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Another day......another dead snake....
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by Ptk on October 1, 2009
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The same tired old scene repeats itself again. I arrive at a "contained" snake removal call, to see four guys standing in the yard. One propped against a shovel (our "hero") another with a stick (the understudy) and two more with the big sh*t grins on their face (the extras).
While getting my equipment, I overhear the "hero" laughing boisterously reliving his heroic tale of how he first discovered the deadly beast. In polished detail he retraces his every thought, emotion and second of the event. The two extras drinking it all in, like free beer.
I explain who I am and the "hero" explains his wife is the one that called me. He goes on to inform me that when the snake tried to get away, he had to kill it. Seems that our mighty white hunter knows it is a baby Copperhead and when it started to strike at his shovel he "just couldn't take any more chances".
At this point the understudy points his stick at the ground and looks up at me. There was a pile on the ground best described as something your dog might leave in the yard. About 6 inches of earth had been removed (obviously from repeated beatings by a shovel) and somewhere in this heap of dirt, blood, guts, leaves and grass was our man-eating serpent.
The "hero" sensing my disappointment goes on to repeat the tale for me. The two extras concentrate with nervous anticipation of hearing some forgotten detail. He showed me a wet spot on the shovel blade "that's where it struck, you can see the venom". I start to pick apart the pile with my hook. When I find a section large enough to identify, to my complete surprise, it was not a baby Copperhead but a Brown snake.
Now I could have made this guy look completely stupid by explaining he had just killed a non-venomous snake that is protected by our state law. I could have explained the difference between a baby Copperhead and an adult Brown snake. I could have used this opportunity to educate him and his band of merry men. Instead I began thinking how many times I have had this same conversation, over and over, although the players may change and specie may be different, I have lost my will to try.
I listened to the understudy doing his best to one up the hero with a story of how he killed a Copperhead. "It was so long it came up to his shoulders and still touched the ground". I quietly excused myself, loaded my equipment and after giving the "hero" a bill for my time and fuel, I left.
I am sure my resolve will return by the next call but today I was tapped out. I just have never been able to understand why killing something that has no arms or legs, no claws or powerful jaws, no horns or antlers, no hard shell or armor, stands only 0 - 2 inches tall (in this case probably .25 inch) is so macho? Even if this had been a Copperhead or EDB you're dealing with an animal that only wants to be left alone and does everything it can to hide from you.
Go toe to toe with a Kodiak Bear, swim with a seal carcass through shark infested waters, then you have something to brag about. Killing a virtually blind, deaf and unintelligent creature crawling on the ground, with a long handled shovel.....come on...really???
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RE: Another day......another dead snake....
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by Cro on October 1, 2009
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Patrick, it gets drilled into their little pea sized brains when they are children.
And when they grow to adults, they keep those little pea sized brains, and the thoughts drilled into them.
The only solution is a massive population reduction of stupid people. Do not let them breed or raise kids.
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Another day......another dead snake....
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by Ptk on October 2, 2009
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Thanks John,
I know you're right. I probably shouldnt have posted something negative about a client either, not very professional.
Every now and then I just get a headache from banging my head against the wall. Hope you understand.
PTK
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RE: Another day......another dead snake....
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by BobH on October 3, 2009
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You should have handed them a bill for $100.00 and told them it was only free if the snake was alive and unharmed.
Bob
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RE: Another day......another dead snake....
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by Cro on October 3, 2009
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Patrick, nothing wrong with voicing your frustration here. We can all relate to it, as we have all seen the same thing happen again and again.
I agree fully with Dr.Bob. Those of you who are on snake calls need to have a fee for coming out to rescue a snake. You can always waive the fee, if the snake turns out to be a good one, but you still need to protect yourself, and your interest, and your gas money, on going on a call. When the folks call, you need to let them know that the fee will be X dollars, even if the snake is gone by the time you get there. If it turns out to be a albino EDB, that is unharmed, then maybe not charge them. But, if it is a chopped up brown snake, then charge them the fee for coming out. That will help educate them.
Best Regrads
John Z
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RE: Another day......another dead snake....
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by Ptk on October 6, 2009
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I do charge a fee for my fuel cost. I like the sound of an additional charge for arriving at a killed/dead snake call.
I am hesitant to charge an up-front fee for removal. It's hard enough to get people to call and not instantly kill the snake. Tell them there is a charge and.......
I think the average home owner doesnt feel the same toward removing snakes as other forms of wildlife (racoons, opossum, etc.) As if they are doing me the favor by calling.
Although when handling something venomous you are putting yourself at a higher risk and many times I have to "repair" the snake before relocating it (at my time and expense).
So, while I agree a fee is certainly warranted - just dont know how you would get the complainant to feel the same.
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