1st timer to Crane Creek

[snagged in outlet 3]

I saw this timer rattler last August next the Missouri River by the Boone bridge.  I saw a cotton mouth in the femme Osage two year’s ago but by the time I got my camera out it was gone in the weeds. 
 

[Gavin]

Cottonmouths seem to be more common as you get closer to the Arkansas border but I see some on spring fed waters further north occasionally. They love to sun in willow weed beds, so watch your step.

[Johnsfolly]

[LuvToFish]

1 hour ago, BilletHead said:

                       Rick my first timber rattlesnake was approx. 25 years ago on 54 highway between South 850 and south 900 road. East of drywood creek. We were coming back from an archery shoot south of Fort Scott. Have seen two more since then in various places. Closest cottonmouth within a mile of the Ed Woodington farm where the Powwow was held. You know the place. Most in one area Sac River upstream from the 82 access. Going from the Bluff in Spring to the low ground swamp area across the river. Reverse migration in the fall when it cools off. I have posted many pictures of those sightings. Up to 15 a trip clear up past coon creek. 6 t0 8 at a time on the bluff bank sunning themselves. It used to be a novelty deal seeing them. Now it is watching out and not running them over. Boat slalom course.  Bunches along flat creek along flat creek while looking for Reeds spring chert for flintknapping. One while Pat and I were in the canoe on Weableau creek above where it runs into Truman. Again looking for flintknapping resources. 

   

Copperheads thick here at he house and in area at times.

   What MDC says. About both Timber and Cottonmouths .

Northern Cottonmouth | Missouri Department of Conservation

Timber Rattlesnake | Missouri Department of Conservation (mo.gov)

You mentioned Ft Scott so I had to add something. Bone Creek reservoir is south of there along 69 highway. There are more rattlers around that lake than you can shake a stick at. Relative of mine lives near there and has stopped and collected several rattles from crushed snakes found along the back roads by the lake. If he sees a dead one he’ll stop and cut off the rattle. 

[MoCarp]

On 7/14/2021 at 12:03 PM, LuvToFish said:

Well I'll be darn, per google two cottonmouth were finally confirmed in the Spring River of SEK. That rivers starts over by Carthage and cuts through KS down to Oklahoma and Grand Lake. I've fished Spring River for years and even noodled cats down below the dam in Baxter Springs. Not sure I would have had any part of that had they been confirmed back then. LOL

Seen one cotton mouth on north fork years ago….and one rattler near the old atlas powder plant..

plenty of copperheads

[MoCarp]

14 hours ago, Terrierman said:

 Climate change likely is related to expanding territory for them.

Then our bitter winter should have killed off many many snakes

for that matter armadillos, fire ants took a hit in south Texas 

and more than a few palm trees

[Quillback]

23 minutes ago, MoCarp said:

Then our bitter winter should have killed off many many snakes

for that matter armadillos, fire ants took a hit in south Texas 

and more than a few palm trees

Have not seen many road kill dillos around here this year.  

[BilletHead]

1 minute ago, Quillback said:

Have not seen many road kill dillos around here this year.  

              Plenty here Jeff! Would you like me to send some? Pat and I did a walk from Jolly Mill down to the intersection of of shoal creek in early spring. Found bunches of dead armadillo along the creek. That cold snap did a good job.

[LuvToFish]

Do you gent's use waders when fishing Crane Creek? One of the tips I've read here says to stay out of the water as much as possible to prevent spooking the critters. I'm not against wading without them, particularly if I'm only going to enter the stream on occasion. 

[Woodland Artisan]

I've never worn waders and don't wade Crane Creek upper or lower.  I'll cross at certain points but I don't linger there either.