Mostly you would never see one but with a drought they are on the move looking for moisture. I worked at a camp in mountains for several years and only time we saw any were hot, dry conditions! you dont mess with them....they wont mess with you! IMHO....


Quote Originally Posted by PUAhokie View Post
Sunday I'm going hiking, and the area I'm hiking in apparently has a high population of rattlesnakes. I'm an avid Fall/Winter/early spring Hiker- but not so much in the summer when rattlesnakes (among others)- are out warming themselves on the rocks, paths, etc.

My question is- how much of a warning to they actually give? We won't be bushwhacking- just following the path. And if they rattle- it's obviously a warning- do they actually give you a chance to back away or go around them? What's their normal protection "zone"/ (i.e. Mr. Rattlesnake to me: "if you get # feet from me I'm going to bite your sorry leg and inject you with poison."