Booked a guided day hunt in South Texas for yesterday. It was foggy in the morning with lots of moisture on the ground, the turned hot. High was low 80’s in the afternoon. My 3 pointers, which hadn’t hunted since going to Montana in September were pretty rusty. Guide had 6 dogs and a cocker also. Total of 8 coveys pointed, along with a couple pairs and some singles bumped with the truck and while walking. All covies were around 12 birds. Hunted til just before noon, then took a break til a little after 4 o’clock. 5 covies in the morning, and the afternoon hunt was going great with 3 covies pointed. We put 2 of my dogs on the ground at 5:35 for the final brace. All was good till 5:45 when I heard one of my dogs yelp. I heard the yelp as I watched her jump backwards, I then yelled SNAKE! We got to her quickly, rounded up the other dog, and I dispatched the 3-4’ rattler. The gyp had 2 bloody fang marks, one right behind the nose, the other on the upper lip. On the ride back to the gate I contacted the vet office in Falfurrias and confirmed they would be there after hours. Got there 1 hour later, and the vet and assistant went work. Since the bite had been to the nasal cavity, vet suggested a dose of anti venom. I had vaccinated with the Red Rock vaccine in September, which hopefully helped somewhat. I left after the anti venom was about 1/2 administered. Vet suggested leaving her for a couple days, so we headed home. I called the vet this morning for an update, dog had eaten some soft food this morning, and seemed to be doing well. Will check back with vet tomorrow morning.

Sorry to hear about your dog, hope she recovers completely. We had similar results in the the south Duval/north Jim Hogg area last week & weekend. Anywhere from 8-10 coveys per half day hunt. Saturday afternoon before the front came through the birds were out and we pointed/moved 17 coveys. We have the birds, but right now conditions are terrible. Warm, dry, & windy. Need some moisture and all things in the world will be right!!

Man, that's a bummer. Glad to hear your dog is on the mend. I hate snakes.

I’ve had gun dogs for over 30 years, and this was my first experience with a dog being bitten. Have killed lots of snakes, hunted really nasty snakey terrain, and watched dogs circle around snakes. I guess I’ll go back to snake awareness training before every season. I skipped it this year.

Gotta hate them rattle bug cobra moccasins. . Hope your dog gets well soon.

Word from the vet office is she may be able to pick her up tomorrow afternoon. They said swelling on neck and face has subsided quite a bit.

Tough luck on the snake bite 68’. Good to hear your dog appears to be on the road to recovery. 2 of my last three have been bitten. As luck would have it the hardest running of the three and dog I would have judged most likely to get bit is the one that has not got it. Hunting in Texas it is always a possibility. I don’t like dadgum snakes.

So Smokey, did the snakebite have any effect on the smelling senses? Were any of the bites on the nasal cavity?
Made the 6 hour round trip to pick her up today, she looks good. Just some minor swelling on the nose and upper lip area that I could see, without a thorough exam. Plenty of energy, jumped up into the crate in the back seat and settled in for the ride home. Ate a normal ration of feed at home. Start a regimen of 5 different pills and some topical DMSO tomorrow.

68’ Good to hear your dog is doing better. Both of my dogs made a full recovery with no effect on smell. Swelling gone in 3-5 days both times. No bite to nasal cavity though. One was bitten in jaw the other in the neck. Swollen pretty big and a bad looking black scab where the bite was that caved in and sloughed off with the hair both times. My dogs and I were lucky both times. Wishing for the same positive outcome for your bird dog sir.

Smokey, had dogs been vaccinated with the Red Rock vaccine?

No sir. Neither dog had the vaccination before bit.

In my opinion a dog is better off to be bitten on the head or neck than on the body

Glad pup is ok. I hate snakes!

My pup got a bite from what we believe was a cottonmouth about 8 months ago, in the same spot. He recovered nicely! I went with the antivenin, but was on the fence. I've heard mixed reviews about whether they're worth it or not. Who needs $1,600 anyways...

This

I had 2 GSP both bit within month of each other (At house, not hunting).
Both bit around lip different snake lol each time both got anti-venom etc....$2000 each.
Both did well.

Ugggh that is a downer but super happy pup is on the mend. I guess the 80 degree temp got them on the move again after the hard freeze down there 10 days before.

Well the gyp is totally back to 100%. No skin sluffing or swelling. All meds have been given that were prescribed.

Yes it was hot that day. I tried to book the trip by the weather forecast a week out, but it didn’t work out. Downside of a day hunt. If I had a lease, I wouldn’t have hunted that day past 10 am.

Lonesome Dove HRC has a snake avoidance clinic in April 2023 in San Angelo.
http://www.lonesomedovehrc.org/

Agreed