Rattlesnake Safety for Western Hunters

“We tend to forget the lesser threats such as insects and everyone’s personal favorite, the nope rope, danger noodle or best known as a Rattlesnake. Here’s how to stay safe in western rattlesnake country.”

When hunting in the West we often think of the larger threats to us as hunters, Grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, momma moose (one of the scariest in my opinion), and other hunters. We tend to forget the lesser threats such as insects and everyone’s personal favorite, the nope rope, danger noodle or best known as a Rattlesnake. How do we manage hunting in snake country? Is there anything we as hunters can do to protect ourselves or our furry friends from venomous snakes? Let’s get into what we can do when out and about in snake country.

Archery antelope in Wyoming falls on the 15th of August. This is well within the holds of summer and encounters with rattlesnakes happen frequently in the prairie. We often see these critters crossing the beaten roads in the dark on our way to and from our hunting spots. What do we do when hiking through the sagebrush or crawling through the grass? Fortunately for us, rattlesnakes have a built-in warning system - after all it’s in the name: a rattle. Even though these nope ropes are equipped with a maraca we should not expect them to give us a warning every time. There are a few things to keep in mind to remain safe in snake country. The first is to go in with a heightened level of awareness. The second is to invest in a pair of snake boots or gaiters. Finally, there are important considerations for our dogs; good training, and the rattlesnake vaccine. 

Beware of where you sit and/or set gear down when hunting the west. This rattlesnake crawled into this archery mule deer hunters’ bow sling in 2022.

I personally am overly conscious of everything I do when I am hunting the prairie during the early season. I ensure that when I am walking, I look where each step is placed. Just because these snakes have rattles doesn’t mean they will always give us fair warning when we are in their space. Rattlesnakes can strike up to two-thirds of their length. If you have a three-foot snake it could strike up to two feet in distance. The same attentiveness comes into play when belly crawling during a stalk. Paying attention to where you are placing your hands and feet is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe around snakes. Try to avoid grabbing firewood or flipping rocks unless necessary and use caution if doing so. If there is a large rocky slope use caution when grabbing ledges to assist in climbing up or down. Snakes love to hang out in these spots. Pay extra attention and you are more than likely to stay safe. 

SNAKE COUNTRY GEAR

If you have a fear of snakes yet your love for hunting outweighs this fear, there are a few options that can help ease your mind. Snake boots and gaiters are a great option for those who have a fear of danger noodles. Gaiters are a cost-effective peace of mind when hiking through the prairie. These can range anywhere from $30 to $50 and are a great way to protect yourself from the knees down. Snake boots are another option that can range from $90 to $300 depending on brand and style. These options are a great way to protect yourself from snakes yet can be heavy and uncomfortable to use. If it gets you out chasing after critters my vote is to get a pair and get after it!

Did you know, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year? Gaiters like these may prevent you from getting bitten.

SNAKE SAFETY FOR MAN’S BEST FRIEND

There are a lot of hunters that use dogs for both company and to assist with hunts. These dogs are members of our family and most of us probably treat our dogs to more luxury than we do ourselves. Having dogs in the prairies with snakes can be a deterrent for a lot of hunters. Rattlesnake awareness training for dogs has increased over the last few years. This teaches our dogs to be aware of the signs and warnings of rattlesnakes and to give them the space that they need to keep our furry friends safe.

RATTLESNAKE VACCINE FOR DOGS

Another great option is to have your vet administer a rattlesnake vaccine to your dog. The vaccine works by creating protective antibodies that help neutralize venom.

This vaccine doesn’t mean that if your dog is bit by a snake that it will be fine. What it does mean though is if bit it will prolong the time your pet has before it needs to get into the vet. Luckily, dogs that are bitten may also require less antivenin, which can be spendy. At $30-50 per dog, the rattlesnake vaccine is a no-brainer if you and your dogs are running around snake country.

Pets and rattlesnakes can be a recipe for disaster so do what you can to protect them.

CONCLUSION

Hunting in snake country is a reality out west and knowing what to look for and how to keep you, your family, and friends safe is important. Pay extra attention when out, use protective gear, and keep a close eye on your furry friends. Get outside, enjoy the outdoors but be aware of the threats that nature can hold. It can be unforgiving out there, but if you are prepared with the right knowledge and equipment it can make for some of the most memorable times of your life.