firearm for trapped copperheads

[bsekf]

We spent 15 winters in LA (lower Alabama for you Yankee's). We had all 5, a 6 ft Eastern Diamondback was not unusual. Always wanted a black or king snake around, like under the house. Never had a dog bit, the old timers said a dog would die before you got to the vet or live without treatment, they only treated with Benydril and a antibiotic, if the dog was valuable. I asked my hunting buddy, a herpetologist, how many snakes we stepped over or stood beside? His answer "you don't want to know" You just can't see them until you are too darn close!

I understand the big ones can control the amount of venom injected, but the little ,2-3 footers, can't. I never cared to test that theory.

 

[jds holler]

I understand the big ones can control the amount of venom injected, but the little ,2-3 footers, can't. I never cared to test that theory.

That reminds me -- I read an article about snake bites a long time ago, and the consensus was that a fairly high percentage, (20% if I remember) of bites contained no venom.

The point was to not get too carried away before you actually knew that venom had been injected. This was back in the day when "cut and suck" was a common field procedure for snake bite. I guess those days are gone. jd

 

[Immike]

That reminds me -- I read an article about snake bites a long time ago, and the consensus was that a fairly high percentage, (20% if I remember) of bites contained no venom.

The point was to not get too carried away before you actually knew that venom had been injected. This was back in the day when "cut and suck" was a common field procedure for snake bite. I guess those days are gone. jd

Yep, we had snake bite kits for camping that came with a tourniquet and a razor knife to make the X cut. It came in a short rubber capsule that worked as a suction cup. Standard equipment when I was a kid and may still be made. A few guys have jumped the gun with that thing handy, one guy did and made the local news. They just had to tell everybody. Lol

 

[ireload2]

Hire a farm granny with a garden hoe.

 

[joshb]

That reminds me -- I read an article about snake bites a long time ago, and the consensus was that a fairly high percentage, (20% if I remember) of bites contained no venom.

The point was to not get too carried away before you actually knew that venom had been injected. This was back in the day when "cut and suck" was a common field procedure for snake bite. I guess those days are gone. jd

Jeb! Help! I went to relieve myself and a snake bit me!
Well Saul, I guess yer gonna die.
Cleaned up version of one of my father's favorite hunting jokes.

 

[timeout]

"What did the Dr. say?" You're gonna die man, you're gonna die. That was a classic joke!

 

[snert]

Our poisonous snakes are Western Diamondbacks. Generally two or three feet long, but I have killed a four footer. I have many snake stories, and have had the crap scared out of me several times.

I have a couple of very snaky creeks that I fish on, and almost never see a snake at the waters edge where we fish. Go up the bank a ways though along the brush line and you will find them. I'm pretty good at picking the spots where I could find one if I want to.

We sometimes hunt for them specifically, and it is pretty fun and exciting. And safer than just hiking or fishing where you're not actually looking for them. I don't personally know anyone who has been bitten, but I've come close. One time I stepped on a large flat rock that tipped a little and a snake started rattling. I quickly stepped off of the rock away from the noise and stepped right onto the head of the snake -- a big one. They say white guys can't jump, but they're wrong. My next "step" was about a ten footer. jd

I would have left behind a brown splash.............

 

[snert]

This is "on topic". Out of the blue, a friend sent me this. The caption was "Find the Copperhead"
View attachment 1003849

If I saw that on a tree while turkey hinting ANYONE could have spotted it afterwards...it would be the bloody pulp in the middle of a tree that was de-barked with 8 rounds of turkey shot... and I might have reloaded again.

I hate snakes

 

[m1rifleman]

shoot the copperheads if you must, but not the others. they might scare you tough guys, but they won't hurt you.

 

[chop house]

22 lr snake shot from a revolver or to be quieter a bolt rifle .

i killed so many rattlers this year that i ran out of .38 shot loads. could get no more (ammo shortage, you know) and had to switch to .22 mag shot. it is now gopher rat season and my hav-a-harts don't (yet) seem any the worse for wear.

BUT... i wear long pants, glasses, and turn my head away mostly to satisfy OSHA.

 

[chop house]

i killed so many rattlers this year that i ran out of .38 shot loads. could get no more (ammo shortage, you know) and had to switch to .22 mag shot. it is now gopher rat season and my hav-a-harts don't (yet) seem any the worse for wear.

BUT... i wear long pants, glasses, and turn my head away mostly to satisfy OSHA.

i dang sure don't know how this thread got resurrected!!! hahaha

oh, yes i do... i was reading about 'bore snakes' and all and, and, and.... well, you know

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

Ruger now makes one that holds ten, I think. Sounds like a reason to buy a new gun!

Or get the Single 9 and you can can use 9 rounds of 22 WMR snakeshot, if you can find it.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you go out with a spotlight at night they stand out like they glow

 

[Walt Krafft]

Had a friend bit on the heal by a 2 footer, said it was way worse than the 3 AK rounds he took in Nam. His solution if he could get one - thermo nuclear bazillion ton kaboom.

 

[Outrider27]

If noise is not an issue, I have used 22 shot shells in a snubby 22 revolver to dispatch snakes, including copperheads, at the range you would be using with snakes in the trap. On the other hand, a great uncle of mine was sudden death on rattlers and copperheads with his garden hoe - nailed them just behind the head cutting it off and leaving the hide unharmed; never saw him have to take a second hack, which, I expect, was the result of years of practice.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Drown them.

Zactly. Tie rope on and drop in creek.

 

[muleman69]

I tried to drown a rattler one day, held it down for over twenty minutes but when I let it up it was one pissed off rattler. Didn't work for me, finally hacked its head off with a shovel

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Just remember killing snakes is illegal. Be careful what you put on the net or social media

 

[chop house]

i didn't do a deep dive, but this popped up quickly:

What is The Law on Killing Snakes by State? (Legal vs. Illegal)

If you find snakes on your property or plan to go snake hunting, you might wonder if it’s legal or illegal to kill snakes in your state.

www.snakesforpets.com

caution... i didn't check the veracity or if the page is maintained and up to date

 

[rayporter]

all snakes are protected in Arkansas except those posing a threat.

everything with fangs is a threat to me, my dogs, my horses, women and kids and anything else i have.

doctor a horse or dog or loose a dog and you will understand.