My wife and I are going to be slow poke RVing for 8 to 10 weeks in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. Be leaving mid June. I've spent the last couple of hours on internet searches, and I searched here about rattle snakes. I know there are lots and lots of people that live around them.. I live in New england. I have never seen one. My searches gave me good info, and I always try to be aware of my surroundings. But I found an interesting comment here. It mentioned that if camped out at Gouldings RV park in Monument Valley and take a walk to the Natural Bridge, keep an eye out for rattle snakes (what is different about this trail?). I'm sure they can be anywhere and Google gave me good examples. But I've found folks here usually have certain situations that raises their attention level. Mostly from personal experience. Some basic tips would be appreciated. We plan on doing a lot of boondocking. No panic here nor am I changing my plans. Just askin.

It’s “rattlesnake” and “rattlesnakes.” Keep your eyes searching, don’t put your hand, feet or head where you can’t see. Carry a walking stick. You’ll be fine. Seeing a rattler in the wild is actually very cool...but if you see one don’t assume he/she doesn’t have a friend. I killed them as a kid but I’ve learned and don’t now.

Do not put your hand or foot anywhere you cannot see. Don't step over bushes, rocks, etc if you cannot see what is on the other side. In the heat of the day they get into the shade of rocks, bushes, under vehicles, etc. In the cool evenings they come out, so use a flashlight, but they will mostly try to stay out of your way. Early mornings will find them in roads, open sunny areas or on rocks to get warm after the cool of the night. Do not depend on them rattling before striking. The rattle is a warning but if you get to close to fast they will just strike.I have seen them slither between my dogs legs without a fuss and then coil to strike and rattle when I came along behind the dogs. Carry a stick in the desert to make them move along. In town you can call animal control but in the country deal with them as you see fit if they pose a continuing hazard.

docsouce wrote:Some basic tips would be appreciated.Our rattlesnake experience in Lake Havasu City, AZ.Oh, by the way, if you need to kill a rattlesnake, stay away from its head -- even after killing it. Our neighbor was bitten by a rattler after the head was separated from the body.

NMDriver2 wrote:Do not put your hand or foot anywhere you cannot see. Don't step over bushes, rocks, etc if you cannot see what is on the other side.That's it in a nut shell.

Rattle Snakes | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
May 08, 2018
It’s “rattlesnake” and “rattlesnakes.” Keep your eyes searching, don’t put your hand, feet or head where you can’t see. Carry a walking stick. You’ll be fine. Seeing a rattler in the wild is actually very cool...but if you see one don’t assume he/she doesn’t have a friend. I killed them as a kid but I’ve learned and don’t now.
NMDriver2
Explorer
May 08, 2018
Do not put your hand or foot anywhere you cannot see. Don't step over bushes, rocks, etc if you cannot see what is on the other side. In the heat of the day they get into the shade of rocks, bushes, under vehicles, etc. In the cool evenings they come out, so use a flashlight, but they will mostly try to stay out of your way. Early mornings will find them in roads, open sunny areas or on rocks to get warm after the cool of the night. Do not depend on them rattling before striking. The rattle is a warning but if you get to close to fast they will just strike.

I have seen them slither between my dogs legs without a fuss and then coil to strike and rattle when I came along behind the dogs. Carry a stick in the desert to make them move along. In town you can call animal control but in the country deal with them as you see fit if they pose a continuing hazard.
TechWriter
Explorer
May 08, 2018
docsouce wrote:
Some basic tips would be appreciated.

Our rattlesnake experience in Lake Havasu City, AZ.

Oh, by the way, if you need to kill a rattlesnake, stay away from its head -- even after killing it. Our neighbor was bitten by a rattler after the head was separated from the body.
Tom_Barb
Explorer
May 08, 2018
Works better than STICK
Tom_Barb
Explorer
May 08, 2018
NMDriver2 wrote:
Do not put your hand or foot anywhere you cannot see. Don't step over bushes, rocks, etc if you cannot see what is on the other side.

That's it in a nut shell.
azdryheat
Explorer
May 08, 2018
Carry a pistol with birdshot shells. Great defense against snakes. No permit required in AZ.
imgoin4it
Explorer
May 08, 2018
I’ve lived in NM for 38 Years and I’ve seen one rattle snake in that time.it was on a county road and an individual was trying to “herd” it across a road with a stick. My wife walks a dog in the desert and watches and stays away from likely habitats but has never seen one. The point is watch for them, be aware but you may never see one.
Bobbo
Explorer II
May 08, 2018
I am going to follow this thread. We are doing 5 weeks in the same areas in Sept/Oct, and even staying at Goulding's.

azdryheat wrote:
Carry a pistol with birdshot shells. Great defense against snakes. No permit required in AZ.

Taurus Judge loaded with 410 bore shotshells. (Got a 3 foot long copperhead in my wife's flowerbed last year.)
seagrace
Explorer
May 08, 2018
Sorry, apparently I'm not allowed to post relevant content.
jmtandem
Explorer II
May 08, 2018
I have seen quite a few in Nevada. Of course, you are not going to Nevada but basically the same is true everywhere. If you come upon one, give them an opportunity to escape, don't crowd them, corner them, or taunt them with a stick. Where there is one there often is more. They don't want you anymore than you want them. All the stuff about watching where you put your hand or foot is excellent advice. Be certain you can identify a rattle snake from a Bull snake. They look very similar. Look at the tail for rattlers on a rattle snake. The Bull snake is a beneficial snake that hates rattle snakes. Don't kill Bull snakes.

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