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Help a Young Herper
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by spidersnake on July 2, 2005
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In have been herping for about 3 or 4 years now. I caught and handled a hundred or more snakes. I tailed a huge Broad-Banded Copperhead last year in july. (it was approx. 4 and 1/2 feet in length. give or take 3 inches) I have a tong, Bite proof boots and shind guards. I know i would look rediculous wearing that goofy gear, but it will keep me safe. I am going to capture some rattlesnakes while I am there. But I want some professional opinions. Do you think I am ready for this? I feel ready. Thanks
James
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by aussieherper on July 2, 2005
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gday james,
in my opinion i dont think your ready to handle rattlesnakes, but i dont know you or how you are at handling. but from reading your post i think that you are not 100% sure of yourself when it comes to handling venomous if you think you have to wear shine guards to feel more comfortable around the snake. so you have to ask yourself, why do you want to handle the animal? for paractise? your better off finding someone with experience and captive animals to practise with.
just my opinion
Tom
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by Snakeman1982 on July 2, 2005
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James,
My opinion is that if you are asking if you are ready then you seem to have doubts that you are. In that case I would guess that you aren't ready to tackle rattlesnakes.
Don't rush too fast to catch venomous species by yourself without the proper training. Seeing snakes from a distance is fine for now.
It is good that you have taken good safety steps so far by purchasing boots, guards, and tongs. Those may certainly help.
If I were you I would keep on the cautious track. Don't forget that it will cost thousands of dollars if you get bit. I forget but I believe that the "average" snake bite (in America) costs around $15,000 now. It may have gone up and certainly can be more expensive. That kind of money would allow you to have all expenses paid for college tuition and probably even dorms for a couple years at a state University to study biology rather than getting bit.
Go out herping with some more experienced people for a while longer and then pick up on things slowly.
Just my bit of advice,
Robert
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by Cro on July 2, 2005
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James: You should have no concern on how you look to others while using / wearing protective gear. As a bee keeper, I wear a funny looking bee proof suit, but I dont care how it looks, I just care that it keeps me from being stung.
I have known several 15 year olds who were very capable of capturing rattlesnakes, but almost always, they were on collecting trips with older, more experienced folks.
If you can go collecting rattlesnakes with folks who are more experienced and who are willing to teach and offer advice, I would say, go for it, have fun, and learn. Having someone to watch your back is very important, especially if something goes wrong.
If you are talking about going afield hunting rattlesnakes alone, I would say not to do it. It is just too dangerous, no matter how old you are. It is always much safer and more fun to take someone along. And if that someone has a lot of experience with rattlesnakes, you will learn a lot. Be Safe, Have Fun. Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by ALA_herp31 on July 2, 2005
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I always tell new Herpers to take their time with the Hotter Stuff. Being unsure of yourself, can very easily get you Bite. James, I would wait until I felt more secure about trying a Rattler. Stick to Agkistrodon’s for the time being. Just my opinion, but I am no expert myself. Just take your time, use all the safety protocols you can. As I have always believed, you can never be to safe. Good luck, I hope everything goes well....................Be safe Ya’ll, happy herping Wally
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by timberrattlesnake89 on July 2, 2005
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I would say a few thing to help you out. First is if you encounter one be very careful of their strike range. I did not realize that the stuck as far as the I thought one would. They have enormous strike ranges. I would say that the first few times I caught rattlesnakes I only used tongs. Gentle Giants work great. I just found a gourgeous canebrake up in some mountains of North Ga today. I would also say just don't tail it if not needed. They can be very wuick little buggers and come back with easy. Also I would try to start with something small not a huge diamondback on your first experience. I also would say trying working with more copperheads if possible. They are good snakes to work with and most are calm except the one I have at home. He is evil. I would say that you are ready. But just don't exceed what you can handle.
Phillip
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by Dadee on July 5, 2005
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James,
Philip does make a VERY good statement in his reply. Tailing a rattler if unexperienced can be your most costly mistake. They are not unlike other hots in that they WILL guard their tails. If you just nudge their tail with a hook, watch and see if they quickly swing around to their tail.
Large crotalids probably are not the better choice if wanting to work with hots...as you've stated, you've worked with copperheads...they can be quite flighty themselves. Work with them for a while and when you believe...and you don't have to ask someone else if you're ready...then you can advance to those fat rattlers.
Wally pointed out, you can never be too safe. Once again, another great statement. Having the shin guards, the tongs, etc will no doubt give you some added safety, but nothing is safer than not doing it at all. You'll know when your ready, but don't over estimate your abilities.
Good luck,
Matt
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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Anonymous post on July 7, 2005
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If you want to dress like a professional, go to www. PhillipisIrwin.com. There you can order his clothes and pics of his mom bathing in gravy with Phillip holdong the gravy boat.
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by vemon on July 9, 2005
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Just remember that any venomous snake can take your life, no matter how hot they are. Handling a copperhead and handling and a rattlesnake (with proper tools) is about the same to me. This is only MY OPINION. I have found that copperheads seem to be a bit more bitey than rattlesnakes. If you have any doubts in yourself DONT DO IT. Again this is only my opinion brought forth from my experience. Good Luck and BE CAREFUL!!
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RE: Help a Young Herper
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by Cro on July 10, 2005
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Cayla makes a good point here. You should use the same respect wether you are working with a copperhead, pygmy rattler, diamondback rattlesnake, gaboon, or a cobra. They are all venomous snakes. All can cause damage or death. One should not somehow be less carefull just because they are working with a less venomous snake like a copperhead. Use safe handling procedures and the correct tools for all of them. JohnZ
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