Training North of Dodge

[M. R. Byrd]

A week ago, Saturday September 25th, my buddy was working his almost two year old English Setter in some CRP grass north of Dodge. It was mid morning and seventy degrees. Sandy had been coming along nicely this year. Sandy was about twenty yards to the side and her master was walking in the CRP grass along a draw that had a few weeds. Out of the weeds, the biggest snake, he had ever seen, struck, but missed. He went straight up and back, but his foot caught a weed and he went to the ground. He said he had never seen a rattlesnake that big or with that wide a head or a rattlesnake that made that much noise. In a blink of the eye the snake was striking again, but as the snake struck Sandy had ran in and took the strike in her chest. He picked up Sandy and ran a quarter of a mile to his truck and was in the vet hospital in twenty minutes. The vet was waiting and took immediate care of Sandy. The vet was amazed by the size of the fang wound. One fang went in and the other grazed the skin. By mid afternoon, the vet was encouraged and my friend and his wife went home. The vet checked on Sandy during the night and she was doing fine, but by daybreak had to break the news that she did not make it. Rest in peace, Sandy.

 

[southernblues]

What's up with the horror stories....?? I'm going to Jetmore twice in Dec...or at least planning to.

 

[M. R. Byrd]

Just reporting. We have encountered more than usual the number of rattlesnakes this year at the ranch and around the area and they have all been prairie rattlers.

 

[kansashunting]

sounds like we need to plan a round-up

 

[M. R. Byrd]

sounds like we need to plan a round-up

Come on out. I would like to go to the site where Sandy was struck and search that area, with my snake gaiters on, of course. My hired hand and I both wear snake gaiters when we are working in areas where we cannot see the ground and the weather is good for snakes being out. Knock on wood, the gaiters haven't been tested yet. I can't hear rattlers anymore. The hearing went first, and lots of other things have gone since.

 

[c_d]

ugh. what a terrible thing to hear. er.. read. So sad.

I'm not too worried about snakes in my immediate area, but as we get up into the hills it definitely can be an issue depending on time of year. I'm going to have to sign the pup up for one of those snake avoidance classes when I get a chance. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like that would have even helped in this situation.

Good luck getting that sucker.