Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting

[Ridgerunner]

Just curious at what elevations in the cascades you guys have bumped into rattlers while hunting in the cascades . 

[hughjorgan]

Highest I have seen them between 4000'-4500'

[boneaddict]

There are large areas in the cascades, sawtooth, that doesn't seem to have them.  The highest places I have noted them I think would be the peaks around lake chelan and up in the upper methow, pasayten.

[boneaddict]

Of course I suppose it only takes one.

[ShadowHunter]

I've seen rattlers in the LT Murray @ 4000-4400  a few times and been surprised every time.

[Ridgerunner]

Peaks around lake chelan would be pushing 7K.  Didn't figure they would be that high.  It'll be interesting to hear what others have experienced as well.

[Practical Approach]

There is a slew of them at sea level in Olympia.  I hear one is our Governor. 

[ShadowHunter]

Those are Constrictors not Vipers. 

[MIKEXRAY]

Hunted all over the state for 25 years and never seen a single one. Of course I'm not turning over every log & rock looking. Will be a shock to see my first.

[ghosthunter]

Hunted all over the state for 25 years and never seen a single one. Of course I'm not turning over every log & rock looking. Will be a shock to see my first.

I am 63. Been hunting this state since i was 12. Never seen one. My buddy jumped out of the rig one year south of Asotin. Cheif Joesph Wildlife Area, to take a leak. Found one at the bottom of a rock slope.
I stayed in the rig.

Sat on a rock once over around Republic in October. Looked down to see a very large snake skin out side of a hole going under the rock.
Pooof I was gone.

If i ever see one I will have to go back to camp for more ammo. I only carry half box of shell most the time. 

[Eli346]

Almost every time I go to Chelan in October I run into one above Chelan at about 3000'. They don't bother me and I usually catch one just to bug the heck out of my hunting partner! I always just turn them loose although I did find one dead on the road and took the rattles home. They sure get my dog worked up when I start shaking them. He's a nut job anyway.

[mountainman]

6000' Alpine lakes

[jackelope]

I've never seen one alive either. I don't typically spend a ton of time in rattlesnake country and I don't go looking for them  I guess. Seen a few dead ones but that's it.

[Kazekurt]

I've seen several in the early bow and muzzy seasons in the columbia basin.   I have ran through the air twice Fred Flintstone style  because one rattled right before I stepped on it!  Two of my buddies almost died laughing at me last year because they witnessed one of my close calls.  It is really quite amazing how you can become  an Olympic caliber long jumper if one catches you by surprise.

[JWEBB]

I have never seen one in the cascades, but I ran across one at around 5000 ft in the blues a few years back. I never expected to see one up that high.

[2labs]

Wow, it's hard to believe so many haven't seen one? I despise them and see them all the time. Never had your hart go from zero to a hundred in a split second? Or shot one while your feet are still in the air? You guys are missin out!

[Alchase]

This one was on the 100 rd between Pearygin and Bear creek, Friday before the opener a couple years ago, elevation maybe 600 ft, LOL

[coachcw]

I found one up at hearts pass once . you will see them along tanneum creek road in the fall come sun down .

[DOUBLELUNG]

I've seen them in the summer on the north side of Lake Chelan around 6,200'-6,400'

[boneaddict]

Yeah, and there are some good sized ones too. 

[kenjo]

Rattlesnakes along Lake Chelan from the shoreline on up. The highest I've seen them was in Mitchell Cr along the lower road, but they can be found at any elevation up to the tree line, higher sometimes. I've seen them at the top of Icicle Ridge, the 5,000' level on Tyee Ridge. Lots of them around the old Steliko Lookout above Ardenvoir. Watch for them around rock slides, heavy brush near creeks and just about everywhere else. I've seen them out on the forest roads in mid to late October when the weather is real warm. Most of the time you don't see them because we scare the hell out of them, too.

[NWBREW]

I've only seen 3 and all of those have been between Mitchell creek and Lake Chelan.

[trophyhunt]

Seen two in the alkali unit, killed one. Snakes don't freak me out, spiders on the other hand I don't care for at all.  But when the rattler coiled up and stuck at the stick I was poking him with, it raised my hair up a bit.  They are incredibly fast at striking.