Timber Rattler at Woodstock

[mingram]

We found a rattlesnake living under a boulder very close to where PGs normally stand when launching - a little downslope and to the right about 10 feet. Timber rattlers can be deadly, but thankfully warn you when you're getting too close. This is likely it's home and for pilot safety we may need to remove it.

[George]

Don't count on a warning. When they shed their eye's get clouded over and they may not give a warning rattle at all before striking or it may come so close on that it's not effective. In the rough and tumble life I've led the rattlesnake bite was the most painful experience with no close second!

George

[theflyingdude]

Timber rattlesnakes tend to be shy and non-aggressive unless threatened. They will avoid humans and unless they are surprised or cornered, they will leave the immediate vicinity when they sense human activity nearby. Walk with heavy footsteps and watch where you put your hands and feet. Timber rattlesnake bites are fairly rare and usually the consequence of the person agitating the snake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_horridus

JR

[Dan T]

This time of year there might be baby snakes about too. I don't know about this particular subspecies but the rattlers that are relatively common in California don't rattle shortly after birth, but they are every bit as venomous as the adults.

Maybe someone, perhaps a club officer, could get in touch with the USFS and ask if they can arrange to move the snake(s) to a more remote location?

Dan T
Currently in New Mexico

[lbunner]

When you talk to USFS, mention taking out a few boulders to remove the snake problem as well.