Rattlesnakes while deer hunting

[woodywsu]

Just a warning out there to look out for rattlers. I've killed 5 rattle snakes since Saturday, all in the afternoon and they have all been very aggressive. I hate snakes and it really ruins my hunting. Anyone else been encountered by rattle snakes this season?

[NWBREW]

Did you eat them. If not why kill them?

[duckmen1]

if you don't kill them did you ever think if they get the chance to kill you they would

[Rick]

if you don't kill them did you ever think if they get the chance to kill you they would

The Rattlesnakes are looking to kill you?

The crap some people come up with.

[TheSilverSlayer]

Have been pretty paranoid about them ever since we almost walked accross one while hunt last year.  Luckily haven't seen one since, but I am on the lookout.  I would shoot the next one I see cause i hear they eat decent. 

[NWBREW]

I've eaten them.........they taste like rattlesnake. Now that I know there out to kill us, I'll be more carefull

[PWN Kurt]

I've only thought to kill one rattler, and that is when I had one feet from the front of my tent...
Other rattlers I leave alone.  They eat mice and rats....I don't like mice and rats. I'm more worried about Hanta virus.

Just an FYI: Western Rattlers are less toxic than the ones you find in the Southwest.  Usually their first bite on people is a warning and non-venomous...or less-venomous.  I know of several dogs that have been bitten...some multiple times, and even though the bite wrecked their day, they all survived. 

Kurt

[woodywsu]

It's one thing to let a rattle snake live, but when they are very aggressive and striking at your from 6+ feet away without you doing anything, then they will be killed. Around here, there are plenty of bull snakes to help keep the rodent population down. So in my mind, a rattle snake should be a dead snake...no need for them.

[duckmen1]

let me know when you step on a snake and don't realize it RICK and get bit
or maybe by that time it might be to late
 
"The crap some people come up with."
how adout the crap some people talk 
 

[wolfbait]

let me know when you step on a snake and don't realize it RICK and get bit
or maybe by that time it might be to late
 
"The crap some people come up with."
how adout the crap some people talk  
 

Don't feel like the lone ranger duckmen1 I kill every damn rattlesnake I see. Some folks might not have grown up around lots of R-snakes, I did and I have seen the damage they do. Horses bit in the face, pups that are bitten die, as far as not being as powerful as the snakes in other parts of the country, that may be true, but if you talk to a few folks that have been bitten by our snakes, they will tell you it isn't no picnic. Don't know if this is true or not, but an old man told me one time that the baby rattlesnake will shoot all its poison in you, where an older snake will control his for future hunting. Baby snakes have the same amount of poison as the old snakes do. I leave the bulls alone but those that rattle get the bullet every time.

[C-Money]

I dont kill the bull snakes, but the rattlers catch lead if they are anywhere near the house or buildings. I understand the remarks made about letting rattlers live, but my kids and wife come first. I would rather lessen the chance of people getting bit.

[actionshooter]

I caught one yesterday on my way home, it was in the dirt road sunning itself, I just caught it, took a few picks and tossed it in the bushes. I don't have a reason to kill them.

[Chukar]

If you live in snake country you deal with snakes. If you are a rancher. You run livestock. You have kids and family out in the sage...do what you have to do to protect but they are a natural part of the landscape. This time of year they are heading back to where they den up.
Shooting every single one you find is silly however. How many REALLY get that close to take a bite? No reason to put you and yours in jeopardy but believing that Rattlers are intentionally HUNTING you is paranoid silliness. No animal is searching you out for the "chance to kill you if they would". Just Stay Home.
Handle the ones that put you in a position for injury as you see fit...but running around like a scared little girl shooting every snake you find because is wrong in my opinion.
On some lists in this State they are protected and others they are not so in additio...SSS

[NWBREW]

I dont kill the bull snakes, but the rattlers catch lead if they are anywhere near the house or buildings. I understand the remarks made about letting rattlers live, but my kids and wife come first. I would rather lessen the chance of people getting bit.

I understand the reasoning behind killing rattlers in the yard or close to home or around you livestock. I grew up around rattlers and we killed many in our yard. I would still do the same today. But when I'm out hunting and come across one....I will leave it.(unless it real big, then I will kill it and fry it up). The chances are I will never see that snake again. It just don't bother me seeing them when I'm hunting. But I also do not care one way or the other what anyone else does when they see them.

[walt]

They are all over the NE corner and the Palouse, usually they stay out until hunting season ends and they are VERY aggressive.  I'd stay away just to be safe.   I kill them when I find them in areas I hunt with my dog and I don't eat them.