Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Everett on January 16, 2011, 10:26:51 PM

Title: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 16, 2011, 10:26:51 PM: I was just wondering if anyone encountered rattlesnakes up in the NE corner of the state while turkey hunting in the spring? I've been around Republic and Lake Curlew area during the middle of summer and never seen one, but I wasn't wandering around through the forest either.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: NWBREW on January 16, 2011, 10:37:49 PM: I don't really consider Republic or Curlew the N.E. corner. As for East of the the big C. river....I've never seen one and Iv'e hunted and owned land up there for 20+ years and never seen one although I believe the farther south you go from the Canadian border they get more plentiful.

I have heard that there are quite a few down around Rice and Cedonia.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 17, 2011, 04:31:40 PM: Thanks guys, I figured it was pretty cold up there still, but I just wanted to check if I needed to bring the chaps with me this spring. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: ellensburgpo on January 18, 2011, 12:21:46 PM: I've never seen any just north of Spokane. There very well might be snow still there this year.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: quadrafire on January 18, 2011, 12:34:14 PM: Never seen one.
Come to think of it I have never seen a snake at all during spring turkey.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: baldopepper on January 18, 2011, 12:58:30 PM: Rattlesnakes do become semi active when day temps hit 50 degrees and are quite active at 60 degrees-not unnormal temps for the latter part of the turkey hunt. There are actually a lot of rattlers around the Fruitland/Hunters area in Stevens county. I've not run into them myself, but two years ago friends hunting near my cabin in mid May did run into one, and he was quite active. On those good sunny days in May I would advise using common sense when you are out and about and just think about it before you blindly step over logs or rocks. (keep in mind many rattler bites are on the butt-so best be carful where you sit also!!)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Austrian Hunter on January 18, 2011, 01:12:19 PM: No ratlers but ticks, ticks and more ticks during Turkey season >:( >:( >:( >:(
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 18, 2011, 01:17:20 PM: I was thinking of going up to that Salmo-Priest Wilderness and hunting up there. I'm not sure if anyone has hunted that, but I'm guessing it is still pretty cold up there in April.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: bearpaw on January 18, 2011, 01:22:06 PM: I have encountered rattlesnakes from within a couple miles of the border and southward to Spokane, but there are not large numbers of them, we don't see them all that often. My advice is to just be aware on warm sunny days.

Everett, I have never heard of turkeys in the Salmo, there could be some there, but I doubt there are significant numbers. :twocents:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 01:27:17 PM: Stevens county can become EXTREMELY infested with Rattlesnakes April-May. Infact I dont feel that it is worth the risk to hunt turkeys around here.. :twocents:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: TwoFeet on January 18, 2011, 03:16:32 PM: Quote from: Austrian Hunter on January 18, 2011, 01:12:19 PM
No ratlers but ticks, ticks and more ticks during Turkey season >:( >:( >:( >:(

Last year they were worse than ever... Found over 30 of the evil little critters on me one day.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: gaddy on January 18, 2011, 03:26:42 PM: and dont forget the ants! those little red buggers will smell you or scense your heat and you will be dancing naked and not worried about snakes at all.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: BIGINNER on January 18, 2011, 03:27:57 PM: Quote from: TwoFeet on January 18, 2011, 03:16:32 PM
Quote from: Austrian Hunter on January 18, 2011, 01:12:19 PM
No ratlers but ticks, ticks and more ticks during Turkey season >:( >:( >:( >:(

Last year they were worse than ever... Found over 30 of the evil little critters on me one day.

:hello:

welcome
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: PolarBear on January 18, 2011, 03:30:46 PM: Yeah, watch out for those snakes!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2FATT1.jpg&hash=11205f6baa909e8867b79e68f1c9e0cabeaf013c)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: BIGINNER on January 18, 2011, 03:31:42 PM: Quote from: PolarBear on January 18, 2011, 03:30:46 PM
Yeah, watch out for those snakes!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2FATT1.jpg&hash=11205f6baa909e8867b79e68f1c9e0cabeaf013c)

and always be carefull not to spill your beer when trying to catch one !!! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 03:38:21 PM: I've seen 1 rattlesnake in 10 years on highway 395 south of Boyds crossing the road.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: ser300wsm on January 18, 2011, 03:57:08 PM: That is one huge rattlesnake !!!! :yike:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 04:04:13 PM: I'm impressed with the boots, nice color, earthy tones to blend in with the surroundings.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Tman on January 18, 2011, 04:06:56 PM: Quote from: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 01:27:17 PM
Stevens county can become EXTREMELY infested with Rattlesnakes April-May. Infact I dont feel that it is worth the risk to hunt turkeys around here.. :twocents:
:yeah:

I'de head to the blues.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 04:09:24 PM: Quote from: Tman on January 18, 2011, 04:06:56 PM
Quote from: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 01:27:17 PM
Stevens county can become EXTREMELY infested with Rattlesnakes April-May. Infact I dont feel that it is worth the risk to hunt turkeys around here.. :twocents:
:yeah:

I'de head to the blues.
Now that sounds like a much safer more productive hunting adventure.. :)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: gaddy on January 18, 2011, 04:34:06 PM: try a permethrin spray, i use sawyer. when sportsmens(now wholesale) would get it in i would buy a bunch. they always sold out quick. worked great but dont be stingy with it. hose the clothes. nothing worse than bringing the critters home, wife gets pissed.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: gaddy on January 18, 2011, 04:49:57 PM: like i said, hose the clothes, i was about out one year & tried to scimp, didnt work. spray heavy & hang to dry. it does last a few weeks. not ment to be a spray & go. read the directions
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 04:50:37 PM: Here is a picture i took last spring of some of the local snakes here ;)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: daddysprad on January 18, 2011, 05:15:27 PM: My cabin is in the NE corner of the state and each spring as the sun melts the snow, the ground seems to crawl. I don't know if they are ratlers' or not, but they give me the creeps. It's the only place I've ever seen where the turkeys stay in the trees rather than risk the slithering ground. A few survive, but they are very call weary. The last few years we've used rattles to break up the flock and then used the grouping call to get them to come back in. Here is a pic from last spring. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 18, 2011, 05:43:10 PM: Thanks for the pictures and comments guys. I'm starting to re-think this hunt. Also, that is one big rattlesnake :yike:. I want to get a turkey, but I don't need to worried about that thing slithering into my tent. Thanks, again. :)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: elkaholic on January 18, 2011, 06:00:18 PM: Ticks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >:(
maybe those snakes atre why some guys pack the extra heat on the side.... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 18, 2011, 06:01:02 PM: How about Wenaha/Tucannon area? Is that area infested with ticks, snakes and ants or do you think I would have a better trip down there?
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Tman on January 18, 2011, 06:04:11 PM: Yup, the heat on the side helps, sometimes sittin on stand its hard to be still when you got rattlers crawlin around by your feet. :o

Found a tick crawlin on my underwear last year after a spring hunt. Talk about the creeps, freaked me out!!!! Ticks SUCK! I'de take a bath in 100 percent deet if they sold it. :con:

The blues are much better, never seen a snake or tick around those parts. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 18, 2011, 06:14:25 PM: Yeah I figured Wenaha/Tucannon would be the same if not worse, it sounds like I'm going to have to be around them whether I go Northeast or Southeast. Thats fine, I guess that is part of the deal. Thanks again guys for your help. :)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 06:17:35 PM: Quote from: Everett on January 18, 2011, 06:14:25 PM
Yeah I figured Wenaha/Tucannon would be the same if not worse, it sounds like I'm going to have to be around them whether I go Northeast or Southeast. Thats fine, I guess that is part of the deal. Thanks again guys for your help. :)

The Wenaha/Tucannon area is way better. Their little Gopher snakes are very friendly!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Birdguy on January 18, 2011, 06:36:03 PM: Man there is a lot of help on this site........maybe not all good but a lot of help :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Everett on January 18, 2011, 06:53:04 PM: :chuckle: A little sarcastic, but help all the same. I like the little snake picture, that was pretty good. :)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: quadrafire on January 18, 2011, 06:57:33 PM: I saw a garter snake on top of the snow while rabbit hunting one time in Dec. in Missouri. Couldn't believe it at the time and still can't (it was moving). I live in spokane now, hardly EVER see a snake now. Maybe my eyesight is failing.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 07:45:37 PM: Quote from: Birdguy on January 18, 2011, 06:36:03 PM
Man there is a lot of help on this site........maybe not all good but a lot of help :chuckle: :chuckle:

We do what we can ;)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Ridgeratt on January 18, 2011, 07:48:19 PM: Not sure if this helps but we kill at least one "rattlin" snake every year around my place in orient! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: yelp on January 18, 2011, 07:59:41 PM: Last year. Killers all over the place.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 18, 2011, 08:06:38 PM: Heck yes there are snakes up there!! Big around as your forearm and them damn things can heel up waist high to a tall Indian!!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM: Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Ridgeratt on January 18, 2011, 08:25:33 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.
[/b][/u]

Wow there are some lines in the sand!!!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Mr T on January 18, 2011, 08:47:51 PM: CRAP!! I have been hunting the Colville area for almost a decade for turkeys. I didn't know there were those @#^&$# rattlesnakes up there during April. I hate them things and just posted my turkey gear on craigslist!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 18, 2011, 09:09:21 PM: Quote from: PolarBear on January 18, 2011, 03:30:46 PM
Yeah, watch out for those snakes!
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv103%2FPolrbear%2FATT1.jpg&hash=11205f6baa909e8867b79e68f1c9e0cabeaf013c)
That rattler looks a little photo shopped to me. What do all think?
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on January 18, 2011, 09:14:30 PM: Quote from: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 01:27:17 PM
Stevens county can become EXTREMELY infested with Rattlesnakes April-May. Infact I dont feel that it is worth the risk to hunt turkeys around here.. :twocents:
Just like there are no elk in the blues! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: alwinearcher on January 18, 2011, 09:14:47 PM: Quote from: Ridgeratt on January 18, 2011, 08:25:33 PM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.
[/b][/u]

Wow there are some lines in the sand!!!

No Joke!
And here I thought I was in the woods more then anyone on Hunt-Wa.. DANG IT! :dunno:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 09:38:50 PM: Quote from: Ridgeratt on January 18, 2011, 08:25:33 PM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.
[/b][/u]

Wow there are some lines in the sand!!!

No lines, just the facts.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 09:40:25 PM: I'm in the woods darn near everyday hunting and lookin' for rattlers..... :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: yelp on January 18, 2011, 09:40:43 PM: A map of distribution of the western diamondback rattlesnake..and if your wondering about other snakes here is a link...

http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/herpmain.html (http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/herpmain.html)

Watch out for the killer tree frogs..they like turkey roosts!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: daddysprad on January 19, 2011, 08:01:34 AM: I had saved this old article from 2003 and it really explains the relationship between rattlesnakes and wild turkeys. Why the WDFW adopted the idea, I don't really know. :chuckle:

RATTLESNAKES RELEASED IN AN EFFORT TO "CONTROL" TURKEY POPULATION
By Tom Mitchell, LEADER TIMES

Friday, May 23, 2003

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is releasing rattlesnakes in an effort to "control" the wild turkey population. To boot, about a decade or so ago, the Commission also released "genetically altered" coyotes to control the burgeoning deer herd.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Gutpile on January 19, 2011, 08:12:34 AM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.

:rolleyes:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Gutpile on January 19, 2011, 08:22:26 AM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.

We all know thats not true because you're on Hunt-Wa 24/7. :hello:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 19, 2011, 08:43:08 AM: Quote from: Gutpile on January 19, 2011, 08:22:26 AM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.

We all know thats not true because you on Hunt-Wa 24/7. :hello:

I know but my other 24/7 job is hunting..I actually have a 48 hour day unlike most guys that have to work and keep track of me. :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Gutpile on January 19, 2011, 08:45:09 AM: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on January 19, 2011, 09:02:51 AM: Quote from: Gutpile on January 19, 2011, 08:45:09 AM
:IBCOOL:

I knew you'd be jealous........I think I'll go look at guns today, maybe get me a new fishin' pole, yawn !!!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: CallMaker on January 27, 2011, 05:38:44 PM: I have never seen any in my spring hunts, ever!!
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: TeacherMan on January 27, 2011, 06:11:46 PM: In the past 5 years I have ran into about 10 snakes in the Curlew area the first week of May. One had 13 buttons. :o One of the encounters was a crack up. I had just brought my grandma from Kent down to the store and was on my way back to the house and was telling her about how the day before I had seen a nice snake on this stretch of road. Litterally looked down the road at that point and said "just like that one there" she said no that's a stick in the road. About that time it started moving. She turned white. My house was about 1/4 mile down the road and she didn't even want to get out of the truck :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: HornHoarder on January 27, 2011, 07:24:53 PM: One time I've encountered a rattlesnake while turkey hunting in stevens co. It was the latter part of May nice sunny day. The snake announced his presence when I was 8-10 feet away. That sound just stops you cold. I would doubt you would see one in April though.
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: Phantom Gobbler on January 28, 2011, 11:24:24 PM: This one was near Twisp in mid May:
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: TeacherMan on January 30, 2011, 06:24:55 PM: Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.

From the Job Corp bridge to the bottom of Catherine creek and then from the same bridge and headed out Toroda to up past the cemetery you will see snakes the first week or two of May if it gets warm enough, trust me on that one ;)
Title: Re: Rattlesnakes out in the NE for Spring Turkey Hunt?
Post by: TeacherMan on January 30, 2011, 10:09:56 PM: Quote from: JKEEN33 on January 30, 2011, 08:07:58 PM
Quote from: TeacherMan on January 30, 2011, 06:24:55 PM
Quote from: CAMPMEAT on January 18, 2011, 08:19:55 PM
Snakes are few and far between. I live here and most of you don't. I'm in the woods more than all of you put together and have never seen any rattlers. Ticks aren't bad either. Just check yourself when done hunting.

From the Job Corp bridge to the bottom of Catherine creek and then from the same bridge and headed out Toroda to up past the cemetery you will see snakes the first week or two of May if it gets warm enough, trust me on that one ;)

TeacherMan, Are you from that area? My brother in laws family owns one of the original cabins on Nicholson Creek. I spend a lot of time in the area.

I Just moved away, but for the last five years I taught at the Curlew School. Great area, I know Nicholson creek well. Living in AK this year, I have a feeling I will be back in that corner of the state next year. I miss it to much. :chuckle: