Posted: 5/27/2014 6:22:12 PM EDT
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Soooo, anyhoo, walked out on the back porch a little while ago. I have a chair I like to sit in as I enjoy the sunset. I saw a brightly colored little snake (around 18 or 20 inches long) under my chair. I said "hello, little Kingsnake". As he slithered off, I did the old jingle (Red and yellow,............ ohhh shit!!!!) So I immediately grabbed my back porch gun, a Daisy powerline 717 pistol. (I just killed a 24" rattler with it last Thursday on my back porch) I shot this little bastard twice, but failed  to sever the spine... He crawled up under the slab of my porch. I buried the lip of the porch where he went under. Hopefully he dies from the triple blast of starting fluid I sprayed in there prior to burial... The snakes, they be a-crawling. Be careful, especially if you have youngin's in the yard. |
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ANY snake found close to my house will be terminated!
Rattle snakes and other poisonous snakes for the obvious reasons. The others to prevent my wife and stepdaughter from having a coronary if they see it... and for the fear they have and the shit I will catch for months after a "snake sighting"! |
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Quoted: ANY snake found close to my house will be terminated! Rattle snakes and other poisonous snakes for the obvious reasons. The others to prevent my wife and stepdaughter from having a coronary if they see it... and for the fear they have and the shit I will catch for months after a "snake sighting"! But venomous snakes are not allowed on my porch, period. It's one of those quirks I have... Funny thing is, years ago my kids told me they saw a Coral snake on the way to the barn. I did a total "Yeah, right" and disregarded what they said. Guess I owe them apologies  |
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You got that right! They should all be in their cages in my snake room, where they belong. Quoted:
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No bravery involved. Just common sense. You don't want venomous snakes in your yard. You got that right! They should all be in their cages in my snake room, where they belong. In b4 the "you're playing with fire/how many of your killers have gotten loose due to a natural disaster" crowd.
Let's go ahead and stir this pot.
I hate snakes with a fiery passion. That being said, I'm not stupid and will let the non venomous ones do their thing. If you rattle or have the wrong color pattern however, game on. I like my kids, dog, and piece of mind way more than you. |
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Quoted: My gardening buddy, Mr Snake, does not like you -  http://idv8.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/26March2014_DSCF7043.jpg On Saturday I picked up a San Diego Gopher Snake about that size and carried it home.  |
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Quoted: On Saturday I picked up a San Diego Gopher Snake about that size and carried it home. Quoted: Quoted: My gardening buddy, Mr Snake, does not like you - http://idv8.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/26March2014_DSCF7043.jpg On Saturday I picked up a San Diego Gopher Snake about that size and carried it home. mean you took it home to catch mice and associated critters, or does it mean you ate it? Mr Snake was here when we bought the property last year and it showed up a few weeks ago in the garden, announcing itself by scaring the crap out of me when I almost stepped on him (we have rattle snakes in the area too, and they look alike at first glance). Unfortunately, I found him by the chicken area dead, and I am not sure what killed him. |
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I find it amazing how many people post stories and photos of killing snakes. I have no idea of Texas law, but lots of states consider all snakes a protected species. Very few snake killings are self defense-if you have time to kill it before being bitten you have time to back away. If you can kill a snake legally go ahead and do it, but don't claim self defense, call it killing a snake. Just keep in mind when killing snakes and talking about it on the internet, you might be admitting to illegal activity and when posting pictures of it you add evidence.
ETA-as an example, the only snake in Iowa that is unprotected statewide is the common garter snake. We also have other species of garter snakes. Have the right ID before killing one. Timber rattlesnakes are unprotected in some counties, mostly the counties that tend to not have them. Prairie and massassauga rattlesnakes are completely protected, so are copperheads, fox snakes, bull snakes, red bellied snakes and all others. |
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Quoted: So, does the mean you took it home to catch mice and associated critters, or does it mean you ate it? Mr Snake was here when we bought the property last year and it showed up a few weeks ago in the garden, announcing itself by scaring the crap out of me when I almost stepped on him (we have rattle snakes in the area too, and they look alike at first glance). Unfortunately, I found him by the chicken area dead, and I am not sure what killed him. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: My gardening buddy, Mr Snake, does not like you - http://idv8.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/26March2014_DSCF7043.jpg On Saturday I picked up a San Diego Gopher Snake about that size and carried it home. mean you took it home to catch mice and associated critters, or does it mean you ate it? Mr Snake was here when we bought the property last year and it showed up a few weeks ago in the garden, announcing itself by scaring the crap out of me when I almost stepped on him (we have rattle snakes in the area too, and they look alike at first glance). Unfortunately, I found him by the chicken area dead, and I am not sure what killed him. |
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In b4 the "you're playing with fire/how many of your killers have gotten loose due to a natural disaster" crowd.
Let's go ahead and stir this pot.
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No bravery involved. Just common sense. You don't want venomous snakes in your yard. You got that right! They should all be in their cages in my snake room, where they belong. In b4 the "you're playing with fire/how many of your killers have gotten loose due to a natural disaster" crowd.
Let's go ahead and stir this pot.
None, in well over 30 yrs of keeping them. 
Just fed a yearling diamondback I recently rescued. Does my heart good to see the lil ones eat. |
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None, in well over 30 yrs of keeping them.
Just fed a yearling diamondback I recently rescued. Does my heart good to see the lil ones eat. Quoted:
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No bravery involved. Just common sense. You don't want venomous snakes in your yard. You got that right! They should all be in their cages in my snake room, where they belong. In b4 the "you're playing with fire/how many of your killers have gotten loose due to a natural disaster" crowd.
Let's go ahead and stir this pot.
None, in well over 30 yrs of keeping them.
Just fed a yearling diamondback I recently rescued. Does my heart good to see the lil ones eat. 
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Chickens kill snakes, they can't help themselves. Because snakes eat eggs and baby chicks. I haven't seen a venomous snake in the yard yet, probably because the three black rat snakes living under the house eat them. One over-wintered in the garage under the chest freezer, I think the feeder rats we were keeping in the freezer for our pet snakes probably attracted him. |
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Just fed a yearling diamondback I recently rescued. Does my heart good to see the lil ones eat. Nice. The hottest snake I care to keep is a little hognose. On paper (Ld 50 scale) my Tiger Rattlesnake is my hottest, but he takes frozen thawed. I have a Blacktail that only takes live rats, and he drops them where they stand. |
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I find it amazing how many people post stories and photos of killing snakes. I have no idea of Texas law, but lots of states consider all snakes a protected species. Very few snake killings are self defense-if you have time to kill it before being bitten you have time to back away. If you can kill a snake legally go ahead and do it, but don't claim self defense, call it killing a snake. Just keep in mind when killing snakes and talking about it on the internet, you might be admitting to illegal activity and when posting pictures of it you add evidence. ETA-as an example, the only snake in Iowa that is unprotected statewide is the common garter snake. We also have other species of garter snakes. Have the right ID before killing one. Timber rattlesnakes are unprotected in some counties, mostly the counties that tend to not have them. Prairie and massassauga rattlesnakes are completely protected, so are copperheads, fox snakes, bull snakes, red bellied snakes and all others. Oh, make no mistake, kind sir....I would protect the fuck outta any venomous snake that is hanging around my house! |
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Oh, make no mistake, kind sir....I would protect the fuck outta any venomous snake that is hanging around my house! Quoted:
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I find it amazing how many people post stories and photos of killing snakes. I have no idea of Texas law, but lots of states consider all snakes a protected species. Very few snake killings are self defense-if you have time to kill it before being bitten you have time to back away. If you can kill a snake legally go ahead and do it, but don't claim self defense, call it killing a snake. Just keep in mind when killing snakes and talking about it on the internet, you might be admitting to illegal activity and when posting pictures of it you add evidence. ETA-as an example, the only snake in Iowa that is unprotected statewide is the common garter snake. We also have other species of garter snakes. Have the right ID before killing one. Timber rattlesnakes are unprotected in some counties, mostly the counties that tend to not have them. Prairie and massassauga rattlesnakes are completely protected, so are copperheads, fox snakes, bull snakes, red bellied snakes and all others. Oh, make no mistake, kind sir....I would protect the fuck outta any venomous snake that is hanging around my house! Besides illegals, not much in Tx is protected. |
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Quoted: I find it amazing how many people post stories and photos of killing snakes. I have no idea of Texas law, but lots of states consider all snakes a protected species. Very few snake killings are self defense-if you have time to kill it before being bitten you have time to back away. If you can kill a snake legally go ahead and do it, but don't claim self defense, call it killing a snake. Just keep in mind when killing snakes and talking about it on the internet, you might be admitting to illegal activity and when posting pictures of it you add evidence. ETA-as an example, the only snake in Iowa that is unprotected statewide is the common garter snake. We also have other species of garter snakes. Have the right ID before killing one. Timber rattlesnakes are unprotected in some counties, mostly the counties that tend to not have them. Prairie and massassauga rattlesnakes are completely protected, so are copperheads, fox snakes, bull snakes, red bellied snakes and all others.  Glad your snakes up North are so friendly. And cuddly. |
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Besides illegals, not much in Tx is protected. Quoted:
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I find it amazing how many people post stories and photos of killing snakes. I have no idea of Texas law, but lots of states consider all snakes a protected species. Very few snake killings are self defense-if you have time to kill it before being bitten you have time to back away. If you can kill a snake legally go ahead and do it, but don't claim self defense, call it killing a snake. Just keep in mind when killing snakes and talking about it on the internet, you might be admitting to illegal activity and when posting pictures of it you add evidence. ETA-as an example, the only snake in Iowa that is unprotected statewide is the common garter snake. We also have other species of garter snakes. Have the right ID before killing one. Timber rattlesnakes are unprotected in some counties, mostly the counties that tend to not have them. Prairie and massassauga rattlesnakes are completely protected, so are copperheads, fox snakes, bull snakes, red bellied snakes and all others. Oh, make no mistake, kind sir....I would protect the fuck outta any venomous snake that is hanging around my house! Besides illegals, not much in Tx is protected. 
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It's not really self defense, it's prevention. Just because you see him this time, doesn't mean you will see him the morning you are in a hurry to get to work and get nipped on the heel because you spooked him. Venomous snakes don't belong on the porch, period. Most of them avoid it, just a few assholes insist on it. If you feel that is wrong, you obviously haven't dealt with a pissed off for no reason rattlesnake charging for no apparent reason. They do, and I have. Don't even get me started on cottonmouths. Those guys are assholes...
Glad your snakes up North are so friendly. And cuddly. Quoted:
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I find it amazing how many people post stories and photos of killing snakes. I have no idea of Texas law, but lots of states consider all snakes a protected species. Very few snake killings are self defense-if you have time to kill it before being bitten you have time to back away. If you can kill a snake legally go ahead and do it, but don't claim self defense, call it killing a snake. Just keep in mind when killing snakes and talking about it on the internet, you might be admitting to illegal activity and when posting pictures of it you add evidence. ETA-as an example, the only snake in Iowa that is unprotected statewide is the common garter snake. We also have other species of garter snakes. Have the right ID before killing one. Timber rattlesnakes are unprotected in some counties, mostly the counties that tend to not have them. Prairie and massassauga rattlesnakes are completely protected, so are copperheads, fox snakes, bull snakes, red bellied snakes and all others.
Glad your snakes up North are so friendly. And cuddly. That's not exactly what I was saying. Just saying that when killing a possibly protected species it's unwise to post evidence of the act on the internet, and very few killings of snakes are truly self defense. I've been bitten by stray cats and have had them charge me too. Does that mean killing stray cats is self defense, or "prevention"? |
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Quoted: So, does the mean you took it home to catch mice and associated critters, or does it mean you ate it? Mr Snake was here when we bought the property last year and it showed up a few weeks ago in the garden, announcing itself by scaring the crap out of me when I almost stepped on him (we have rattle snakes in the area too, and they look alike at first glance). Unfortunately, I found him by the chicken area dead, and I am not sure what killed him. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: My gardening buddy, Mr Snake, does not like you - http://idv8.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/26March2014_DSCF7043.jpg On Saturday I picked up a San Diego Gopher Snake about that size and carried it home. mean you took it home to catch mice and associated critters, or does it mean you ate it? Mr Snake was here when we bought the property last year and it showed up a few weeks ago in the garden, announcing itself by scaring the crap out of me when I almost stepped on him (we have rattle snakes in the area too, and they look alike at first glance). Unfortunately, I found him by the chicken area dead, and I am not sure what killed him. The former. I judged the snake as too big for cats to mess with, and big enough to eat a gopher or fair-size rat. |
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"Red on Yellow, kill a fellow"
"Red on Black, friend of Jack" ON is the key there. Touching. Mountain King Snake sand Milk Snakes can have yellow in them. Harmless. There are several snakes in the US that have red, yellow and black. Coral snake is the venomous one. |
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So far this year have spotted a couple of rat snakes (two juveniles and a rather large adult), a milk snake (wandered by while I was changing the oil on my truck), a ring-neck and a copperhead. I am horrified of snakes, but I'm more horrified of the damage the mice do. I let them be, they generally let me be. Still, when I spotted the copperhead 3' from the front door, I went to get the 45 with snake shot in it. Little guy was gone before I got back, haven't seen him since.
They are definitely out and about. Have spotted two as roadkill already this season. |
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Any snake I see around my house gets killed.
Number one reason is to protect pets and poultry. Number two is because my wife and kids would probably move back to town if one got in the house. They don't bother me, but I respect the venomous ones. We have rattlers, copperheads, cottonmouths and corals in this area. As to the comments about how low the odds of dying from a bite are? Figure out how many Americans live in cities and remove them from the equation. See how different those numbers look now. I don't know anyone that died from a bite, but I know many people that have been bitten and gotten really sick. |
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I'll have to look it up but I remember reading that they don't do well in captivity. Quoted:
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I always hope to see a coral. I think they are beautiful in a way. Someday I'll keep one or a few. I'll have to look it up but I remember reading that they don't do well in captivity. Not sure about the Eastern or Texas Corals, but the Az Corals are tough to keep in captivity. |