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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
OT-My snakebite
Phil Hawkins, Photographer
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Fresno | ca | usa | Posted: 9:43 PM on 07.19.10 |
->> Those of you who know me know that in 2001 I was bitten by a 4 foot rattlesnake on the left index finger. Suffice it to say this is something one should generally avoid. The pain was indescribable. I did not fully recover for 6 months. As it happened, I had a video camera with me and recorded the entire affair. This happened in the Yosemite National Park backcountry, and through the ranger grapevine a film crew from the Outdoor Channel found out about it and they did a segment on "Texas Trophy Hunters" (they have a sense of humor) on my ordeal. This ran on the Outdoor Channel in 2002, and then my 15 minutes of semi-fame faded into obscurity.
Fast forward to this afternoon, and it seems the show "Texas Trophy Hunters" is running "classic" shows. My dad saw it today and called... So, should you be watching the show and see me talking about getting bit, try not to laugh too hard. Direct TV it's on channel 608, the rest you'll have to search yourself. It's also a good lesson on How Not To Pick Up A Rattlesnake.
Thought you'd like some light entertainment to look forward to. |
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Steven Mullensky, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Port Townsend | WA. | USA | Posted: 10:14 PM on 07.19.10 |
->> Being bit by a rattler seems kinda cool although I wouldn't wish the experience on anyone. I don't know anyone who has been bitten but it must make for some good medicine in indian lore. I'm glad you survived to tell the tale. I've eaten my fair share of rattlers: Grilled over a campfire with onions and mushrooms. That's what I would call good eats.
I'm away from my Direct TV so I'll have to wait until it plays again. |
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Hal Smith, Photographer
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Sedalia | MO | USA | Posted: 10:29 PM on 07.19.10 |
| ->> 20-years-ago I had a run in with a 46-inch copperhead in Kentucky. The worst three days of pain and bad hospital food I've ever had. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Indiana | IN | USA | Posted: 12:43 AM on 07.20.10 |
| ->> Steven, being bitten by a rattler is anything but cool. As Phil can tell you, the affects of a bite can linger for months, in some cases years. The poison can cause organ and tissue damage, lethargy, amputation and of course even death. |
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Greg Kendall-Ball, Photographer, Assistant
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Abilene | TX | USA | Posted: 10:38 AM on 07.20.10 |
->> Out in my part of the world, they hold the World's Largest Rattlesnake Roundup every year. Meeting some of these folks who have worked with snakes for decades is always interesting. The deformed hands, fingers, arms, toes....the scarring is incredible.
Last time I covered one of these, they had a guy try to break the world's record for being in a sleeping bag with the most rattlesnakes. Insane stuff
You can see some of the pics and links to the story on my photoblog:
http://kendallball.com/2010/03/brownwood-rattlesnake-roundup/ |
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John Bowersmith, Photographer
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Lubbock | Tx | USA | Posted: 12:52 PM on 07.20.10 |
| ->> Hal, I wasn't bitten by a copperhead but some sort of hybrid copperhead something once in Kentucky too. The doctor told me, "we can give you some fluids and a little medication, but the venom won't kill you. It will just make you wish it had." He was right, four days of pain and fever like I've never had. |
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Hal Smith, Photographer
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Sedalia | MO | USA | Posted: 2:34 PM on 07.20.10 |
->> John,
That's about the truth. Hemotoxins in venom destroyed muscle and connective tissue all through my left arm causing swelling and edema which lasted months. |
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William Purnell, Photographer
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Wichita | Ks | | Posted: 3:29 PM on 07.20.10 |
| ->> Hal... I grew up in Central Mo, Tipton to be exact, had more than a couple close calls with Copperheads when I was a kid too... although, luckily I was never bitten. How did you have your "run in"? |
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Hal Smith, Photographer
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Sedalia | MO | USA | Posted: 1:55 PM on 07.22.10 |
->> I was removing it from a neighbor's house when I got bit unwrapping it from a ceiling plank.
Before that incident I had close to 10 years of working with and catching snakes in wild, and never once did I get bit. I've never touched one since.
If only smoking was so easy to quit. |
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