Beware where you step!!

[Mikeps326]

Went to shepards lake last weekend on Sunday and went along the trail to go with my buddy and his brother-in-law and his son for skittle bit of fishing while the bbq was being cooked. As we were walked there's a puddle so I had to walked around it put my foot down and heard a loud rattling noise. I look down and there's a five foot timber rattlesnake about 1 inch from my foot just starring at me, I got beyond scarred and shocked that my whole body froze and I just stood looking at it. Thank god my buddy yelled for me to jump that I woke up and jumped out of the area. After that caught 2 dink largemouth but warning all you guys that walk through the woods watch where you step. Be Safe!!

Mike

[Eskimo]

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That's a rare find.
I've never seen a venomous snake outside of the Delaware Water Gap. Even then, I've only seen a pair of copperheads and one rattlesnake over a period of twenty-something years.


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[FASTEDDIE29]

Most people don't believe they're around but they are of course. Myself and a friend of mine used to catch these Timber Rattlers for fun at his vacation house just over the border past Port Jervis a hair upstate NY. We were 10 years old at the time and maybe a little crazy or stupid. I would poke around the dead pine needles on the ground and sure enough they would show there faces. Id get them to bite a stick while my friend grabbed the snakes tail. We got quite a few using this method and actually had them as pets at the cabin for a few years before my buddies mom flipped out when they escaped there tank.

TRUE STORY!!! Did I mention I grew up in Rahway with a bunch of absolute MANIACS!!!! None of us ever got bit. Amazing!!!

[Mikeps326]

Eddie idk whether it is amazing that you didn't get bite or pure luck cause that's insane and a death wish lol

[Poncho]

I'm betting Eddie doesn't have peanut allergies either!!!!!!!:D

[CabesaRoja]

Wow, close call! I still remember back when I was maybe 12 when I nearly stepped on a Black Rat Snake. I was just about to put my foot down when I realized it was stretched out across the trail. I turned mid-step and ran after seeing it! I'm just glad it wasn't poisonous, I don't know what I'd do if I had a near miss with a rattlesnake :eek: Glad no one got bit!

[FASTEDDIE29]

No peanut allergies, don't get poison ivy, sumac or anything else. No allergies period. Haven't had a damn Mosquito bite for 20 years or so. Eagle Scouts honor. Live outside for a while and you build immunity to certain things. I've been up the river with a boat and no paddles. I went through some serious crap in life and happy to still be here with no regrets. Those little Rattlers are lucky I didn't turn them into stew, LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! To each his own! Respect Mother Nature and all it's creatures!

[buzzbaiter]

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2015/07/19/Beaver-County-man-dies-after-rattlesnake-bite-in-Elk-County/stories/201507190201

Most times you'll walk right by them and never see them. They blend into the forest bottom remarkably well. They will seek out water during droughts and this is where I've seen them. I've seen three of them and all in the vicinity of Van Campens in the DWGNRA - one on Old Mine Rd and the other two right along the brook. I will say its a adrenaline rush like nothing you've had seeing one. Very cool. Copperheads are more hilly/rocky terrain and are an awesome sight.

[go_fish]

I work up in the Sterling Forest area (by Shepard's Lake). There are a lot of rattlesnakes up there. ABC - Always Be Careful. I am no rattlesnake expert but I have almost stepped on them too and they don't always rattle. I believe they are a protected species in NY and best left alone.

[Eskimo]

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I believe they are a protected species in NY and best left alone.

Yes and an Endangered Species in New Jersey.

Here is some more information: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/end-thrtened/tmbrrattler.pdf


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[yumasdad]

I used to mountain bike & teach classes up RINGWOOD for a long time until I blew out my discs & ended my riding/teaching days. There so many rattlers there along with bears it would freak you out if you knew.

Best to make your presence known & avoid the rocks as much as possible.
Rattlers will find a warm rock after a large meal to help speed up the digestion. That is their most vulnerable time so they can be extra pissy & will strike without rattling.

[mondofish]

No peanut allergies, don't get poison ivy, sumac or anything else. No allergies period. Haven't had a damn Mosquito bite for 20 years or so. Eagle Scouts honor. Live outside for a while and you build immunity to certain things. I've been up the river with a boat and no paddles. I went through some serious crap in life and happy to still be here with no regrets. Those little Rattlers are lucky I didn't turn them into stew, LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! To each his own! Respect Mother Nature and all it's creatures!

"Respect Mother Nature and all it's creatures"...a mantra to live by.

[briansnat]

There are plenty of rattlers in Ringwood SP and Ramapo Mtn SF. I've encountered probably a dozen or so over the past 10 years while hiking and doing trail work up there. Before that I saw maybe 1 in the previous 10 years, so they are making a comeback. In fact I read a few years ago about some residents in Ringwood having an issue with them coming into their yards. The town was distributing literature on how to make your yard less attractive to them.

I know they are still considered endangered in NJ , but with the numbers I've seen in recent years and the numerous encounters I've heard of, I wonder if they really still are.

I haven't seen copperheads in Ramapo/Ringwood, but have seen them at Wildcat Ridge and around Split Rock.

[yumasdad]

There are plenty of rattlers in Ringwood SP and Ramapo Mtn SF. I've encountered probably a dozen or so over the past 10 years while hiking and doing trail work up there. Before that I saw maybe 1 in the previous 10 years, so they are making a comeback. In fact I read a few years ago about some residents in Ringwood having an issue with them coming into their yards. The town was distributing literature on how to make your yard less attractive to them.

I know they are still considered endangered in NJ , but with the numbers I've seen in recent years and the numerous encounters I've heard of, I wonder if they really still are.

I haven't seen copperheads in Ramapo/Ringwood, but have seen them at Wildcat Ridge and around Split Rock.

**************************************************
Try BEARSWAMP for the copperheads, but watch for the really dangerous wildlife around there...the JW's!

[Wilson]

There are plenty of rattlers in Ringwood SP and Ramapo Mtn SF. I've encountered probably a dozen or so over the past 10 years while hiking and doing trail work up there. Before that I saw maybe 1 in the previous 10 years, so they are making a comeback. In fact I read a few years ago about some residents in Ringwood having an issue with them coming into their yards. The town was distributing literature on how to make your yard less attractive to them.

I know they are still considered endangered in NJ , but with the numbers I've seen in recent years and the numerous encounters I've heard of, I wonder if they really still are.

I haven't seen copperheads in Ramapo/Ringwood, but have seen them at Wildcat Ridge and around Split Rock.
So are Cormorants. :eek:

[shrimpman steve]

I live in Ringwood. Bears are no longer a surprise to me. And if I find a timber eagled in my yard I can't touch it because they are protected.

Love living up here!!

Ps. Eddie. My son just made eagle. Very proud

[Duck or Bleed]

**************************************************
Try BEARSWAMP for the copperheads, but watch for the really dangerous wildlife around there...the JW's!

I take great offense to your comment I married a JW and lived on stag hill for years those JWs would give you the shirt off there back live and let live !!!! PS she gave me to beautiful daughters one of then is in the Air Force and the other is doing very well not bad for a guy who grew up in Ridgewood NJ

[FASTEDDIE29]

I live in Ringwood. Bears are no longer a surprise to me. And if I find a timber eagled in my yard I can't touch it because they are protected.

Love living up here!!

Ps. Eddie. My son just made eagle. Very proud

Congrats to you and your son Steve! It really is a great accomplishment that only a handful of young men achieve. Many life lessons learned because of the Scouts!

[yumasdad]

I take great offense to your comment I married a JW and lived on stag hill for years those JWs would give you the shirt off there back live and let live !!!! PS she gave me to beautiful daughters one of then is in the Air Force and the other is doing very well not bad for a guy who grew up in Ridgewood NJ

************************************************** ****
Did not intend to offend you & I sincerely apologize since that is obviously the case. I had a bad encounter up there & I was basically roughed up, my fish/pole & tackle taken when I was a kid up there. We had ridden our bikes up for a day of fishing & got more than we asked for.

Now that live up in the area & I have met many really good folk who are JW. Sorry about that insensitive comment.

[Blind Archer]

North Jersey doesn't have a monopoly on timber rattlers. I took our scout troop canoeing on the Wading river in Burlington county. We camped at Bodine field. I made mention to the rangers that we encountered the most deer tick infested area I have ever seen. You couldn't remain still on a lawn chair for more than 2 minutes before they (multiple) were walking up your legs. Even being aware of them, 2 leaders and 2 scouts contracted Lyme because they were practically microscopic. The Ranger told me we were fortunate they weren't rattlers, as all the neighbors surrounding the field had them loungeing all over their yards. The ticks should feed on the snakes and everyone would be happy.:)

[JerryC]

Wow.. ive never seen one in NJ before..