My poor wife has not been able to spend much time outside of the state of Indiana and no time west of the Mississippi. She is worried about snakes for both her and our two small dogs. I have told her that snakes will leave her alone as long as she leaves them alone. Has anyone out there have had any big problem with snakes?
There is no Evil in this world
There is only Ignorance and Stupidty.
And there is no cure for stupid!
The only time I had a problem with a snake was a fox snake that kept escaping from his terrarium in the Nature Center at IBSP.
It wasn't too bad though; he kept the vole population in check.
Paul
Extra Class Ham Radio operator - K9ERG (since 1956)
Retired Electronics Engineer and Antenna Designer
Was a campground host at IBSP (2006-2010) - now retired.
Single - Full-timer
2005 Four Winds 29Q
1982 6.2L Diesel Suburban 1500
I think you need to do a little reading about poisonous snakes and their behavior. Most rattlesnakes will not run the other way if they hear you coming, they will just stay where they are and hope you pass far enough away to not provoke them. You'll know they're there, when you hear the rattle, and then it may be to late. Some will even be aggressive towards you, like the Mojave Green. Your dogs, unless they have been snake proofed, will more than likely run towards them, not knowing what it is and you won't like the consequences. Our dog has had the snake vaccine and has had some snake proofing, plus we know to look where we walk and where to look. We won't step out the door without checking the surrounding area. Know that is not what you wanted to hear, but unless you are in a city on concrete or asphalt, there are snakes and they don't run. Even the RV parks out here have snakes, but they do try and control them. Be afraid....NO, just be aware.
Bob & Betsy(FishNFanatic) - USN Aviation Ret'd '78 & LEO Ret'd '03 & "Oath Keeper Forever" '05 HR Endeavor 40PRQ, 400 Cummins-Pulling our '11 Silverado LT, Ex Cab 6.2L NHT 4x4, w/2010 Rzr or 01 V Star in back. Where the wheels are stopped today
One of the reason outdoors Folks wear boots is snakes. They may not stop fangs but good boots should.
I wear lined leather western boots. One pair for roughing it. Best pair for dress.
Snake leggings use to be available just about everywhere out there. Leggings and even leather faced heavy pants are available to shield from thorns, snakes or whatever. Leggings are usually taller than boots.
* This post was
edited 04/08/12 05:36pm by an administrator/moderator *
Before you panic, please read the following: Dangers from Snakes Your exposure to snakes will depend on where you camp as snakes are everywhere in the states; just more in some than others. Also, surely you will have your dogs on a leash wherever you are camping so just keeping an eye open will put you in a position you should feel very comfortable being out and about.
We have friends, that enlisted theire doogs, in a rattle snake avoidance school, they live in the dessert, and it worked, the two doogs do not bark, or chase the snakes.
You might find a simillar school, where you live, snakes normally run from vibrations, that they detect, that are big in comparason, to the vibrations of theire prey. Most snakes hunt ay night, and like to hide, in shady cool places.
If you have a travel trailer, or a 5th wheel, they might hide, in the wheel wells, and or any other open space, normally, in all camp grounds, the staff will look out, for such incursions by snakes.
When you are out walking, on a trail, every so often, stamp your foot down, this vibrations, will be sensed by the snakes, and they will scurry, before you even see them.
Only a snake that is cornered, or feels threatend, will defend it self, no snake in North America, will attack a person, unless that person, has startled or cornered the snake, then the defensive mechanism, goes into high alert.
The only snake, in the world, that will chase, lives in Australia, this side of the pond, they all want to flee. I understand the wife's aprehension, but it is hard to convince someone, about theire feelings.
I have lived West of the Mississippi most of my adult life and for the last 32 years in NM. I have seen one snake in NM and it was crossing the road. They are just not any more of a concern here than they were where I grew up in Illinois.
Retired and loving it
Living in the Land of Enchantment
Traveling in 2007 Newmar KSDP
towing a Jeep Liberty
with a Blue Ox tow bar
I am completely phobic of snakes. I can't even look at pictures of them and for me, it took mustering a lot of courage to read this thread. My DH loves snakes. I know he has researched handling them and he knows the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous by site. He has been trying to teach me for my safety. We keep a snake bite kit in the TT but the threat of snakes does not keep me from camping. In fact next weekend we are going camping in a state park that is known to contain copperheads and moccasins. I will go, I will pay attention and I will use some of what I have learned here. We have also discussed getting a snake hook to remove snakes from campsites but they are not cheap so we haven't done it yet. Also haven't seen a snake camping yet (knock on wood). Although DH would not tell me if he did see a snake (he knows better). All will be fine, just use some common sense. And there are snakes in indiana also.
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