Snake protector

[OldJerseyGirl]

Tell me what you people in snake country wear for protection. Do those wrap around things work? Or should you get a good pair of snake boots? They are very expensive, but probably worth it. My son just bought 90 acres in West Va. and he and my husband are going out to clean up the property, well a portion of it anyway. Lots of high grass and deep leaves.
We do not have poisonous snakes here where we are.

 

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[against the wind]

Maybe you guys can get a couple of the local farmers to harvest some of that grass for use as hay??
With 90 acres,, you may end up investing in a small tractor.

 

[relic nut]

I have a pair of snake chaps but they are hot to wear when you are working. I hate snakes!!! Sounds like a good winter job.

HH RN

 

[relic nut]

I get alot of flack for this but I don't care. I hate the little devils

HH RN

 

[Sandman]

Depends on how much your life is worth.

 

[OldJerseyGirl]

Maybe you guys can get a couple of the local farmers to harvest some of that grass for use as hay?
With 90 acres,, you may end up investing in a small tractor.

It is not cleared land. It is pretty much a mountain. The road has some wash outs and heavy equipment is coming in. But they want to clear out underbrush. Not on the whole property of course, but on the top where the well is. they are going to camp there and explore. Old cemetary there and maybe a cabin site.

 

[wainzoid]

I worry as much about where I put my hands, as where i put my feet.

 

[OldJerseyGirl]

Depends on how much your life is worth.

I think that is obvious. But have seen doing research that some of the boots have failed rattlesnake bites. Thus the question for those who use them and know.

 

[Terry Soloman]

I use Snakegardz Snake Guardz Protect You from Rattlers and other Poisonous Vipers | Snake Proof Chaps Gaiters and Leggings I've been struck twice by rattlesnakes in Arizona while wearing these and the only thing that got hurt was my underwear.

 

[kcm]

If it were me and if it couldn't wait until winter, I'd do 1 of 2 things:
1) rent a skidloader to take care of what brush it could, then come in IMMEDIATELY by hand as the snakes would be running from the vibrations of the loader
2) hire someone else to clear the brush!

What you might consider doing is trying to find someone who is well experienced in burning brush in that area and hire them to burn it off. If they're experienced, they will know what weather conditions to wait for, time of day, permits, and how to keep it under control. Just keep in mind that you (the landowner) would be responsible for the actions of anyone you hire, so try to get someone who is bonded. Check with the local fire departments and Fire Warden, or whomever it is that issues burning permits and ask for referrals.

You "MIGHT" even be able to get it done by an actual fire department by seeing if they will work it as a practice fire. This is usually done with volunteer departments, but sometimes paid as well - helps to train the new guys in real-world conditions. It's not free, however. Even if it is, PLEASE offer something decent for their efforts!

 

[beendetected]

If it were me and if it couldn't wait until winter, I'd do 1 of 2 things:
1) rent a skidloader to take care of what brush it could, then come in IMMEDIATELY by hand as the snakes would be running from the vibrations of the loader
2) hire someone else to clear the brush!

What you might consider doing is trying to find someone who is well experienced in burning brush in that area and hire them to burn it off. If they're experienced, they will know what weather conditions to wait for, time of day, permits, and how to keep it under control. Just keep in mind that you (the landowner) would be responsible for the actions of anyone you hire, so try to get someone who is bonded. Check with the local fire departments and Fire Warden, or whomever it is that issues burning permits and ask for referrals.

You "MIGHT" even be able to get it done by an actual fire department by seeing if they will work it as a practice fire. This is usually done with volunteer departments, but sometimes paid as well - helps to train the new guys in real-world conditions. It's not free, however. Even if it is, PLEASE offer something decent for their efforts!

3) send missus in first. Snakes would be terrified and also die of cholesterol poisoning if they did bite.


Sent by carrier pigeon

 

[Oddjob]

I use common sense, for me it works great.

Got this one little ranch in South Texas, just over 28,000 acres and at any given time of the year has a good 3,000 head stomping around.

This place was one of my best places for harvesting up for the Rattle Snake Round Up. Man I would start about 3 months before.

First, do not stick your hands where they do not belong, and if you must then use a stick or something. More folks get hit between the hand and elbow than they do anywhere else.

Watch where you walk too, they do not like being stepped on.

OR, you get you a little water shooter of some sorts and put in some pine oil. Or even use a large sprayer if you like, get around all the buildings and walk way.

Watch over head too, seen many of snakes in trees.

Keep in mind though, they do taste great.

 

[CaptEsteban]

I really worry very little about snakes, even though there are plenty of nasty ones, here in Florida. I have severe hearing loss & cannot hear a Rattler . I have a pair of old leather military chaps [ gaiters ], but not sure I depend 100% on them , or even snake boots. I have taken an insulin syringe & was able to easily stab through some chaps & boots. Yes, a fang is a little different, but I still wonder how much protection they really afford. I mostly watch closely where I am going & always swing the coil ahead of me as I walk.

 

[kcm]

As a kid, it my Mom worked for an oil derrick company. Wasn't unusual for her to come home with stories of truck drivers who got a flat tire on their rigs because a timber rattler bit through the tires. It "had" to have been the sidewalls that they penetrated, but still...!!

 

[huntsman53]

I had a fairly long post typed up last night but AOL went through a reset and I lost everything. Gotta remember to use AOL Shield as it will recover the web pages and everything I was doing if I so decide.

I agree with getting quality Rattle Snake Gaiters (Chaps) but if you know how, you can use metal screen wire used for window screens and screen doors. Do not get the nylon or plastic (if that is what it is) screen. Use one piece for the lower leg from knee down and to cover most of the boot and one piece for upper leg from the knee to the crotch. Wrap the screen wire twice around the leg (upper and lower) and secure it, overlap the bottom piece over the top piece enough to cover the knee well when the knee is bent and secure and attach the two on the side. This is a Hillbilly's cheaper and cooler set of Snake Gaiters and yes, I am a Hillbilly.

I hope when you clear the land that you don't destroy any Ginseng or cause it to go dormant! Ginseng Season opens September 1st and during this time, Ginseng can be harvested or dug up and moved if the berries are ripe or have fallen off. I lived in West Virginia for 10 years with my' job and dug and sold a lot of Ginseng while living there.


Frank

 

[kcm]

Window screen?!?!? How many layers thick??

We went to an auction couple years back. A very old, local hardware store was closing down the only hardware store in this one small town. Ended up getting not only aluminum window screen, but also a box of the old-fashioned "all steel" window screen - the kind you used to see on your Grandparent's house that would be rusting away. Haven't used any of the steel yet. Saving it for a special use/occasion.

 

[ScubaDetector]

And I thought from the heading, you were trying to protect the snakes. I never let them bother me actually. Even the water ones around here. None are harmful.

 

[huntsman53]

Window screen?!?!? How many layers thick??

We went to an auction couple years back. A very old, local hardware store was closing down the only hardware store in this one small town. Ended up getting not only aluminum window screen, but also a box of the old-fashioned "all steel" window screen - the kind you used to see on your Grandparent's house that would be rusting away. Haven't used any of the steel yet. Saving it for a special use/occasion.

If the window or door screen wire is quality metal, just wrap each piece twice around each leg and secure them. The upper and lower leg pieces only need to be secured on each side of the knee which allows fairly free movement for walking, squatting and kneeling. You just have to make sure the lower leg pieces extend 3 to 4 inches above the upper leg pieces where they meet at the knees but mainly the sides and front. The good thing about using window or door screen wire is that you can wear very thin pants underneath to stay cooler since the screen wire will protect your' legs from Snake bites, briars, thorns and Fire Nettles. The screen wire won't help all that much in case of a slip or fall, especially with thin pants on, so you must decide what is your best option.


Frank

 

[CaptEsteban]

This looks like something that would really work.

 

[OldJerseyGirl]

I had a fairly long post typed up last night but AOL went through a reset and I lost everything. Gotta remember to use AOL Shield as it will recover the web pages and everything I was doing if I so decide.

I agree with getting quality Rattle Snake Gaiters (Chaps) but if you know how, you can use metal screen wire used for window screens and screen doors. Do not get the nylon or plastic (if that is what it is) screen. Use one piece for the lower leg from knee down and to cover most of the boot and one piece for upper leg from the knee to the crotch. Wrap the screen wire twice around the leg (upper and lower) and secure it, overlap the bottom piece over the top piece enough to cover the knee well when the knee is bent and secure and attach the two on the side. This is a Hillbilly's cheaper and cooler set of Snake Gaiters and yes, I am a Hillbilly.

I hope when you clear the land that you don't destroy any Ginseng or cause it to go dormant! Ginseng Season opens September 1st and during this time, Ginseng can be harvested or dug up and moved if the berries are ripe or have fallen off. I lived in West Virginia for 10 years with my' job and dug and sold a lot of Ginseng while living there.


Frank

I should have explained better. They are mostly going to work on the road up the mountain. At the top there is a well, capped. They want to camp there for a few nights. So, they plan to clear a nice big spot for the tents. Also they are taking the Polaris XP Ranger and want to cut a few trails and explore. If they have time, they are going to clean up the old cemetery. They are going to keep it as natural as possible, but do want to be able to get around up there. I think we are just a little paranoid about the snakes. Lots or horror stories, and like I said, we do not have them here.