camouflage vipers in the backcountry; to shoot or not to shoot General Discussion Forum Dan Wesson Forum

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camouflage vipers in the backcountry; to shoot or not to shoot

Prescut

the southwest and the free state of AZ

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May 13, 2016 - 5:00 pm

It's the ones you don't see.

On Tuesday, I was in the AZ desert canyons camping and shooting for 8 hours a day. I was sitting in my recliner without my glasses and enjoying a beverage when I noticed a circular rock with consistent lines around the edge. There is mining everywhere around here. It was 10' away at the base of the canyon wall. I got up, got my glasses and started toward the rock. I jumped back when I saw the 3' rattler.

I mean you really had to look. It had coiled into a perfect ring and looked just like the local rocks. If I turned away, I had to look again to find it when I turned back. The coloring of these rattlers is what I call Perfect. They blend in using shape and color.

For the first time in a thousand days of camping, I shot a living creature. I go to enjoy the animals, to study them, and to track. I figure it's their home and I'm the visitor. This time was different. I was set in for a week and couldn't easily move (101 degrees). There as no way to trap and transplant. With so many hiding spots, it could have been much worse in seconds.

Thinking back later

It reminded me of my great grandfather who taught, look where you can't see. He was always reminding me to look in the bushes and under the tuffs of grass. Animals hide, they don't get out in the open and display themselves. I need to remember my training.

He also taught me to look at familiar items as if they were brand new. I discovered my mind and eyes went right past things I thought I recognized. Rattlers can look just like things you see everywhere. I now believe I've looked right at lots of rattlers and never recognized them.

Only the animals that blend survive to mate. In one generation, an animal can totally adapt to a local environment. You don't need a million years of evolution.

I was raised by my great grandmother and grandpa, Papa John; a Comanche from central Texas. He was one of the two great men in my life. I'm only 1/16 Comanche, but very proud of it.

Prescut

Ole Dog

ocala, fl

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May 13, 2016 - 7:54 pm

Prescut, I am a snake lover from childhood days. I don't catch wild animals any more or kill them. However, I have killed a couple of coral snakes and rattlers in my yard in the last few decades. Children, pets and myself take precedent. Most snakes stay within a mile of where they were born or hatched except in cases of drought. In your case the camp site was your home. Don't think twice, it's alright.

Different Drummer

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May 14, 2016 - 9:56 am

You live in AZ so I am sure you have more experience in the desert than I. However, after 8 years of spending long periods of time in the desert I have never had the need to take the life of any serpents or wildlife of any kind for that matter.

Most folks who are bitten by snakes seem to get it in the hand or the butt. They do not look before they sit and they reach into areas without proper prior investigation.

When in remote areas I am usually concerned more about species Homo sapien than reptiles and four legged beasts.

Just because we see something does not make it a threat. JMO