Antelope and Rattlesnakes

[cspierings]

I am heading to Wyoming soon to try my hand at pronghorn for the first time. Given we are hunting unit 106 I am wondering if folks think rattlesnakes are going to be something I need to worry much about?

Do I need to get some snake gaiters before I head out?

I have hunted Colorado and Montana for Elk but its been cooler so I really wasn't too worried about them. Thought I would see what experience folks have for those who know Wyoming from a boots on the ground perspective. I will probably have my trekking poles so if do have one get close I can use it to get it away while I get out of its space too.

Thanks

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

I am heading to Wyoming soon to try my hand at pronghorn for the first time. Given we are hunting unit 106 I am wondering if folks think rattlesnakes are going to be something I need to worry much about?

Do I need to get some snake gaiters before I head out?

I have hunted Colorado and Montana for Elk but its been cooler so I really wasn't too worried about them. Thought I would see what experience folks have for those who know Wyoming from a boots on the ground perspective. I will probably have my trekking poles so if do have one get close I can use it to get it away while I get out of its space too.

Thanks

Son and I hunted 106 last year. Never saw a snake.

 

[rmyoung1]

I hunted 106 in 2017. Never saw a snake. Doesn’t mean you won’t, of course, but I wouldn’t fret over it. That’s an awesome antelope unit. Enjoy

 

[mtnrunner260]

Snakes are moving to their dens this time of year so if you happen upon 1 there will likely be more.

 

[Bigjay73]

Nothing to worry about, what a great tag!

 

[Addicting]

I’ve hunted quite a few antelope tags and never seen a rattler while hunting. Cruising the edge of the roads saw quite a few. Snake gaters are not really needed, I would much rather have knee pads.

 

[Hem]

I think its always possible, but not certain.
Best to simply be snake aware.

 

[Nick87]

Just don't think about it, worked for me so far.

 

[Hem]

Just don't think about it, worked for me so far.

When you live in snake country it becomes ingrained to be conscious of what's under foot.

 

[Nick87]

When you live in snake country it becomes ingrained to be conscious of what's under foot.

It's on my mind. Im terrified of those $*)Q!#@$ things.

 

[mtmuley]

I am always more worried about cactus. mtmuley

 

[INMT]

I’ve come across multiple rattlers in central Montana antelope hunting opening weekend.

Almost stepped on two sleepy ones coming out of a coulee.

Last tag I had and buck I harvested a rattlesnake charged me. Shot a buck and he ran across a road and died less than 100 yards away.

Took nothing with me but my kill kit. I had everything broken down and was skinning out the skull when I heard a noise. I didn’t pay attention until I heard it again and realized it was a rattle. Turned around to see a 4-5 foot thick as my forearm rattler slithering towards me.

I live and hunt in griz county and I felt way more out of my element having a snake come towards me. It didn’t stop. I quickly grabbed the game bags and moved them away. It kept coming towards me. I picked up the hide and threw it at it and it struck it as it covered it. The rattler slithered out from under the hide and went to the carcass and wrapped itself around it before moving on.

If I had my pistol I would’ve shot the hell outta that snake.

 

[WildWill]

Only place I've ever been that made me consider snake chaps was in the Texas panhandle during spring. They're not a issue during the cold of deer season but come spring they come out of the wood work. Was shown a den on one property that probably had a couple hundred in it makes my skin crawl thinking about it. As for Wyoming I've seen one in all my hunts.

 

[reallyoldman]

If you want to REALLY make your skin crawl look up rattle snake den video in northern Colorado. There are hundreds in that den.

 

[Nick87]

Was shown a den on one property that probably had a couple hundred in it

You own a flame thrower. Im very disappointed.

 

[Hem]

I am always more worried about cactus. mtmuley

Inbedded cactus goes hand in hand with antelope hunting.
I'd rather get a few stickers while belly crawling than come face to face with a snake.

 

[WildWill]

You own a flame thrower. Im very disappointed.

I'd be more then willing the only good snake is a dead one IMO. They actually let a couple guys come in every spring and catch a bunch for the annual Rattlesnake round-up. A mind boggling event where hundreds of poisonous snakes are gathered then handled by dangerously insane people while onlookers watch while eating snake sausages and jerky.

 

[brockel]

I’ve lived and worked in rattlesnakes country my whole life. Only time I’ve ever been close to being bitten was when I was young and dumb messing around with one a little too much.

 

[brockel]

Not to get to offtrack but people also like to say that bullsnakes keep rattle snakes away but that’s not true at all. They will actually den together. Here’s two of them at work hanging a few weeks ago

 

[Jbotto]

Had one rattle at me today while out for pronghorn. Maybe a 4 footer even though in the moment it felt like it was twice that big. Probably got noise when I was about 5-6’ away.

I was on a walk-about and if I wasn’t so damn positive that there was going to a herd of pronghorn over the next hill, it would have been shot with a .30-06. Next one might not be so lucky. I don’t care for snakes. They give me the heebie jeebies and that’s all I thought about while walking the rest of the day.