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From: crs@beta.lanl.gov (Charlie Sorsby)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Why kill snakes?
Message-ID: <35865@mimsy.umd.edu>
Date: 20 Jun 91 23:40:28 GMT
Sender: magnum@mimsy.umd.edu
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Approved: gun-control@cs.umd.edu

# I was hiking with my SO over Memorial Weekend when I shot a rattlesnake.
# I'd always thought that my .357 Mag would be an appropriate weapon until
# it came time to shoot the snake.  He was coiled up in a pile of rocks!!!
# The possibility of a ricochet with the 158 grain .357 seemed much more 
# likely than the .22 rifle I was also carrying.  I opted for the rifle and 
# with one shot almost severed his head from his body.

But why do it?  Sounds as though you weren't close enough to be in
any danger.  Snakes, as other predators, do a lot of good keeping
various rodents in check.  Insects too, I believe.  Why kill them
unnecessarily?

I've hunted and hiked for a number of years here in the southwest
(New Mexico and Arizona, mainly).  I've crossed paths with only a
few rattlesnakes and never closely enough to be in any danger.  In
Arizona, I wore snake leggings just in case.

If you look where you are going and don't put your hands or feet
into places you can't see you should have no problems.  As far as I
can see, the only reason for shooting a snake is that rare instance
where you find yourself within striking distance before you are
aware of the snake.  But if you are that close, I suspect your
movement in aiming the gun may trigger a strike, so ...   Far
better to do your damnedest never to get into that position.

Well, just my $0.02 worth...

Best,

Charlie Sorsby						"I'm the NRA!"
	crs@lanl.gov