Rattlers

[dc]

Going to be at the Potholes State Park in August and want to find a snake or 2.  I have ventured many miles around the seep lakes around the potholes, and have yet to run into one.  Any suggestions?

[MADMAX]

drive the dirt roads right before dark
the will be lying in the road usually

[bowhunterforever]

drive the dirt roads right before dark
the will be lying in the road usually

   but just after dark is better

[flatbkman]

Just remember to be nice an kind to any that you find as they will not hurt you unless you hurt them.

[gaddy]

Look around below the rocky bluff areas. I used to see them all the time when I hiked around there to different fishing spots. I always swatted the sage brush next to the trails with the tip of my pole. A lot of time that will light them up.
Right below Mar Don is Corral lake, below that is Blyth. Lots of rocky areas down there. Sounds like you know the area and I am surprised you haven't come across any.
One time I had my soon to be bride with me. We walked around this bluff to a spot I used to catch bass, not 30 yd's from the truck. I caught the largest bass I have ever had on and asked her to run back for a net. On her way back, just a few yards from me, on the same trail we have been using, she brushed up against a sage bush with the net. The entire place lit up, she threw the net at me and bolted for the truck. I had to take the long way around the bluff to get back. Needless to say she refused to ever go back there.
Any way, Here's the thought behind this all. And this is how we caught them when I was young. During the heat of the day I have found that they will seek shade under the brush and hang out. You can walk right by with out noticing them. Agitate them while they are resting and they will let you know where they are.
Be careful! I have all but stepped on them before I knew they there.

[cbond3318]

Look around below the rocky bluff areas. I used to see them all the time when I hiked around there to different fishing spots. I always swatted the sage brush next to the trails with the tip of my pole. A lot of time that will light them up.
Right below Mar Don is Corral lake, below that is Blyth. Lots of rocky areas down there. Sounds like you know the area and I am surprised you haven't come across any.
One time I had my soon to be bride with me. We walked around this bluff to a spot I used to catch bass, not 30 yd's from the truck. I caught the largest bass I have ever had on and asked her to run back for a net. On her way back, just a few yards from me, on the same trail we have been using, she brushed up against a sage bush with the net. The entire place lit up, she threw the net at me and bolted for the truck. I had to take the long way around the bluff to get back. Needless to say she refused to ever go back there.
Any way, Here's the thought behind this all. And this is how we caught them when I was young. During the heat of the day I have found that they will seek shade under the brush and hang out. You can walk right by with out noticing them. Agitate them while they are resting and they will let you know where they are.
Be careful! I have all but stepped on them before I knew they there.

But did you land the fish!?!?

[gaddy]

Well Hell yes! Not going to let a snake keep me from the biggest bass of my life. My gal was a bit pissed that I didn't run after her but hey, there were snakes !!

[cbond3318]

Well Hell yes! Not going to let a snake keep me from the biggest bass of my life. My gal was a bit pissed that I didn't run after her but hey, there were snakes !!

 

[Pegasus]

You want rattlers? Try the Yakima canyon next to the river. They are everywhere. Walked over one on a trail and finally realized it with one leg already crossed over it. I hopped into the air. My son who was close behind me got to see the snake strike and miss my leg by a hair. All I could hear was my son yelling "That snake tried to bite you, Dad". Needless to say we were a bit more careful after that. Every time I got on a trail in snake country for the next year I imagined every stick laying across the trail might be a rattler and approached it with caution.