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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Ridgerunner on April 16, 2015, 06:09:32 AM


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Title: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: Ridgerunner on April 16, 2015, 06:09:32 AM
Just curious at what elevations in the cascades you guys have bumped into rattlers while hunting in the cascades . 
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: hughjorgan on April 16, 2015, 06:25:06 AM
Highest I have seen them between 4000'-4500'
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: boneaddict on April 16, 2015, 07:02:48 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: boneaddict on April 16, 2015, 07:03:29 AM
Of course I suppose it only takes one. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: ShadowHunter on April 16, 2015, 08:22:54 AM
I've seen rattlers in the LT Murray @ 4000-4400  a few times and been surprised every time.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: Ridgerunner on April 16, 2015, 10:30:23 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: Practical Approach on April 16, 2015, 10:51:01 AM
There is a slew of them at sea level in Olympia.  I hear one is our Governor. 
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: ShadowHunter on April 16, 2015, 11:18:35 AM
Those are Constrictors not Vipers.  ;)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: MIKEXRAY on April 19, 2015, 07:21:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: ghosthunter on April 19, 2015, 07:44:46 AM
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.  :yike:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: Eli346 on April 19, 2015, 07:49:43 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: mountainman on April 19, 2015, 09:10:37 AM
6000' Alpine lakes
Title: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: jackelope on April 19, 2015, 09:27:32 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: Kazekurt on April 19, 2015, 09:33:57 AM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: JWEBB on April 19, 2015, 10:27:17 PM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: 2labs on April 19, 2015, 11:20:22 PM
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!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: Alchase on April 20, 2015, 09:32:09 AM
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
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: coachcw on April 20, 2015, 01:21:19 PM
I found one up at hearts pass once . you will see them along tanneum creek road in the fall come sun down .
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on April 20, 2015, 01:43:22 PM
I've seen them in the summer on the north side of Lake Chelan around 6,200'-6,400'
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: boneaddict on April 21, 2015, 07:16:57 AM
Yeah, and there are some good sized ones too. 
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: kenjo on April 21, 2015, 09:04:42 PM
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.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: NWBREW on April 21, 2015, 09:10:50 PM
I've only seen 3 and all of those have been between Mitchell creek and Lake Chelan.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes encounters while hunting
Post by: trophyhunt on April 21, 2015, 09:19:37 PM
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. 
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