Ticks & Rattler on the Deschutes

[shouldbehunting]

Just wanted to give eveyone a heads up (especially you dog people) that the ticks are going to be HORRIBLE this year! I went on Friday and have pulled off at least 40 ticks of my dog already!!!!!!! The mild winter have them out thick.

Also killed a medium sized rattler. Thought it was too early but I was wrong. Found it right in the high grass alongside a bank. Talk about jumping out of your waders!


Be Careful...

[tumalt]

Originally Posted by shouldbehunting

Just wanted to give eveyone a heads up (especially you dog people) that the ticks are going to be HORRIBLE this year! I went on Friday and have pulled off at least 40 ticks of my dog already!!!!!!! The mild winter have them out thick.

Also killed a medium sized rattler. Thought it was too early but I was wrong. Found it right in the high grass alongside a bank. Talk about jumping out of your waders!


Be Careful...

Thanks for the warning about the ticks, but I have to ask...why kill the rattler? I've seen about a billion rattlers on the deschutes and have never seen the need to kill them unless your planning on eating them. It always bothers me when I see people killing snakes out there.

[fishn machine]

Because You your kid or your dog could be its next victim.. I kill all rattlers I have seen and don't feel bad at all..

[DirectDrive]

Originally Posted by tumalt

Thanks for the warning about the ticks, but I have to ask...why kill the rattler? I've seen about a billion rattlers on the deschutes and have never seen the need to kill them unless your planning on eating them. It always bothers me when I see people killing snakes out there.

I also like the rattlers around.....they help keep the pressure down.
The noobs think they're safe in the water until they see one of those 6' swimmers
A big tick hatch is welcome too JK

[MikeT]

I like having them around too. I've seen a bunch on the river and never had a problem.....just leave them alone and they'll return the favor.
Whenever guys feel a need to go after them with a stick or rock, I'm always rooting for the snake....

[DirectDrive]

Originally Posted by MikeT

I like having them around too. I've seen a bunch on the river and never had a problem.....just leave them alone and they'll return the favor.
Whenever guys feel a need to go after them with a stick or rock, I'm always rooting for the snake....

Here, here !
I really believe that humans have a genetic fear of the serpent.
In canines there are "fear biters" and in humans there are "fear killers".

I think that I have one of my fishin' buddies rescued from the dark side but it doesn't help when I launch him with that rubber snake in steelhead camp each season

[Chuckflyer]

Originally Posted by MikeT

I like having them around too. I've seen a bunch on the river and never had a problem.....just leave them alone and they'll return the favor.
Whenever guys feel a need to go after them with a stick or rock, I'm always rooting for the snake....

I agree! If they aren't threatening you then why kill them?

[native steelie]

thanks for the warning about the ticks. and i hope u ate that rattle snake. if not why kill it?

[shouldbehunting]

I killed it because my dog was out there. Sorry, just not going to take that chance. It's extremely rare that a person dies from a bite but dogs are at much more risk. I usually leave her home when I go to the Deschutes, thought it would be too early to see some rattlers in March. I was wrong. She won't be going out there again until Nov or Dec.

You have your opinions, I have mine. You can leave them be. I kill them.

[Chuckflyer]

Originally Posted by shouldbehunting

I killed it because my dog was out there. Sorry, just not going to take that chance. It's extremely rare that a person dies from a bite but dogs are at much more risk. I usually leave her home when I go to the Deschutes, thought it would be too early to see some rattlers in March. I was wrong. She won't be going out there again until Nov or Dec.

You have your opinions, I have mine. You can leave them be. I kill them.

Like Mike T I'm rooting for the snake!

[JRV]

Kill them

[Breshears]

Why do we kill coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, or kill pike minnows, carp, suckers? BECAUSE WE CAN. Many do not eat those They either kill game animals or fish and may possible hurt a sportsman or dog. Nothing illegal with killing em so to each his own.

[chocolatelab]

kill em all

[Redarrow]

Agreed the only good rattler is a dead one. You snake lovers can try to travel many miles to a hospital to get antivenom when you get bit......but i rather enjoy life.

[tumalt]

Originally Posted by Breshears

Why do we kill coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, or kill pike minnows, carp, suckers? BECAUSE WE CAN. Many do not eat those They either kill game animals or fish and may possible hurt a sportsman or dog. Nothing illegal with killing em so to each his own.

Well that's simple. "we" don't. "Because we can" sure seems like a strange motto to live by. Don't get me wrong, I'm no peta vegetarian. I've been a hunter most my life, I just don't get the strange knee jerk fear that people have of rattlers. I've lived around rattlers my entire life. The only time I ever felt compelled to kill one was when it was inside my dogs pen when I was a kid, or when I felt like eating rattle snakes. I'm not saying there is no time and place for killing snakes, I just don't get the guys who are out in the middle of nowhere, see a snake and instantly pick up a rock and crush it. Seems wasteful and irresponsible to me. I'm just saying...calm the nerves, take a deep breath, put the rock down and just let the little guy go about its business. They're pretty cool animals if you just take a moment to check them out.

But bunnies and squirrells?! Kill those little shifty b******s! I know one of these days they're going to eat my dog!

[SXS]

Lost one of the best dogs I ever had to a rattler. I'm sure the snake was operating in self defense but it really affected me and every rattler I see dies. I know this won't bring my dog back. Just something I can't explain. They ain't endangered. I just have a vendetta.

[stlhdr]

Say you are walking down a trail and see a rattler, and decide to just leave it be and go on your way. Half an hour later a kid or someone's dog goes down the same trail and gets bit by the snake. I would probably wish I had just killed it instead of walking by. On a crowded river like the D I believe it is best to kill the snakes that might be a danger to someone else.

[MikeT]

Originally Posted by stlhdr

Say you are walking down a trail and see a rattler, and decide to just leave it be and go on your way. Half an hour later a kid or someone's dog goes down the same trail and gets bit by the snake. I would probably wish I had just killed it instead of walking by. On a crowded river like the D I believe it is best to kill the snakes that might be a danger to someone else.

So, using your logic there should be a concerted effort to kill every snake so that kids and dogs are safer?

Kids are about a million times more likely to get killed in a auto wreck on the way to the river than they are to succumb to a snake bite. And anyone that let's their dog run loose along the river during spring/summer/fall is just begging for a dead dog. Snakes belong in the canyon; loose dogs do not.

You can tell a lot about an outdoorsman by the respect he shows for the critters and their habitat.

[stlhdr]

MikeT, I don't think you read my post closely. I would kill a snake that might be a danger to someone else. If I walk down to the water, then wade up or down river and happen to see a snake in the grass minding its own business I would probably let it be. If I see a rattler on a well used trail that might be a harm to someone else, that's probably it for that snake.

[bauer buoy]

Originally Posted by MikeT

So, using your logic there should be a concerted effort to kill every snake so that kids and dogs are safer?

Kids are about a million times more likely to get killed in a auto wreck on the way to the river than they are to succumb to a snake bite. And anyone that let's their dog run loose along the river during spring/summer/fall is just begging for a dead dog. Snakes belong in the canyon; loose dogs do not.

You can tell a lot about an outdoorsman by the respect he shows for the critters and their habitat.

I've been up there on the dechutes for the last 30yrs. I've been hit twice in my wading boots by snakes. thank god for thick boots! I hear them in my area I just move up or down river or walk around them on the trail.
I don't kill the snakes for any reason. If there on the trail sometimes I'll get them to move with my 12ft fishing rod. If you don't **** them off they will go away. The only way they get aroused is when they are serprised by someone or some thing. What makes me laugh is when I see dogs running up the trails and down to the river bank loose. My dog got bit one time and was okay with medical help. He then stayed close to me walking up or down river and stay in one spot till I got out of the water. He used to hear them and stay far away from them and bark. To tell me it's there. Now kids! if they could be taught about rattlesnakes and places they are at they wouldn't be a victim for a snakes. Teach the kids and leash up the dogs! That's all the good advice I have to say.

[stoneflyguy]

I hate snakes and to tell the truth I would probably run litle a little girl. Given the chance I would kill them too. You go ahead and leave them, I'll kill them, or run. Just thinking about them give me the willys. I hate ticks too.

[nunyet]

If they are within a few feet of the trail , in camp or next to river they die, that gives them to the top of the canyon to live.

nunyet

[shouldbehunting]

Originally Posted by bauer buoy

I've been up there on the dechutes for the last 30yrs. I've been hit twice in my wading boots by snakes. thank god for thick boots! I hear them in my area I just move up or down river or walk around them on the trail.
I don't kill the snakes for any reason. If there on the trail sometimes I'll get them to move with my 12ft fishing rod. If you don't **** them off they will go away. The only way they get aroused is when they are serprised by someone or some thing. What makes me laugh is when I see dogs running up the trails and down to the river bank loose. My dog got bit one time and was okay with medical help. He then stayed close to me walking up or down river and stay in one spot till I got out of the water. He used to hear them and stay far away from them and bark. To tell me it's there. Now kids! if they could be taught about rattlesnakes and places they are at they wouldn't be a victim for a snakes. Teach the kids and leash up the dogs! That's all the good advice I have to say.

Let the snakes run free but make sure your dog is leashed up tight?! What a terrible thing to have, a dog running around, having a great time outdoors and enjoying themselves. SHAME on me!

Next time I head out I'll make sure to put her in a small box where she belongs.....

[Addicted2Koke]

Originally Posted by stlhdr

Say you are walking down a trail and see a rattler, and decide to just leave it be and go on your way. Half an hour later a kid or someone's dog goes down the same trail and gets bit by the snake. I would probably wish I had just killed it instead of walking by. On a crowded river like the D I believe it is best to kill the snakes that might be a danger to someone else.

There's always "what ifs" in life. If a kid was killed, it wouldn't be your fault. You did not make the snake bite and you can't predict the future.

+1 for the snakes

[DirectDrive]

If your dog is "running around" in snake country he is at risk. You can't kill then all.
Ask an Eastside upland bird hunter. You hope that you have conditioned/taught your dog well enough to be wary of snakes as he works for birds.

Coyotes can teach themselves to coexist with snakes. Our pups need to be taught by us about that danger.

[Abalone]

A snake skin would look nice around my fly fishing hat....

[rosstucker32]

So, not to hijack here, but I happen to have just gotten a pup who I was planning on taking fishing with me. So are you all saying that if I take my dog to the D I need to tie him to a tree while I fish?

How ever would anyone get any bird hunting done if all they did was worry about their pup getting hit by a rattler? Am I missing something here? It the Deschutes Canyon more infested by rattlers than other upland areas, so it is more of a problem there?

How would one go about conditioning a dog to be afraid of a rattle snake? If I use birds to teach him to like birds, it would stand to reason that I would need a snake to....well, that is not a part of training that I would attempt to conquer.

About killing the snakes, I understand that and don't have a problem with it, but the vast majority of people who get bit by rattlesnakes are those that are taunting them or trying to kill them. I just take a wide berth.

[clarkman23]

That's why I never take my dog with me out there during this time of year...

I say you should just kill everything and everyone who could be threatening to you...

Personally, I'm never going to kill one unless I plan on eating it...not going to change anyone's mind here but I do think it's a little wasteful to go out into their environment and just kill them. Just educate your kids & watch where you step & train your dog, it's that simple. Just like when you tell your kid not to talk to strangers...you don't go around killing all strangers just because they COULD be a threat to someones kid down the road, do you?

seriously...



besides, you should be WAY more concerned about the ticks than the snakes...

[sms]

I guess to each their own... But +1 for the snakes.

I would bet a pretty penny that if, for whatever reasons, rattlers were eradicated from the D, we would be extremely regretful.

[sms]

Originally Posted by clarkman23

That's why I never take my dog with me out there during this time of year...

I say you should just kill everything and everyone who could be threatening to you...

Personally, I'm never going to kill one unless I plan on eating it...not going to change anyone's mind here but I do think it's a little wasteful to go out into their environment and just kill them. Just educate your kids & watch where you step & train your dog, it's that simple. Just like when you tell your kid not to talk to strangers...you don't go around killing all strangers just because they COULD be a threat to someones kid down the road, do you?

seriously...

Well said.....

[clarkman23]

Originally Posted by rosstucker32

How would one go about conditioning a dog to be afraid of a rattle snake? If I use birds to teach him to like birds, it would stand to reason that I would need a snake to....well, that is not a part of training that I would attempt to conquer.

yeah, something like that...seriously though, take your dog to a reptile store and have the owner bring out a young gopher snake (typically they are a little moody), when your dog gets curious and gets nailed on the tip of the nose by a harmless gopher snake, he'll learn.

that's actually what I ended up doing with my dog (by accident), back when I had multiple snakes, he got nailed right on the tip of the nose by a young bull snake and ever since then, he looks, but stays out of reach.

[rosstucker32]

Originally Posted by clarkman23

yeah, something like that...seriously though, take your dog to a reptile store and have the owner bring out a young gopher snake (typically they are a little moody), when your dog gets curious and gets nailed on the tip of the nose by a harmless gopher snake, he'll learn.

that's actually what I ended up doing with my dog (by accident), back when I had multiple snakes, he got nailed right on the tip of the nose by a young bull snake and ever since then, he looks, but stays out of reach.

That is a heck of a good idea. I can zap him at the same time. It just may work...

I posted a thread in the Hunting forum regarding this. We'll see what those guys come up with too.

[clarkman23]

I'd offer to help personally, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the only snake I currently have is a medium sized boa that is more gentle than most dogs and would rather curl up with the dog for warmth.

[floatinghat]

Originally Posted by rosstucker32

That is a heck of a good idea. I can zap him at the same time. It just may work...

I posted a thread in the Hunting forum regarding this. We'll see what those guys come up with too.

I was asked about this and responded with "when they get near the snake hit them with the training collar".

Leave the snakes be, they are meant to be out there keeping the rodents in check.

[Two Fister]

I hate ticks way more than Rattlesnakes. If you want to eradicate ticks it would be fine with me. Snakes are an important part of the ecosystem.

I'm way more afraid of people shooting at the ground two feet in front of themselves than I am of rattlers. I've heard bullets ricochet across the river when some bonehead decided to kill a "vicious" 2' long bullsnake that he had mistaken for a rattler.

I make a point of stomping my feet every few steps when I'm walking through high grass or brush on the lower D. I haven't seen a rattler in years. Give them some warning and they are only too happy to get out of your way. 90% of the people that come in with bites were trying to either pick the snake up or kill it when they get struck.

And yeah, your dog should be tied up when your fishing. I can't tell you how many times I've had someone elses dog come bounding up to me and decide to take a little swim right in the water that I'm fishing. Funny how they don't seem to do that in their owners water. I leave my dog at home when I'm fishing. I've also seen dogs running deer around both Macks and Beavertail.

You can be cited by the BLM for not having your dog under control on public land.
TF

[Chuckflyer]

Originally Posted by shouldbehunting

Let the snakes run free but make sure your dog is leashed up tight?! What a terrible thing to have, a dog running around, having a great time outdoors and enjoying themselves. SHAME on me!

Next time I head out I'll make sure to put her in a small box where she belongs.....

There are parts of the Deschutes where you are required to have your dog leashed!
Are you above the law?

[blacktail]

Seems like a no-brainer to me... if you are fishing in snake country, maybe you should leave your dog at home?

[rosstucker32]

Originally Posted by Chuckflyer

There are parts of the Deschutes where you are required to have your dog leashed!
Are you above the law?

Care to share those places so that we know? Thanks!

[shouldbehunting]

I do not believe to be above the law, I avoid those parts of the Deschutes.

I won't be taking her again until the winter is here; not because of the rattlers but because my wife wants to kill me as we had to pick over 40 ticks off of her (found 2 crawling around this morning on the floor!!)

I didn't intend on this being a debate on killing vs living; I don't care if you kill them and I don't care if you leave them. I kill them, sage rats, rabbits, coyotes, spiders for my wife, and anything else I can get a tag for.....and that's that.

[Slow and Low]

Ticks are always a problem, snakes are never a problem. My dog has been raised on the deschutes and he runs free. Make sure your dog is front lined and take a second measure by spraying that tick spray (sorry forget the name). My dog isn't the least bit curious about things, he just wants to book through the bushes and play fetch. He is scared of the rattle snake noise so he hears it an moves away.

I will caution you about sleeping with your dog in the tent, they will bring ticks with them and they will crawl onto you, front line or not.

Dogs are also known to try and fetch your steelhead ;-)

Tight lines,

[Meskel]

Snake - its whats for dinner.


Meskel

[tumalt]

Originally Posted by shouldbehunting

I do not believe to be above the law, I avoid those parts of the Deschutes.

I won't be taking her again until the winter is here; not because of the rattlers but because my wife wants to kill me as we had to pick over 40 ticks off of her (found 2 crawling around this morning on the floor!!)

I didn't intend on this being a debate on killing vs living; I don't care if you kill them and I don't care if you leave them. I kill them, sage rats, rabbits, coyotes, spiders for my wife, and anything else I can get a tag for.....and that's that.

You should talk to your vet. I have tick medicine that I give my dog and it seems to work really well. I went hiking last weekend with three dogs. My two friends dogs both came home with 6 or 7 ticks. My dog didn't have any. The stuff seems to work really well.

[Wild Chrome]

People shoot snakes out of fear.

I'm not afraid of snakes, but I am afraid of tick-born diseases. I know of several cases of Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever that have come from that area. Should I be shooting the ticks? Gonna need a lot of bullets!

[AndyK]

Last year, I was walking back to my truck after a day fishing on the Eastside and I saw some movement along the trail I was on. I investigated and found a Bull snake. I caught the snake and moved it away from the trail; they look enough like a rattler that I didn’t want another fishermen freaking. I like Bull snakes.

On the other hand, if the snake had been a rattler, I would have smashed its head with a rock.

I don’t take my dogs fishing on the Eastside mainly because of the ticks. I had a lab with a tick infestation once; that was enough.

[Chuckflyer]

Originally Posted by rosstucker32

Care to share those places so that we know? Thanks!

Lower section from the mouth up is one of them. There are signs as you enter the trail on the east side.

[native steelie]

i'm really astonished by the ignorance this post has brought. i'm completely amazed at how some people just have absolutely no respect for the outdoors. i was raised in the outdoors. i was taught to respect living things. the problem i see with snakes and people doesn't lie withing the snakes, it's within people. misguided judgment or lack of knowledge seems to be the leading factor in most decisions to kill a snake. just because you see a snake laying there doesn't mean u should kill it. say you have a little kid with you, now you take him hunting/fishing what ever you're doing out in the woods and you just instantly kill it and your little kid sees you. what are you going to tell your little kid, you killed it because you can? that is irresponsible and disrespectful. don't kill for fun get educated. i used to go hunting with my father and every rattler we seen he would kill. so i stopped pointing them out to him. we weren't there to hunt rattle snakes. once down in macks canyon along the deschutes we were hunting chuckers up along the rim. i almost stepped right on a battle rattler and it tried to bite right through my steel toed boots. i didn't kill it because i could i simple just gained awareness of my surroundings. being out in nature can sure teach you a lot if you're just willing to listen

[shouldbehunting]

Originally Posted by native steelie

i'm really astonished by the ignorance this post has brought. i'm completely amazed at how some people just have absolutely no respect for the outdoors. i was raised in the outdoors. i was taught to respect living things. the problem i see with snakes and people doesn't lie withing the snakes, it's within people. misguided judgment or lack of knowledge seems to be the leading factor in most decisions to kill a snake. just because you see a snake laying there doesn't mean u should kill it. say you have a little kid with you, now you take him hunting/fishing what ever you're doing out in the woods and you just instantly kill it and your little kid sees you. what are you going to tell your little kid, you killed it because you can? that is irresponsible and disrespectful. don't kill for fun get educated. i used to go hunting with my father and every rattler we seen he would kill. so i stopped pointing them out to him. we weren't there to hunt rattle snakes. once down in macks canyon along the deschutes we were hunting chuckers up along the rim. i almost stepped right on a battle rattler and it tried to bite right through my steel toed boots. i didn't kill it because i could i simple just gained awareness of my surroundings. being out in nature can sure teach you a lot if you're just willing to listen

ignorance [ˈɪgnərəns]
n lack of knowledge, information, or education; the state of being ignorant


People KNOW that snake bites can kill; especially with dogs. People are INFORMED that it is not illegal to kill snakes. People are EDUCATED enough to know that an unknowing person who steps close enough to them might be bitten without warning. How is that ignorant? Seems like an knowledgable, informative, educated decision on killing a snake to me.

Because you don't agree doesn't mean that everyone else is ignorant.

Jeez, I didn't know there were so many snake lovers around here! Either that or people just like to argue.....

[Two Fister]

Nope. There are a lot of people around here that are snake lovers. I happen to really like sharks and other apex predators as well. When we take them out of the environment or monkey with nature by trying to fix things as we see fit, bad things happen.

I'd like to see the stats regarding how many people have either: 1) blown their foot off while trying to kill a snake, or 2) gotten bitten by a wounded snake after trying to kill it.

Do me a favor and don't try to kill a snake on my behalf. Chances are you'll just tick it off and then I'll have to deal with it later.

I've been fishing the Deschutes and Central Oregon for nearly 30 years. In that time I've heard of 7 people and 4 or 5 dogs that have been struck by snakes. None of them died. Of the people that were struck 6 of them were trying to handle the snakes. 5 of them were drunk. The one that wasn't drunk was teenager trying to show off for his friends. That leaves 1 person in 30 years that I've heard of, read about on the net or news, that was struck out of the blue. It was a guide last year that put his hand on a high bank without looking and he got nailed.

I'd say if you are so worried about getting bitten by a rattlesnake you should be terrified of driving over to the D as it is dramatically more dangerous.

I'm out. Have fun.
TF

[DirectDrive]

Those snakes tree me like a scared coon.
It's embarrassing.....I don't think I'm going back.

[shouldbehunting]

Originally Posted by Two Fister

Nope. There are a lot of people around here that are snake lovers. I happen to really like sharks and other apex predators as well. When we take them out of the environment or monkey with nature by trying to fix things as we see fit, bad things happen.

I'd like to see the stats regarding how many people have either: 1) blown their foot off while trying to kill a snake, or 2) gotten bitten by a wounded snake after trying to kill it.

Do me a favor and don't try to kill a snake on my behalf. Chances are you'll just tick it off and then I'll have to deal with it later.

I've been fishing the Deschutes and Central Oregon for nearly 30 years. In that time I've heard of 7 people and 4 or 5 dogs that have been struck by snakes. None of them died. Of the people that were struck 6 of them were trying to handle the snakes. 5 of them were drunk. The one that wasn't drunk was teenager trying to show off for his friends. That leaves 1 person in 30 years that I've heard of, read about on the net or news, that was struck out of the blue. It was a guide last year that put his hand on a high bank without looking and he got nailed.

I'd say if you are so worried about getting bitten by a rattlesnake you should be terrified of driving over to the D as it is dramatically more dangerous.

I'm out. Have fun.
TF

I could care less about other people getting bit really. If they're out there they should know the risks and be aware. I care about dogs, they are the ones who are more likely to get bit.

Read the stories on the hunters forum under "Dogs & Rattlers". More than enough reason to slay every one I see!

[Eben]

Ok, my two labs love and for that matter need to be off leash whenever and wherever they can. It's the best thing for them, and I take them often to the D in the middle of winter and then, during the middle of the week. We often hike up the rimrock next to the river. Dogs, esp. labs, need to be free to sniff and explore and do their thing, not on a leash.

That said, I would never take one of my labs to the river during snake season. Never have. Never will.

As far as killing rattlers, suit yourself.

[cphatts]

Deschutes rattlers are pretty damn docile by nature. Several times I have taken my rod or stick and poked them and I never once had one strike the object. They usually give a buzz and just want to turn tail and crawl under a rock. Naturally I would never want to test this theory with my own flesh, but you gotta admit they are rather lethargic. Like most predators, they don't like surprises. Just try to watch where you put your hands and feet (this is why dogs/little kids/intoxicated adults and snakes don't mix) The only two people I have ever met who were bitten were both bitten on their hands. One was rock climbing and the other was archery hunting and crawling on his hands and knees. Sure, they scare the hell out of me when I hear them buzz but I'm not too worried about being bitten. I am more freaked about the little creepy crawlies like widows, scorpions, and ticks that you don't know are there and crawl on you or into your gear.

[BeaverBoy]

Originally Posted by native steelie

i'm really astonished by the ignorance this post has brought. i'm completely amazed at how some people just have absolutely no respect for the outdoors. i was raised in the outdoors. i was taught to respect living things. the problem i see with snakes and people doesn't lie withing the snakes, it's within people. misguided judgment or lack of knowledge seems to be the leading factor in most decisions to kill a snake. just because you see a snake laying there doesn't mean u should kill it. say you have a little kid with you, now you take him hunting/fishing what ever you're doing out in the woods and you just instantly kill it and your little kid sees you. what are you going to tell your little kid, you killed it because you can? that is irresponsible and disrespectful. don't kill for fun get educated. i used to go hunting with my father and every rattler we seen he would kill. so i stopped pointing them out to him. we weren't there to hunt rattle snakes. once down in macks canyon along the deschutes we were hunting chuckers up along the rim. i almost stepped right on a battle rattler and it tried to bite right through my steel toed boots. i didn't kill it because i could i simple just gained awareness of my surroundings. being out in nature can sure teach you a lot if you're just willing to listen

Thank you for calling me ignorant! I have been called alot of things in life but never ignorant. I guess there is a first for everything. Way to go by making IFISH such a friendly place to share information.
I will have to admit that I am completely terrified of snakes. I personally cant stand snakes and kill all the rattlers I see. Maybe my issue with has to do working in Arkanasa for 2 years where there were rattlers, water moccassin and copper heads to contend with everyday.

Aaron C. Carter

P.S. Atleast I signed my post!

[Stickswinger]

Originally Posted by BeaverBoy

Thank you for calling me ignorant! I have been called alot of things in life but never ignorant. I guess there is a first for everything. Way to go by making IFISH such a friendly place to share information.
I will have to admit that I am completely terrified of snakes. I personally cant stand snakes and kill all the rattlers I see. Maybe my issue with has to do working in Arkanasa for 2 years where there were rattlers, water moccassin and copper heads to contend with everyday.

Aaron C. Carter

P.S. Atleast I signed my post!

Aaron, I grew up in the South with water moccasins, rattlers and copperheads and have never killed a snake on purpose ( I ran over one once by accident) and copperheads are probably one of the scariest snakes in the US becasue they make no noise and are better camoed than any other poisonous snake I've encountered. Just be aware. My opinion won't change anyone's mind, but my Dad instilled in me at a young age that you never kill anything you don't eat. I have had rattlesnake twice in Virginia and it was awesome! When my pointer is on the Deschutes, she is tethered and she is trained for rattlers and gets antivenom shots each year. I agree with other posters that the ticks are more of a concern to me than anything else. The rattlers have a purpose. I may not go as far as saying people who kill things without intent to consume are ignorant, but I would question their land ethic and sportsmanship.

Ryland Moore

[Whiskey Dick]

Bitten by a rattler many years ago on the D and she is still going strong

I found this one close to my camp and she posed for a pic and then moved on;

[clarkman23]

I too live in the South for an extended period of time in my childhood, well Texas, to be precise for 12 years. I've encountered countless water moccasins, copperheads & various species of rattlesnakes (including Western Diamondbacks)...most of these are much more aggressive & dangerous than the little rattlers we have out on the Deschutes and I never once found it necessary to kill them. I've had a few close calls through the years, but that's also because I was constantly handling them...

[DirectDrive]

Originally Posted by Whiskey Dick

Bitten by a rattler many years ago on the D and she is still going strong

I found this one close to my camp and she posed for a pic and then moved on;

Nice pics, WD !
My Chesapeake used to ride up there like that, too.
Miss that guy.

[stoneflyguy]

There are plenty of snakes out there, I don't think we are going to put much of a dent in the population.

[sms]

Originally Posted by stoneflyguy

There are plenty of snakes out there, I don't think we are going to put much of a dent in the population.

That sounds like a statement from the early 1900's about our fish runs..

In the right here and now, are we making an impact on the rattler population? Probably not. But with some of the attitudes we are seeing who's to say that won't change in the next 100 years. Jus' sayin'...

[garyk]

Don't feel like you need to go killing wildlife on account of me or my dogs -

I've observed the more time someone spends out and about, and maybe learns about the critters that also call this place home, the less likely they are kill wildlife because it's 'in the way'.

I never worried about anti-venom for the several generations of dogs that have fished with us on the D. If you're extremely concerned about your dog getting bit, you could see a vet and then pack some anti-venom in your cooler. That's a lot better action than waging a pointless war against native wildlife. BTW, a significant number of times a rattler's defensive bite is a 'dry bite' - they don't inject venom every bite.

As for doing damage to dogs, our biggest canine trauma on the Deschutes has been from porcupines - two occassions.

Enjoy the fishing....enjoy your surroundings.