Rattle snake in Morgan Monroe State Forest

[Gun Chooter]

Went out squirrel hunting Saturday morning, was walking down the trail and was startled when some sort of hawk or falcon took off just from the edge of the trail I was hiking. I assumed it must have been eating something so I walked over to check it out. Found this snake that looked to have just been killed. It was positioned on its back, the head already gone and was picked apart pretty well. I carried it over to the trail and stretched it out, about four feet in length. Made for a pretty cool find. I didn't think we had these this far north, anyone else spotted these around this area?

 

[spencer rifle]

Timber rattlers are found all over southern Indiana, but are on the endangered list. CO is going to have to arrest that hawk.

 

[seedubs1]

Yup. They're out there. I almost stepped on a big one in Brown County last year. One of the trail runners I know posted a pic of a big one in Morgan Monroe State Forrest on the back country trail last year as well.

 

[bocefus78]

My dog found a large one on the rocks at the Lake Monroe spillway. Luckily I was able to call the dog off as the snake wasn't backing down.

 

[Gun Chooter]

Kind of scary thinking that they're out there, I took my family out to the rock shelter trail this summer. What the heck are you supposed to do if you get bitten by one of these guys?

 

[yetti462]

Morgan Monroe is full of them. That area and Brown Co have the highest numbers than anywhere else in the state.

 

[shibumiseeker]

Kind of scary thinking that they're out there, I took my family out to the rock shelter trail this summer. What the heck are you supposed to do if you get bitten by one of these guys?

Stay calm and call 911. If 911 is not available calmly walk the victim out. Remove anything that might restrict swelling like rings or bracelets. Keep the site below the level of the heart if possible. Do not cut the site, do not suck the venom out, do not use a constriction band, do not ice the area.

 

[Gun Chooter]

Learned something new, I've spent a lot of time in these woods and this is the first one I've seen. Surprised me, just glad my first encounter was with one that was already dead!

 

[spencer rifle]

As we tell the students, if you don't want to get bit by a snake, don't do two things:
1. Don't pick them up.
2. Don't step on them.

That should keep you safe in most circumstances.

 

[Backpacker]

How did you do with the squirrels?

 

[Kirk Freeman]

I still hold the Morgan County record for backwards and for height jumping after encountering a Timber Rattler near the M-M forest.

I know snakes got a job to do, but I just wish they would do it somewhere not near me.

 

[Gun Chooter]

How did you do with the squirrels?

Not great, got a late start and only caught a glimpse of one in the tree tops. Posted up under the tree for about an hour but he never showed himself again. Then the rain hit. Still always fun getting out in the woods though, and finding the rattle snake made my day.

 

[seedubs1]

I talked with one of the DNR guys at BCSP about this. He said closest anti-venom is at a hospital in Indy. Said if you get bit, you're most likely getting a helicopter ride. Shibumiseeker's advice is correct. Don't do any of that crap you see in the movies.

Kind of scary thinking that they're out there, I took my family out to the rock shelter trail this summer. What the heck are you supposed to do if you get bitten by one of these guys?

 

[seedubs1]

Too bad you're in IN where they're protected. If you were in another state, you could have sold that rattle for $20-50.

Not great, got a late start and only caught a glimpse of one in the tree tops. Posted up under the tree for about an hour but he never showed himself again. Then the rain hit. Still always fun getting out in the woods though, and finding the rattle snake made my day.

 

[Gun Chooter]

Problem I see would be getting back to an area identifiable enough to locate you. Most of the time, I'm back in the woods a good couple miles and cell reception is spotty at best. I'll just keep my fingers crossed I don't ever have an incident.

Wouldn't sell something like that anyways, pretty cool piece you don't find very often!

 

[lovemachine]

So what do you do when you encounter a rattle snake?

 

[seedubs1]

I almost stepped on one. I jumped about 10 feet high, quickly moved, and promptly crapped my pants after I heard that rattle sound right next to my leg. I believe this is what the DNR teaches when you encounter one.

So what do you do when you encounter a rattle snake?

 

[lovemachine]

Yup. They're out there. I almost stepped on a big one in Brown County last year. One of the trail runners I know posted a pic of a big one in Morgan Monroe State Forrest on the back country trail last year as well.

I've been afraid of finding one while mountain biking.

 

[lovemachine]

I almost stepped on one. I jumped about 10 feet high, quickly moved, and promptly crapped my pants after I heard that rattle sound right next to my leg. I believe this is what the DNR teaches when you encounter one.

Heh. I can do that.

 

[tenring]

They, along with Copperheads, are within a mile or less of the south side of Martinsville.