Man Dies After Being Bitten By A Copperhead

[LittleRedFisherman]

Here on the farm, we have snakes all the time in our yard, as well as one that got in the house once, it was a rat snake. With a 3 year old that likes to play outside, if I see a poisionous snake, it's dead within my sight. When it comes to protecting family, not taking a chance of my little boy getting bit. Pretty much take the same stance as Al on if it's in my domain. I actually like having rat snakes (chicken snakes), around the farm, they are very benefical actually to have around. Here in the St. Francis river "bottoms" in the Delta, cottonmouth's are more than common. Definetly don't play around with them, if memory serves I believe i've read that they are 3 times as poisonous as a copperhead.

[BigBrownTrout]

I just spent 4 days and nights on the current. Having read this posting last week and hering some locals buzzing about snakes definitely made me more cautious than usual. I usually don't sleep in a tent on the gravel bars, but I did sleep in a ZiPPED tent this trip. Overall, I saw half a dozen snakes on my float - none venomous. I did see a dead copperhead 2-3 footer in the road on YY about a mile from the Baptist Camp access sign. With the warm winter, there is plenty of food for them.

[Harps]

I was bitten by one up at Warsaw in '89, I think. We were night fishing below the dam. Friends took me to the hospital in Clinton (only thing open at 1 am) and they gave me the option of antivenom or a tetanus shot. I took the tetanus. I would have rather the snake bit me again than have that tetanus. The bite was mild and was sore for a few hours — the tetanus shot hurt for a week. I know I was lucky, but I've had bee stings worse than the copperhead bite.

[Flyguide7]

The scariest think about the copperhead is they are a fairly docile snake. If they are in your path they will stay put, their camo is excellent so the biggest risk they pose is to be stepped on. I have had several instances where I almost stepped on a coiled copperhead. Growing up in the deep south on learns to look before you step. The copperhead is a beautiful snake and it is a shame to kill one without cause,. Having said that if I see one in the yard were my grand kids are playing I won't hesitate to dispatch him.