The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: Badgersmilk on July 03, 2009, 05:49:05 PM
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Took my dog, and daughter for a hike today. Got about a mile into the woods, the dog jumps back at me, and my daughter yells from behind "SNAKE!".
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010033.jpg?t=1246660379)
A little over 3' long stretched out I'd guess.
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010037.jpg?t=1246660743)
First Rattler I've come that close to in my 39 years (about 2 feet away!). Dog actually stepped on it!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010035.jpg?t=1246660851)
Without anything more threatening than my pocket knife in my ALICE pack (yep, you heard right Tom! ;D) We decided Mr. Snake had right of way and turned back (VERY narrow trail!).
Stopped at a creek to let the dog get a drink, and... The dog jumps back, my daughter yells from behind me SNAKE!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010039.jpg?t=1246661081)
From where we were standing we could see no less than THREE black snakes!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010041.jpg?t=1246661157)
WTF!!!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010040.jpg?t=1246661220)
You have NO IDEA how bad I wanted my little Berreta Bobcat with some shot shells in it!!!
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When my Wife and I take the dogs down to the river for a swim, we always load our revolvers with shot rounds in the first two chambers, (Wife's Rossi 357mag and my S&W 44mag). There are plenty of rattlers around there. We not only have Snakes but now we have Wolfs that use that area. Better safe than sorry.
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It's an Eastern Massasauga Rattler and darn rare to see in the state of MI. They are slow moving and generaly won't strike unless provoked. It's the only venomous snake found in Michigan.
Please don't shoot it just for the sake of killing it and the black rat snakes are harmless unless your a small rodent.
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Two feet's awfully close, specially for a little one. I agree with Timothy, but if you get bit, kill it that way when you roll up to the ER, you can drop it on the triage desk and say, 'I got bit by this, gimme my shot so I can go.' ;)
I hate snakes, specially the rattlers, they got a habit of running around on the local playgrounds. How am I supposed to enjoy the damn slide and swings with the snakes running around. If you worried about, invest in some snake guards for you shins and ankles, if not for you than the little one, just tell her she's accessorizing. ;D
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Please don't shoot it just for the sake of killing it and the black rat snakes are harmless unless your a small rodent.
One of them danged snake lovers, eh?
Well, fer your information, I got me a pair of dem' whitesnake boots and no, it is not one on the endangered species list, it was the last one. 8)
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First rattler I've seen in this state in the 12 years we've been here! My wife would NOT have been happy if I got her dog killed today. ME she probably wouldnt have minded so much ;D. If the dog had jump OVER the snake instead of back at me I was only about a step away from tromping on the rattler myself (we were watching a giant heron flying over). GOOD DOG! We werent sure if she'd gotten bit (Mr. Snake was NOT in a good mood, and made NO efforts to get away), but figured a little Jack Russel wouldnt likely still be with us even a few minutes later if she had gotten bit. Where the saying "LUCKY DOG" comes from I guess!
HERO OF THE DAY: Note my German Short Hair's have taught her to point! ;D ;D ;D
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1000900.jpg?t=1246663259)
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Make sure you dog gets a nice steak. I've never seen a rattler run, around here they just get into a defensive posture and wait for you to leave. Roll up to the local 7-11 and tell the cashier, 'My dog wants to buy a half dozen quick picks.' ;D
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I'm not a snake lover at all but the state of Michigan has one friggin viper that ain't bothering anyone. Maybe 50 people a year see them, they are that rare. Badger should feel privilaged to have actually seen one!
In Oklahoma, you got the things running roughshod all over the place. I'd have a pair of boots myself! ;D
Let me make myself clear here fellas.....if it interferes or endangers human life, KILL IT. Otherwise, leave it alone and pay closer attention to the trail and not the blue birdy. I see blue Heron every day, I've never seen a rattle snake in my life other than at a zoo and I've been to 44 different states. We have the Eastern Diamondback and the Copperhead in New England so when I'm in the woods, especially with my kid, I'm watching were I step.
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Two feet's awfully close, specially for a little one. I agree with Timothy, but if you get bit, kill it that way when you roll up to the ER, you can drop it on the triage desk and say, 'I got bit by this, gimme my shot so I can go.' ;)
I hate snakes, specially the rattlers, they got a habit of running around on the local playgrounds. How am I supposed to enjoy the damn slide and swings with the snakes running around. If you worried about, invest in some snake guards for you shins and ankles, if not for you than the little one, just tell her she's accessorizing. ;D
Anyone I know around here that has ever been bit by a rattlesnake had to go through a lot more than a shot. Pretty bad if you get bit by a brown recluse spider too.
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Anyone I know around here that has ever been bit by a rattlesnake had to go through a lot more than a shot. Pretty bad if you get bit by a brown recluse spider too.
I just don't want to sick around the hospital so they can make sure I don't stop breathing and drain the swelling. Up north around Dallas we didn't have rattle snakes, so I don't know any one that's been bit. We just had cotton mouths, copper heads, and various others. I don't like spiders either, I'm scared enough already, so lets not bring them into the conversation. ;D
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One of them danged snake lovers, eh?
Well, fer your information, I got me a pair of dem' whitesnake boots and no, it is not one on the endangered species list, it was the last one. 8)
And did Tawney Kitaen come with the boots?
OK, I will admit, that is way too arcane and obtuse - I am ashamed I even know that fact. 8) ??? ::)
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I don't dislike snakes (of course it is hard to trust something that can climb a tree and don't have arms and legs), I just don't like snakes that 'take me by surprise'.
My family has lived on our property for over 60 years and up until four years ago had never seen a rattler of any kind. We've killed a dozen in four years. That's why I always have a NAA .22 loaded with CCI Snakeshot in my pocket, and when I'm anywhere near the heavier brush, I keep my 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk with three CCI snakeshots and three .44 spl hollowpoints.
And did Tawney Kitaen come with the boots?
OK, I will admit, that is way too arcane and obtuse - I am ashamed I even know that fact. 8) ??? ::)
Ha Ha.....I'm just glad you said it and not me.
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My family has lived on our property for over 60 years and up until four years ago had never seen a rattler of any kind. We've killed a dozen in four years. That's why I always have a NAA .22 loaded with CCI Snakeshot in my pocket, and when I'm anywhere near the heavier brush, I keep my 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk with three CCI snakeshots and three .44 spl hollowpoints.
How much would .22 shot shells do? I've shot them and they're pretty week. Especially in my NAA.
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I just don't want to sick around the hospital so they can make sure I don't stop breathing and drain the swelling. Up north around Dallas we didn't have rattle snakes, so I don't know any one that's been bit. We just had cotton mouths, copper heads, and various others. I don't like spiders either, I'm scared enough already, so lets not bring them into the conversation. ;D
Yeah, we don't have copperheads or cotton mouths, so I wouldn't recognize them. When I first saw this thread's photos, I thought the black snakes may have been one of those. When I was a kid, we used to catch king snakes and gopher snakes and I got bit a few times. Probably not as many times as they pooped(let loose!) on me. At least they're not venomous.
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How much would .22 shot shells do? I've shot them and they're pretty week. Especially in my NAA.
I've opened up a moccasin's head with it.....from about five feet.
I prefer the .44.....the .22 is just in case.
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I've use it, but its a small spread and small shot. You eed to be closer than I'd want to be to a BIG rattler. A .38 works a lot better.
FQ13
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And did Tawney Kitaen come with the boots?
OK, I will admit, that is way too arcane and obtuse - I am ashamed I even know that fact. 8) ??? ::)
Naw....somebody better bought them for me though. 8)
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Timothy, you know WAY to much about these damn dirty things! ;) Sorry, I've picked up gardens snakes in the back yard, caught and played with corn snakes when I was a kid, and am not overly afraid of them. I just dont like the damn things!
NON-POISONESS snakes are like opposums. Grab'em by the tail and they cant really do much but hang there and think angry things about you!
From a Michigan web site on rattlers: "they are classed as an Endangered Species so don’t kill them!" Sorry, but if the thing is even thinking about killing me...
It actually did strike at us a few times, and the rattle sounded a lot like a locust, not real loud, but enough to make you look.
I've got some shot shells in Federal, and CCI .22lr, Federal .22WMR, and CCI .44 mag.. I'll do some testing with the .22's tommarow on various items and let you all know the results.
I dont wear cowboy boots, but a snake skin covered rifle sling... SURRRRE WOULD BE PURDY! Pellet holes would just add to the coolness! ;D
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Timothy, you know WAY to much about these damn dirty things! ;) Sorry, I've picked up gardens snakes in the back yard, caught and played with corn snakes when I was a kid, and am not overly afraid of them. I just dont like the damn things!
NON-POISONESS snakes are like opposums. Grab'em by the tail and they cant really do much but hang there and think angry things about you!
From a Michigan web site on rattlers: "they are classed as an Endangered Species so don’t kill them!" Sorry, but if the thing is even thinking about killing me...
It actually did strike at us a few times, and the rattle sounded a lot like a locust, not real loud, but enough to make you look.
I've got some shot shells in Federal, and CCI .22lr, Federal .22WMR, and CCI .44 mag.. I'll do some testing with the .22's tommarow on various items and let you all know the results.
I dont wear cowboy boots, but a snake skin covered rifle sling... SURRRRE WOULD BE PURDY! Pellet holes would just add to the coolness! ;D
As long as the DNR doesn't catch you with it Badger. Seriously, if the thing is endangered, and you do HAVE to shoot, remember S cubed (shoot, shovel and shup up). I don't care if you found it as road kill and could convince them of that, the fine for possesion alone would make the classified sections on this board very interesting for awhile. Just my .02.
FQ13
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Just Possession of protected species is a felony I believe, regardless of the source. that means Bye Bye to all your guns forever.
How bad do you hate snakes ?
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"Shoot, Shovel, Shut up". I'm guessing that originated in Vegas? ;D
Point well taken, and darned fine advice!
Still curious enough to do some testing tommarow. Think I'll try shooting a phone book, pop cans, & the like at different ranges with different barrel lengths to see if it's even a valid option for killing more than butterflies. The Bobcat barrel should allow for quite a quick, BIG spread! Not expecting the semi-auto's to even cycle.
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"Shoot, Shovel, Shut up". I'm guessing that originated in Vegas? ;D
Point well taken, and darned fine advice!
Still curious enough to do some testing tommarow. Think I'll try shooting a phone book, pop cans, & the like at different ranges with different barrel lengths to see if it's even a valid option for killing more than butterflies. The Bobcat barrel should allow for quite a quick, BIG spread! Not expecting the semi-auto's to even cycle.
A ripe tomato might be fun.
That is a pretty rattlesnake!
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Our rattlesnakes around here are not endangered...unless they take up residence around the cabin!
CCI .38 Shotshells are in all of our revolvers. Out on the ranch we'll let them be. Around the cabin they are dead.
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I'm a little late coming to this thread. Before I got to Timothy's post I was thinking that they were protected. From what I understand the bite of this rattle snake is usually not to dangerouse to a healthy adult as far as rattlesnake bites go. A child or a pet is something else though. There are very few bites from these snakes as they are seldom encountered. A few years ago there was a bite from one at an Indiana State Park close to the border with Michigan.
Years ago I remember a woman that was "scratched" by a stick that she stepped on and flipped into her leg. Shortly after that she began to feel ill. A few days later she was seen by a doctor that by chance previously practiced in an area where rattle snake bites were common. The doctor reconized the symtoms immediately and was able to treat her effectively. She had no idea that she had been bitten by a rattle snake.
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Our rattlesnakes around here are not endangered...unless they take up residence around the cabin!
CCI .38 Shotshells are in all of our revolvers. Out on the ranch we'll let them be. Around the cabin they are dead.
That sounds like a reasonable policy. Keeps them from breeding right up where you live. Especially, if there are ever kids around.
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Pages 12 an13 has a nice little write up om these snakes. Apparently no one has died from a bite from them in 50 years. Most bites involve young men ans alcohol. Blue herons eat them.
http://www.acreslandtrust.org/quarterly-47-1.pdf
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I don't know alot about snakes, but whereever I've lived I learn what species of critter is capable of doing me or my family harm. Since I grew in MI and spent more time in the woods than in my house, I have an idea of what critters are dangerous.
The grey wolf, black bear, wolverine, snakes and other humans fit into that catagory so learn all you can about there habitat and their habits to keep safe. In MA, it's snakes, bear and the occasional moose in certain parts and of course the ever present population of asshat liberals.
Be Safe...give it a wide berth and learn all you can about the thing...
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So here we have it. I figure if the pellets can pierce a milk jug full of water they'll have NO problem on a snake. This is from one round of Federal .22lr shot fired standing 6 feet away... Job done!
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010049.jpg?t=1246718397)
Easily 60% of the pellets went into the jug. None made it out the other side (no surprise). Didnt even come close to having enough power to cycle the action, had to pull out spent case with my finger nail. I'm sure more than 2 inches of barrel in front of the case would dramatically improve results. But, DEAD SNAKE! And its safe, & easy to carry around in your pocket.
(http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww40/BigCheeseStick/P1010052.jpg?t=1246718630)
Note on this gun: I picked up a bottle of glow in the dark paint one time I was drug to Hobby Lobby by my wife. Put three coats on the front blade with a small paint brush and its lasted through many cleanings and hours of jean pocket wear. Glows for a quite a while after being in pocket to.
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Snake skins are pretty tough things Badger. Otherwise they wouldn't make boots out of them, your little test proves nothing.
Besides, anyone who's ever seen a John Wayne movie knows that if you shoot at a snake, he's gonna try and strike at the bullet and get himself shot! NOT!
Get serious, who ever gave you permission to own a gun?
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The pellets are close to the size of the ball in a ball point pen. If I applied enough force to pierce a milk jug I'd lay quite a bit of money that that same force will pierce a live snakes skin.
I look forward to your test though. I'm sure it will be far better.
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Get serious, who ever gave you permission to own a gun?
LMAO
But Tim, it IS a .22 after all, Good for snakes and bull elephants. Seriously, why does anybody listen to a guy who thinks 5.56 isn't good for anything but a .22 is great for bear?
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LMAO
But Tim, it IS a .22 after all, Good for snakes and bull elephants. Seriously, why does anybody listen to a guy who thinks 5.56 isn't good for anything but a .22 is great for bear?
My wife has about 200 Teddy bears that are shaking in their boots! ;D She's got one of those nurse bears to do "triage" though, never be too careful ya know!
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.223 is SUPER for ground squirrel! How many people buy them for that? Probably 1 in 2,000. The others are all just following the heard. Timmey, 1911, Open up and say. BAAAAHHH, BAAAAAHHH little stupid sheep.
Still waiting for your test there Timmey. ALL talk?
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.223 is SUPER for ground squirrel! How many people buy them for that? Probably 1 in 2,000. The others are all just following the heard. Timmey, 1911, Open up and say. BAAAAHHH, BAAAAAHHH little stupid sheep.
Still waiting for your test there Timmey. ALL talk?
(_?_)
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As I've said before Badger. Just bring it.
I find it difficult to believe that you were actually in the military (girl scouts does not count). But if you were, I can see why you are not anymore. Your big mouth is only surpassed by your stupidity. If you ever need help fixing either, just stop on by, we'll leave the light on for ya.
.223 is SUPER for ground squirrel! How many people buy them for that? Probably 1 in 2,000. The others are all just following the heard. Timmey, 1911, Open up and say. BAAAAHHH, BAAAAAHHH little stupid sheep.
Still waiting for your test there Timmey. ALL talk?
It's "herd", dumbass.
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And for the adults here...
I went to Bass Pro today, their prices on .22lr, and .22WMR ammo of ALL sorts was better by an average of $2.00 a box than anywhere I've been able to find online. Guy behind the counter said the prices should be the same at any of the BassPro stores if anyones shopping. He said their supply hasnt gotten much better for ammo, but they can now get just about any firearm when they have a customer for.
1911, Dont let your mom catch you acting all tuff on the computer now. She's liable to give you a spank & take it away from you.
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Hey BM, you ever get the impression that the blow hard attitude you exhibit here has lead most of us to think your an asshole, and wish you would just go away ?
We may argue with TAB and FQ and even hate their opinions, but at least they sound like grown up assholes.
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I carry a Cobra arms 38spl derringer in my vest pocket in case of snake encounters. I also carry a Glock 20 10mm or my Ruger gp100.
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So here we have it. I figure if the pellets can pierce a milk jug full of water they'll have NO problem on a snake. This is from one round of Federal .22lr shot fired standing 6 feet away... Job done!
Easily 60% of the pellets went into the jug. None made it out the other side (no surprise). Didnt even come close to having enough power to cycle the action, had to pull out spent case with my finger nail. I'm sure more than 2 inches of barrel in front of the case would dramatically improve results. But, DEAD SNAKE! And its safe, & easy to carry around in your pocket.
Note on this gun: I picked up a bottle of glow in the dark paint one time I was drug to Hobby Lobby by my wife. Put three coats on the front blade with a small paint brush and its lasted through many cleanings and hours of jean pocket wear. Glows for a quite a while after being in pocket to.
Maybe not. Shot from a rifled barrel usually create a donut shaped pattern. A longer barrel may give you a bigger hole in your donut. I have used shot shells in a 6 and 1/2 inch Ruger Single Six. A styrofoam cup that was the point of aim 6-8 feet away was untouched by a single pellet. Hamilton Bowen of Bowen Classic arms custom makes a Paradox Revolver for shooting both bullets and shot. The barrel is moslty smooth witha short section of rifling at the end. The short section of rifling imparts enough spin to stabilize bullets, but not so much spin for shot. This helps to minimize the donut shpped patterns. I suggest getting Hamilton's book and reading it. Very good information from an expert.
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/NEW/gallery1.html
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/NEW/Paradox_r1_c1.htm
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/Default.htm
http://www.gunsamerica.com/967129105/Guns/Pistols/Custom-Pistols/Cowboy-Action/Hamilton_Bowen_Custom_Ruger_44_Paradox.htm#
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I'm sure more than 2 inches of barrel in front of the case would dramatically improve results. But, DEAD SNAKE! And its safe, & easy to carry around in your pocket.
Is it really safe to carry in your pocket, even with no firing pin safety? I have one of these and I know 2 people that have had discharges with the rimfire versions when the tip-up barrel was loaded and clipped down. I mostly am just curious if there are safety mechanisms in place that I don't know about. Is there a titanium firing pin or something? I do love shooting that little gun.
follow up: I checked the manual and Beretta warns against carrying the gun with the chamber loaded.
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Bowen has some really nice looking guns there! Especially like the last one. Good point about the longer barrel. I used the Bobcat because if I'm in the woods outside hunting season its the only gun I'd be likely to carry from the ones I have.
I carry my Bobcat with a full clip, empty chamber. I havent had any misfires with the gun, or issues at all as yet when shooting it other than using the shot shells that dont cycle the action. I wouldnt expect them to though, they dont build enough pressure in the barrel. Handy little firearm.
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Bowen has some really nice looking guns there! Especially like the last one. Good point about the longer barrel. I used the Bobcat because if I'm in the woods outside hunting season its the only gun I'd be likely to carry from the ones I have.
I carry my Bobcat with a full clip, empty chamber. I havent had any misfires with the gun, or issues at all as yet when shooting it other than using the shot shells that dont cycle the action. I wouldnt expect them to though, they dont build enough pressure in the barrel. Handy little firearm.
Badger ... Please tell us all this was an honest mistake and that you weren't honestly poking us with a pointy stick ...
Haz, please stand by for retaliatory action :-\
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mmm, aside from misusing the term "clip", you lost me. ???
It's perfectly legal to carry a sidearm in the woods even out of hunting season... I have never had misfires with the gun. excedera, excedera. I still havent figured out what sent Timmothy and 1911 into a rageing fit yet either though. ??? ???
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mmm, aside from misusing the term "clip", you lost me. ???
It's perfectly legal to carry a sidearm in the woods even out of hunting season... I have never had misfires with the gun. excedera, excedera. I still havent figured out what sent Timmothy and 1911 into a rageing fit yet either though. ??? ???
And that's your problem. You haven't figured it out and you never will figure it out. People like you just don't. You walk around with "asshole" tatooed on your forehead and wonder why nobody likes you or gives a shit about what you have to say.
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I've heard people with tempers like this act the way they do due to certain "inadequacies"... Bummer for you.
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I've heard people with tempers like this act the way they do due to certain "inadequacies"... Bummer for you.
A perfect example of what I was referring to when I posted :
Hey BM, you ever get the impression that the blow hard attitude you exhibit here has lead most of us to think your an asshole, and wish you would just go away ?
We may argue with TAB and FQ and even hate their opinions, but at least they sound like grown up assholes.
mmm, aside from misusing the term "clip", you lost me. ???
It's perfectly legal to carry a sidearm in the woods even out of hunting season... I have never had misfires with the gun. excedera, excedera. I still havent figured out what sent Timmothy and 1911 into a rageing fit yet either though. ??? ???
Might have been THIS little gem of maturity.
.223 is SUPER for ground squirrel! How many people buy them for that? Probably 1 in 2,000. The others are all just following the heard. Timmey, 1911, Open up and say. BAAAAHHH, BAAAAAHHH little stupid sheep.
Still waiting for your test there Timmey. ALL talk?
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mmm, aside from misusing the term "clip", you lost me. ???
It's perfectly legal to carry a sidearm in the woods even out of hunting season... I have never had misfires with the gun. excedera, excedera. I still havent figured out what sent Timmothy and 1911 into a rageing fit yet either though. ??? ???
Time to step back and take a deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breath :o
Just playing games with you on terminology ;)
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I just don't want to sick around the hospital so they can make sure I don't stop breathing and drain the swelling. Up north around Dallas we didn't have rattle snakes, so I don't know any one that's been bit. We just had cotton mouths, copper heads, and various others. I don't like spiders either, I'm scared enough already, so lets not bring them into the conversation. ;D
We have plenty of cottonmouths and copperheads just East of you in the Tyler area too. I have no problems blasting any that are near my house or yard. They are no where near endangered.
I hate to tell you, but when I worked at Baylor in Dallas I saw many, many brown recluse and black widow bites. Black widows are usually not a big deal especially for adults, but brown recluse bites are very, very nasty.
I know that you said that you'd rather not discuss them, but it pays to be informed. It can make you safer. For instance, if you find a recluse in your home it's best not to spray with insecticide. Brown recluses are pretty resistant to insecticides and the experts say that the accumulation of other dead spiders actually provides a food source for the recluses and prompts breeding (who'd of thunk it?). Recluse bites can take many surgeries over many months to remove necrotic (dead) tissue and clean and disinfect the wounds. They frequently leave gaping holes and require multiple skin grafts. Look them up and get familiar with them. They range in size and shades of brown, but they all have the distinctive violin mark. I found one in my sock drawer a few years ago. Scared the poop out of me. I've really kept my awareness up since. I always shake out my shoes before putting them on.
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I try my best to put as many snakes on the endangered species list as I possibly can. I don't think I am getting anywhere close though. We have tons of rattlers around here, more then enough cottonmouths and way too many copperheads slithering around. I occasionally run across coral snakes as well (they don't merit a gun, just a hoe to the 'neck'). I have actually made enough money selling coral snake carcasses to buy a gun or two. Worth a fortune if they are over 2ft long.
Couple snake stories:
Scared the hell out of me one day when my daughter was playing in the backyard. She yelled over to me, "Look Daddy, a worm." Went over there and it was a 14 inch coral snake. She was just wearing sandals and her little toes would have been just the things for it to chew on. It's now someones clothing accessory.
Out at the ranch, me and a friend were completely dumbfound to drive up to a stock tank and see 15-20 cottonmouths swimming around. Two 10-22's and 25 round mags made short but fun work of that. Strange thing was, when we started shooting, they actually started swimming towards us.
I don't care for snakes at all. I'll leave king snakes and rat snakes alone, but if I don't know what kind of snake it is, it is quickly called a dead snake. I'm OK with dead snakes, they don't bother me.
Can you spot the copperhead?
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt63/True-Texan/copperhead.jpg)
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Damn Tex! I had to lok at that for waaay too long to find him.
I'll trade a snake story/government in action story. I used to quail hunt at this WMA in South Texas, Chapparall. This was mostly quail and dove only which meant lots of expensive dogs. They'd posted signs sayig "snake study in progress, please don't shoot the rattlers". If ever there was a bigger waste of paint and plywood, I've never seen it. ;D
FQ13
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It took awhile, but I did find it. Natures Camo.
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Can you spot the copperhead?
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt63/True-Texan/copperhead.jpg)
Wow! I didn't know what I was looking for, so I would have stepped on it and got bit!
(http://i784.photobucket.com/albums/yy129/fuzdaddy/copperhead.jpg?t=1246832143)
Do they at least move when you get near?
I'm OK with dead snakes, they don't bother me.
The head of a dead rattler is still venomous and pretty dangerous, so we bury the heads. I doubt they stay that way indefinitely. Kid Shelleen probably has some info on that.
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Cool fuzz, how'd you dye that snake? Maybe you can join in my python hunting adventure tour business. Pony up half for the airboat and I'll name it after you. ;D
FQ13
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Cool fuzz, how'd you dye that snake? Maybe you can join in my python hunting adventure tour business. Pony up half for the airboat and I'll name it after you. ;D
FQ13
Just a little quickie Photoshop.
I wish they had some out of control pythons to hunt here. I'm sure everyone on the forum saw the story about the little toddler that was killed by the family python the other day. It was pretty heart breaking. I can't imagine not seeing my girls everyday.
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Just a little quickie Photoshop.
I wish they had some out of control pythons to hunt here. I'm sure everyone on the forum saw the story about the little toddler that was killed by the family python the other day. It was pretty heart breaking. I can't imagine not seeing my girls everyday.
Only five hundred a day plus ammo and you can get some revenge. Seriously, that is a tragic story. Its like people who keep chimps and tigers as pets. What did they think would happen?
FQ13
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Just a little quickie Photoshop.
I wish they had some out of control pythons to hunt here. I'm sure everyone on the forum saw the story about the little toddler that was killed by the family python the other day. It was pretty heart breaking. I can't imagine not seeing my girls everyday.
A lot of people around here were especially disturbed because the paper had a story on the front page about one of those "nature encounter" exhibits with a photo of a 10 year old holding part of a foot thick snake, ( it said what kind but I forget ) then it carried the story of the Fl. toddler in the National news on page 3 of the same issue.
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So my daughter takes the dog for a walk again today, just in the neighborhood little league field behind our house, and guess what... TWO MORE SNAKES! Just garden snakes this time, but geesh! Living in this state for 12 years I'd bet I've only seen a dozen snakes total (aside from what we've seen the last week!). Trying to figure out what may have changed! The trails and places we've been going are all the same.
VERY COOL PICTURE OF THE COPPERHEAD! Till you said it was photoshop I was thinking, how the HECK did he not walk right onto that thing!?!
I think the rattler was asleep in the sun until the dog stepped on it. Then it rattled, the dog jumped back, and it made a "threaten strike". I call it that because I think if it had really wanted to bite the dog it could have.
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I f-ing hate snakes.
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So my daughter takes the dog for a walk again today, just in the neighborhood little league field behind our house, and guess what... TWO MORE SNAKES! Just garden snakes this time, but geesh! Living in this state for 12 years I'd bet I've only seen a dozen snakes total (aside from what we've seen the last week!). Trying to figure out what may have changed! The trails and places we've been going are all the same.
VERY COOL PICTURE OF THE COPPERHEAD! Till you said it was photoshop I was thinking, how the HECK did he not walk right onto that thing!?!
I think the rattler was asleep in the sun until the dog stepped on it. Then it rattled, the dog jumped back, and it made a "threaten strike". I call it that because I think if it had really wanted to bite the dog it could have.
The HIGHLIGHT that Fuzdaddy did was Photoshop, the picture apparently was untouched.
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Holy crap Fuz! Your good! I couldnt find it till I saw the highlighted one! Little wonder I almost stepped on the rattler! ;D
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The HIGHLIGHT that Fuzdaddy did was Photoshop, the picture apparently was untouched.
I think that's True_Texan's original photo. I just created a visual aid for those that had as difficult a time finding the snake in the photo as I had.
Badger, geez! Sounds like you really have to keep your eyes glue on the daughter and doggy to make sure they don't get bit. Either that, or the kid is the master snake tracker. You may have always been in the proximity of the snakes, but her eyes are lower to the ground and keeping a sharp eye out.
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"You may have always been in the proximity of the snakes, but her eyes are lower to the ground and keeping a sharp eye out." ;D ;D ;D
I dont know about my daughter being any more aware, but the dog... If its legs were much shorter it'd have to slither to! ;)
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So my daughter takes the dog for a walk again today, just in the neighborhood little league field behind our house, and guess what... TWO MORE SNAKES! Just garden snakes this time, but geesh! Living in this state for 12 years I'd bet I've only seen a dozen snakes total (aside from what we've seen the last week!). Trying to figure out what may have changed! The trails and places we've been going are all the same.
VERY COOL PICTURE OF THE COPPERHEAD! Till you said it was photoshop I was thinking, how the HECK did he not walk right onto that thing!?!
I think the rattler was asleep in the sun until the dog stepped on it. Then it rattled, the dog jumped back, and it made a "threaten strike". I call it that because I think if it had really wanted to bite the dog it could have.
The trails may be the same and your going the same places, but that doesn't mean there haven't been other changes. Fox numbers where I live in MI are up. That means the food supply is up. I've seen 7 fox the last 10 days during my work commute, and 1 dead one on the road. There are times when I don't see any for years. Two nights in a row the fox had dinner in it's mouth. Snakes and fox share some of the same food supply.
The weather conditions may be a contributing factor. Even though the trails are the same, there may be subtle differences in the habitat more suitable to snakes this year. If there is any new developement nearby some may have been driven from their previous homes to this new area. Then again they may have always been there unnoticed.
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Blackwolfe is very correct here. I hunted quail in south Texas for years. The amount of rain fall made the difference between a 15 covey day, and maybe putting up two that you didn't even shoot, because you wanted them to be next years seed. Those years, we just hunted to let the dogs work, and maybe a couple for dinner, because there is nothing better than a quail breast with a serrano chile grilled over mesquite.
FQ13
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Do they at least move when you get near?
Not really. They hold pretty freaking still and if they do move, they move so slow that it doesn't catch your eye. I had a ton of oak leaves on the ground behind the place I used to live. I would more often hear the leaves rustling before I would ever see them.
The head of a dead rattler is still venomous and pretty dangerous, so we bury the heads. I doubt they stay that way indefinitely. Kid Shelleen probably has some info on that.
There was never enough left to find and bury. ;D
I did actually know a man that died from a fang stuck in his tire. He was trying to find the leak by running his hand over the tread and sidewalls. I believe they said it was an uncommon reaction he had to the venom, like he was allergic to snake venom sorta thing.
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I did actually know a man that died from a fang stuck in his tire. He was trying to find the leak by running his hand over the tread and sidewalls. I believe they said it was an uncommon reaction he had to the venom, like he was allergic to snake venom sorta thing.
Thats an urban legend, but still good advice. A "dead" snake's nervous system will keep on twitching long after its dead. I once had a buddy shoot a moccasion about a half hour before shooting light. He wanted to go skin the thing, even though it was still twitching (city boy). I told him that if he got bit by a dead snake, I would leave his ass there untill an hour after sunrise, as I wasn't going to have my duck hunt spoiled by a fool.
FQ13
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Thats an urban legend, but still good advice. A "dead" snake's nervous system will keep on twitching long after its dead. I once had a buddy shoot a moccasion about a half hour before shooting light. He wanted to go skin the thing, even though it was still twitching (city boy). I told him that if he got bit by a dead snake, I would leave his ass there untill an hour after sunrise, as I wasn't going to have my duck hunt spoiled by a fool.
FQ13
Maybe the exact story is an urban legend, but mechanics have been very ill and some have died from "dead snake bites." I graduated high school in the land of fruits and nuts and went to vo-tech in Phoenix. Both places taught of the dangers of poisonous critters dead or alive when working on vehicles. Both schools also had photos and documents of these incidents as part of the warnings.
Working on the underside of vehicles in a land where poisonous things crawl and slither both in parking and driving areas gives a whole new adventure in repairs.
I had forgotten about this excitement until my recent trip to Tulsa, where I saw two road kill rattlers (damn you grow them big down there) on the road.
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Blackwolfe is very correct here. I hunted quail in south Texas for years. The amount of rain fall made the difference between a 15 covey day, and maybe putting up two that you didn't even shoot, because you wanted them to be next years seed. Those years, we just hunted to let the dogs work, and maybe a couple for dinner, because there is nothing better than a quail breast with a serrano chile grilled over mesquite.FQ13
I'll bet that a gopher covered in serranos and grilled over mesquite would be pretty tasty. We Texans do love our mesquite smoke. ;D
Regarding the staying power of snake venom I don't have an answer. I do know that it sticks around for a while and I'm also in the habit of burying the heads of poisonous snakes for just that reason. The few patients that I saw in the hospital over the years suffered with bites from live snakes. With my apologies again to Texas Bryan and his arachnaphobia I have to say that I've seen far more poisonous spider bites. Sorry Bry.
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Being dead does not keep the poison mechanism from working, I don't know what it does to the venom as far as deterioration but it takes time if you have an open cut you can be poisoned if the head is blown apart if the cut comes into contact with something contaminated by the bursting poison sac. I would be hard pressed to believe True Texans story of the Fang stuck in the tire if he had not mentioned the guys apparent allergy, but if the whole head were stuck between a pair of dual tires its perfectly possible.
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I'll bet that a gopher covered in serranos and grilled over mesquite would be pretty tasty. We Texans do love our mesquite smoke. ;D
Regarding the staying power of snake venom I don't have an answer. I do know that it sticks around for a while and I'm also in the habit of burying the heads of poisionous snakes for just that reason. The few patients that I saw in the hospital over the years suffered with bites from live snakes. With my apologies again to Texas Bryan and his arachnaphobia I have to say that I've seen far more poisionous spider bites. Sorry Bry.
It's all right, I'm more afraid of some other critters. But I'll just keep that to my self, seeing how Kid enjoys tormenting me. ;D It seems the smaller the critter, the more poisonous they get. But on burying the heads, your better safe than sorry, specially if you got kids running around. They're just looking for ways to get hurt, they enjoy the attention.
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It's all right, I'm more afraid of some other critters. But I'll just keep that to my self, seeing how Kid enjoys tormenting me. ;D It seems the smaller the critter, the more poisonous they get. But on burying the heads, your better safe than sorry, specially if you got kids running around. They're just looking for ways to get hurt, they enjoy the attention.
Just like horses and dogs. They all have death wishes, prefferably to be fufilled in the most expensive manner possible. I swear to god, that if you put a horse in a ten thousand acre pasture with one land mine, it would last about five minutes. My personal favorite was a horse I had when I was twelve. We normally didn't let the stock around the house, but the tractor was broken, and the grass was high, so we figured better poop than mosquitos. Anyway Velvet (I didn't name her) was grazing, up against the house at about 2 am. Something spooked her, she raised her head, caught the pointy end of a jalosie window and a face full of glass. (a vet bill my grandad didn't disclose till his dying day). My bird dog Shadrach ate a towel, it twisted in the intestine,$1500 of surgery (the exact price of a semester at UT in state) before succumbing. Pets and children are not only evil, but suicidal. Watch them like a hawk. ;D
FQ13
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It's all right, I'm more afraid of some other critters. But I'll just keep that to my self, seeing how Kid enjoys tormenting me. ;D It seems the smaller the critter, the more poisonous they get. But on burying the heads, your better safe than sorry, specially if you got kids running around. They're just looking for ways to get hurt, they enjoy the attention.
There, We finally got one of the whippersnappers to CONFESS ! ;D
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I'll bet that a gopher covered in serranos and grilled over mesquite would be pretty tasty. We Texans do love our mesquite smoke. ;D
Regarding the staying power of snake venom I don't have an answer. I do know that it sticks around for a while and I'm also in the habit of burying the heads of poisonous snakes for just that reason. The few patients that I saw in the hospital over the years suffered with bites from live snakes. With my apologies again to Texas Bryan and his arachnaphobia I have to say that I've seen far more poisonous spider bites. Sorry Bry.
I also have come across more people who've been spider bitten. You mentioned shaking out your boots. One of the guys I know was a truck driver who got bit on the leg by a recluse that'd either been in his boots or hiding in the truck. He lost a lot of his leg.
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The story I heard 40 years ago is the cowboy that died from a rattler bite and his brother got his boots. When the brother put the boots on there was a fang stuck in the boot that poked him and the brother died too.
And of course everyone knows that even if you chop a snakes head off they don't die untill sundown.
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The story I heard 40 years ago is the cowboy that died from a rattler bite and his brother got his boots. When the brother put the boots on there was a fang stuck in the boot that poked him and the brother died too.
And of course everyone knows that even if you chop a snakes head off they don't die untill sundown.
Yep, and if you hang the body over a fence, it'll rain. ;)
Also,
http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/carsnake.asp
http://www.snopes.com/critters/gnus/snakerob.asp
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I have seen a bunch of snakes this year while out fishing. We have cottonmouths around here. Found one dead that was ran over by a bicycle where I used to fish. The Massassagua Rattler is also in our area but I have yet to find one. I will take a rattlesnake over any other kind of snake cause at least they let you know they are there. Have killed cottonmouths and copperheads in Ohio and Missouri. Sneaky little bastards.
I did keep a nice sized rattlesnake skull that had been hit by a lawnmower in West Palm, Florida. I am careful not to mess with the fangs and keep it in a glass jar so no one accidentally gets stuck.
Massassagua Rattlesnakes are a protected species in Indiana. They are very rare. I try to keep a stick handy in case I run into a snake. I have smacked many with my fishing rod. Water snakes like to come up and scare the crap out of you. When I here a splash in the water I am always looking around. They are not venomous but rather creepy. I have seen several from the 3 to 5 foot range in the water just a yard or two in front of me.
As for spiders, the brown recluse has left some nasty bites. My sister lost some flesh the size of a half dollar on her foot due to the brown recluse. I had to bomb the house twice this year after finding 8 of them in the garage.
While stationed in Montana, members of my crew caught a Black Widow that tried to attack our cook. I have never seen a more aggressive spider. They had it in a glass and saucer. I put my finger next to the glass and it was trying to bite me through the glass. Scared me and I had a 6 inch pet rose haired tarantula at home...
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I was a kid fishing in a pond. The fishing was not to good, so I was pretty excited whe I finally got a bite, Imagine my surprise when I reeled in about a 3 ft. water snake. Didn't really scare me, just a surprise. Can't remember how I got it off anymore.
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I was a kid fishing in a pond. The fishing was not to good, so I was pretty excited whe I finally got a bite, Imagine my surprise when I reeled in about a 3 ft. water snake. Didn't really scare me, just a surprise. Can't remember how I got it off anymore.
For some reason, I envision the scene in the movie 'Funny Farm' where Chevy Chase catches the snake on his fishing line. ;D
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blackwolfe, we had the same thing happen a couple times when we were kids. Not being politcally correct in the 70's, one of us stood on the snake while the other one pulled REAL hard on the line. Even more mayhem arrises when snapping turtles decide to swallow your bait!
BIG THUMBS DOWN ON BROWN RECLUSE BITES! Years ago a friend of mine got bit on the thickest part of his right forearm. Almost half the thickness of his arm ROTTED OFF!!! He recovered partially. His arm was a F'd up looking after healing, but he kept partial use of it and his hand. Dr. told him if he'd gotten closer to his hand by a Recluse that size it would have lead to amputation. He got bit at night, and until going to the hospital the next morning all swelled up didnt even know what happened. Just felt a sting.
The missisauga rattler just "makes adult humans very ill". And their MUCH easier to avoid than a jumping spider the size of a nickel. My friend got bit while on duty, and was discharged as a "disabled veteran".
This happened overseas, dont know if the Recluses there are bigger or more poisonous.
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I'm not going to post pictures of them, but there are all kinds of pictures that show tissue desolved down to the bones on people and animals from Recluse bites. (just do a yahoo search)
Be afraid, be VERY afraid!
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Friend of mine was camping and fishing in the Big North Woods this last weekend and one of the guys stepped on one of these. It's been the third one they've seen in that area recently.
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Another reason why my guns are like an American Express Card... Never leave home without it:
Shot in Manor, TX
This bad boy measured 7 feet, 6 inches!!!!!!!!!
Police Chief Robert Snyder shot him this morning INSIDE a homeowner's nice yard in ShadowGlen, on the north side of 290. The lady had FOUR kids playing in the yard at the time!!!
Please be really careful to watch out for snakes. In this drought, they are coming in closer, looking for water. They just mentioned today that local ER's are noting a substantial rise in snakebite cases.
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt63/True-Texan/snake3a.jpg)
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Dayum :o :o
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That reptiles dinner looks to have a feline outline!
double Dayum!!!!
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I've got just about every posionous snake in NC around the house on the coast along with black bear and gators. Killed several copperheads in the backyard. I take this with me when woods roaming. M29 carried first two rounds shotshells then 4 rds 240 hard cast.
(http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/29_with_tanto_left_side.jpeg)
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I hate snakes i really do. I had a very close encounter with a diamondback a few years back thank god for the gp100.
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+1 on that looking an awful lot like a cat in its belly!
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That's why I wear jeans and cowboy boots in the woods and why there is ALWAYS a gun on my hip. ;D
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I kinda like snakes. They do seem to be getting a bad rap on here. The snakes are going to be where the food is, so unless you have a rodent problem they are probably going to steer clear of you. To kill a snake just because it's a snake is stupid. Are you afraid its going to chase you down and bite you? Are you going to kill one just because you're walking through its home and come across one?
Unless it's in your backyard and have kids or pets to worry about, I say let them be. Besides, an animal that can swallow a cat whole can't be all bad. ;D
Help control the pet population, feed your cat to a rattler. ;)
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I kinda like snakes. They do seem to be getting a bad rap on here. The snakes are going to be where the food is, so unless you have a rodent problem they are probably going to steer clear of you. To kill a snake just because it's a snake is stupid. Are you afraid its going to chase you down and bite you? Are you going to kill one just because you're walking through its home and come across one?
Unless it's in your backyard and have kids or pets to worry about, I say let them be. Besides, an animal that can swallow a cat whole can't be all bad. ;D
Help control the pet population, feed your cat to a rattler. ;)
I think that depends on the TYPE of snake, some are more agressive than others. But none of them can with out their head.
Yes