Debating taking a pistol with some rat shot to deal with potentially ill tempered snakes. Anyone else do this?
I carry a low brass bird shot for this scenario, in my vest
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I just carry a couple of regular lead light load shells in my bag.
Most of the time I just take a wider path around the snakes.
There's always a rock or stick around to whack it with. If I have to go looking very hard for something it probably doesn't pose much of a threat so I just keep hunting and go about my business.
No, snakes are not anything I concern myself about when hunting.
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I encounter very few venomous snakes here in Southern Illinois. If i do I just walk around them.
I'd just pick up a rock or stick.
If the situation was THAT tight or sticky, I'd not fret the cost of a turkey shell.
Just walk around it....
Am I the only one who has had to defend himself against an angry copperhead ?Usually give them a pass but situation dictates... Joe
Quote from: POKERFACE on March 01, 2026, 11:50:12 AMAm I the only one who has had to defend himself against an angry copperhead ?Usually give them a pass but situation dictates... Joe
Most likely. I prefer to go around them and haven't found them particularly ill tempered if left alone.
When I get to the point where I can't outrun a snake, I will consider the next option in dealing with them. Now, granted, I am slowing down a bit, but I figure I've still got a year or two left where I can somehow manage to get away from them.
I have been within "biting distance" of many poisonous snakes over the years. We have managed to negotiate a truce every time. I see no reason to change the terms this late in the game. Admittedly, though, if one of them decided to violate our agreement in leaving each other be, I would have to reconsider.
Quote from: davisd9 on March 01, 2026, 10:14:31 AMNo, snakes are not anything I concern myself about when hunting.
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This^^^^
Nothing like a good piece of hickory.
Nope. Me and the snakes have a deal.
Quote from: cracker4112 on March 01, 2026, 05:14:07 PMNope. Me and the snakes have a deal.
;D
Until you don't see one, once.
I'm SUPER fortunate to live where there are NO toothy snakes. A few miles away ?? Yeah. But, I could hunt my property in my bare feet except for rocks and thorns.
But, my "agreement" with the biters the OTHER places I hunt is this: I am hunting turkeys. Not looking for snakes who could ruin my day or life. If I see you..... I will eliminate you so I don't tramp on you tomorrow when I ain't paying attention.
I realize the bitey ones "generally" wanna avoid me. But, "generally" is not good enough for me. I know a couple guys who got bit while 100% minding their own business. It ain't a joke. I'm at the top of the food chain for a reason and I do what I can to STAY there. ;)
I use my feet followed up by some toilet paper.
I carry a pistol but not for snakes. Snakes I just walk around and leave them alone.
Cotton mouths. Various kinds of rattle snakes. Coral snakes. Copperheads. All of those I have to watch out for daily.
Nope, grab a stick and push em down in the mud or tap em behind the head if ya want. I hunted with a guy that carried a 410 contender that was so scared of em he woyldnt't step foot in the woods, he just hunts the roads. Was the most birds i've ever heard gobbling and he was too scared to get off the road. 🥴
Been around snakes all my life, not a concern. I do always carry though.
I might grab a stick and tease them a little but I don't kill snakes. Live and let live.
Most people get bitten because of trying to kill or mess with the snake. Enjoy their beauty, maybe snap a picture, and then move on!
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I walk around them
If I already have a shotgun in my hand I don't pack a pistol too. Turkey loads work just fine on them. I've encountered a few venomous ones that I wasn't looking for in my travels.
they're just as scared of you as you are of them
I never shoot snakes. I don't want to ruin the meat.
When I lived in Colorado there was one spot that I carried a 1911. While I did almost step on a rattlesnake once, it had more to do with the mountain lion tracks and the fresh steaming pile of bear poo that I found at the same spot.
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Quote from: Yoder409 on March 01, 2026, 11:06:35 AMIf the situation was THAT tight or sticky, I'd not fret the cost of a turkey shell.
Exactly!! :icon_thumright:
No, I don't carry a pistol. I do carry a small flask of whiskey in case of snake bite. Additionally I carry a small snake.
FC
I hunted this bird I think 15 days, small creek I had to cross everytime and a big cottom mouth was there every day, coming and going. Bird gobbled good every morning but he beat me everyday! The 14 day I walked out pissed, instead of walking around snake I killed him with my shotgun! Next morning I am back and bird doesn't gobble and I think I messed it up! I ease over hill And gobbler is out strutting in field with lone hen, I call a few times nothing! Not too long I see the hen coming and she almost steps over my boots and gobbler is right behind her, Kill him with two days left in the season!
Quote from: FullChoke on March 04, 2026, 03:36:01 PMNo, I don't carry a pistol. I do carry a small flask of whiskey in case of snake bite. Additionally I carry a small snake.
FC
:TooFunny:
shooting them ruins the meat
No, I usually carry a bird shot in my vest but wouldn't use it unless I had to.
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