Rattlers
I just recently read about a huge Rattlesnake being captured here in Michigan, and even saw a picture of it! The article never stated that it was a Massasauga rattler, but it didn’t saw it wasn’t either. I’m here to tell ya; that 8-1/2 foot snake was “not” native to Michigan! Massasauga rattlers are Michigan’s only rattlesnake, and they are a bit on the small side. A 4 footer would be a nice size Michigan snake. The serpent I saw in the picture weighed over 90 pounds, and had the distinct diamond shape markings on it’s back. So my brilliant deduction is that this huge snake was raised in someone’s home, and let go, or made a run-for-it on his own!
Any hunter who has roamed our western states knows he has to be on the lookout for the snake in the above picture. This one crossed my path while on one of my Colorado trips. It is about a 4-1/2 foot Western Diamondback. Not a real big one, but still big enough for me not to press him too hard. He didn’t really want to fight, just wanted to get in the shade or under a rock. I preferred he go there myself. One thing I’ve learned while hunting out west-always check the ground around the area you plan on taking a break in. I once sat on a big boulder, only to discover a “nest” of snakes curled up underneath. I’ve never done that again!
Mike
July 26th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Dang Mike, expected this to be about rattling deer into the blind area. You caught me off guard.
July 28th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I hate snakes. I’m thankful I’ve never encountered a rattler here in Michigan. I’ve come across plenty of gardener snakes and even a snake in the water once (I was a kid I’m not sure what kind it was), but thankfully I haven’t had many snake encounters.
July 28th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I hate rattlers they give me the willies. I’ve hunted all my life in the West and have never encountered a live one so far. You bet I’m knocking on wood as I type this. I’ve seen them around the house, but never while hunting or fishing - I came across one a few years back while bowhunting, but I got there about one minute after my cousin had shot it with his bow then proceeded to make sure of its eradication by heaping rocks on it with some amount of force.