Snakes are cool. I don't really mess with them unless they are poisonous and in a really bad place like my backyard. Even then, I will try to relocate them with a grabber and a plastic bucket. I will blast an occasional rattler to make rattlesnake chili for my in-laws when they come down.

Hate water moccasins and water snakes. One time down in Baird we were out driving trying to find pigs next to this creek, and I looked up and there was a massive copperhead crossing the road (he was over 3 feet and was round as a baseball). I got out with the shotgun and ran over to it about to kill it and I swear it intimidated me out of shooting it. It stopped and gave me a look of pure hate and I said you win and moved him into the brush. Always try to find a rattlesnake when we're out there though. I really want to eat one.

Snakes don’t bother me. I like some of the mice eaters. I will kill a rattler if it’s to close to my home can’t take a chance with 3 young grandkids running around.

I used to catch snakes by hand. I have no fear of them

Now they become chicken feed

I love snakes and would like to hunt them , but Ill let you wrangle them.

Saw a nice diamondback yesterday (more on it later) when I get pics up.

Saturday I was moving a pile of junk and knew there was a likelihood of a snake or two hiding underneath some old sheet metal, so I was being cautious. Moved it around with no sign of snakes, so let my guard down a bit, only to step on a rat snake. I let him go unmolested, but man, my heart skipped a beat when I first noticed him under my foot.

Not fun when the ground moves underneath ya!

I caught about a 5-foot rattler a few years ago in the CR on the way home from hunting one weekend. I pinned it down with a stick and grabbed it right behind the head. After i had picked it up I kinda thought oh shoot, how do you let it go? Not that releasing it was ever a thought. I didn't end up letting it go till it was missing its head.

Long time ago. 1975 . One fang caught the top of my boot the other fang just barely scratched the skin, but that was enough. By the time I got to the hospital I
had a dark spot about the size of a dime. Dr. Glass removed a chunk of meat about the size of a quarter. Was in the hospital for about a week until the swelling
went down. I was walking around a tank in McMullen county. Actually stepped on it but when I stepped back he struck. Emptied all 10 round from a .22 pistol into
it before getting out of there. About 1/2 mile from the truck so it took me a while to get out of there.

I wrangled this one.

Ouch!

Fried snake

Caught rattlesnakes for years when I was a kid. Most of my friends were bitten.

I've caught and handled snakes since the early 70's. Got bit the first time when I was 14, dove hunting with some friends, it was a bad bite right behind the left knee. While the bite caused allot of problems it was my reaction to the anti venom that damn near took me out. You would have thought that would keep me away from snakes forever but all it did was peak my interest. My best year was turning in 1100 lbs of live rattlers to the Cancer Research Center in Kingsville got 9.35 a pound for that load. I helped with the round ups for a few years and even did a little handling in the pit. The kiss of death was my favorite stunt to do with a snake. I'd pick the biggest one I could find in the pit and put it on the table, after messing with it a little I'd have it's head resting on my finger and bend down and give it a kiss on the head. Stopped messing with them about 20 years ago when I tried to catch one bare handed in the road (Yes alcohol was involved), I ended up with my left index finger about 2 inches down the throat of a 3 1/2 ft rattler, the fangs just skinned me behind the second knuckle. Don't catch them anymore but never lost the fascination as y'all can see from my pictures.

I never try to catch the venomous ones, but will always try to catch the non-venomous ones when I see them. I like to try to get them calm so you can free handle them and not just have them behind the head. I also have a few pythons and boas that we keep as pets. I also like to take pictures of them, including the venomous ones. One of my favorite photo subjects. Here is one I saw on PINS.

Never seen a rattlesnake that light colored. Must have something to do with the light sandy environment.

I caught one in Salado that was really light like that one. I also caught a couple in Abilene that were reddish colored.

Generally unless the snake is around camp they get a pass from us.

Ten years ago when my cousin and I were at the ranch we saw this coach whip crawling into a piece of oilfield pipe. I wanted to get his picture so I grabbed him by the tail and gently pulled. The snake was stuck so I changed position and tried again and he started coming out......that is when I discovered why he was stuck. He was wrapped around a rattlesnake which caused things to get sporty until he turned loose. After I got my pictures I let him go. That is when I learned how fast they can move. There is no way to describe to someone how fast they move. In like 2 seconds he was 50 yards out flying up a tree..........in fact at one point I think he was airborne.



Speaking of snakes and trees we found this little guy in a mesquite over the top of a pack rat nest.

Went for a hike yesterday afternoon and caught a nice 4ft rat snake.

I do think that has something to do with it. The Spiny Lizards that live down there are noticeably lighter colored then the ones inland too.

Yep, the rattlesnakes we have on the beaches and in the dunes are lighter colored.

I have seen one light colored rattler but I think it was getting to shed.

Have always been fascinated by snakes especially, but most critters in general. Had a pet diamondback for many years. I don't harm snakes I find with the exception of rattlers. I have too many kids and pets running around to risk it.