Well, today was opening day of Arkansas archery season. Two weeks earlier than ever before. Up in the Ozarks mountains, It has been raining for the last couple of days.
 Even though the woods were quiet, for some reason I was watching my steps instead of looking for deer as I made my way to my treesand this afternoon... Good thing too




This guy was burried up in the leaf litter dead center of the trail I was walking. I was only two feet away when I spotted him.

Timber rattler, just over 4 foot long. Only one I have ever seen in that paticular spot in 20 years of hunting it.

Good spot, that could have ruined your day.

He will look good on your bow

I hate snakes!......         I even bought one for my son years ago.   I ended up liking  that one but all others still spook the heck out of me.   Too many western movies as a kid!    

SNAKES  

I always have my eyes up watching whats ahead. I might need to keep an eye out on the ground to! Wow!

When it comes to camo, you just cant do better than mother nature.

He would look good on the back of a bow.

Good eye brother.  Keep safe out there

Thats what I don't want to see.

SNAKEBOOTS, boys, snakeboots. Let that be the word of the day.

I too hate snakes!  Good eyes!!!

I'm with Jax... That sucker would look good on a bow!

 Yikes

Was he docile because it was chilly?  Did he even know u were there?

Since I live and bowhunt in Texas, rattlesnakes are a common occurrence. I'm constantly looking down when bowhunting and/or ahead of me when I'm stalking javelina.

They will hibernate in winter, but sometimes we can have a warm spell in winter and they will come out. In Texas, one always has to be on the lookout for them.

A question but aren't Timbwer rattlers a federally protected species? I do agree they would look good on a bow..

I would have had to make a trip back to camp to change my underwear!

I don't know about Federally, but they are protected here in Arkansas, a little too big for a bow anyway.