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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: pdk25 on July 12, 2013, 07:47:00 AM

Title: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: pdk25 on July 12, 2013, 07:47:00 AM
It has been pretty hot here lately, so not very comfortable for practice.  It was 104 degrees when I got home from work, and I got to work taking care of chores.  Just as I was finishing up, some clouds rolled in and it started cooling off some. I told my wife that I was going to do my rain dance, since it has been so dry around here.  By that, I meant that I was going out back to shoot some bows.  Usually that will bring some rain shortly after I start shooting.  Just my luck. It didn't work tonight, so I was lucky enough to get some shooting in.  I was just finishing up my last round shooting at the round bale and going to gather my arrows when this guy popped out from below the round bale just below my arrows.  Fortunately I was warmed up, and I backed up to around 6 or 7 yards away and skewered him to the ground with a field tip.  Then next two shots attempting the head were a failure, as he was moving too much and I didn't have a nice wide broadhead available.  My wife ran to the barn and got a shovel and lopping shears to finish it off.  Gonna have to watch my step from now on.

 (http://i.imgur.com/D4mw1Et.jpg)
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Doc Nock on July 12, 2013, 08:23:00 AM
Ayyyeeeeee.... I don't like spiders and snakes...
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Ron B on July 12, 2013, 08:24:00 AM
Those kind of surprise guests you don't need.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: southpawshooter on July 12, 2013, 08:27:00 AM
:eek:    Good thing you were quicker on the draw than he was Pat!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: pdk25 on July 12, 2013, 08:34:00 AM
Believe me Scott, if that snake wanted me it could have had me while I was crapping my pants.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: RUTANDSTRUT on July 12, 2013, 08:36:00 AM
nice shot!  now skin that one and get him on a bow!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: toehead on July 12, 2013, 09:05:00 AM
That's a nice one Pat!  The key is to get your doo doo in their eyes while you make your escape!  I was abou 12" from stepping on one during my last hog hunt! Was in mid step and realized that tapered stick wasn't a stick at all! He was only about 18" long though so I let him pass ( actually I was doing some math in my head "30" arrow, 18" snake, probably alot faster then I am, 30 miles from hospital, 1/2 mile from truck, pissed off girlfriend at truck if I get bit").  At some point during my figuring he just got bored and left!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: graybarkhunter on July 12, 2013, 09:32:00 AM
Which bow limb is he goin on? Good shootin'
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Mudd on July 12, 2013, 09:41:00 AM
I am super glad that you're ok.

I also thank you for sharing your story because I love shooting around that same time myself.(for-warned is to be for armed)

I don't fret much over snakes since there are only two kinds that bother me.....

Those two kinds are... big ones and little ones...lol

Actually I am usually ok as long as I see them well in advance of being in their strike zone.

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: pdk25 on July 12, 2013, 09:45:00 AM
Mudd, I could have left this one alone and got my arrows a different day, but wasn't taking the chance getting bit by this one some other time when practicing.Can't have em living in or around my target.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: pdk25 on July 12, 2013, 09:46:00 AM
I don't think it would have been long enough for a bow, plus there was a hole in it's side. I chucked it in the woods for the buzzards.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Sockrsblur on July 12, 2013, 09:51:00 AM
Wow. Beautiful skin on that snake!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Gen273 on July 12, 2013, 10:40:00 AM
:eek:    :eek:    :eek:    :scared:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: nineworlds9 on July 12, 2013, 10:40:00 AM
Now 4 feet longer 5# heavier with a rattle at one end...now we're talkin pants crapping..
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: VictoryHunter on July 12, 2013, 10:41:00 AM
That sure is a pretty snake!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Doc Nock on July 12, 2013, 12:31:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by VictoryHunter:
That sure is a pretty snake!
YUP!  A dead one!

I don't indiscriminately kill snakes, but around an abode or out building is NOT a place to them to set up shop!

Them buggars aren't as deadly in the venom department, but usually will hit you 2x, just for good measure. They're quick.  Brrrr...gibe me chivvers!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Dirtybird on July 12, 2013, 12:46:00 PM
Pat, you could of saved it for arrow cresting.   Come on man......
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: GANDGOLF on July 12, 2013, 12:55:00 PM
Hey Pat!! It would have made a Great Hatband !! Hope to see ya this weekend.. Remember when you're shooting THAT close ya gotta aim UNDER your target!!!   :laughing:    :laughing:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: maxwell on July 12, 2013, 12:58:00 PM
Pat, glad  the snake wasn't ornery with the heat- not much for me to like concerning snakes. It had to go.  Good shootin

Bill
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: pdk25 on July 12, 2013, 01:10:00 PM
Probably can't make it to the shoot unless I get to work before 3am.  I am a little behind on sleep, but you never know.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: CatSplat on July 12, 2013, 01:21:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by pdk25:


  (http://i.imgur.com/D4mw1Et.jpg)
I'm no snake expert, but that definitely looks like a copperhead pit viper. Yikes!   :eek:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Ringneck on July 12, 2013, 03:03:00 PM
No thanks!   :scared:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: toehead on July 12, 2013, 03:52:00 PM
I am honestly supposed you didn't skin it and eat it!    :scared:  
Can't be any worse than carp patties brotha!   :biglaugh:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: ronp on July 12, 2013, 04:52:00 PM
Yikes!  :scared:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Bldtrailer on July 12, 2013, 04:57:00 PM
Need one   :scared:  more for the bow   :archer:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: ishoot4thrills on July 12, 2013, 05:01:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by CatSplat:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by pdk25:
I'm no snake expert, but that definitely looks like a copperhead pit viper. Yikes!     :eek:   [/b]
Well, I AM a self proclaimed, half @ss, snake expert and you are correct, that IS a copperhead.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: ishoot4thrills on July 12, 2013, 05:13:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by nineworlds9:
Now 4 feet longer 5# heavier with a rattle at one end...now we're talkin pants crapping..
I know of several grown men who just about crap their pants at the sight of ANY snake. And a whole lot more who would crap their pants at the sight of the copperhead in the picture. Either way, if you're gonna crap your pants at the sight of a rattler, you're probably gonna crap your pants at the sight of a copperhead as well!

I've never seen a copperhead anywhere near my house and my sons and I are constantly looking for and catching snakes of all kinds. I don't really understand why we don't have any close by but I would like to find a couple to back a bow with for sure. They are truly a beautiful snake.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Duncan on July 12, 2013, 10:42:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by ishoot4thrills:
 
QuoteOriginally posted by nineworlds9:
Now 4 feet longer 5# heavier with a rattle at one end...now we're talkin pants crapping..
I know of several grown men who just about crap their pants at the sight of ANY snake. And a whole lot more who would crap their pants at the sight of the copperhead in the picture. Either way, if you're gonna crap your pants at the sight of a rattler, you're probably gonna crap your pants at the sight of a copperhead as well!

I've never seen a copperhead anywhere near my house and my sons and I are constantly looking for and catching snakes of all kinds. I don't really understand why we don't have any close by but I would like to find a couple to back a bow with for sure. They are truly a beautiful snake. [/b]
LOL! Yep I've seen grown men speaking in tongues and temporarily lose their minds at the sight of a small garter snake. Don't want to know what would happen if they saw this snake. Luckily copperheads are not aggressive and may allow you to come near them several times without ever moving or giving their presence away. I admire their nerve, waiting quietly the same as you and I as we wait for our quarry to close with arrow nocked. Now rattlers are another matter and cottonmouths will come after you agressively if provoked. The stuff of bad dreams my friends.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Phrogdrvr on July 12, 2013, 10:51:00 PM
Skins for your bow!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Izzy on July 13, 2013, 05:46:00 AM
I got dibs on the next one Pat, buzzards can find their own grub!
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: pdk25 on July 13, 2013, 08:18:00 AM
Lol. In retrospect, it had a pretty nice pattern.
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Gator1 on July 13, 2013, 08:31:00 AM
My wife would have been in the money with
Life insurance    :scared:    :scared:
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Roger Norris on July 13, 2013, 09:04:00 AM
Another reason I love Michigan.....
Title: Re: The problem with practicing at dusk
Post by: Bladepeek on July 13, 2013, 11:04:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Roger Norris:
Another reason I love Michigan.....
I'll drink to that!