Close encounter with a rattlesnake
Jun 1st 2010, 6:26 pm
#1
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Location: Quebec, Canada
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Close encounter with a rattlesnake
We just returned from having spent memorial day weekend at my trailer in upstate New York. It's a semi permanent campsite, we set up the trailer for the season in spring and close it up in the fall, and we have been going there for about 25 years now. But I digress.
Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.
So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.
Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.
Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.
So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.
Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.
Jun 1st 2010, 6:49 pm
#2
Catahoula Lover!!!
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Seattle - WA
Posts: 924
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
ugggggg shuddddddddddddddddddddddderrrrrrr!!!
Pleased your wife was looking out for you
Pleased your wife was looking out for you
Jun 1st 2010, 7:10 pm
#3
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
Shudder!
I ran a rattle snake over the other day, it was crossing the road. Must have been about 4 feet long.
We usually chop the head off and bury it, stops the meat bees eating it and passing on the venom so I was told. We have a lot snakes and bees around here
I ran a rattle snake over the other day, it was crossing the road. Must have been about 4 feet long.
We usually chop the head off and bury it, stops the meat bees eating it and passing on the venom so I was told. We have a lot snakes and bees around here
Jun 1st 2010, 7:21 pm
#4
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 5,686
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
How the hell do you get close enough to chop its head off without being in striking distance?
And what do you use? A spade? Machete?
If you or your husband have ever done this, you must need a wheelbarrow to lug those brass ones around in.
In a snake situation, I'd be wanting a 12 gauge 00 buckshot. Gives you a bit of distance too.
And what do you use? A spade? Machete?
If you or your husband have ever done this, you must need a wheelbarrow to lug those brass ones around in.
In a snake situation, I'd be wanting a 12 gauge 00 buckshot. Gives you a bit of distance too.
Jun 1st 2010, 7:57 pm
#7
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Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Toasty in Texas
Posts: 4,240
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
Found a 3 foot rattler dead in our pool a couple of weeks ago
Jun 1st 2010, 8:01 pm
#8
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,023
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
We just returned from having spent memorial day weekend at my trailer in upstate New York. It's a semi permanent campsite, we set up the trailer for the season in spring and close it up in the fall, and we have been going there for about 25 years now. But I digress.
Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.
So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.
Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.
Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.
So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.
Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.
Last edited by Jerseygirl; Jun 1st 2010 at 8:03 pm.
Jun 1st 2010, 8:10 pm
#9
Ginger Monkey
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Cheeseland, WI
Posts: 2,772
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
Glad you weren't bitten!
Jun 1st 2010, 8:18 pm
#10
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Jun 1st 2010, 8:18 pm
#11
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Jun 1st 2010, 9:10 pm
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2008
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 615
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
Last week when I was in the back yard cutting the lawn, I stopped for a quick rest and sat on one of our outdoor chairs. A bit later I saw a spider web and some egg sacs underneath the chair. Upon investigating, I saw that the web was home to a black widow and 6 egg sacs
Jun 1st 2010, 9:34 pm
#13
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Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
I hope ABY figures out how WIFI works soon, he'd be right at home in this thread.
Jun 1st 2010, 9:54 pm
#14
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Posts: 38,860
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
We just returned from having spent memorial day weekend at my trailer in upstate New York. It's a semi permanent campsite, we set up the trailer for the season in spring and close it up in the fall, and we have been going there for about 25 years now. But I digress.
Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.
So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.
Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.
Anyway, I was standing right next to my woodpile, when my wife yells: "There is a snake in the wood!!" I turned around expecting a little garter snake or something, which are very common on the campsite. Instead I see a 3-4 foot grayish brown rattlesnake slithering across the top of the woodpile. It was within striking distance of me, but was not coiled up. Don't know what kind it was, but the rattles on the tail was clearly visible. I was not about to remain close for a more thorough investigation, though. These things can kill you if a bite is not swiftly treated.
So, I got the heck away from the woodpile, and grabbed a shovel for protection while watching which direction the thing decided to go. The campsite owner's son happened to be on my site at the time, also. Since the snake had not registered when entering the campsite as all guests are required to do, it was considered EWI - and he performed an expedited removal. I am not sure what kind of ban the snake ended up with, but at any rate this was one time I was happy to see quick removal proceedings with no appeals available. It was a little too close to comfort. It's the first time in 25 years I have seen a rattler in the campsite, so I hope there isn't a qualifying relative for a waiver. Good riddance, I say.
Did a little searching on the Internet afterwards, and found out that it most likely was a Timber rattler, as they apparently are common in New York state.
Jun 1st 2010, 10:28 pm
#15
The Kwisatz Haderach
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: North Wales
Posts: 8,080
Re: Close encounter with a rattlesnake
Last week when I was in the back yard cutting the lawn, I stopped for a quick rest and sat on one of our outdoor chairs. A bit later I saw a spider web and some egg sacs underneath the chair. Upon investigating, I saw that the web was home to a black widow and 6 egg sacs
Good job she didn't bite your bum.