that I am of them, but that don't make me feel any better when I'm walking out after dark.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Just have to watch for them. It'll rattle your nerves when you start smellin a cottonmouth whey your tromping through a brushpile or high grass or crossing a beaver dam--hate smellin them and not being able to see them. Cottonmouths seem to be the most agressive, but we have several types of rattlers and copperheads too. Grew up watching for them--remember my mother (generally a very meek and gentle person) breakin more than her share of hoe handles chopping a snake into peices.

I'm the odd one in our family--snakes are really interesting to me. My favorites are the king snake, hognose (known here as a "spreadin adder"), and grey rat snake. Like Russ said, a king snake is great to have on your place--they will eat any snake that is smaller than them, poisonous or not--along with mice and rats. The hognose will only eat toads, but they put on a great show if you walk up on one. They will rear up and spread out similar to a cobra, even hissing and striking. Funny thing is they make it a point to strike at the air--stick your hand down close and they will strike in the other direction (you'd think it was drunk or something). They will not purposly bite. If that doesn't work, it will put on a big show writhing and rolling like it's been poisoned, then go belly-up and hang it's tongue out. Those are protected in MS, so don't think about getting one as a pet. Grey rat snakes are common here (aka "chicken snakes") and are great to have in a barn or anywhere you store feed. They do a number on mice, rats, etc. and generally try to stay hidden. They will eat eggs and chicks too, though.

For the most part, leave them alone and they will leave you alone. Many snakes do a great job of keeping the rodent population under control. I worry more about biting and stinging bug types than snakes.

Chad

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LBR,
If you ever get a Hog nosed snake to roll over and play dead, Roll him back over on his belly, He will turn back over again, thinks he has to be bottom up to play dead. We have our share of rat snakes in my area, watched one scale a rough cut board wall in an outbuilding. Man, they can move.

Russ

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Well I grew up in KY where Copperheads were very common. Moved to FL in 1988 and let me tell you Cottonmouths ain't no joke. During the spring they are extremely aggressive. I've had them drop in the boat with me while fishing small creeks. In fact I just ordered a little 22 pistol for that reason. First snake that I have seen that will actually chase you up the bank or across the swamp. Most Rattlers will stand and fight defensively but these boogers will bring it! Leave em alone or put a cap in em, just my two cents...... Gary

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

If you ever plan on hunting in South Texas especailly during the spring and summer, you better invest in some snake chaps. So far this year I've killed about 15 rattle snakes, with 4 of them over 6 foot. Most of them are 3-5 foot in length, but they are all just as bad. Most of this country is made up of thick mequite brush, black brush, prickly pear, and other thorn infested bushes. So most of the time we are walking, some times crawling, threw thick brush and waist high grass which makes it hard to see where your stepping. Even if you never see a rattle snake, if your wearing a pair of chaps your going to feel alot more comfortable and confident. Just feeling relaxed and safe is worth the $50 the chaps cost. Happy hunting all and be safe.

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Amen to that TX!

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Im pretty anal when it comes to snakes,,doubt anyone in the world is more afraid of em than i am, I was gettin the mower out of the shed when i seen sumpin move out of the corner of my eye & to my dismay it was a black snake laying on the outside wall cross member (metal shed) so i ran to the house & grabbed the 20 gauge ran back to the shed & put 3 holes in the side of it where i thought it was layin,,,WELL!! in my haste i forgot to pull the tractor out!!!!!! summing this story up quickly, i have a damaged tractor(holes all through the hood) sheds history,,,& the wife now thinks im loosing my mind. whats more the snake was gone before the 1st shot rang out!!!!!!!!!!! But in hunting season i try not to think about snakes,,,i tell myself that their gone by the end of august

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I figured you fellers would be buying those snake boots. Everytime I turkey hunt in Ky, seems, snakes everywhere. Maybe I wasn't paying attention as a kid, but I never seen so many as this past year. So I have worked some in Miss., and alababama, and saw snakes everywhere. Wondered how you cope. My great grandmother was bit by a copperhead in the cellar. It really screwed her up. It was in the early 70's, and they tried to get her some anti venom, but that stuff has a shelf life, and with nearest hospital 3 hours, away (decent hospital), it got serious. She never could talk right or use her left arm after that.

Then I have a old father in law who prays to rattlers, or did. Snake handler if you will. Saw him get a good dose. He didn't go to the hospital for a few days, and I have never seen a arm look like that. Swelled up 8" in diameter. He finally on the verge of death, let the family take him to the emergency room.

Ever since that, I have hated them.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Gary.
If you plan using that .22 in a boat, better use those Mustard seed shot. A fellow from where I used to work went fishing with a friend in a fair sized creek. A cottonmouth fell off a limb into the boat. The friend paniced and shot 4 holes in the bottom of the boat. The snake slipped out of the boat untouched leaving them with a sinking boat. With some fast paddling, they made it to the bank before the boat sunk.

Russ

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

We've got so many here I just act like they're furniture and walk around them. Got diamond backs, timber rattlers, copperheads, and cottonmouths, and rare but occasionally a coral snake. This dosen't even include the non poisinous, got bunches of them.

dog1

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

manomanomanoman..... dem snakies be all over the place where I hunt hogs... trouble is once I see one, I start snake searching instead of hog hunting...

I wear snake boots, been hit once by a rattler that forgot to rattle... I figure I scared him more then the scared me (yeah right)....

gators don't bother me too much, once I see them, I just keep an eye out... freakin cottonmouths look for you though....

Pulled two small rattlers out of the pool once, but had a friend catch a black snake (indigo racer) and release him around the house.... they eat poisonous snakes and since then havent seen a rattler around the house.... that black scares the bejeebus out of me when mowing the lawn though...

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I don't go into the woods w/o snake boots. Haven't seen one yet on my E. GA lease, but I see at least one snake every time I hunt w/ my brother in NE FL. Mostly pygmy rattlers. I like the Lacrosse scent free rubber snake boots.

As for the ticks, they are awful in E. GA this year. Pulled one off my 5 yr old son after our last scouting trip. My buddy was with us and he picked several off of him. Hell, a buddy down from CT pulled a couple off himself after we played golf here in the Atlanta area. He spends more time in the woods than he does the fairways, tho.

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i really hate snakes. i was bitten once (not hunting) so screw em the good old trusty shovel takes care of snakes pretty well

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It is not the snakes that bother me. Wear a good pair of snake boots and pay attention to where you are walking. What really bothers me during the early season is the darn yelolow jackets. I hate those things. More annoying than misquitos.

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Turkey hunting one time here in Bama and heard something coming down the holler toward me,just knew it was a bird,turned out to be 2 black snakes wrapping theirselves all around each other and breeding like all get out making more little black snakes.One New Years Day deer hunting,I stepped over a 3 foot cottonmouth.See them so much,I really don't think about them,although I do worry about my boys.

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:)

Bass Pro, got snake boots on sale now for $69.99

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I just wear snake chaps,they work great if it's still hot out.I used to raise snakes so I don't fear them but I do show them respect.NEVER try to keep a hog nose as a pet.THEY STINK!!!!

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RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

I hunt snakes frequently. I just wear my everyday western boots. They have defeated every snake thus far. I bought some of those chaps, but they get hot so I don't like to wear them. Prime hunting is from Oct. to April. They congregate around their dens. Only problem is when the weather turns warm and the snakes get further away from their dens than I am expecting them to be. Good for the cardio, helps raise the heart rate.

RE: Snakes in the South while huntin
 

Wow! Sorry to pull an old thread up, but thought I would add some interesting information. Aside from bowhunting, another hobby of mine is reptiles. To better clarify that, snakes. I currently only have two boas and two pythons. In reality, that are one of the most misunderstood animals. Aside from my collection, I have several personal friends in NC and GA that are experienced in venomous snakes. One of them with over 30+ venomous snakes ranging from copperheads to cobras. Venomous snakes will only bite as a last resort. Trust me, they always will look to escape and only strike when they are cornered or feel threatened. If you don't believe that, the next time you see one, stop and see what happens. Now when you walk up on them and startle them, it's a different story. They are at that point going to feel threatened. There are a few such as cottonmouths that have an overall nasty temperment. But so many people tend to think snakes will chase you down and eat you alive. There are so many myths it's not even worth going through and explaining all of them. As far as killing them for their skin and the rattlesnake round-ups. I am strictly against such. In reality, I don't think any animal should be butchered just for their skin and because others want fancy belts and boots. I highly doubt anyone would want to be gassed and driven out of their home only to be butchered for their skin? Sorry if you get offended North Texan, but that's my personal view and every year several forums related to reptiles get together to donate money for those experienced with venomous species to go to the round-ups and buy all they can with the donated money and a large sum of their own to try and rehab them. Some live and others don't have any hope. Keep in mind, once these animals are removed from the wild and rehabbed they cannot be released back to the wilderness due to range locations and other health factors. My advice is this, respect them and they will respect you. If you try to muck with them and kill them, then the odds of you getting bit are doubled.

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I am moving down to Central FL this summer/fall. You better bet I am going to haul butt over to Bass Pro Shops or something and check out the snake boots. Something lightweight and waterproof. Don't know if I will get the chaps or boots, but I gotta get new waterproof boots anyway, so I might double up. I figure if my waterproof boots are snakeproof I won't be sitting somewhere wishing I had remembered to bring the chaps!

Chubber

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Big Country,
I was raised in Maryland too. Been hunting in Florida for the last 3 years.
Snakes are serious business. I bought snake boots for archery.To darn sqweaky in the stand. So I wear the normal sized hunting boot. Here's what I do.
1.Make sure my flashlight is very bright.Carry an extra one.
2.Have my path/trail marked good but not so good other hunters find it. This way I advoid as much water as possible.{For me that's the most important part.} Have a plan where to walk.
3. In the military we learned to high step because of trip wires. It also works on snakes.Walk high and be hyper alert on every step.
4. KNow your snake. The moccassin goes through 3 different colors growing up. First year orange next stage dark brown with patches .Final stage blackish .
NO MATTER WHAT STAGE THEY ALL HAVE A TAN EYE BROWL ABOVE THE EYE.
Pigmy Rattlers are abundant down here in Florida as well. They are very deadly and stay hidden well. So I brush the leaves away before sitting on the ground. When I prescout is when I scrape at least a 6' circle clean.
At least in bow season your in a tree.
Chuck