Snakes in Fl

[cleardiddion]

So I was watching the news today and apparantly Florida has just opened up a new season for hunting nonindigenous snakes such as Boa Constricters which have been plaguing the everglades from sometime in March till April.

Now, that got me thinking. How the heck does one hunt for snake and what does one use? I'm kinda interested in this but the only snakes that I've ever had to really off have been cottonmouths and rattlers from back home (CO) with shovels or .22's.

I was just wondering if anyone had any sort of insight into this sort of deal.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

I'd probably use a shotgun!

 

[cleardiddion]

Oh, also would you eat the snake?
I mean, I've been taught that unless it's somethig absolutely foul like a turkey vulture or skunk or something like that you should eat whatever creature you shoot. I've had rattlesnake before but eating a Boa seems a bit...odd to me.

 

[pat86323]

i wish i was in that situation......something tells me that the snakeskin could be sold for a decent price.

 

[W.E.G.]

Shotgun seems like a good idea if you aren't concerned about ruining the hide.

Otherwise a head shot from a .22 should have no trouble penetrating snake-skull.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't think the snakes have gotten any tougher since the last thread on them so I guess I'd still use a shotgun. And I WON'T be eating it!

 

[LEVRLOVR]

Bet Snake steak would probably be pretty tasty.

 

[NCdrummer]

Shotgun! Hard to miss.

 

[Art Eatman]

Roll strips of meat in flour or corn meal batter and deep fry briefly. About like chicken strips at KFC.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

How the heck does one hunt for snake and what does one use?

I would expect a belly crawl through thick grass would be the preferred method of stalking.

As far as what firearm to use, that's a no-brainer: Colt Python.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Not the anaconda?

Seriously, I'd think something like #4, #3, #2, or #1 buck from a 12 ga would work well on the moving critters. Maybe even BBB, T, etc.

 

[Nick5182]

I'd use a shotgun or handgun, if it were me. Now, what ya gotta do, is get yourself one of them 15-20 foot burmese pythons and have someone make you (or do it yourself) some custom snake skin grips and snake skin holster. That's what I'd do.

 

[chas08]

I'd have to go with a Shotgun as my weapon of choice here, probably with any shot from BB on up to #1 buck for the larger snakes. My question is; why have a season on them if they are non-indigenous? It seems to me that you would want to try your best to wipe them out yearound.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

why have a season on them if they are non-indigenous? It seems to me that you would want to try your best to wipe them out yearound.

I would think so too. If they move into my neighborhood the season on them will always be open!

 

[HGUNHNTR]

I think a shovel would be a better bet than a shotgun. Just cut its head off and your done.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I think a shovel would be a better bet than a shotgun. Just cut its head off and your done.

Killed very many 20 foot pythons this way HGH?

 

[chas08]

I think a shovel would be a better bet than a shotgun

I've killed plenty Copperheads and a few Rattlers wth a shovel or a garden hoe. But I'm not sure I would want to take on a Boa or a Python, with any size to him, that lightly armed unless there just wasn't anything else to use.

Killed very many foot pythons this way HGH?

OK, I'll bite; What's a foot python? (LOL)

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Sorry chas08,the numbers lock had been turned off on my keyboard(4 year old grand daughter does it when she plays Deerhunter). Fixed it.

 

[chas08]

OK, I'll bite; What's a foot python? (LOL)

I thought there might be a number missing there. I really wasn't being a "Smart A_ _" . I've watched those shows on Animal Planet dealing with Floridas snake problem. Those folks run up against some "Really Big" snakes. If I were to hunt them on purpose, you can bet there will be a 12ga. involved.

I think a shovel would be a better bet than a shotgun. Just cut its head off and your done.

That would be like using a shovel to amputate a mans leg at the knee while he's putting up a heckuva fight. (LOL)

 

[HGUNHNTR]

No I haven't killed many boas this way, but these aren't mythical beasts either.

Well first off they aren't poisonous, and secondly I doubt any size of snake would live after being clubbed with a shovel.

These aren't fast animals were talking about here, just cut its durn head off and be done.

BTW, I have had to put down a 600 pound heifer that was hit by a car with a shovel. It was all I had and it did the job, would I have rather had a rifle......yes.

 

[pat86323]

oh hghhntr, dont you know that clubbing them wont work. A snake is not dead as long as its head is attached (not always true but a pretty good rule to live by)

you dont think they are fast? they take down deer sized prey? i bet they are faster then you if they want to be.

and as for being not poisonous? ever been bit by a 4 foot bull snake? they arent venemous either but that frickin hurts. I bet a 15 foot python could break an arm with a bite.

and yes you can kill many things with a shovel......but if you were going to hunt them it would probably be adviseable to not carry a shovel. At the very least get some of those extendable pruners. then you can try to remove the head (IMO the only way to ensure a snake is dead)

 

[ShadyScott999]

The corkscrew on my Swiss Army knife.

That is what a real man would use.

 

[rswartsell]

pat86323 +1,

Coming originally from venomous snake country, that is exactly what my grandfather taught me. Including a demonstration that a timber rattler recently cut neatly in two at the middle by a rifle could still clamp fangs on a wood chip.

P.S. I like the idea of a tight pattern shotgun but I have a hard time believing you need shot bigger than 4 or 5.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

These aren't fast animals were talking about here

You don't watch much "Animal Planet",do you?

 

[rswartsell]

12 ga full choke and #5 pheasant loads would be my choice.