Snakes, Part 3
Dateline 08/17/98
One of my first encounters with snakes happened while I was "hunting" with my BB gun - I was probably about 12 years old. I saw a bunch of mocking birds circling and squawking around a pile of brush, and they ignored me as I eased up to them. I shot one and it fell. When I went to get it, a king snake was swallowing it! The birds had been harassing the snake and that is why they ignored me.
Many kids don't have the chance to learn about snakes first hand since they don't get outdoors like I used to. Check out info on how to prepare children for encounters with snakes outdoors so they will be ready when they encounter one.
I will never forget the time Randy Harris was fishing with me at Lake Sinclair. He said he was not afraid of snakes when I pointed out a water snake sunning on a limb just over the water. As I backed the boat closer, he hit at the snake with his rod - and the plug on the end of it hooked the snake. He seemed a little scared as he tried to get it off by slinging it and shaking it. He threatened to throw the rod overboard, snake and all, before it finally came loose!
Another good story about a fisherman's encounter with a snake is a little more scary than ours - this fisherman was in a float tube!.
Snakes are scary but not many people are bitten each year and a surprisingly small number die of snakebite each year. Information on snakes, the numbers of people bitten by them and how many die each year, and what you should do when you see a snake found here may surprise you.
Snakes around the House by Steve Vantreese is an article on the kinds of snakes you are likely to encounter and what to do. (Caution - the anchor was not working when I visited this site - you have to scroll down to it.) His story reminded me of how my dad used to catch king snakes and bring them inside - scaring my mother and thrilling me. It took me a long time to get where I could touch one and several more years before I would catch one with my bare hands - but I got used to seeing them and I guess that is why seeing snakes while fishing does not bother me now.
A
Snake and Fishing Joke
Visit this site for an old but good fishing and snake story.
Any comments on fishing and snakes? Tell me about any experiences you have. Do you have some stories relating to snakes and fishing? If so, you can also post information about it for others on my message board - you must register to post but can read the board as a guest. Also, if you have a story about snakes or fishing, let me know about it at fishing.guide@about.com. for a "Fishtale"or discuss it in the chat room on every night at 8:00 EST. Tell others what you like.
Check out Coming Next Week - Next week's column topic, contest prize and new additions to the resources lists.
