safety

[hallows89]

hey guys and gals been detecting since I was 12 and I'm 24 now so not a noob but still have a lot to learn .my question today is have any of you ever came accross snakes during hunts and what do you do to protect youurself from bites .or any advise on overall safety for woods detecting .thanks

I always go deeper

 

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[Gunrunner61]

I've been doing this Almost as long as you been alive,
And can honestly say that I have never run up on a
snake while Mding! Seriously!! I ran up one two on the course, And thats it...My hunting buddy of years says
that I move so slow that I give the snakes time to hear
me and to get the H%^^ outta the way!lol............HH

 

[Digs68]

I've not seen much while detecting, but have seen plenty over the years while arrowhead hunting. I usually sneak up close & take pictures. As long as I know where they are & they know where I am, it's okay. In the case that I feel threatened (which never happens. Not from snakes anyway), I carry a pistol.

 

[Digs68]

BTW, this is just a milk snake. It's harmless, but colorful.

 

[arnofarrell]

I love snakes and that milk snake is beautiful. Around where I live there is a rare chance of ever encountering a rattle snake but we do have snakes that I like to catch. My friend is actually deathly afraid of snakes which is funny because he is a big guy with tattoos all down his arms and a shaved head. Anyways the foundation of his house is home to a colony of snakes, just garter snakes but he is still scared. Me and a friend go out to his place in the spring and summer and pick them up and relocate them to my farm.

But as to your question I have a friend who goes antelope hunting each year and he bought a pair of snake bite boots because of the rattle snakes. There are boots and chaps that are snake proof, that I know for sure.

 

[Michellets]

Snakes haven't been a problem for me, but twice I dug up bee's nests. Since I am allergic and was stung multple times I ended up going to the ER. Bee's nests (especially hornets) seem to be especially numerous in urban woods.... and the bees in those nests are the meanest!!!! HH M.

 

[arnofarrell]

Growing up my dad and I would pour gas down hornet and holes and burn them.

 

[capt-zero]

Snakes hearing is based through feeling vibrations in the ground. If you walk heavily and move slowly, the chances of suprising one is greatly reduced. On thing to bear in mind, when dealing with snakes, is that no snake can strike further than 1/3 it's length. So, for a six foot rattler, more than two foot away and you are safe. I am facinated by snakes and have lived around them many times during my life. Snake bites are rare and deaths for the same are more rare than lightning strikes.

 

[gforce1972]

This picture is from a couple months ago. There were two. They are harmless garter snakes.



Gary

 

[dig kzoo]

Yes a few times, not too often unless i am field hunting.

 

[reednc]

With the ticks, poison ivy and possibility of snakes here in North Carolina, I avoid searching in the woods in the summer.

 

[GTzer]

No snakes while MDing because of how slow I move. I've seen plenty walking to and from sites. If you have poisonous snakes in your area-just watch stepping over logs and rocks or walking quickly through brush and tall grass.
30 yrs of MDing for me-never was close enough to get bit-even once while MDing.

 

[relicmeister]

That's encouraging news from everyone-thanks!

 

[hallows89]

Thanks to all for their answers and advise.hopefully i will be as lucky as you all and never encounter one.I'm going to move slower and louder that's for sure

I always go deeper

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Just dont be picking up logs or going into thick brush where snakes will be laying and waiting for pray... I must have seen 100s of snakes when out MDing and they will all get away from you though one time I did have a water moccasin come @ me once and i was able to act real quick and got my MDer and fling it high into the air and then ran like hell ...

 

[hallows89]

Lmao that's a funny image.so far the only ones iv came across where all during creek hunts.I'll be digging a signal look over and have one starring back at me close enough to touch lol.never stayed around long enough to see what kind.i tell myself non pois.to make myself feel better.

I always go deeper

 

[JT1080]

I haven't run across any while detecting, but I have a few times while running my sluice and MANY MaNY times while fishing. Some of my friends wear Gators (protecting leggings) they're nice but expensive.

 

[dieselram94]

I hope I never surprise a deadly snake as I wear shorts and usually flip flops from spring to fall regardless of weather. Luckily up here in Maine we are mostly snake free....

 

[Wyomingmedic]

On July 17th, 2007, I was helicoptered off of local mountain due to a rattlesnake bite.

It involved biting through my cowoby boot, then a 1 hour free climb up a canyon wall followed by climbing a tree to be able to cotact dispatch via a ham radio. I gave them GPS coordinates and landed my own rescue helicopter LOL.

I run into snakes a LOT. They are everywhere here. Just don't stick your hands/feet where you aren't 100% sure there isn't something alive.

WM

 

[Tnmountains]

You have to just keep your eyes open and know what snakes in your area are venomous. I have come upon timber rattlers and copper heads while out hunting. The rattlers do not bother me as much as the copperheads cause they blend in so well and attack fast. The rattler likes to get all coiled and set up most times. I always wear a decent boot in the woods. I never want to kill a snake. But knowing that their head is almost like an egg shell is good to know.
I agree the yellow jackets can nail you as you sweep past them and do not see them then they come out of the hole all over you. They have made me pretty sick with the stings but I carry Benadryl in my pack. Just be safe and pay attention.
I keep snake chaps in my truck but am guilty of not wearing them often.
You may not be as lucky as Wyomingmedic. My friend lost 3 fingers from a copper head bite. Took to long to get back out and it swelled really fast.
Just be safe not scared.
HH
TnMtns