Herping in Rattlesnake territory

[redspot]

REALLY, carry a gun while herping? The only thing that will do is get you in more trouble. Way to look the most threatening, that does no good when your deep in the woods maybe on someone else's property trying to talk reason. They see a gun and they get deffensive not to mention they probably have bigger guns and have a reason to use them(trespassing).

PS I'm in no way against firearms, They are the best way to get a meal, or protect your property from trespassers.

[oki-inu]

The gun would generally be carried concealed, accessible if your life is threatened but otherwise unseen.

[redspot]

Is that why they call it a cwp?

[bsol]

your wrong theyre not hunters if they hunt out of season ur talking about pochers! we hunters are only concerned about preservation of wildlife...we hunt to fill our quota for herd managment...the #1 eason deer die in texas is by starvation by limiting food due to over population

Really? I'd say that most hunters hunt game because of the sport. I cant imagine someone spending hundreds on gear just to control the population of an animal. That would be the states job. Search Nutria Rat in Louisiana.

I'm wrong about hunters vs. poachers, I realize a hunter is a hunter until they hunt an animal on personal property or against the laws of the state. Fine, but that's not the point. I mean, whether your hunting in season or poaching out of season you're armed with rifles and other firearms. My simple point was that I never know who I might run in to out in the woods.

REALLY, carry a gun while herping? The only thing that will do is get you in more trouble. Way to look the most threatening, that does no good when your deep in the woods maybe on someone else's property trying to talk reason. They see a gun and they get deffensive not to mention they probably have bigger guns and have a reason to use them(trespassing).

Look, the firearm is concealed(I have my permit to conceal - CWP) and I'm pretty sure I made clear why I carry it. The state of Pennsylvania recognized my permit - enough said. Again, state game lands are public and the borders are usually marked with property lines. Is it possible to wander on private property? Yes. I do my best to stay off someone elses propety.

[mustang]

Really? I'd say that most hunters hunt game because of the sport. I cant imagine someone spending hundreds on gear just to control the population of an animal. That would be the states job. Search Nutria Rat in Louisiana.

I'm wrong about hunters vs. poachers, I realize a hunter is a hunter until they hunt an animal on personal property or against the laws of the state. Fine, but that's not the point. I mean, whether your hunting in season or poaching out of season you're armed with rifles and other firearms. My simple point was that I never know who I might run in to out in the woods.



Look, the firearm is concealed(I have my permit to conceal - CWP) and I'm pretty sure I made clear why I carry it. The state of Pennsylvania recognized my permit - enough said. Again, state game lands are public and the borders are usually marked with property lines. Is it possible to wander on private property? Yes. I do my best to stay off someone elses propety.

yes i know bout the nutria rat but also look up feral hogs theyre multiplying by the thopusands anyone can shoot however many they can on their proporty and theyv made a buisness now of shooting them out of helicopters with fully automatic weapons...me and everyone else i know who hunts , hunts to protect the populations of native species and also it provides a way to get out and forget a lot of hassels.....its just you and the chirping birds...everyone enjoys that fealing...sorry im an avid hunter and i cant help goin on thees rants...

[bsol]

yes i know bout the nutria rat but also look up feral hogs theyre multiplying by the thopusands anyone can shoot however many they can on their proporty and theyv made a buisness now of shooting them out of helicopters with fully automatic weapons...me and everyone else i know who hunts , hunts to protect the populations of native species and also it provides a way to get out and forget a lot of hassels.....its just you and the chirping birds...everyone enjoys that fealing...sorry im an avid hunter and i cant help goin on thees rants...

A - It is against Federal law to posses a full automatic weapon unless you are military. I don't even think state law enforcement is allowed to stock them, but don't quote me.
B - You need to be more polite when comparing me to a chirping bird.

No one said anything until you decided to challenge my post on a clear definition on poaching vs. hunting and then say that you "real hunters" hunt for other reasons besides the challenge of the gane. We were talking about running into random people(hunters/poachers/weirdo's) while hiking and carrying a concealed firearm for protection.
Take a trip back in history and go back over the posts in this thread. It started off about rattlesnakes and then turned in to, what I believe, unnecessary tit for tat. I shouldn't have even replied to your post because of your insult.
I think you should start a new thread about hunters hunting in Texas. This conversation has been completely drawn WAY off the original topic.

[mustang]

A - It is against Federal law to posses a full automatic weapon unless you are military. I don't even think state law enforcement is allowed to stock them, but don't quote me.
B - You need to be more polite when comparing me to a chirping bird.

No one said anything until you decided to challenge my post on a clear definition on poaching vs. hunting and then say that you "real hunters" hunt for other reasons besides the challenge of the gane. We were talking about running into random people(hunters/poachers/weirdo's) while hiking and carrying a concealed firearm for protection.
Take a trip back in history and go back over the posts in this thread. It started off about rattlesnakes and then turned in to, what I believe, unnecessary tit for tat. I shouldn't have even replied to your post because of your insult.
I think you should start a new thread about hunters hunting in Texas. This conversation has been completely drawn WAY off the original topic.

A is wrong...you can own fully automatic weapons without being military....you just need permit and extreamm background check is givin and they search your house every now and then. i didnt mean to be offensive im just stating certain facts i thought you should be aware of... (most of the time we go wway off topic all the time just derailed the thread for a short time thats all not that big of a deal i presume(since it always happens) i try not to but sometimes it happens) and yes i know what the original topic was i was one of the first to comment on it)...but i dont recall comparing you to a bird.

[GarterGeek]

A - It is against Federal law to posses a full automatic weapon unless you are military. I don't even think state law enforcement is allowed to stock them, but don't quote me.
B - You need to be more polite when comparing me to a chirping bird.

No one said anything until you decided to challenge my post on a clear definition on poaching vs. hunting and then say that you "real hunters" hunt for other reasons besides the challenge of the gane. We were talking about running into random people(hunters/poachers/weirdo's) while hiking and carrying a concealed firearm for protection.
Take a trip back in history and go back over the posts in this thread. It started off about rattlesnakes and then turned in to, what I believe, unnecessary tit for tat. I shouldn't have even replied to your post because of your insult.
I think you should start a new thread about hunters hunting in Texas. This conversation has been completely drawn WAY off the original topic.

I think Mustang wasn't referring to you when he mentioned the birds. I think he was simply saying that when someone hunts it is just them and the chirping birds.

I don't carry a gun, although I'm not against doing so. I always take pepper-spray with me though.

Anyhow, are copperheads much harder to avoid than rattlesnakes? I heard that they often strike without giving any warning, is this true? I imagine that they must be almost impossible to spot on leafy ground.

What are the chances of getting bit without seeing the snake first?
Has anybody here been bit?

Another danger that people should be aware of while herping is the ability for abandoned buildings to collapse. I often herp near old barns and must use extreme caution.

Getting cut by junk-yard trash can be very nasty too. I have a two-inch scar on my calf I got from moving a pile of concrete in a junkyard. (There were about 10 little garters in there so it was worth it. )

[wolfpacksved]

Man. I'd love to see some timbers over a milk any day. I'd have my digital camera and be going ape taking pics. I hunt for milks in timber territory and have only come across one timber to the dozens of milks. Just being aware that timbers are there is usually enough to keep you safe. The majority of people getting bit are the ones who molest the snakes. If you don't want to risk it, i sure will. If there are timbers then there are probably copperheads too. You're lucky. Here's a timber and copperhead I found crossing a road while road hunting for milks.

[GarterGeek]

Man. I'd love to see some timbers over a milk any day. I'd have my digital camera and be going ape taking pics. I hunt for milks in timber territory and have only come across one timber to the dozens of milks. Just being aware that timbers are there is usually enough to keep you safe. The majority of people getting bit are the ones who molest the snakes. If you don't want to risk it, i sure will. If there are timbers then there are probably copperheads too. You're lucky. Here's a timber and copperhead I found crossing a road while road hunting for milks.

Don't misunderstand me, I would love to see more timbers and some copperheads! My concern is that I won't see them and then get bit because of it.

That copperhead is gorgeous! I should post some of my timbersnake photos for you to see. I was fortunate enought to see a dark and light phase together on the same rock-wall.

Could you give me some tips on finding milksnakes? I see your photos are at night, is that the best time to search? I've done most of my searching at mid-day and dusk, but have come up empty-handed. When you do find the most success?

Where do you find milksnakes? I've searched under tin-sheets by abandoned buildings, rock-walls, and some creek-side areas renowned for their milksnake populations. I've heard they are often found on roadsides, does this correspond with your experiences?