Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Sometime in the 1960's, I had joined a group of doctors in acquiring a deer lease just west of the closed Mission Air Force base near McCook. While there were deer on this lease, they were quite spooky and seemed wise to the hunting season, thus avoided both us hunters and the deer blinds we had positioned upon the ranch.

I believe the only time I ever saw any deer was one rainy day when I stayed in my car rather than going and getting wet by sitting in a blind. On another trip, it was a rather warm, balmy day and unseasonably warm for November. I had been in a blind up well into the morning. I suppose it was around 11:00 AM and I had decided to leave my blind and return home. I was walking back to my car. Along the way, I could not help but think about how hot my snake bite Leggings were. They extended from my ankles up to my knees and were made of thick canvas covering wire mesh and were supposed to prevent any rattle snake’s fangs penetrating all the way through.

I had discovered a thick grove of taller trees than the usual mesquite and was giving serious thought to erecting a blind there because it looked like a place where javelinas might have spent time during the heat of the day. As I walked along this trail back to my car, I came to a place were there were two small mesquite bushes growing on either side of the trail, blocking the view ahead. They were only about five feet tall but fully covered the trail ahead. As I neared them I could hear something that sounded like a tire rolling down the road.

Being suspicious of this noise, I left the trail and skirted around these mesquite bushes to the right. Sure enough, there was a very large rattlesnake that was coiling up just beyond the mesquites, in preparation to strike whatever came through. Since I was also carrying a .45 Colt pistol, I shot the snake in the head. It was just about 6 feet long and had 11 rattlers and a button.
Had I not heard it coiling up, I would have been exposed to its attack.

From then on, my snake bite leggings were not bothersome as being too hot at all! I found them to be quite tolerable after that encounter. Just Sayin...RJS

RuffplayOR57 Loc: Klamath Falls, OR

Nice Call RJS, I e only encountered them a couple of times or so . Shot them every time, makes me feel good now to know you survived as well. Did you eat it?

Ben Bragg Loc: Dayton Ohio

While serving in the Air Force stationed in Tucson Az I was assigned to a Titan II wing
We had 18 underground ICBMs scattered about the area
At each silo there was An area called
The entrapment area. This was down a flight of concrete stairs and was separated by 2 electronic steel doors
The team chief would gain access to the entrapment area via phone to the control center
Once inside, the team chief would exchange secret code to gain access for the team to the silo proper

One problem with this was the landing at the bottom of the concrete stairs.
This was a natural cool spot in an otherwise arid desert.

Because Of this , rattlesnakes would gather there for cooling shelter.

Teams also exited thru this area. The snakes got to be such a problem , cameras were installed to check condition before exiting.
Also available were snake sticks to clear them so we could get out
Fortunately , I never got that honor.
I hate snakes

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

No, I didn't eat it. This was before that became popular. I wasn't a fan of eating snakes, and am not even today. Just Sayin...RJS

Jeremy Loc: America

I lost count of how many Rattlesnakes in the Mojave Desert. Worked on an Alfalfa Farm. They would strike at the ATC tires. Always used shovel to cut head off. They would be on pavement at night to stay warm due to cold blooded.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

I ran into a few in the late ‘80s while doing thinning contracts in the Black Hills. Unfortunately we had to take them out as the work had to get done to get paid.

fisher Loc: whitewater,colorado

I live in the "high desert" of western Colorado and have dispatched a half dozen or so of them with my .22. Out of curiosity, I ate a couple of them....not too bad. They really do taste similar to chicken. I tried to make a belt out of one but something went wrong.....oh well.

14idaho Loc: Pa and Idaho

A bought a farm in PA that had a nice trout stream flowing through it. Turns out it was loaded with water snakes. I killed a few big ones and ate them. My sister in law loved them and from then on if we saw any big ones we killed them and she are them. I've eaten rattlesnake and thought that the water snake tasted different, stronger, than rattlesnake.

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Never ran into a rattlesnake although there are some eastern rattlers around here. I’ve seen more copperheads. Did take a garter snake out of the basement before my wife saw it. The washer/dryer were there and if she saw it that would have been the end of the laundry.

Roy G Loc: central Nebraska & Missouri

I have spent time in Mississippi trapping for game farms. Major problem there was water moccasins. To many to count in a couple of areas. After the first trip there I was carrying a Judge revolver loaded with 410 shot shells.
Roy

Huntm22 Loc: Northern Utah. - West Haven

Was thinking about getting the Raging Judge. Could shoot the 410, 454 Casull, and 45 Long Colt.

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

I was thinking about getting a hand gun for self defense. This is interesting.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Suggest going to a gun shop connected to a range and trying out different weapons before buying one ! Just Sayin...RJS

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

As an example I was in a Gun store once and saw. Kid with probably his grandmother and they were being shown .50 claiber revolver, way out of their league unless it was a gift !

Roy G Loc: central Nebraska & Missouri

If you look at the Judge make sure it is rated for 454 Casual. Mine only handles 45 Colt and 410 (3"). There are several different models.
Roy