Snakes and Pepper Spray
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
Has anyone every blasted a snake with pepper spray?
If yes, what was the snake's reaction?
Nope but my 12ga, 9mm, .22lr, and one time my compound have all worked great!!!!
Ditto Bow Nut......... Killed one with a stick once too....
I find they go better with barbeque sauce...
Snakes have a clear eyelid to protect their vision, so I'd be surprised if it affected them any more than being blasted just as hard with water.
Leave 'em be whenever possible...
Never been charged by a snake!!
They don't like it much, sprayed one years ago when i was trying to move it off the road and he kept on striking at me, only a python.
They are pretty sensitive with their smell and taste receptors.
I'll never forget the citrus smell of the stuff we used.
They don't like it much, sprayed one years ago when i was trying to move it off the road and he kept on striking at me, only a python.
They are pretty sensitive with their smell and taste receptors.
I'll never forget the citrus smell of the stuff we used.
Why the f%&k would you want too? Step around them, shoe them out of the way, whatever, they aren't magic beasts, they can only strike about half the length of their body, if you are close enough to worry about one it's too late to use spray. Stop being a vagina about the snakes!
I poured Diesel Fuel on one when we were burning in Feb and lite him on fire.
pissed him off pretty good.
Wow I mean they are snakes yes and I kill rattlers when they are to close to the yard or where I'm working but lighting them on fire really? Seems like a poor way to go about it....
Lighting one up with pepper spray would be one thing...
But just lighting one up is probably a prosecutable offense. Sure as hell should be....
You put live lobsters in boiling water, just saying
Imo there virtually isn't a snake in the US you couldn't shoo with a decent stick (assuming it isn't wedged in some crevice). They were put on this earth to kill vermin and they do a great job of it. That role is valuable from our perspective. - why not leave them alone to do it?
That being said, a 'surprise' rattler or other venomous snake, or one in the wrong location can be bad news. If they warrant killing, do it the way you would with any other animal - as quickly and humanely as possible.
Besides, the poison ones don't want to use their venom on a human. They can't eat you and they need it to kill their prey animals. Reportedly sometimes they don't inject (need a herp to confirm this). The next time you see a rattler in the open, if you observe carefully what they really want to do is get the heck away from you.
I don't kill snakes unless there in my yard around which I have small children . I have wizzed on a few any they did not seem to like that much.
"I poured Diesel Fuel on one when we were burning in Feb and lite him on fire."
Lit him on fire with diesel fuel huh? I can only imagine what kind of side show that was.
The Python, should have killed it outright. they're having a hell of a time in Fla. with those things, no good reason to let those live.
"You put live lobsters in boiling water, just saying"
Yep, dip 'em in head first and their brain cooks almost instantly. Quicker than a well-placed broadhead AND absolutely necessary if you plan to eat them. Torching a snake with diesel just because you don't like snakes?
Not remotely comparable.
I have about as much emotional attachment to a snake as a have for spider.
We kill coyotes for fun and jack rabbits, what's the difference?
I will say the lighting on fire method is probably a little extreme.
Ever try to light diesel fuel? Unless you atomize it, it's nearly impossible, this would be more along the lines of torture
I wonder how many of the people who post about killing every snake they see,will be posting on here in the future, asking for solutions for their mouse problems at camp!?
Snakes are like coyotes, you can kill as many of them as you see but there will still be a high population of them every year.
I love snakes. More snakes, less mice. I see the logic in dispensing with the venomous varieties (around the house) but not the rest. .
Yeah, I don't chase the non-venomous varieties much, but I kill every copperhead and cottonmouth I can. I do kill th water snakes in my pond 'cause they like to eat my fish, and I know for every one I kill, there are 10 that I don't even see.
This thread has a poor IQ.
Moat snakes are completely harmless and even fun to play with, if venomous just move away and move them away. No reason to kill.
Somebody mentioned killing coyotes and Jack Rabbits, they are a challenge, killing snakes is about as hard as whipping a toddler in a fist fight! Big difference!
Killing a jack rabbit has never been very challenging for me.
Used to work with a technician that was deathly afraid of snakes. He would spray them with wasp spray to get them out of the substations. All he ever achieved was to make blacksnakes very hostile and somewhat aggressive. IMHO Just saying.
Soloman "Killing a jack rabbit has never been very challenging for me."
Try it with a longbow and get back to me
Here, let me get back to you. Killing rabbit with long bow. CHECK!! Not that hard bud.
Never understood the fear and hatred for snakes. They are part of nature like anything else. The only creature I hate are yellow jackets. I'd rather be surrounded by rattlers then step on a yellow jacket hole. I liked catching snakes as a kid and hell I still do as an adult. I've owned pythons and boas as well. I've been bit by snakes but only when I try and catch them and 100% of the time they try and flee and not chase. Do yourselves a favor and pick one up like the girl above and enjoy what nature has to offer. Snakes don't deserve to just be slaughtered because you hate them.
I just thinks it's funny that we can pick and choose what deserves to get slaughtered. It's ok to kill coyote's by the dozens but its not ok to kill snakes.
I'm not trying to be argumentative but what makes some species ok to kill at random and other not when there is nothing illegal about either?
The only explanation is it's personal preference and ones beliefs.
By human nature people try to push their beliefs on others.
Here is an evil garter snake in the backyard. Hell im not sure how I survived being only a foot away from it while taking the picture. He looks as though he has murder in his eyes. After I took the picture I stepped around him and kept on my way. And wouldn't you know it that when I turned around he was not chasing me.
Wow love the sarcasm. I can say the same of coyotes, I've called them in to a couple feet of me before and when he saw me wouldn't you know it he turned around and ran the other way. Just ludicrous isn't it??
People kill coyotes to try and help the deer population but kill snakes just for the hell of it. I myself don't hate coyotes. I enjoy hunting them and if I take a couple a year then I may help a few deer but I don't hunt them out of hate. Their just a predator doing their thing just like Bobcats, bears, lions, and wolves. What pisses me off is when it doesn't bother someone when they make a poor shot on a yote. I don't treat them any less humanely when placing a shot then I would a deer.
I'll be honest, I don't kill every snake I see. I will kill any of them around my house because I don't care for them being around my little girl Poisonous or not. I will also kill rattle snakes when I see them.
Other than that I don't mess with them, I was just making a point.
As for the coyote thing I don't hate them either and I agree with shot placement. Be careful though, you might resurrect the " Gut shooting coyote's better than Nothing" thread.
EF, I agree. This thread makes me sad.
I was heading to treestand once by walking in a 3 foot wide small creek. I came up on a 5 foot water snake that absolutely would not let me get past it. I was down in a steep walled section and that rascal would strike over ad over again. I moved it with a stick and it came it me again after I had gotten past it. I bet it swam 10 to 15 ft after me. I was laughing at it tenacity but the idea of killing it never happened. Since I have grandkids I would either kill or move a mile away a copperhead in a heartbeat. Water moccasins are probably the most laid back snake I have ever seen and get a bad rep due to how ornery water snakes are and how they look so much alike.Just my 2 cents
The snakes I don't like are the ones that are venimous and don't rattle.
NC, I once caught a small bass while fishing a sportsman club pond and when I got it to shore a water snake came in fast and grabbed it by the tail before I could lift it up. It was a funny sight with me with my fingers in the basses mouth trying to get the hook out while this big water snake was on the other end of an 8 inch bass literally playing tug of war. He did not give up so I gave him his prize. I wish I had the pics to post but my other phone broke and I lost them. The sad part is that a lot of members that go to that pond will kill those snakes. For me they are a neat sight and provide some amusement.
Under my steps, if I let the dog out, she would have been dead for sure.
Yep, dip 'em in head first and their brain cooks almost instantly. Quicker than a well-placed broadhead AND absolutely necessary if you plan to eat them. Torching a snake with diesel just because you don't like snakes?
Not remotely comparable.
I've boiled a ton of lobsters and none of them die instantly by putting them headfirst. They flip around and go nuts for a while.
I wasn't condoning burning a snake with diesel either
Where I spend a lot of time photographing wildlife there are a ton of Pigmy Rattlers and Cotton mouths. My advice to anyone accompanying me is always look down before you look up. I've never run into an aggressive Cottonmouth. Just walk around them and let them enjoy the day.
Brewski, where do you photograph?
My wife grew up with the mindset of kill every snake you see. I leave them alone unless it's gets aggressive (just the poisonous ones) and it gets taken out. A few years ago she calls me to tell me she killed a snake crawling across the backyard. Our son went out to look at it and it ran awayfrom him. Wife killed it anyway. Turns out it was a king snake. Not long after rattlesnakes started showing up in the yard. She now leaves them alone.
Well, my thread got sidetracked with wild west stories and such. I never got an answer to my original post. I am therefore forced to call previous question-
"Has anyone every blasted a snake with pepper spray? If yes, what was the snake's reaction?"
I'm curious as to why? Serious question.
I am wondering about a situation or encounter where a poisonous snake is coiled and getting ready strike. Or an uninvited visitor in a ground blind and I have to maneuver around to avoid a potential bite.
I have encountered poisonous 3 times while hunting or scouting. I have come real close to being bitten by a rattler, a cottonmouth and a copperhead. Two of those three do not make noise. I have had cottonmouths try in get in my boat while fishing. I don't worry about non-poisonous snakes, it's the venomous ones I don't like. Their skins do however make nice belts, boots, hat bands, wallets, money clips, etc.
I have a friend that sprayed off in a Timber Rattler's face on cold morning while in the spring turkey woods.
The result was continuous blind strikes in all directions...made it a little sketchy being that the snake was over 5'.
From that experience, I would venture to say that pepper spray might have the same effect.
...and just so I don't get put in the diesel fuel category, the snake was dispatched and "off in a rattlesnake's face", is currently on my list of "Never Do" life lessons.
I give'em space and let'em be.
Stick1 that is some interesting and informative info about the rattler's reaction to the spray.
Snake reaction is exactly what I am looking for.
This is not any type of a trick question- I truly want to hear some actual responses to spraying a snake and that is all. I'm trying to gain knowledge and learn.
I don't understand how anyone could condemn another for killing a snake. Really no different than a bunny hugger, calling hunters names. Different thought process, different set of skills, different upbringing, lots of differences.
I was raised to kill every snake I came across. As I got older, I learned that the non-poisonous variety are good for the environment, and have their place. So I will not bother a non-poisonous snake, and even try to get others to leave them alone. But I don't belittle them if they choose to do so. I do try to educate them to some degree. And if one surprises me, for a few moments until it is identified, it still scares me greatly.
But a poisonous snake, well, the next time I walk through that area, it may be hiding where I step and it may not be so accommodating, and eager to get away, and I have seen what a snake bite will do to the skin. My great uncle was bitten by a copperhead when he went to pick up some wood slabs, and his hand never really returned to normal.
Guys who catch poisonous snakes may have a name for me, like wuss, or something very similar, but I also have a name for them, and idiot tops the list.
I will be the first to admit, snakes, grizzly bears, and sharks scare the hell out of me. Nothing else really bothers me. But the problem with snakes is, you never know where they are going to coil up to rest.
So all I ask, is, if you guys want to educate and try to persuade, then by all means, do so, but please reconsider before you reach for the name calling practice. Bottomline is that affection or fear of snakes is more like a religion than anything. It is VERY difficult to dissuade, or persuade someone who already has a firm opinion on the subject.
And I would also add, whenever I do kill a poisonous snake, it isn't out of hatred, rather fear of what could, or could have happened in,, well let's just say, different circumstances.
Buff... I wouldn't do it unless every other option has been exhausted and that was my last resort.
It's kinda hard for me to think of a situation where I would HAVE to pepper spray a snake.
Just me though...
Ok... I didn't read all of your comments above Buff.
I could see me using it to keep one from getting in the boat with me, especially with the distance you can get out of some of that spray. Probably not if he's already in the boat with me though.
I've had cottonmouths get aggressive during the spring while fishing so I can see your thought process there.
Greg, I wouldn't do it. I'd use the oar, a stick, or your fishing pole. 25% of the time, the wind is going to bring a little bit of your stuff back towards you and in your boat or blind, you're going to have to clean that crap up.
Ever spray bear spray? It's like using a foam fire extinguisher. Shit gets everywhere. You only want to use it in a place that you can walk away from.
They have practice spray that doesn't have the active ingredient. Grab a couple and discharge them in a couple situations with and without wind to get an idea of what they do.