Beware where you step!!
 

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

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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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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Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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!!!

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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!

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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!

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/re...s/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.

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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.

Re: Beware where you step!!
 

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Yes and an Endangered Species in New Jersey.

Here is some more information: http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/e...mbrrattler.pdf


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