They are out and about

[BSK]

While moving stands around this last week, had several encounters with both rattlesnakes and copperheads. They are really out and about in this heat.

The below picture is from our hunting property's driveway. That fat fellow (10-12 rattles) was not backing down. First time I've had a timber rattler rattle at me.

 

[tn24]

Wish you had thought to get your phone out and videoed him rattling.

 

[BSK]

Wish you had thought to get your phone out and videoed him rattling.

I always remember to take pictures, but never video. But the sound of rattling is just like in the old Western movies. Very fast; almost a sizzling sound.

 

[cbhunter]

Beautiful species

 

[akachuck]

Crickey MATE! That's a biggin'

 

[BSK]

We measured a spot on the ground where we had a picture of him and he was almost 5 feet long.

 

[Big Pop]

Yeah that's a big fat boy right there! Heading to lease tomorrow and it's been couple years since I've seen one. I'll be on alert.

 

[JhnDeereMan]

That farm would be for sale if I saw that thing.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

Wish you had thought to get your phone out and videoed him rattling.

Reminds me of a time years ago when I was mountain biking up in south Cherokee and I saw a rattlesnake stretched out across the trail. I stopped and got off my bike just to check it out. The snake was extremely docile and just stayed where it was doing nothing. Then I get the bright idea that it would be cool to have a "rattle" for a ringtone (this was in the flip phone day's) so I commence to find two sticks, one forked to hold my phone and another to poke the snake. I was really surprised to see just how much poking it took to aggravate the snake. It finally coiled up into striking position but wouldn't rattle so I poked harder and it finally started to sound off. I was holding my phone in the forked stick and recording the sound. I'd play it back and was dissatisfied with the sound quality and I'd repeat the process with the same results. The snake never crawled off but was becoming extremely agitated! I finally told myself, dude, your in the middle of nowhere on a Wednesday and haven't seen a soul all day and intentionally trying to piss off a rattlesnake for a cool ringtone. I got back on my bike and me and the snake went our separate ways unharmed. Lol

 

[TreyB]

Hope it's dead now

 

[BSK]

Years ago, when we used to cut our food plots in late summer with a walk-behind DR Mower, it wasn't uncommon to have a squirming headless rattlesnake come out the back side of the mower directly under our feet.

 

[BSK]

Hope it's dead now

Nope. Enjoyed the show and let him go about his business.

 

[44 mag]

Nope. Enjoyed the show and let him go about his business.

Good for you. I would have done the same.

 

[Quailman]

Glad

Nope. Enjoyed the show and let him go about his business.

Glad to hear that Bryan and expected no less. Amazing animals. Hate to see their numbers on the decline. I haven't seen one in years.

 

[CATCHDAWG]

Glad

Glad to hear that Bryan and expected no less. Amazing animals. Hate to see their numbers on the decline. I haven't seen one in years.

Come east!

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

Come east!

That what I was thinking, plenty up here

 

[TNGRIZZLY_]

I always remember to take pictures, but never video. But the sound of rattling is just like in the old Western movies. Very fast; almost a sizzling sound.

I call it (singing to me) I enjoy hearing it from a safe distance.

 

[backyardtndeer]

That is a big one. Always careful to watch for them, especially this time of year.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

No thanks!

 

[fairchaser]

Sorry but one that close to where I'm moving around would have to die. I don't want to encounter him in the dark. Besides, you can eat them and still have a nice hatband.

 

[BSK]

We see them pretty frequently, especially around the tall-grass powerline right-of-ways.

 

[tellico4x4]

Two for me so far this summer at camp. One with 7 & other with 13 rattles

 

[Willysman]

Had one strike at me one morning while turkey hunting on the South Cherokee. Temperature was cold enough that he wasn't very active and just barely touched my pant leg. Very nerve racking. Carried a pager for work at that time. Later in the day the pager starting buzzing. I found out a man can jump 6 foot straight up.

 

[redblood]

I would have had to caught him. Its on my list, ive only seen one in my life.

 

[redblood]

Sorry but one that close to where I'm moving around would have to die. I don't want to encounter him in the dark. Besides, you can eat them and still have a nice hatband.

They are protected i do believe

 

[JCDEERMAN]

Had one strike at me one morning while turkey hunting on the South Cherokee. Temperature was cold enough that he wasn't very active and just barely touched my pant leg. Very nerve racking. Carried a pager for work at that time. Later in the day the pager starting buzzing. I found out a man can jump 6 foot straight up.

I would have been 10 feet up in the air

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

I haven't seen one here in 12-14 years.

 

[BSK]

Had one strike at me one morning while turkey hunting on the South Cherokee. Temperature was cold enough that he wasn't very active and just barely touched my pant leg. Very nerve racking. Carried a pager for work at that time. Later in the day the pager starting buzzing. I found out a man can jump 6 foot straight up.

Wait until you actually do get bitten. You CAN jump very high. And scream very loud!

 

[OffHand85]

I'm glad those come with warnings systems!
opeming gun season a few years ago my dad and I followed this swamp, lined up and down the bank were copperheads and cottonmouths coiled up frozen from the cold front that moved in fast, sunrise it was in the 60s then around 11 temp was rapidly falling. One of the craziest things I've ever seen hunting!

 

[portugeejn]

Sorry but one that close to where I'm moving around would have to die. I don't want to encounter him in the dark. Besides, you can eat them and still have a nice hatband.

Or if it was long enough, or you got another, a good backing for a traditional bow…