Rattlers out and about

[scout/sniper]

I stand corrected I guess.... sorry for not being a biologist... After seeing a ton of them one year chukar hunting I was trying to look up info on them and I swore I read they were not as "venomous" as they apparently are

Wasn't being nasty at all, many people don't know the difference.
How dangerous a snake is has little to do with venom toxicity.
It has everything to do with it's temperament.
Some of the most venomous snakes in the world have never killed a human.
Crotalus.viridis (western rattlesnake) is fairly docile and will rarely strike unless harassed. 50% of their bites are dry, they release the venom on the ground before they reach you.
If you are interested in learning about snake venom you can go to my website.
And I am a herpetologist and venomous snake expert.
I just try to change people's fear and misunderstandings about these beautiful animals.
Please visit this page to learn more.
http://www.cowlitzreptilerescuelab.org/reference/venomous-snakes/

[Shoffy]

I stand corrected I guess.... sorry for not being a biologist... After seeing a ton of them one year chukar hunting I was trying to look up info on them and I swore I read they were not as "venomous" as they apparently are

Wasn't being nasty at all, many people don't know the difference.
How dangerous a snake is has little to do with venom toxicity.
It has everything to do with it's temperament.
Some of the most venomous snakes in the world have never killed a human.
Crotalus.viridis (western rattlesnake) is fairly docile and will rarely strike unless harassed. 50% of their bites are dry, they release the venom on the ground before they reach you.
If you are interested in learning about snake venom you can go to my website.
And I am a herpetologist and venomous snake expert.
I just try to change people's fear and misunderstandings about these beautiful animals.
Please visit this page to learn more.
http://www.cowlitzreptilerescuelab.org/reference/venomous-snakes/

Thanks for the link to your website. That was very interesting. I've always thought those ratters were pretty fascinating.

[Broken Arrow]

Don't know about the area you questioned, but last Saturday I hunted Crab Creek and counted 9. Almost stepped on 1 and about had to change the pants. They were coming out of the woodwork in the evening to warm up I suppose. I hate snakes!

[fastdam]

I once was standing with a friend on the hillside obove the Tieton river, and as we talked, I noticed he was literally standimg ON a small rattler .  It had already snowed a few times that fall and melted. I assumed it came out on a warm day and never found cover before it got too cold.
 It was so cold that day, the snake couldnt move and had no reaction to my friend standing on it.  after we played with it for a while it eventually tried to crawl away at a snails pace. We found a big rock with a void under it and pushed the snake under it.
 Based on my experience that day I would assume you could encounter a rattler anytime between march and december in yakima county.

[Hermit]

I saw several alive and well in the Methow last weekend.

[jackmaster]

being a westsider, and having ever only killed one rattler and it was a little one at that down in the southern part of the MOJAVI DESERT, is it ok to come over there and whack a few or is it an unethical practice, i can honestly say i would love to get about 10 or so. i have heard they are good eating, and the skins are really cool. i was in the army with this kid straight out the swamps of kentucky who would eat king snakes instead of going to the chow hall with the rest of us..... i have to say he was a strange character to say the least 

[ctwiggs1]

50% - I don't like my odds.  I'd prefer to just not get bit I suppose.

[Jonathan_S]

Don't know about the area you questioned, but last Saturday I hunted Crab Creek and counted 9. Almost stepped on 1 and about had to change the pants. They were coming out of the woodwork in the evening to warm up I suppose. I hate snakes!

Yeah they're all over the roads down in canyons.  I saw several rattlesnakes up in the Wedge last weekend on the roads.  Some were squished, some I took the liberty.

I've also seen them a lot since the weather chilled in Spokane County, lots on gravel roads and warming on flat rocks.   


As far as them being good eats, I wouldn't say they're notably tasty.  They will get the job done and they're tasty enough but they aren't declicious.  Soak in salt water in the fridge for a day or so to tenderize them.  Very tough and chewy.

[scottr]

I don't think they are as poisonous as people think they are. They are not Cottonmouths or Diamond Backs. I looked into it and I guess that no one has ever died from a rattlesnake bite in Washington.... Or it has never been reported.
Years ago a vet told me that he treated a dog that got bit by one, and he got sick, but it didn't die.
I guess they make a anti-venom for dogs, but it's like $1000 or something stupid
I've ran into them (and killed them) in Yakima before

With dogs, if it isn't the venom what often kills them after a snake bite is tetanus. Snakes have very dirty mouths and transmit tons of bad stuff with a bite. This happened to my father in law's britney a few years ago.

[scout/sniper]

I don't think they are as poisonous as people think they are. They are not Cottonmouths or Diamond Backs. I looked into it and I guess that no one has ever died from a rattlesnake bite in Washington.... Or it has never been reported.
Years ago a vet told me that he treated a dog that got bit by one, and he got sick, but it didn't die.
I guess they make a anti-venom for dogs, but it's like $1000 or something stupid
I've ran into them (and killed them) in Yakima before

With dogs, if it isn't the venom what often kills them after a snake bite is tetanus. Snakes have very dirty mouths and transmit tons of bad stuff with a bite. This happened to my father in law's britney a few years ago.

Yes, and the teeth are so sharp that they push anything that is on your skin deeply into your muscle so it is difficult to disinfect.

[fastdam]

Killed one last night in frenches canyon. I would have stepped on him if he didnt rattle.

[Browndown]

Buddies of mine were up on Clemmans scouting for their sheep tag last weekend. Saw 6 different rattlers in and around waterworks. Glad i missed out on that hike. Hate them suckers!

[BIGINNER]

about 2 weeks ago my dogs and I walked on top of 3 of them and they started to rattle after we passed      makes me wonder how much more I walked over

[scout/sniper]

Killed one last night in frenches canyon. I would have stepped on him if he didnt rattle.

You got too close to a venomous reptile.
Instead of striking and killing you, it warned you to back off by rattling.
In return you killed it. Very noble.

All you had to do was walk away, it wouldn't have given chase.
Even if it did strike you there is 50% chance that it would not have envenomated you, giving you another chance to back off.
It only wanted to be left alone.
Most snake bites occur because people try to catch or kill them, there is no reason to kill a snake simply because you are made aware of it's presence.

[ctwiggs1]

I don't see that a 50/50 chance is acceptable in the woods.  I'd kill it too.  In the end my life is more important to me than the snakes.