Author Topic: The Dangerous Varmints (Read 3655 times)

Lawdog · « **on:** June 05, 2005, 10:59:23 AM »

What do you use to kill Rattlesnakes? I usually use pellet pistols around the house and .357 or .44 mags. loaded with CCI shot loads when out in the wilds. Lawdog

victorcharlie · « **Reply #1 on:** June 05, 2005, 11:17:20 AM »

I usually use a hoe...........

hardertr · « **Reply #2 on:** June 05, 2005, 11:23:17 AM »

Come on....BE A MAN! Grab 'em by the tail and crack 'em like a bullwhip.

My grandpa used to TALK about doing that... of course... he always came up with some excuse when it came time to demonstrate.

HouseofCash · « **Reply #3 on:** June 05, 2005, 01:08:26 PM »

Quote

.357 or .44 mags. loaded with CCI shot loads when out in the wilds. Lawdog

Thats what I use.

Dave.

myronman3 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 05, 2005, 03:35:45 PM »

rattlesnakes are a vital part of the natural balance of things. a delicate link in natures ecosystem. and amazing creatures as well.

that being said, i use whatever is handy.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #5 on:** June 05, 2005, 05:36:32 PM »

Quote from: myronman3

rattlesnakes are a vital part of the natural balance of things. a delicate link in natures ecosystem. and amazing creatures as well.

that being said, i use whatever is handy.

Pretty much my method too! I'll bust'em, smash'em, chop'em, stomp'em, shoot'em, and I've nearly wrecked several times trying hard to run'em over! LOL!

A timber rattler laid me up for a good while(nearly died) when I was in my late teens. I've also been tagged by a couple copperheads. The snake lovers can look down on me all they want, but let them take a dose of venom in the leg one time, and I garantee if they've got half a brain, they'll start killing poison snakes too!

HouseofCash · « **Reply #6 on:** June 05, 2005, 06:38:44 PM »

Quote

rattlesnakes are a vital part of the natural balance of things. a delicate link in natures ecosystem. and amazing creatures as well.

that being said, i use whatever is handy.

:-D :-D Im crying, that was funny man. :grin: :grin:

That is like tottaly something I would say.

Dave.

Eddie in Delta · « **Reply #7 on:** June 05, 2005, 07:09:03 PM »

I've used a .22, a machete, and a paintball gun. You start to understand why paintballs sting after you see a snake's skull laid open.

Eddie

Qaz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 06, 2005, 02:07:32 AM »

I got tagged on the ankle by a small copperhead last summer. It was not a pleasant experience, but I still do not kill snakes just to kill them. They do more good alive than dead.

SAWgunner · « **Reply #9 on:** June 06, 2005, 05:50:37 AM »

Usually beat 'em to death with a horse hair rope that I carry.

SAW

skb2706 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 06, 2005, 08:04:33 AM »

Had those close encounters three times last year. First time I used a .22 lr rifle which is a real PITA to hit a snake with when you are way to close. Next time out I used 22lr snake loads........... still required much closer contact than I like. But the sons 20 ga. and bird shot works from any distance at angle within reason......the current weapon of choice.

Lawdog · « **Reply #11 on:** June 06, 2005, 10:07:06 AM »

Quote from: Jerry Lester

A timber rattler laid me up for a good while(nearly died) when I was in my late teens. I've also been tagged by a couple copperheads. The snake lovers can look down on me all they want, but let them take a dose of venom in the leg one time, and I garantee if they've got half a brain, they'll start killing poison snakes too!

I was 13 when a Timber Rattler nailed me on the right hand(palm). An experience that stays with you. There are lots of other snakes to take up any slack left by a deceased "buzztail" so the ego system isnt going to suffer all that much. and YOUR RIGHT, let a snake lover take a dose of venom and most will change their minds real quick. Lawdog

poncaguy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2005, 02:07:29 PM »

If it is a posionous snake .......it will DIE!...............usually with a bullet from a 17 HMR up to a 45-70...................unless I'm bird hunting, then it's a 12 gauge... :?

cal sibley · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2005, 04:00:33 PM »

I hate to admit it, but a snake, any snake, will freeze me in place every time. I stepped on a copperhead in western Maryland one spring. It slithered out from under my foot and went into a nearby stream. I was shaking like a leaf for quite a while. I spend a lot of time hunting woodchuck and confronting a snake is always a possibility. I just try not to think about it. They seem to affect quite a few people this way, and I don't really know why. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

onesonek · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2005, 02:10:57 PM »

I don't live in poisonous snake country, even though there are some reports prairie rattler's in the area..But when in "snake country", the American Derringer Corp.'s 45-410 with a 3" #8 shot works well :wink:
Dave

james · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2005, 09:56:33 AM »

I can't say.... as the Game & Fish people here in AR say its agin the law to shoot snakes. Ya have to shootup, shovelup and shutup to keep from gettin snake bit. I think I'll mosey on down the road to about Montana to retire. The snakes there have to hibernate about 8 months of the year.
james

QuailKiller · « **Reply #16 on:** October 28, 2005, 06:21:58 PM »

My great grandpa killed one with a hammer once. I guarantee if he would have missed he would've been bitten. My great grandpa was a real man. Probably one of the toughfest men in all of Idaho at the time. :wink:

buzztail · « **Reply #17 on:** October 29, 2005, 02:33:06 AM »

Quote from: Lawdog

Quote from: Jerry Lester
A timber rattler laid me up for a good while(nearly died) when I was in my late teens. I've also been tagged by a couple copperheads. The snake lovers can look down on me all they want, but let them take a dose of venom in the leg one time, and I garantee if they've got half a brain, they'll start killing poison snakes too!

I was 13 when a Timber Rattler nailed me on the right hand(palm). An experience that stays with you. There are lots of other snakes to take up any slack left by a deceased "buzztail" so the ego system isnt going to suffer all that much. and YOUR RIGHT, let a snake lover take a dose of venom and most will change their minds real quick. Lawdog

...........buzztail?!?........deceased!?!?........oh my

I happen to breed several species of rattlesnakes. I release the native babies in the woods around here to "counteract" this kind of mentality. I mean no offence, kill em if you will, but I'm goin to try my best to keep them around

another photo of a south american eyelash viper

Lawdog · « **Reply #18 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:12:51 AM »

Quote from: buzztail

Quote from: Lawdog
Quote from: Jerry Lester
A timber rattler laid me up for a good while(nearly died) when I was in my late teens. I've also been tagged by a couple copperheads. The snake lovers can look down on me all they want, but let them take a dose of venom in the leg one time, and I garantee if they've got half a brain, they'll start killing poison snakes too!

I was 13 when a Timber Rattler nailed me on the right hand(palm). An experience that stays with you. There are lots of other snakes to take up any slack left by a deceased "buzztail" so the ego system isnt going to suffer all that much. and YOUR RIGHT, let a snake lover take a dose of venom and most will change their minds real quick. Lawdog

...........buzztail?!?........deceased!?!?........oh my

I happen to breed several species of rattlesnakes. I release the native babies in the woods around here to "counteract" this kind of mentality. I mean no offence, kill em if you will, but I'm goin to try my best to keep them around

And you have a license to raise and release these dangerous animals back into the woods? If not I do sincerely pray you get caught doing so(the penalty for doing such is a felony and carries a 5 to 10 year sentence) before someone gets bitten/killed because of your actions. Lawdog

buzztail · « **Reply #19 on:** October 29, 2005, 10:25:37 AM »

I am licensed to keep, and breed venomous reptiles.
99% of the people that are bitten in the wild are bitten because they were messing with an animal they should not have been messing with. 99% of the venomous reptiles that are killed in he wild are killed simply because they are there.
I also live on the water, so I have relocated several local cottonmouths from my neighbors yards to areas that are not easily accessible.
It's not as if I take a snake from my yard and release it at the local boatramp, or on a trail.
some reading if you'd like http://www.venomousreptiles.org/

Lawdog · « **Reply #20 on:** October 29, 2005, 11:56:50 AM »

buzztail,

When I got bit by that rattler, I wasn't messing with it. I didn't know it was anywhere around. I was hunting with some friends and was in the process of climbing a steep section on the side of a hill when I reached up to grab onto a rock that was jutting out. Never even touched the rock but got a palm full of fangs instead. What I went thru is as vivid now as if it happened yesterday. Snake lovers and handlers will try and tell people that snakes are harmless if let alone. Dont you bet your life on it. I know of two people that can dispute that statement. One was sitting on the bank of a creek trout fishing when a rattler crawled up and bit him on the back and the other was bit in his yard sitting at his picnic table reading a newspaper. There was no snake there when he sat down so it had to have crawled up and bit him. If you like rattlesnakes then you live with them but as for me and my family, every rattlesnake we come across is going to end up with its hide tacked to the barn wall. Lawdog

buzztail · « **Reply #21 on:** October 29, 2005, 12:17:11 PM »

Then I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. We share the same views on many topics -I am something of a Weatherby fan myself.
No hard feelings....
Shaun

victorcharlie · « **Reply #22 on:** October 29, 2005, 01:18:19 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

buzztail,

. If you like rattlesnakes then you live with them but as for me and my family, every rattlesnake we come across is going to end up with its hide tacked to the barn wall. Lawdog

One only has to read the first chapter of Genisus to understand it.........I agree with you on this one Lawdog...........Snakes and Communist........better dead than red...........

ChiefAutoParts · « **Reply #23 on:** October 29, 2005, 01:47:54 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

What do you use to kill Rattlesnakes? I usually use pellet pistols around the house and .357 or .44 mags. loaded with CCI shot loads when out in the wilds. Lawdog

My dad would just sit back and call in an airstrike! :-D In reality though, it would be killed with whatever was handy. I don't go looking for snakes, and good thing for them, because they'd end up dead.

Sourdough · « **Reply #24 on:** December 12, 2005, 08:52:03 PM »

We don't have snakes here in Alaska. I like that. Good reason to live here.

While I was living in Turkey, I had just moved from Arizonia, so I had a pair of boots that were snake proof. One day I was going over to see a friend at the soccer fields. As I crossed an overgrowen area of ditch near the road I saw several snakes. I stepped on one and reached down and picked it up. It was a very pretty little snake, so I took it over to the crowd at the soccer field to ask them what kind it was. As I neared the area, several of the
Turks saw what I was carrying and started running. None of them would let me near them. They were screaming that I had an Asp, very dangerous, It would kill me, so I took it back and tossed it into the ditch.

DirtyDan · « **Reply #25 on:** December 18, 2005, 08:03:26 AM »

Guys- I grew up in snake country. Not Rattlers- copperheads and cottonmouths. The cottonmouths have attitude. They are aggressive and will pursue you. My dad used to say I would never get snake bit 'cuase I looked at the ground everywhere I went, but would get kicked in the head from walking up behind a horse. Neither has happened yet.

I worked for the USFS in the Gila Wilderness back in '77. Lots of rattlers. When I found one in the trail or where is was working, I would just take a stick and flip him out of the way. Get back on my horse (he refused to go around them) and proceed on my way.

The rule now is: if they are in the yard, they are dead; in the woods, I just walk around 'em. Don't want to make a fuss and noise, 'cause I hunting mostof the time. Even if I wasn't, I wouldn't bother. The bottom line - we'd be covered up in rodents if we didn't have snakes. I have the same innate fear as most humans, but I know the destruction rats & mice cause. I see both sides, but killin' em in the wild, just doesn't make much sense to me. Owls & hawks get more than you ever could and you might be depriving some baby redtail of supper. DD

Lawdog · « **Reply #26 on:** December 18, 2005, 09:42:46 AM »

DirtyDan,

Quote

The bottom line - we'd be covered up in rodents if we didn't have snakes.

Sorry but you don't need rattlesnakes to control rodents. Ive seen to many King, Bull, and Gopher snakes eat mice/rats and they do it without poison, to ever believe that a rattle snakes have a use. Lawdog

DirtyDan · « **Reply #27 on:** December 18, 2005, 10:05:21 AM »

Lawdog- everything has a purpose. We might not ever be able to discern what it is, (red bugs, skeeters, fireants) but it does. DD

bladerunner · « **Reply #28 on:** December 21, 2005, 08:39:55 PM »

I was walking in the woods deer hunting several years ago when I felt something "tap" the side of my hunting boot....it was a baby rattlesnake,about 6 -8 inches long....I found a stick about as big as my wrist and as long as my leg and beat him so hard and so long that when I left,he was pretty much laying in a DITCH :-D

MOST of the time I don't mess with rattlers,they are usually not aggressive like copperheads and moccasins are......those I kill with extreme predjudice.....Including ALL water snakes just because most are aggressive and most look like cottonmmouths at a glance (like when you "glance" dow at your feet at the snake laying there that was hiding under the canoe you are pushing into the water)even though most water snakes are "harmless" they can make you bang yourself up pretty good under the wrong conditions

for the record,I don't kill other snakes,I actually like king snakes

NONYA · « **Reply #29 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:01:04 PM »

I kill every rattler I can find,even make a few snake hunting trips every summer,my buddy owns a ranch that is overun with em,square butte MT.I worked there one summer during highschool i killed up to a dozen a day.What kind of kook would raise rattlers and release them into public land?I hope you get bit,how would you feel if one of your pets bit a child?Around these parts they are a hazard to people and our pets,stock,everyone i know will go out of thier way to kill em,my favorite method is a semi auto 12 guage but i also have a snake stick to use when i want to save some hides.