Normally I keep the grass short enough that I can easily see them. But I've been out of town 4 days and I couldn't mow before I left...because of rain. So the grass was MUCH taller than normal.
They don't get a 'pass' if they come up around the house or my shop, but any that are out in the woods (or in this case right at the edge of the pasture) aren't any threat to me.
They play a needed role in the ecosystem and should be left alone (IMO) in most cases. With as many Feral Hogs as we have around here...I'm surprised there are many snakes left.
Not quite sure how killing every venomous snake I see would keep me from being bitten?
I've lived around snakes most of my 65 years, handled hundreds of them and have yet to be bitten (venomous snake).
Of course, I exercise caution in areas where I expect snakes to be and I am careful when handling them.
I had a Chocolate Lab that couldn't seem to leave them alone and was bitten on 3 different occasions.
My Daughter's Dachshund was bitten on the paw once. Still.....I believe most snakes do more good than harm.
I give them no quarter IF they get up around my house or shop area. I keep my lawn looking like a golf course normally and don't have things stacked up or laying around that would attract mice (food source).
There is a minimum 'buffer' (short mowed grass) of 75 yds. between the house and the closest pasture, so no reason for snakes to be out on the lawn. Once in a while it happens and those snakes (venomous) are immediately dispatched.
But why would I kill a Copperhead/other on my property...a full mile from my dwelling? Just because I can? Not gonna do it. If they don't pose a threat...no logical reason I can see to kill them.
I do. Friend of mine at work (20 yrs. ago) was reaching down into the covered water meter on his property to brush away some leaves in order to read the meter.
He DID look down first but didn't check the backside of it (nearest to him). You know what happened next.
His bite (Southern Copperhead) was to the fleshy part of the palm just below his thumb. Both fangs, pretty good envenomation.
He did not think (initially) that he should seek medical attention. But in the next 36 hrs. the swelling had traveled up to his elbow. The area immediately around the bite looked like a giant bruise (purple, yellow, red). By the time he went to the hospital..there wasn't much they could do except give antihistamine and antibiotic.
He went around work the next two weeks with hand raised above his head like he knew the answer to some question being asked. We teased him mercilessly.
I'm pretty sure Mr. Hawkins has killed every snake he's come across since then. But probably more to even the score than to prevent being bitten again.
They don't get a 'pass' if they come up around the house or my shop, but any that are out in the woods (or in this case right at the edge of the pasture) aren't any threat to me.
They play a needed role in the ecosystem and should be left alone (IMO) in most cases. With as many Feral Hogs as we have around here...I'm surprised there are many snakes left.
Not quite sure how killing every venomous snake I see would keep me from being bitten?
I've lived around snakes most of my 65 years, handled hundreds of them and have yet to be bitten (venomous snake).
Of course, I exercise caution in areas where I expect snakes to be and I am careful when handling them.
I had a Chocolate Lab that couldn't seem to leave them alone and was bitten on 3 different occasions.
My Daughter's Dachshund was bitten on the paw once. Still.....I believe most snakes do more good than harm.
I give them no quarter IF they get up around my house or shop area. I keep my lawn looking like a golf course normally and don't have things stacked up or laying around that would attract mice (food source).
There is a minimum 'buffer' (short mowed grass) of 75 yds. between the house and the closest pasture, so no reason for snakes to be out on the lawn. Once in a while it happens and those snakes (venomous) are immediately dispatched.
But why would I kill a Copperhead/other on my property...a full mile from my dwelling? Just because I can? Not gonna do it. If they don't pose a threat...no logical reason I can see to kill them.
Not quite sure how killing every venomous snake I see would keep me from being bitten?
I've lived around snakes most of my 65 years, handled hundreds of them and have yet to be bitten (venomous snake).
Of course, I exercise caution in areas where I expect snakes to be and I am careful when handling them.
I had a Chocolate Lab that couldn't seem to leave them alone and was bitten on 3 different occasions.
My Daughter's Dachshund was bitten on the paw once. Still.....I believe most snakes do more good than harm.
I give them no quarter IF they get up around my house or shop area. I keep my lawn looking like a golf course normally and don't have things stacked up or laying around that would attract mice (food source).
There is a minimum 'buffer' (short mowed grass) of 75 yds. between the house and the closest pasture, so no reason for snakes to be out on the lawn. Once in a while it happens and those snakes (venomous) are immediately dispatched.
But why would I kill a Copperhead/other on my property...a full mile from my dwelling? Just because I can? Not gonna do it. If they don't pose a threat...no logical reason I can see to kill them.
CUTE PUP
He's a hoot.
We have 4 Dachshunds (3 longhair) (One short hair).
