Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Other Adventures => Topic started by: deadyote on May 02, 2021, 08:51:17 AM

Title: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: deadyote on May 02, 2021, 08:51:17 AM: So I have never seen a rattlesnake while in the woods. I really want to!!! I've seen bull snakes, but can't find a rattlesnake. Were headed over to chelan for a week in the middle of July. Anyone have a suggestion as to how and where to look for them? Not going to kill them, just want to see one.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Igor on May 02, 2021, 09:00:46 AM: Head up Icicle Creek out of Leavenworth. We have seen them around Eight Mile Campground, eight miles from Leavenworth.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: MR5x5 on May 02, 2021, 09:26:22 AM: Easy. Grassy, sunny, hillside. Get into a hillside full of them and you might decide you've seen enough. I would not bring kids or dogs...
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Sandberm on May 02, 2021, 09:37:55 AM: No where near Chelan but...took the dog for a mid afternoon walk in the Wallula gap at the new trailhead they set up a few years ago just past where guys used to steelhead fish along the Columbia. A couple hundred yards up the canyon, walking through some boulders and brush I heard a rattle just off trail to my right...ten yards further I heard a rattle off to my left. That was enough for me and the dog.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Katmai Guy on May 02, 2021, 09:56:52 AM: Alta lake
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: bear on May 02, 2021, 09:59:09 AM: Alta lake. Chelan Butte
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Pegasus on May 02, 2021, 10:29:08 AM: I have seen several in the road while driving the hills above Lake Chelan on the east side of the lake. Also a good area to spot bears.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: buckcanyonlodge on May 02, 2021, 10:44:15 AM: Gifford Shake-Tail..Neighbor used to feed this guy mice he would catch in a mouse trap in the house...Lived under his porch.

This time of year look for the snakes around any ground squirrel colony's...Find ground squirrels there are snakes around. Later in the summer look along streams that run through rocky areas .
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Katmai Guy on May 02, 2021, 10:48:09 AM: Dang, thats a healthy one!
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Romulus1297 on May 02, 2021, 02:20:10 PM: Drive up Antoine Creek after dark turn around when the pavement ends you should find a couple.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: GWP on May 02, 2021, 02:54:30 PM: BIL spent $7K plus on his prize hunting dog after it got bit to keep it alive... See them in Ellensburg in the hills often.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: mburrows on May 02, 2021, 03:57:43 PM: Chelan butte, seems like late spring through summer I see them just about every time we go around there especially in the rocky terrain
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Alex4200 on May 02, 2021, 04:02:21 PM: They are everywhere around Chelan and Douglas counties. If you are going to be here in July, just remember the hotter it gets the more nocturnal they will be. Look for areas they can ambush food sources such as mice and squirrels and still have shade from the sun like in grasses or under rocky overhangs.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Buckjunkie on May 02, 2021, 04:56:20 PM: More dense on South facing slopes above water. I was told that CWU used to do a study of Rattle Snakes on the North Shore (South facing above water) of Lake Chelan because of the density of snakes. Don’t know if it’s true. Ive only seen a few rattle snakes in my travels in random places. Couple in the Manashtash, 1 on West Bar and the rest in the potholes while fishing.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Trapper John on May 02, 2021, 05:47:06 PM: I've seen them in Cle Elum in the woods and on dirt roads
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: NOCK NOCK on May 03, 2021, 07:44:57 PM: Quote from: Romulus1297 on May 02, 2021, 02:20:10 PM
Drive up Antoine Creek after dark turn around when the pavement ends you should find a couple.

This. they like to hit the gravel/pavement roads at night to soak up the heat from the roads
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: jrebel on May 03, 2021, 08:40:37 PM: Year to year is different for me, but there are snakes all over Chelan County. Couple years ago we saw them literally on every hike. Last year I can't say that I saw one.

Quote from: buckcanyonlodge on May 02, 2021, 10:44:15 AM
Gifford Shake-Tail..Neighbor used to feed this guy mice he would catch in a mouse trap in the house...Lived under his porch.

This time of year look for the snakes around any ground squirrel colony's...Find ground squirrels there are snakes around. Later in the summer look along streams that run through rocky areas .

I have seen three on the property in three years and they always make me cringe. That brushy country....you don't know they are there until they make noise in most cases. :yike: :yike: :yike: Pretty sure one made me soil myself last year... :o :o
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: nwwanderer on May 13, 2021, 06:46:24 AM: Always an exhilarating experience, be careful what you wish for
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: h2ofowlr on May 13, 2021, 07:03:21 AM: Quote from: deadyote on May 02, 2021, 08:51:17 AM
So I have never seen a rattlesnake while in the woods. I really want to!!! I've seen bull snakes, but can't find a rattlesnake. Were headed over to chelan for a week in the middle of July. Anyone have a suggestion as to how and where to look for them? Not going to kill them, just want to see one.

Look for some rocky areas. You can usually find them or a den of them. Seen quite a few out this year already when we were out turkey hunting.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: Jonathan_S on May 13, 2021, 07:14:13 AM: Eff snakes.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: cougforester on May 13, 2021, 07:39:34 AM: Just go below Grade Creek Road from now until September in the rocky, bluffy areas and you will find snakes. Lots of snakes. Way too many snakes.
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: MonstroMuley on May 13, 2021, 08:26:12 AM: Quote from: Romulus1297 on May 02, 2021, 02:20:10 PM
Drive up Antoine Creek after dark turn around when the pavement ends you should find a couple.
:yeah: Apple Acres Rd to Antoine ... Winthrop - Pipestone Canyon
Title: Re: Chelan Rattlesnakes
Post by: deadyote on July 30, 2021, 03:13:10 PM: Thanks for the pointers fellas. Found 4 snakes one night and one was about 3 feet long. Found a dead one that had already been run over and took the rattle. Tons of fun.