Snake Bite

[BigPrairie]

Hello. My buddies and I drew NM unit 10 early archery for elk. I am the rookie on this far off hunt and need to be fully prepared. What can I expect to see of rattle snakes in early sept and what anti venom kit do you guys carry?

 

[YukonDall]

GET YOUR SELF A PAIR OF KEVLAR LEGGINS, JUST HUNT/FORGET ABOUT SNAKES. I PAID ABOUT $40 BUCKS FOR MINE IN CAMO, I HAVE BEEN HIT ONCE WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER CLOSE ENCOUNTERS.................YD. (CABELAS) !!!!!!

 

[littlebull209338]

Leggins are the way to go. I use to worry as I tromped around western Kansas where there are few rattlers. Got the legs covered and now I just tromp!

 

[EVILNR]

Been trompin around in the woods my whole life and never been bit,......until a Copperhead got me in my mom's garage.

You just never know.

 

[sludge]

I've been fortunate to hunt elk somewhere every year for the last 23 years. I have yet to run into a rattle snake in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, or Wyoming. Now Montana, that's a different story. Had a couple of times walking out at dusk where their rattle made me check my shorts later. Man, I hate snakes.

 

[kalielkslayer]

Sludge,

EXACT same experience.

I walk by the same spot in the dark after the rattle scare, not an enjoyable experience.

 

[DreaminOf200]

Sludge, I don't know how you've hunted NM and AZ and not seen any snakes unless you've had nothing but late season hunts. LOL! I've killed 8 - 10 rattlesnakes in New Mexico every year over the last 4 years just during hunting season (and we're talking about a 2-3 week period, not the entire hunting season). I finally bought a pair of venom gaiters from Hunter's Element because I'm tired of being so paranoid about getting bit while walking around. I friggin' hate snakes too, but I find them everywhere when I'm hunting.

 

[tailgunner]

Hey Big I live by and hunt unit 10 a lot and I have never had much of a snake problem up there . They are there but I have only run into a few in 40 years , that being said it only take one . The chaps won't hunt only 50 bucks for peace of mind . Should be a good year for horns up there grass is green and the tanks are full . Best winter in years . Good luck with the elk . I don't think the buzz tail will be a problem .

 

[BigPrairie]

Thanks tailgunner the snake guards are going on this trip. The snakes you see arnt the ones I worry about we have copperhead here and they are nasty but tend to wait for you to make a move before they strike. What's the outlook on the east end of unit 10?

 

[stinky]

They make a snakebite kit, and insect bite kit. You used to be able to get it at Walmart.

It is sort of a hypodermic syringe kind of a thing...you put it on there and suck out the venom.

I used to run in to a guy that was working on his thesis, or something or other. He would catch, tag and then release rattlers in Organ Pipe Cactus NM. He would then find the same snakes and catch them again and do whatever he did. He used to drive the highway and watch for them on the road.

He carried one. Once his hand didn't even swell up. The other time, he got it between the fingers. It was much worse. Keep in mind, that he was probably 30 minutes from the clinic and I don't expect that he fooled around once he got zapped.
John 14:6

 

[tailgunner]

Big : I live on the west side of unit 10 but the outlook is good on either side . Bluewater lake has the most water it's had in years and Mcgaffey lake has been dry for years , the game and fish stocked it a couple weeks ago . I was in 10 hunting turkeys and saw lots of elk and not 1 snake . Your hunt could be good . Unit 10 is big and locating elk can be tough but there are some good bulls in 10 and this is a good year to have a tag there . Good Luck .

 

[CAelknuts]

BigPrairie, I wouldn't overly worry about snakes. Just watch where you walk and put your hands, also around where you sit. The greatest deterrence to snake problems is just really being observant. I've hunted early season elk a fair amount in New Mexico and Arizona, see the occasional rattler in both states, but have never had a problem and doubt you will either if you're observant. I do not kill rattlers when out hunting or fishing unless they are in my camp. I do kill every rattler I see in my neighborhood, but never when out in the woods unless necessary.

If you pay attention, you shouldn't have any problems. Snake Gaiters are a good idea if you're truly worries. They're cheap for peace of mind.

Have a great elk hunt and post a report with your bull.

 

[scubohuntr]

If you use antivenin wrong it can do you more damage than the bite. Rattlesnakes aren't like some African and Australian snakes- you do have time to get to medical attention, and they are rarely lethal even without treatment (although not fun). They also deliver "dry" bites (without venom) a significant percentage of the time, particularly older, larger snakes. All the snake is trying to do is chase you away, after all. He's got better uses for venom. The current recommendation is not to mess with tourniquets, cutting, and suction, but just keep pressure on it and keep it below heart level if possible, keep calm, and get to medical attention. If you get a live bite (envenomated) it's in your system almost immediately, and no amount of suction, tourniquet, or amputation is going to keep it out. I'd second the recommendations of much more experienced posters than me on this thread- get snake gaiters, know where your nearest hospital is (you should know this even if you're not in snake country- trust me), and don't worry about it.

 

[Blank]

Grew up on the East Coast down in GA and FLA where snakes get big!!! I always love the recommendation to "stay calm" when you've just been snake bit! 'Fraid not, won't be happening with this boy.

 

[scubohuntr]

"Stay calm" is relative. In this case, it basically means don't run screaming for the road. Exercise just moves venom around faster. You can panic, just try to do it in one place. ;-)

 

[Blank]

I enjoy seeing and interacting with snakes. They fill a unique part of Natures plan. That said, I have only been hit a couple of times, either on boot or chap. In each case, I survived but they did not!