Hello,
I was at my parents' house tonight, working on a few things.
I stepped out back to see if I could remember how to effectively use my magnesium lighter.
Dark fell, and I heard something big moving in the leaves next to the house, so I went to investigate with my flashlight and hunting knife, which was already out.
I walked up on a three foot rattler that didn't appreciate the intrusion.
Things get a little blurry. I dodged and cut the snake as it struck, but missed the mark I was going for. The snake took off, and I remember thinking "screw the knife!" and dropped it, drawing the 1911.
I remember giving thought to the area in which I was about to shoot: a patio was above me, the wooden wall of the house was on my gun side, and I had brick walls in front and in back of me. The open side faced the woods.
I debated quickly about retreating as that near miss of a strike and the wound the snake sustained from my knife were as much luck as skill, probably more so.
Then it passed through my mind that the dogs run in this area as the fence surrounds it, and that made the decision for me.
The snake was back up and rattling. I drew and shot. As I drew, the snake retreated, and I hit the tail.
Entrails spilled out, slowing it down.
I tried to cut its head off again, but it was still a bit too fast.
I herded it into a corner with a stick, and put a bullet through its neck, then aimed real carefully and took off its head. I saw the sights by shining the flashlight over the pistol and onto the snake, illuminating them both.
I remember firing three shots. After I buried the head and tossed the body, I went in to reload. Turns out I expended 5 rounds; I can't account for two of them. I only remember thinking that I needed the gun, and it was in my hand. I do also remember feeling the safety come off, and as I made the decision to shoot, the serrations on the front of the Videki-style trigger.
Unfortunately, I am near deaf. I wasn't scared as much as I was both disgusted and angry, and I didn't experience audio exclusion this time. That first shot HURT my ears, being enclosed like that. It's been about two hours and no improvement. I suspect it'll take three days or so to recover.
Ammo used was 230gn FMJ over 5.2gn of W231, OAL 1.25". It didn't even enter my mind that I was fighting with reloaded ammo. I had paid special attention to these as they are my woods loads, and they have to function.
Been looking on the internet and I can't identify the snake. It had bands like a coral snake, but it was the color of a copperhead. Then of course there were the rattles - I didn't count how many, maybe three.
The snake looked exactly like this, only it rattled.
If anyone has a clue as to what kind of rattler this was, I'd be appreciative. It may have been an endangered one that I need to report.
Anyway, that was my excitement for the night. I know there are some here who deal with rattlers and other poisonous snakes on a routine basis; this was my first time as the area of Indiana in which I live doesn't boast many poisonous snakes, and, as far as I can tell, no rattlers are supposed to even be present.
Josh <><
I was at my parents' house tonight, working on a few things.
I stepped out back to see if I could remember how to effectively use my magnesium lighter.
Dark fell, and I heard something big moving in the leaves next to the house, so I went to investigate with my flashlight and hunting knife, which was already out.
I walked up on a three foot rattler that didn't appreciate the intrusion.
Things get a little blurry. I dodged and cut the snake as it struck, but missed the mark I was going for. The snake took off, and I remember thinking "screw the knife!" and dropped it, drawing the 1911.
I remember giving thought to the area in which I was about to shoot: a patio was above me, the wooden wall of the house was on my gun side, and I had brick walls in front and in back of me. The open side faced the woods.
I debated quickly about retreating as that near miss of a strike and the wound the snake sustained from my knife were as much luck as skill, probably more so.
Then it passed through my mind that the dogs run in this area as the fence surrounds it, and that made the decision for me.
The snake was back up and rattling. I drew and shot. As I drew, the snake retreated, and I hit the tail.
Entrails spilled out, slowing it down.
I tried to cut its head off again, but it was still a bit too fast.
I herded it into a corner with a stick, and put a bullet through its neck, then aimed real carefully and took off its head. I saw the sights by shining the flashlight over the pistol and onto the snake, illuminating them both.
I remember firing three shots. After I buried the head and tossed the body, I went in to reload. Turns out I expended 5 rounds; I can't account for two of them. I only remember thinking that I needed the gun, and it was in my hand. I do also remember feeling the safety come off, and as I made the decision to shoot, the serrations on the front of the Videki-style trigger.
Unfortunately, I am near deaf. I wasn't scared as much as I was both disgusted and angry, and I didn't experience audio exclusion this time. That first shot HURT my ears, being enclosed like that. It's been about two hours and no improvement. I suspect it'll take three days or so to recover.
Ammo used was 230gn FMJ over 5.2gn of W231, OAL 1.25". It didn't even enter my mind that I was fighting with reloaded ammo. I had paid special attention to these as they are my woods loads, and they have to function.
Been looking on the internet and I can't identify the snake. It had bands like a coral snake, but it was the color of a copperhead. Then of course there were the rattles - I didn't count how many, maybe three.
The snake looked exactly like this, only it rattled.
If anyone has a clue as to what kind of rattler this was, I'd be appreciative. It may have been an endangered one that I need to report.
Anyway, that was my excitement for the night. I know there are some here who deal with rattlers and other poisonous snakes on a routine basis; this was my first time as the area of Indiana in which I live doesn't boast many poisonous snakes, and, as far as I can tell, no rattlers are supposed to even be present.
Josh <><
