Ran across this guy while hiking yesterday.

[Timberwolf]

I've used those out of my 4" Mod 10. They will dispatch a buzzworm but it may take a couple of shots from a non-strike distance. The shot spreads quite a bit from my 4" so I don't know what they'd do in a snubby.

[killmime1234]

I think you need a fishing license for some reason.

Well, I'll be! According to this site, http://www.californiaherps.com/info/herpinglaws.html, you do need a fishing license to hunt reptiles, except rattlesnakes which is says are not covered:

A current California freshwater sportfishing fishing license is needed to take, or collect, reptiles and amphibians in California, except for rattlesnakes, which are not protected by law.


Definition of "Take"

1.80. Take.

Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish, amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or attempting to do so.

[Doheny]

after reading the thread title I thought for sure I'd be looking at some wild eyed hippie going to tend his "garden"

I was expecting this guy:

[SickofSoCal]

Leave them alone and they leave you alone. I don't think carrying a gun is needed at all.

P.S. I used to be a land surveyor.


Here is one I ran across on Saturday evening:

[olhunter]

No limit, no season, no take restrictions, no license required for rattlesnakes.

[stomper4x4]

Just a warning, the babies are the most dangerous. They haven't yet learned how to regulate venom flow, so you get a full dose every time. With adults, about half they time they bite, they don't deliver any venom at all. Not saying you should test that out though :P

Rattlers are not terribly aggressive unless you really surprise them. Use your walking stick to scoot them out of the way, no need to be killing them. I never understood the guys that feel the need to whack every rattler they see. I hike 2-3 times a week and run across em all the time; it's never been a problem if you pay attention to what you're doing.

[SickofSoCal]

Wear an 6 or 8in high boot. Keep alert. If you are looking for trouble, you will get it. If you are off a trail or in deep brush, I can see carrying a gun, otherwise it's just plain silly and speaks volumes about one's insecurity amongst nature.

My survey partner almost stepped on one once, did not even rattle. Once again, if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone!

There's a reason that the Colonists picked the rattler for the Gadsden flag - they wanted to be left alone, but would fight if provoked. This is the nature of the rattler.

[8bitnintendo]

I regularly hike in the high desert. I've had a couple unexpected close encounters with rattlers. If you hear the buzz, bounce back far enough it stops, then figure out where it came from. If you can see and avoid the snake, do so. If the rattlesnake is on your only exit path (this has actually happened to me once, vertical cliff on one side, dropoff covered in cactus on the other), make a lot of noise until it wanders off. If needed, throw rocks in its general vicinity (while standing back) until it decides to go somewhere else. If it's really obstinate, find a very long stick and move it.

When you're really worried about getting bitten, hike with a Sawyer Extractor. Reputedly better than the competition and at least it'll make you feel better. Most bites from rattlesnakes are dry.

[TenSeven]

No limit, no season, no take restrictions, no license required for rattlesnakes.

Yep, wipe 'em out! All of them! They are irrelevant to the ecosystem.

[TenSeven]

...If you hear the buzz, bounce back far enough it stops, then figure out where it came from...

No, no... according to olhunter's post, they are in our way when in the wild and we have to kill them all.

Look, I'm certainly no PETA tree-hugging radical at all, but I see no sense in killing a predator when it is in its natural environment.

We are visiting their space...

[ldivinag]

Yep, wipe 'em out! All of them! They are irrelevant to the ecosystem.

so rattlers are no-good creatures?

at all?

[sevensix2x51]

Well, I'll be! According to this site, http://www.californiaherps.com/info/herpinglaws.html, you do need a fishing license to hunt reptiles, except rattlesnakes which is says are not covered:

well ill be damned. ok, i learned something new today.

[joefreas]

True, true. The only person I know that has been bitten was drunk. He was bitten multiple times and spent a month in the hospital.

I read an article that 75% of snake bites are on the hand. Mostly men from 18-27 and alcohol is usually involved. I imagine some drunk hillbilly trying to pick up a snake ? lookyheer wat we got, ouch.

[olhunter]

No, no... according to olhunter's post, they are in our way when in the wild and we have to kill them all.

Look, I'm certainly no PETA tree-hugging radical at all, but I see no sense in killing a predator when it is in its natural environment.

We are visiting their space...

Twisting an innocuous post to fit your agenda certainly is the trademark of tree-hugging radicals.

My post simply states the laws regarding rattlesnakes. You inferred, incorrectly of course, the rest.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've used those out of my 4" Mod 10. They will dispatch a buzzworm but it may take a couple of shots from a non-strike distance. The shot spreads quite a bit from my 4" so I don't know what they'd do in a snubby.

Up to at least ten feet, they work great out of my little SP101. At 6 feet from the muzzle, the pattern only spreads to about 3 1/2"-4". Which, IMHO is perfect and always a one shot kill.

Wear an 6 or 8in high boot. Keep alert. If you are looking for trouble, you will get it. If you are off a trail or in deep brush, I can see carrying a gun, otherwise it's just plain silly and speaks volumes about one's insecurity amongst nature.

My survey partner almost stepped on one once, did not even rattle. Once again, if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone!

There's a reason that the Colonists picked the rattler for the Gadsden flag - they wanted to be left alone, but would fight if provoked. This is the nature of the rattler.

Great advise. Who did you survey for? Were you just a rodman/chainman? I've been surveying for 11 years and have found many that did not rattle. My partners have stepped on more than a few. I've always just come close to stepping on them. We even found a den (that they were all exiting) in Malibu once.