PEAK season for rattlesnake activity....
Contributors to this thread:Pennsylvania
From: Rut Nut
19-Jul-22
............AND toxicity right now in Pa! Do yourself a favor and wear snake protection if you are in snake country. Timber rattlers are notorious for NOT rattling. In fact a biologist from Penn St. is now saying these snake hunts where they bag the rattlers and then release them back into the Wild after the contests are actually conditioning the snakes NOT to rattle so they do not get captured again. So be vigilant and don’t count on a “warning” rattle if you are in these areas...............
From: Supernaut
19-Jul-22
Good reminder Perry and thanks for sharing. I know you speak from painful experience.
I've seen a few Rattlers this time of year fishing in Ligonier or Tionesta. I see at least one Copperhead every year up Ligonier way while fishing. I always proceed with caution in snake country. I'd hate to wind up with a story like yours or worse.
From: Rut Nut
19-Jul-22
Yeah, don’t be THAT GUY..................me! ;-)
From: horsethief51
19-Jul-22
Lets go metal detecting Perry. I have the boots. LOL.
From: Rut Nut
19-Jul-22
Yep! That reminds me...................I need a rattlesnake detector! LOL! : )
From: hawkeye in PA
20-Jul-22
Stilts??
From: Rut Nut
20-Jul-22
LOL! That might work Jeff..............................
From: Huntinggal2009
21-Jul-22
If anyone wants to play, there is one confirmed under our cabin porch. (Ask Amy) So silly question, how do I know when it's gone??
From: Rut Nut
21-Jul-22
No thanks Jen! ;-)
Try SNAKE AWAY. You can get it at tractor supply................
From: Huntinggal2009
22-Jul-22
Yes, we plan to use that and anything else I can find. We haven't been back up since Amy saw it in early June. Hopefully it's gone, but who knows. We saw one up on the mountain about 7 years ago, and then before that when I was a kid. Makes we wonder how many I have walked by over the years.
From: Rut Nut
23-Jul-22
Don’t take any chances Jen! I don’t want to see any of my friends join my “club!” ;-)
From: horsethief51
23-Jul-22
There are some good youtube videos about snake traps.
From: Rut Nut
01-Sep-22
Got a text from the guy that found my gear when I got bit. It said: “I almost pulled a Perry!”
Then he sent a video of the rattler he almost stepped on! (This is a screenshot from the video)
From: Rut Nut
01-Sep-22
He said it was near State College and never rattled (even when he almost stepped on it!)
From: hawkeye in PA
01-Sep-22
You've already heightened my observations, you just trying to scare me now?
From: Rut Nut
01-Sep-22
Nope- just another public service announcement Jeff! ;-)
From: Dougell
26-Sep-22
Any lingering effects Rut?Snakes out the wazoo lately.I put a trail cam up in a snakey spot a few weeks ago and when I went to pull it,there was a huge shed rattlesnake skin right next to the tree.
From: Rut Nut
26-Sep-22
I guess I’d rather see a shed skin than the real thing! ;-)
Yes Doug- it’s been 4 years and I still have swelling and nerve pain at times, and still have a dull ache, numbness and more sensitivity to cold in that leg. My balance is still affected, especially on uneven terrain. Probably not gonna get much better at this point.
From: Griz
27-Sep-22
Be careful with that Snake Away stuff. I once looked at a cabin in Bradford County and saw a container of it on the shelf. When I asked the owner about it he said he circled his cabin with it and because the snakes were already in and under tha cabin, he then could not get them to leave!! He basically trapped them in the circle. He admitted that he had a huge snake problem with some living in the ceiling and floorboards. Mostly black snakes but an occasional copperhead and once a rattler. Needless to say.....I did not make an offer!!!
From: Rut Nut
27-Sep-22
Oh HELL no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : (
From: Dougell
27-Sep-22
We leased a big chunk of land that used to be owned by Seneca.I've hunted it for 20= years without ever seeing a rattler,even though I knew they were there.This year,they're everywhere.About a month ago one of the guys was locking a gate that had a bunch of rocks piled around the post.He looked down and three rattle snakes were in the rocks,less than 6" from him.My neighbor removed one about 100 yards from my barn this summer and he's never seen one in this direct area in the past 55 years.I did by some snake gaiters and don't step foot in certain areas without them.I worry about my GSP more than anything.We run and hunt her constantly and she can't leave anything alone.I did get the rattle snake vaccine for her.If I get the chance to get my hands on a dead one,I'll do some avoidance training with her.It worked with the porkupines.
From: Rut Nut
28-Sep-22
Not surprised that the sightings have increased.........................years and years of protection would likely be the cause!
From: horsethief51
28-Sep-22
We should do some metal detecting over in that stone(y) farm foundation when you cone out, rut. :>)
From: hawkeye in PA
28-Sep-22
Art, Perry couldn't use a metal detector with all that armor on.
From: Rut Nut
28-Sep-22
As long as you’re the “designated digger” Art! I don’t have snakeproof gloves................... ;-)