Anyone hunt Rattlesnake?
- Thread starter hoytinak
- Start date
FrontSight
New member
grymster2007: Do you mean they are not quick when it's cold out, or always? Cause I've seen them on tv covering groud very, very quickly, and they strike at about 100mph...
grymster2007
New member
It was hot out when I had to rile up that rattler. I would guess it was 3 1/2 - 4 feet long and pretty thick. It tried to strike me, but it never tried advancing. I don't think they can strike more than about a third of their body length and that seemed to be the case. I've never seen on TV or elsewhere, a rattler that could cover ground at more than a couple mph.
100mph strike speed? That'd be nearly 150fps... I'm very skeptical! I doubt they could do more than 1/10 that.
Mr. Snake Charmer - bring on the Cobras!
I don't know enuff to say FACT at 150fps... But I can tell you I won't goof with one with a device shorter than more than their length. I have MANY times had them strike and rebound faster than you can see.
I also know the first several strikes are merely warning lunges... The ones that count are with mouth wide agape and the 1/3rd is a minimum assumption... I have seen a four footer with only under one foot still on the ground. Needless to say inertia was a force in action. These are a very strong animal and to think a measly stick on the neck is gonna pin one for long is VERY OPTIMISTIC!
They feel as strong as a mad tomcat when trying to pin one to graps his neck to sack him up.
As for concealment... a coiled pygmy rattler is one of the hardest critters to spot!
Brent
I also know the first several strikes are merely warning lunges... The ones that count are with mouth wide agape and the 1/3rd is a minimum assumption... I have seen a four footer with only under one foot still on the ground. Needless to say inertia was a force in action. These are a very strong animal and to think a measly stick on the neck is gonna pin one for long is VERY OPTIMISTIC!
They feel as strong as a mad tomcat when trying to pin one to graps his neck to sack him up.
As for concealment... a coiled pygmy rattler is one of the hardest critters to spot!
Brent
grymster2007
New member
When Mrs. Grymster tells me to rile up a rattlesnake, fear is not an option.
The rattlers around Goldendale would be the common Western Rattlesnake not a Diamondback.
Snakes go to a common den during hibernation and during mating iirc.
I don't like snakes, except for the eating part, even the various non-poisonous ones here in Western Washington give me the willys. Luckily for me the rattlers stay on the other side of the mountains.
Snakes go to a common den during hibernation and during mating iirc.
I don't like snakes, except for the eating part, even the various non-poisonous ones here in Western Washington give me the willys. Luckily for me the rattlers stay on the other side of the mountains.
A snake that is striking forward is not going to be able to strike much more than a third of its length (motion of the head from start to farthest extension). If you get one stretched out that turns and comes back along its length then it can "strike" farther.
Messing around with poisonous snakes isn't a good idea, even experts get bitten. I've been around snakes all my life--when it comes to the dangerous ones I either kill them or leave them entirely alone.
We have plenty around here.
I also know folks who never see them.
There is a hiking trail nearby.Walking on a summer evening,I can expect buzzing on the edge of the trail.They are waiting for a bunny or something.Mountain bikers whiz by unaware.
Prairie dog towns often have them.
Unless they are in a place where they pose a danger,I leave them alone.They belong.
And,realize the medical problems can be very severe.A bite on the hand might mean having your arm opened up to the armpit,and all your muscle sheaths sliced open so your arm looks like something in a meat market.
I also know folks who never see them.
There is a hiking trail nearby.Walking on a summer evening,I can expect buzzing on the edge of the trail.They are waiting for a bunny or something.Mountain bikers whiz by unaware.
Prairie dog towns often have them.
Unless they are in a place where they pose a danger,I leave them alone.They belong.
And,realize the medical problems can be very severe.A bite on the hand might mean having your arm opened up to the armpit,and all your muscle sheaths sliced open so your arm looks like something in a meat market.
Chuck Acorn
Inactive
Timber Rattler
Hello,
I'm a newbie here and just thought I'd post some pics I took last weekend of a timber rattler here in South West Pa.
And here is a link to a video clip of the same snake
Hello,
I'm a newbie here and just thought I'd post some pics I took last weekend of a timber rattler here in South West Pa.
And here is a link to a video clip of the same snake
Nice camera work on the stills and vid! I can't guess his size but I hear they don't normally compare in length and girth to our eastern diamond backs but I may be wrong...
I will say that black head and distinct eye brows give a real sinister look...
I also didn't see him worryin' to rattle and warn ya none!
Brent
I will say that black head and distinct eye brows give a real sinister look...
I also didn't see him worryin' to rattle and warn ya none!
Brent
Swampghost
New member
Why am i getting hungry? The largest one that I've seen was an Eastern Diamondback that went a tad over 11 ft. It was found during a motocross race that I happened to be participating in at the Palm Beach track. The paper photo showed 5 guys holding it.
Consider that they can strike half of their body length, this was one wicked SOB.
Now we have REALLY scary. Really huge snakes that people have turned loose. There was a guy on the tube last week who said that we can expect the really big ones in 5-10 yrs. I know how to deal with everything in my neck of the woods but am finding giant snakes, capable of swallowing you a bit intimidating.
Can things get worse? Yes they can! According to my sources in SoAm their food value is zip. I've always wondered why Publix never had Python or Boa specials.
Consider that they can strike half of their body length, this was one wicked SOB.
Now we have REALLY scary. Really huge snakes that people have turned loose. There was a guy on the tube last week who said that we can expect the really big ones in 5-10 yrs. I know how to deal with everything in my neck of the woods but am finding giant snakes, capable of swallowing you a bit intimidating.
Can things get worse? Yes they can! According to my sources in SoAm their food value is zip. I've always wondered why Publix never had Python or Boa specials.
ChicagoTex
Moderator
Surely the irony of the fact that you live in Kodiak, Alaska as you say that is not lost on you?
banditt007
New member
i ate rattle snake a couple times and it was infact nice tasting meat! if anyone does bag these things i'd suggest not just leaving them lay... waste of life. skin n eat em you'll be pleasantly surprised. Nice photos BTW
Damn IM glad to live in Canada. too much snow for those suckers to want to come near me! I could just imagen how painfull a bite is! when I seen that pic of that 30+ in a big hole I just wanted to unleash mayhem of 0 buck shot in there!! I hate snakes longer than my arm. Biggest snake I'v seen is a gardner snake haha. I could never live in a desert climate.
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When I lived in S.E. Idaho we had a problem with some of the local kids going out and catching rattlers and cutting off the rattles and letting the snake go again. The only thing worse than buzzing at your feet is NO buzzing. The local cattlemen found out who was doing it and had a polite talk with them after a few cows and horses got hit. We never "hunted" for snakes, but we came accross them quite often. They are great on the grill. Peel the skin off, get rid of the guts and throw them on the grill whole. We found the best medicine for snakes was a stick and a shovel. We would pin down the head with the stick and cut it off with the shovel, then we would bury the head.