| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 04/11/17 11:03 PM |
Rattlesnakes
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avtZJKydB-E
Be careful around brushy draws and ravines guys!
| Wayne59 |
| (.400 member) |
| 04/11/17 11:27 PM |
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That would be a bad place to step in accidentally.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 04/11/17 11:30 PM |
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Somebody found himself a den
| 93x64mm |
| (.416 member) |
| 05/11/17 07:30 AM |
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Never seen so many snakes in one spot before!
Mating season?
| DoubleD |
| (.400 member) |
| 05/11/17 01:14 PM |
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Fall den up perhaps. The den up in the winter.
When I was a kid my friends father found one of these snake dens, first time I ever knew there were rattle snakes around-first rattlesnakes I have ever seen. They ran some hogs up to the den and that was the end of the snakes. The hogs went berserk killing and eating them. I never saw a snake strike once. It was fairly cool and the snakes were quite lethargic. Can't remember if it was spring a or fall.
| Homer |
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| 05/11/17 06:36 PM |
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G'Day Fella's,
Wow, and thank you for sharing McKinney!
Nice of these snakes, to give you a warning that their there.
The one's down here, just scare the shit out of you, when you almost step on them or they just bite you!
Doh!
Homer
NitroX
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| 05/11/17 10:40 PM |
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Looks like some dreams and nightmares I have had. No matter where you step, there are snakes everywhere!!!
And not these kindly baby rattle snakes
, joking. But from now on, need to start cutting the grass. Otherwise too hard to walk across paddocks or to the other side of my property through the high grass ... one CAN make lots of thumping noise with your feet and with a walking staff/stick, but if hunting bunnies or hares, you can't do that.
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NitroX
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| 05/11/17 10:45 PM |
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Ha ha watched it to the end. The gopro got knocked off. Ha ha. How long is his hockey stick?
A brown snake cn strike to two thirds of its length. A long handled shovel is needed to deal with a snake safely. Or a shotgun.
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 06/11/17 01:26 AM |
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I wouldn't want to run across this on a bird hunt with dogs. Haven't ever encountered a snake while out hunting with a dog so don't know how a dog would behave, but I imagine a bite on the snout would be fatal. Perhaps a hunting dog would smell the snakes and not get too close?
This was filmed in Montana and the weather was apparently pretty warm - maybe April or May? The girl near the end of the video is wearing shorts.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 06/11/17 03:19 AM |
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Quote:
Never seen so many snakes in one spot before!
Mating season?
Several years ago while pheasant hunting in N central Montana we come across a den like this..they were in a side hill area..we backed up the truck to the area..opened the tailgate and stood in back shooting them with our shotguns..shot dozens and dozens..it is/was quite a sight to see actually...
Ripp
| Wayne59 |
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| 06/11/17 01:38 PM |
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Stepped on one once while changing irrigation pipe when I was a kid.Good thing it was muddy and I had rubber boots on. Buried it's head in the mud.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 06/11/17 02:22 PM |
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We used to see water moccasins back in Ontario when I was a kid. I've never seen a rattler here in BC, although we are supposed to have some - in the middle of the Province.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 06/11/17 08:34 PM |
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But why do they group together in such a large number? There must be some biological reason?
Hatching from a den's eggs and growing largely in one spot? Doesn't sound logical.
Grouping together for a mass snake orgy? Sounds far more likely.
I really hate snakes. Scare me probably more than anything. Maybe spiders do as well. Especially in my hair or down the back of one's neck.
I would freak if I came across a mass of snakes like that.
The closest I have seen was an old concrete and stone water tank we had underground on a property we used to have in the scrubby land across the ranges in the rain shadow dry lands between the ranges and the Murray River East of here. The water tank was designed to catch run off water and fill and store water from winter or other rains. The inlets were at or below ground level and snakes in hot weather would seek shade and coolness in the large inlets, and slip and fall into the dry tank. Usually all brown snakes. I reckon maybe up to six or so down in there. Us kids used to throw rocks at the horrible creatures.
I think our snakes are much more solitary. I wonder if the purpose of the rattle on the rattle snake is not to warn other creatures but instead to hear, locate and bring together rattle snakes for mating purposes. Or whatever other purpose these groups share/
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 06/11/17 08:40 PM |
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Actually that arid property was fun stuff for young kids. Next to the sheep shearing shed was an old settlers stone and mud cottage. It had really low ceilings, and still largely in place, made of sail cloth. Often damaged and hanging down and very dusty. The cottage was next to the sheep yards and the sheep had access to it, probably to be kept dry in during shearing if it was rainy weather.
We used to hunt snakes in it. Behind sheets of iron against its wall and other debris. Always worried if one fell out of the ceiling where they might also be. The snakes used to hunt mice and rats in the cottage, and in and about the shearing shed. Sometimes we used to find brown snakes in the shearing shed as well.
"Aaaaaaaahhhhh Snake!" Jump!
Probably was aged from 3 to 8 or 10 at the time.
My father and uncle sold that property when they were retiring. Another of my grandfather's properties sold off. I miss that "outback" property. Something different to home. A biut of the outback only a 45 minutes or hour drive away.
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 07/11/17 01:12 AM |
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I think the biological reason for massing together is to raise body temperature since they're cold blooded. Maybe this group was just emerging after the winter, or getting out of a cold wind. I've never run across anything like a mass of snakes like that and hope not to! I'm now thinking a warm night in a Whelen lean-to is not a good idea!
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 07/11/17 01:29 AM |
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Quote:
I think the biological reason for massing together is to raise body temperature since they're cold blooded. Maybe this group was just emerging after the winter, or getting out of a cold wind. I've never run across anything like a mass of snakes like that and hope not to! I'm now thinking a warm night in a Whelen lean-to is not a good idea!
CONGRATULATIONS.... YOU are today's winner on snake biology ..
Rattlesnakes often congregate in caves, on ledges of large rock formations, or even in rock crevices to hibernate. They spend the winters in groups because the combined body heat makes for a warmer den.
Have run into them out bow hunting quite often..especially in eastern Montana...went running after a pronghorn one morning trying to head him off, jumped over some sagebrush..as soon as my feet hit I heard the all to familiar sound similar to bacon on a hot pan..spun around, there he was all coiled up..thankfully it was a cool morning so he was not moving very fast.. I tapped him on the head with one of my arrows..that got him pretty fired up.. needless to say he is no longer with us..
Ripp
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 07/11/17 02:22 AM |
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You guys must have more rattlers in MT than we do in TX. I have never seen a rattler in the wild anywhere in the state. But we have the Sweetwater, TX "rattlesnake roundup" and others so there must be no shortage of them. I think central Texas and the hill country must be where they are. Then again the state is way overpopulated (with people) compared to Montana and only getting worse.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 07/11/17 03:19 AM |
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Quote:
You guys must have more rattlers in MT than we do in TX. I have never seen a rattler in the wild anywhere in the state. But we have the Sweetwater, TX "rattlesnake roundup" and others so there must be no shortage of them. I think central Texas and the hill country must be where they are. Then again the state is way overpopulated (with people) compared to Montana and only getting worse.
I was in an area 7 years ago hunting big horn sheep..area called "the breaks" ..bad lands type area...in my total of 10 days being in that area I ran into a rattler at least 4 times...there are thick up there..:) they like the sage brush lower elevation areas most it seems..the area where I bow hunt for elk is at 6700ft --I have hunted there for 25+ years..have never seen one up there however if you drive down the road from there about 5-6 miles..you will find them often...
Same where I live..we are at around 4800-5000 ft--no rattlers..yet, got 6-8 miles west and you will find them...
S&W 44 with shot shells work very well on them...as does a spade..cut the head off and bury it or they will BITE you try to pick it up after you cut it off...
Ripp
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 07/11/17 05:23 AM |
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In NA and the colder areas, all snakes ball up for the winter. Garter snakes also do it. We have a pit beside one of the hydro poles in the yard at the gun range.
Every winter, it is full- about a 2 1/2foot diameter ball of garter snakes. I know for a fact, this has happened every winter in the same place, since 1979 - as with the video of the rattlers, the garter snakes are all sizes, all ages.
| SharpsNitro |
| (.375 member) |
| 07/11/17 03:08 PM |
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Thanks a lot mckinney.
Now I’m going to have to go over the property I just bought in Arizona with a fine toothed come to make sure I don’t have any “surprises” waiting for me when I move in at the end of the month. 
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/11/17 01:40 AM |
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SharpsNitro, It was property shopping (online) for a small bird hunting place just south of the Texas panhandle that got me looking into rattlesnakes. The rolling plains just southeast of the panhandle are 2500-3000 ft elevation, so not encouraged by Ripp's comments on elevation.
In Arizona you'll probably have the Mojave rattlers, nastiest of the lot in terms of venom. I think with reasonable precautions one can eliminate most of the danger. Leather boots, chaps, exercise caution on warm nights etc. I worry about reaching down to pick up quail under sagebrush, but never had a problem yet.
| oldhoward |
| (.224 member) |
| 08/11/17 02:50 AM |
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Hi, there is a camp in Oklahoma the local school send the 5 grade to every year. Across the road from the camp is a rattle snake den. On warm day there are close to 100 snake out on the rocks. There are probably many more but I would not let the children go near the snakes.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 08/11/17 02:51 AM |
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Quote:
SharpsNitro, It was property shopping (online) for a small bird hunting place just south of the Texas panhandle that got me looking into rattlesnakes. The rolling plains just southeast of the panhandle are 2500-3000 ft elevation, so not encouraged by Ripp's comments on elevation.
In Arizona you'll probably have the Mojave rattlers, nastiest of the lot in terms of venom. I think with reasonable precautions one can eliminate most of the danger. Leather boots, chaps, exercise caution on warm nights etc. I worry about reaching down to pick up quail under sagebrush, but never had a problem yet.
When I am hunting birds in snake country and its hot out, I usually give it a little kick first with my foot to make sure a "helper" is not near by before bending over to pick it up..
Precautions are good..picking up a sheet of plywood so the far side comes up first, away from your body, is another good one..did the near side once and had a very nasty surprise.... he also is no longer with us, but scared the hell out of me ..
Ripp
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 08/11/17 03:19 AM |
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I think with reasonable precautions one can eliminate most of the danger. Leather boots, chaps, exercise caution on warm nights etc.
I guess when I sometimes hunt in highish grass down here barefoot and wearing shorts in summer, that might be a bit of a problem.
| ducmarc |
| (.400 member) |
| 08/11/17 11:34 AM |
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moccasins in canada ? must be transplants from fla.shotgun barrel is what i us to prod around birds if one is spotted pull.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 08/11/17 12:10 PM |
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Quote:Quote:
I think with reasonable precautions one can eliminate most of the danger. Leather boots, chaps, exercise caution on warm nights etc.
I guess when I sometimes hunt in highish grass down here barefoot and wearing shorts in summer, that might be a bit of a problem.
YOU wouldn't walk barefoot around here much...cactus of one sort or another can be abit of an issue in most areas..
Ripp
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 08/11/17 12:47 PM |
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Speaking of snakes..
Check out the story on this Australian snake handler...Not good..
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/11/0...iest-snake.html
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 28/11/17 01:48 AM |
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check out this bad boy..allegedly shot in a duck blind this week in Midway, GA. Poked his head in the blind and the guy shot it. 9'6" inches long with 22 rattles and 2.5 inch fangs.
226462_570298769661671_685999447_n by A Hoffart, on Flickr
| mckinney |
| (.400 member) |
| 28/11/17 02:47 AM |
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That has to be a record if such records are kept! I would not want to encounter that.
Has there been any update on the guy in Australia bitten by the inland taipan?
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 28/11/17 07:16 AM |
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THAT is a huge diamond-back rattler, wow!
| ruffcountry |
| (.300 member) |
| 29/11/17 03:14 PM |
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he is holding it on a stick toward the camera . it does have a good many rattles .
| eagle27 |
| (.400 member) |
| 29/11/17 04:00 PM |
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Bloody hell if that thing had poked it's head in my duck blind I don't think there would be much left to hold up like that for a photo or for that matter much left of my blind. My semi holds five but I'm sure I could've managed at least two more recharges to stuff that critter for good.
NZ is sometimes referred to as God's own country, one thing he ensured was that the bloody serpent in the garden of Eden wasn't exported to our shores. I don't know how you guys live and hunt around those ghastly things.
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 29/11/17 05:08 PM |
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Quote:
he is holding it on a stick toward the camera . it does have a good many rattles .
Yes he is, but - he's just a little bugger. If I was holding that, it would look a bit smaller, fat old recluse that I am.
The bulk of that body back near the tail is VERY impressive.
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NitroX
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| (.700 member) |
| 30/11/17 12:18 AM |
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Speaking of snakes..
Check out the story on this Australian snake handler...Not good..
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/11/0...iest-snake.html
Play with snakes ... get bitten ...
Had workers in the vineyard yesterday. Doing stuff in one vineyard. They were going to finish there and work elsewhere. I did have too high grass and had cut it down in the target area, so went and cut it down in the next area. They had mentioned snakes. And yep, spotted at least one brown snake in the next area from the tractor. Which is quite hard. Hopefully I ran over it with the mower but unlikely. They move away from vibration and a big heavy tractor with a mower makes a LOT of vibration. I find a lot or people especially on social media saying "I like snakes" etc. Almost always urbanites.
And yep all these "handlers" making their little films and handling deadly snakes. Eventually get bitten. Handling snakes for extracting venom for anti venom is a worthwhile thing. Playing with them to make youtube videos as an "expert" is just dickhead stuff.
| Ripp |
| (.577 member) |
| 02/12/17 01:27 AM |
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Quote:Quote:
Speaking of snakes..
Check out the story on this Australian snake handler...Not good..
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/11/0...iest-snake.html
Play with snakes ... get bitten ...
Had workers in the vineyard yesterday. Doing stuff in one vineyard. They were going to finish there and work elsewhere. I did have too high grass and had cut it down in the target area, so went and cut it down in the next area. They had mentioned snakes. And yep, spotted at least one brown snake in the next area from the tractor. Which is quite hard. Hopefully I ran over it with the mower but unlikely. They move away from vibration and a big heavy tractor with a mower makes a LOT of vibration. I find a lot or people especially on social media saying "I like snakes" etc. Almost always urbanites.
And yep all these "handlers" making their little films and handling deadly snakes. Eventually get bitten. Handling snakes for extracting venom for anti venom is a worthwhile thing. Playing with them to make youtube videos as an "expert" is just dickhead stuff.
Commonly referred to as "gene pool cleansing"...