Is this a biggun?

My pup and i were shed hunting friday, about 53 degrees cool. Walking through woods and she stops and starts sniffing around a big log. I see something but think its an armadillo, as i get close i see the stripes. She listened when i told her to get back.
Prodded with a long stick to see if it was alive. Took a few prods before it “woke” up. Normally carry a judge in the warmer months for these guys, but it was sluggish and not a threat (yet), my wife was not happy i let it go alive. I told her it was way back in the woods where no one is going usually (not a lie).

There at least another couple sets of buttons in the shadows not shown in the pics. Wasnt getting to close once those things started shaking

No free passes in my book for them.

Timber rattlesnakes are protected.....
If you kill it keep it to yourself.

Timber rattlers in OK are protected as long as they are not threatening people or animals.

This one got a pass as it wasnt threatening anything.

I didnt think they were protected. Texas either. But Im often wrong.
And, yes, with those rattlers it appears to be very big.

yep

they are no longer protected in texas . they were removed from protected status a couple years ago.

Big enough!

Beautiful big ol girl…..very nice snake

Yup

Is the head dead yet

To answer your question. Yes.

Looks big to me

buttons are no indication of size or age

I have never seen a small or young rattler with 12+ buttons.

So it means something

I am not trying to age it just based on the buttons.

Get that sucker and I’ll make you a hat band and or 1911 grips out of it

This is correct.

Maybe the most intimidating part is the fact that they are so well camouflaged that it is easy to get that close without seeing them!

Looks big! Rattle is pretty wide all the way up, guessing it's a decent age too!

Yes, now you can kill them AND post the pictures