PA. RATTLESNAKES

[mikeymjr23]

Wait, yes I am...just not for snake!

[Gilligan]

There used to be a place in Weedville, Pa (Clearfield County) that had a huge wildlife display from an old timer that caught all the critters. Had bobcats as well as a huge pen of rattlers well over 100. Turned snakes lose every fall and recaptured again in the spring. The story was the old timer had been bit so many times he build up an immunity to them.

I'll have to rattle my moms memory and see if she remembers more details.

[zenrider]

Good thing this was not a Rattler.

[Limbhanger]

I have seen several rattlers west of the divide, and on the east. Better habitat on the east side for sure, very fragmented good rattler habitat on the west side. Only saw one last year, near Clermont Pa, small 35" or so I guess. Largest that I ever saw 56", and black as coal, saw him in Warren County about ten years ago. Most I ever saw alive in the wild 21 one day near Renevo Pa, 9 together another day near Emporium PA. There are more rattlers around than most people care to think about. I have never saw one that I would say was agressive, a very elusive, calm wild critter. I am all for the protection of the rattler, and very strictly regulated hunting seasons. They are an important part of the eco-system, and very misunderstood. I go out a couple times each summer trying to find them. I told some guys about den about 7 years ago In Southeast Chautauqua County that I found spring turkey hunting one year. I went back to take some pics in July, and found 15 skinned carcasses, I was sick. I do not tell people now when or where I find them, and if someone asks me to go with me I generally so no. There are two studies going on the timber rattler this summer one on the ANF, and the other on PGC state lands here in NW PA. Very interested in what the find. On the ANF I believe they 26 target timber rattler habitat sites. It will be interesting to see what they find. I hope that they find the rattler population has increased since the last study. I urge any of you if you see one to take a few pics, give them there space, and walk on by, they were here first!!! Although timber rattlers do not scare me, it is a little unsettling walking through knee high fern covered rocks in mid-July. It would probally scare the hek out me however if I would ever know how many I walk within 10 feet of each summer.

[ktb]

My wife and I were hiking in Clinton County west of Renova this weekend when we came across a black rattler in a tight coil. I wanted to see how long it was so I nudged it with my trecking pole it refused to uncoil. I fliped it over and it stayed in the coiled position and was very slimy on the underside, it never ratteled or moved except for it tongue flicking. We turned it right side up and left it where it was but were concerned about it's strange behavior. Any ideas?

[hunterdeneugene]

Gastroenteritis, caused by Campylobacter jejuni resulting in Retroperistalsis.....

[elkhunter]

I've seen a few over the years

[Nathanada78]

Never seen one in PA but have seen them other places. Someone shoot me a PM and tell me where I could see some. Will be in PA quite a bit this summer. Would love to see some.

[carl milks]

I've only ever seen 4 in the wild. 1 on Hemlock Rd below the dam, 1 near Willow Bay, 1 at N. Branch Sugar Run & face to face with 1 at Sugar Run. I was troutin' and was climbing up over a bank along the stream and there it was- litterally right in my face!!!! Just slowly back down away from it-w/out incident. The one at NB Sugar, my buddy stepped on it in some high grass, he kept feeling something moving under his foot & finally discovered what it was. These were all eons ago, hav'nt seen one in a long time. Zen, Old Mr Stiver used to keep all those rattlers on Bolivar Dr, a few escaped thru the years, saw a couple of them, but did'nt consider them "wild". I know one was killed by the trailer court up Bolivar and my dad got one by his barn on Cross Dr one time. Again, all this too was a long time ago.

[jjsjigs]

Have you guys ever been to the Morris Rattlesnake Hunt? Now that is a cool event....

Rattlesnake Round Up
June 12 & 13, 2010
12 Miles South of Wellsboro in Morris, PA

Saturday, June 12, 2010
8 am - 10 am - Breakfast Served
8 am - Registration for Snake Hunting Begins
8 am - One-Pitch Softball Tournament
8 am - Volleyball Tournament in Gym
10 am - Flea Market
10 am - 2 pm - Harold Benjamin & the Country Boys
11 am - Chicken BBQ
12 noon - Kids Snake Hunt
12 noon - 50/50 Bingo
2:30 - 3:30 pm - Rattlesnake Lecture
5 pm - Snake Hunting Competition Ends/Awards
4 pm - 9 pm - Burning Hills Band
Dark - Fireworks
Sunday, June 13, 2010
8am - 10am - Breakfast Served
8am - One-Pitch Softball Tournament
10am - Flea Market
11am - Chicken BBQ
12noon - Kids Snake Hunt
12noon - 50/50 Bingo
12pm - 4pm - White River Band
Hot Dogs • Texas Hots • Hamburgers • Hot Sausage Philly Steak Sandwiches • Fresh Cut French Fries • Ribbon Fries Funnel Cakes • Ice Cream • Hot Fudge Sundaes • Milk Shakes