Don't be afraid of wild caught garters, if you want to handle him, just leave your hand in for while, as he slithers by touch him, let him get used to what your hand is/feels like and he shouldn't be so scarred. Just know, like with any snake there is a chance you will get bitten. In all my years of having kept WC garters, I've never had one bite me, they have tried, but they all settle down easy enough. I had my big aggressive female striking at me when I found her on a path, after a few feeds and getting to know me I could take her out and sit next to the outdoor fireplace and not worry about getting bit.