45" Rattler almost got me this morning

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Took my boy and wife out for Doves this morning. We found a likely spot and got out of the truck. I walked maybe 30ft off the side of the road and about jumped out of my skin when it tried to take a bite out of me. They aren't uncommon in that area but I've seen very few out hunting. He was a pretty big sucker! A load of 7.5 shot took the fight out of him.

My boy was pretty creeped out it was still moving when we got back to the truck hours later. It was a Western Diamondback rattlesnake, big sucker. He had most of his rattles busted off (bummer) but we measured him out at 45". They are protected but its legal to kill them if you are threatened... and I definitely felt threatened, damn thing even tried to chase me. I dont mind snakes, but I HATE rattlers.

Oh and as for Doves, my 10 year old with his brand new Hunters Safety card, smoked 2 on the wing with my old .410, thats pretty spiffy shooting for a young kid! He wanted to try my 12GA ... it about knocked him over LOL! He feels the .410 is "perfect" for him, and I agree.

-DallanC

Pumpkinslinger

Well, that sure sounds like a hunt y'all won't forget! Congrats on the doves and the snake!

Elvis

sounds like a great day, gee Im pleased we dont have them over here.

tlo7mm

Sure sounds like a productive hunt. Good thing the snake didn't get you. I would have loved to be out hunting lately, I got me a dove the last time I was out.

Elvis

please excuse my lack of manners Embarassed

how did you get on Dallan
its great to be out with the lad but Dad has to get a shot away too. Very Happy

gelandangan

WOOHOO!!
a nice snake skin wallet coming up Very Happy

Oh and congratulation to junior for his first? blood, may he gets many more!

Dawgdad

how is your heart after that?

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Dawgdad wrote:

how is your heart after that?

HAha... it did well in the "stress test". It was a racing lemme tell you. I looked down, saw movement which I immediately recognized as "SNAKE!" and jumped back just in time to see that wide mouth and fangs lunge out. I think it was because he had most of his rattles busted off I never heard it before I saw it.

-DallanC

Pumpkinslinger

Two words ... SNAKE CHAPS!

shrpshtrjoe

Damn Buddy glad ya saw it in time. It sounds like the family had a good day in the field after that Smile

Grumulkin

DallanC wrote:

Took my boy and wife out for Doves this morning. We found a likely spot and got out of the truck. I walked maybe 30ft off the side of the road and about jumped out of my skin when it tried to take a bite out of me. They aren't uncommon in that area but I've seen very few out hunting. He was a pretty big sucker! A load of 7.5 shot took the fight out of him.

My boy was pretty creeped out it was still moving when we got back to the truck hours later. It was a Western Diamondback rattlesnake, big sucker. He had most of his rattles busted off (bummer) but we measured him out at 45". They are protected but its legal to kill them if you are threatened... and I definitely felt threatened, damn thing even tried to chase me. I dont mind snakes, but I HATE rattlers.

I hate to break it to you. You weren't threatened in the sense you couldn't get away and rattlesnakes don't chase you. In the event you were the first person ever chased by a rattlesnake, they are so slow that unless you're on crutches, using a walker on in a wheelchair you would be fast enough to get away from them.

Suzanne

Grumulkin is volunteering to be your cob-web breaker on the trail, next time out! How heroic. A good point man is pretty valuable and since he'll be lookin at the ground, you can still get the first shot off.

Suz

Bushmaster

A Cottonmouth is territorial and agressive. I don't see why this rattler couldn't become agitated enough to do a short run at someone.

Hell...If my 12 year old grand daughter can piss off a blue racer enough to chase her I guess Dallan's experience could very well happen.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

It was aggressive enough to strike out at me without warning, near my truck where my boy and wife would be for a while. I wasn't about to leave it in thick brush where it could later strike someone.

-DallanC

Grumulkin

Well, most of the time people won't be right in the midst of thick brush and if they are, they should be smart enough to wear snake boots or watch where their feet are.

As far as being "aggressive" goes, it only did what what you would do if confronted by something much bigger than you that you perceived as a threat. It would seem that if you feel it is right to comply with wildlife laws as they pertain to mammals, you should also comply with them even though you aren't particularly fond of a given life form.