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Copperheads

Started by Old Timer, April 05, 2023, 05:22:44 PM

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Chuck1443

The worst part is not seeing where you are stepping moving in the dark


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NCSWAMPFOX

plenty of copperheads on high ground and plenty mocassins in low grounds where our farms are roanoke and meherin rivers in north east N.C.
both are common and best be paying attention when entering swamps in those areas. 

ruffbritt4

Just the thread I needed to read before heading south after work today..

Good luck this weekend and be safe everyone.

Notsoyoungturk

The problem is almost nobody is ever bitten by the snake they see.  In the US, we have about 5000 VENOMOUS snake bites reported every year.  Most bites are to the lower extremity.  Your odds are pretty good of never being bitten if you divide that by the number of hunters, hikers, etc.  that go out into nature every day by the total number of bites.  However, having taken care of a few snake bites, I will never go into the woods without my snake boots.  If you are extremely lucky, you will be among the 25% with dry bites (bitten but no venom).  If you are not, the limb will usually develop horrible, painful swelling and hemorrhagic blisters.  With severe envenomations, the toxin can then spread into your system and potentially cause nausea, vomiting, heart racing, low blood pressure, dizziness, muscle spasms, bleeding and altered mental status.  Fortunately, snake bites are much less frequent than ticks but they can sure ruin a good time and put an end to your turkey season.  In the long run, you are going to be wearing boots anyway.  Snake boots are good insurance and not that uncomfortable.    Just my thoughts.
A hunt based on trophies taken falls far short of what the ultimate goal should be - Fred Bear

roberthyman14

Quote from: RiverRoost on April 06, 2023, 12:18:13 AM
Quote from: roberthyman14 on April 05, 2023, 09:36:23 PM
I wear snake boots everytime I'm in the woods. Plenty of rattlesnakes and moccasins

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With you 100% on this. I'm in Ms delta where everything is poisonous, even the mosquitos bite so hard you think they are. I never go in the woods without rocky snake boots on. When I have them on my mind is at ease, the rare time I wear regular rubber boots except for the dead of winter I'm worried to death about a snake, mostly cottonmouths.
I got lacrosse rubber snake boots.   Definitely eases the mind.  I stepped right over a coach whip the other day.  Wasn't even looking at the ground.

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aclawrence

I wear gaiters so I'm not to worried about stepping on a snake now but I do worry sometimes about sitting down against the tree in the dark and getting bit on the hands. I usually try to shine my red light around.


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Gobbler428

I have always worn snake boots anytime I go in the woods and I always will. We have many types of venomous snakes in South Carolina where I hunt and I worry about sitting down on or near one. Always look before you sit down and keep an eye out around you while your sitting there. Like has been said before, it's the ones you don't see that bite you.



bbcoach

Snake boots are good to have when walking but how many of you check where you set down especially when it's dark first thing in the morning?  Makes you STOP and think doesn't it?

Marc

Quote from: aclawrence on April 06, 2023, 02:46:48 PM
I wear gaiters so I'm not to worried about stepping on a snake now but I do worry sometimes about sitting down against the tree in the dark and getting bit on the hands. I usually try to shine my red light around.

I have rattlesnakes here in California...    Unless it is a real warm spring, it is probably too cold pre-sunrise for snakes to be moving around much.  But I do use a stick (or somthing) to move the grass around where  I will be sitting to make sure I do not sit on a sleeping snake.

I feel I am far more likely to get bit running & gunning...  Pre-occupied with a gobbling bird, and trying to sit down fast...
Did I do that?

Fly fishermen are born honest, but they get over it.

Prohunter3509

Missed a cottonmouth by about 6" this a.m. hunt  in Mississippi  but I trust my Russell's. Lol
Still scared the hell out of me lol

Yoder409

There are no toothy snakes where I live and do 99% of all my in-state hunting.  But in the PA mountains and other staes where I've hunted ..... different story.

I wear my VaprTrek snake boots even on my home turf because I love the ankle support.

I've never been hit.  But I know a couple who've been hit by copperheads and I know I don't wanna be.  Few years back.....a guy got hit by a PA rattler and didn't make it.  I'll take every reasonable precaution to make that not be me.
PA elitist since 1979

The good Lord ain't made a gobbler I can't kill.  I just gotta be there at the right time.....  on the day he wants to die.

aclawrence

Quote from: Marc on April 06, 2023, 04:41:25 PM
Quote from: aclawrence on April 06, 2023, 02:46:48 PM
I wear gaiters so I'm not to worried about stepping on a snake now but I do worry sometimes about sitting down against the tree in the dark and getting bit on the hands. I usually try to shine my red light around.

I have rattlesnakes here in California...    Unless it is a real warm spring, it is probably too cold pre-sunrise for snakes to be moving around much.  But I do use a stick (or somthing) to move the grass around where  I will be sitting to make sure I do not sit on a sleeping snake.

I feel I am far more likely to get bit running & gunning...  Pre-occupied with a gobbling bird, and trying to sit down fast...
I've stepped over or almost stepped over two timber rattlers. Thankfully it was cold both times and they never even moved. If it had been warmer maybe they would have given me a warning. It gives your heart a good jump!


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Sir-diealot

There are copperhead snakes in New York in the Capital district in the Adirondacks and one other region I don't recall.

We also have rattlesnakes but they are far and few between. I remember when I was a teenager in the 80s we found a baby diamondback rattlesnake in the neighbor's garage and that was a pretty big deal there. DEC agent came and got it and looked for a nest/the parents but never did find it. I know of a few errors of rattlesnake around here too now. I've heard tell of cottonmouth, but never heard of any real evidence of it.

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Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. Arnold Schwarzenegger

John Koenig:
"It's better to live as your own man, than as a fool in someone else's dream."