July 26, 2014

Watch Your Step!

Yes, this is another SNAKE article to warn you that COPPERHEADS- a poisonous snake found up and down the east coast and common in the APPALACIA- which means my back yard and maybe yours. If you are vacationing in the great outdoors and picking flowers you could be tagged. Children are especially vulnerable. NEVER pick up a snake, one person did this to impress his child and he was bit. He died. Baby snakes are especially poisonous.

COPPERHEAD snakes normally hunt for mice in the night and enjoy compost piles, stacks of fire wood and old sit on logs. They are now hunting and about in the daytime.

RATTLESNAKES prefer the daytime; breeding season is upon them both. Caution is advised. Do not think that they will rattle as a warning. They can be quiet as a mouse when you step on them. Then they may rattle and when you hear that rattle noise you will be inclined to jump in fright. Condition yourself not to make quick movements- eyeball around and locate the snake, then if at a safe distance-move away slowly. Snakes are deaf but they pick up vibrations and heat signatures.

I have written previous articles on snakes, go back through the articles to pick out the information that interests you, especially on treatment which means packing the limb bitten with ice and getting to the hospital for anti-venom shots. You can lose your leg or, life if not treated. Forget chasing the snake-that only gets your blood moving faster and the venom is in your blood.

I have bought two different pairs of snake proof boots from Sportsmanguide.com the China made boots are a bit too tight and I now order any shoes or boots in a size bigger and wider.

If you carry a .22 LR pistol or .22 magnum pistol you can purchase SHOT loads that are good snake killers. If you have one poisonous snake about the house you have more. This is breeding season.

This is a COPPERHEAD: (coloring may vary but not the pattern.)