Close encounter of the copperhead kind. - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

sixwarden9 · 10-08-2019, 06:32 PM

Decided to hunt yesterday evening in a pop up blind. I am hanging out enjoying not sweating to death and notice a little movement by my feet. Cue the, scream like a little girl sound track, and nearly rip out of the blind like the hulk tearing through a t-shirt video and I managed not to get bit. Now this little dude would not leave. I found a nice long stick and poked and slapped and he just game me the middle finger, or tongue in his case. I finally decided he could have it. Luckily I had a harness with me and went up one of my tree stands to enjoy the rest of the evening. I sent my bride a text and told her that pop up was dead to me and it was time to build an elevated box blind.

Is there anything that works to keep the snakes out of a pop up? I've always looked for snakes, but never had one in the blind, much less slither in while I'm in it. Glad it was me and not one of my kids.

GA Bowhunter · 10-08-2019, 06:46 PM

We are covered up in copperheads around here. I don't think you can keep them out of a blind.

A dude in south Georgia(where I hear copperheads are rare) just got bite while he was hunting. Medical bills are over 200k.
https://www.gon.com/news/copperhead-...n-memorial-wma

jerp · 10-08-2019, 07:06 PM

I don’t know of any way to keep them out but I always pitch my pop up on top of a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet so I can tell at a glance if a snake has taken up residence before getting in

stickerpatch59 · 10-08-2019, 07:15 PM

this is why I elevate my pop-up about 6'. no snakes.... but spiders are another story.

ctom87 · 10-08-2019, 07:31 PM

I elevated mine about 4' and no issues. Attached popup to the platform.

Now, I did go to put a tarp on my riding lawn mower the other day. Started the mower, let in run a minute or so, turned it off, lifted the front to put the tarp under the tires, covered it, went to lift the back to do the same and heard a rattle. Good enough. I left.

hogslayer78 · 10-08-2019, 07:39 PM

I had one myself opening weekend. Walking up my trail and happened to look down and there he was about 3 ft from where I was about to walk. Could have been a bad morning for sure! Those rascals blend in well with that pine straw too!

jlinville · 10-08-2019, 07:40 PM

I was weedeating the other day. Was walking backwards and had an 18"er slither a couple inches from the toe of my steel toed boots. It took me a few seconds to register what just happened. Glad he wasn't aggressive! He still got trimmer line to the head!

Jdavis9753 · 10-08-2019, 08:42 PM

I jumped over this rascal on my morning run this last week...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mudslinger · 10-08-2019, 08:50 PM

Elevated platform!

Tom · 10-08-2019, 08:54 PM

well...don't scream like a girl scout. Keep a machete in the blind and relocate his head from his rear end with one whack and get back to hunting.

redleif · 10-08-2019, 08:54 PM

We only buy the popups with the zip in floor.

Jen-Man · 10-08-2019, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

well...don't scream like a girl scout. Keep a machete in the blind and relocate his head from his rear end with one whack and get back to hunting.

What he said

but I do put dirt all around the bottom for that and to keep breeze out that likes to float my sent out the window. No snakes yet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

mikerosa · 10-08-2019, 09:12 PM

Kill that POS. I know you snake lovers hate that. But it’s poisonous and has little value to a human getting bit.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

hopedale · 10-08-2019, 10:10 PM

Ain't going to lie. Every time I get in a pop-up it is on my mind.

TejasNW · 10-08-2019, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixwarden9

Cue the, scream like a little girl sound track, and nearly rip out of the blind...

What? You didn't take a picture for the GS before your exit?

I am not ashamed to say I have had the same reaction in similar situations.

GA Bowhunter · 10-08-2019, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikerosa

Kill that POS. I know you snake lovers hate that. But it’s poisonous and has little value to a human getting bit.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Venomous.

Huntindad · 10-08-2019, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen-Man

What he said

but I do put dirt all around the bottom for that and to keep breeze out that likes to float my sent out the window. No snakes yet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

this is what I do as well.

Riceguy · 10-08-2019, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Bowhunter

We are covered up in copperheads around here. I don't think you can keep them out of a blind.

A dude in south Georgia(where I hear copperheads are rare) just got bite while he was hunting. Medical bills are over 200k.
https://www.gon.com/news/copperhead-...n-memorial-wma

I’ve never been one to harp on this, but the medical system is just ridiculous. 200K to get treated for a bite, completely criminal.

mikerosa · 10-08-2019, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Bowhunter

Venomous.

My bad

But to an Italian ? That venom is poison

Lol

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

okrattler · 10-09-2019, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Bowhunter

We are covered up in copperheads around here. I don't think you can keep them out of a blind.

A dude in south Georgia(where I hear copperheads are rare) just got bite while he was hunting. Medical bills are over 200k.
https://www.gon.com/news/copperhead-...n-memorial-wma

8 vials costs him that much? That's just insane. Hell it's cheaper to die or lose some digits.

blatallic · 10-09-2019, 12:08 AM

I almost stepped on one this weekend. I always walk with a walking stick and wave it in front of me, especially if its an area with high grass. When I waved it to my right side, something moved very fast by my right foot. I recognized the pattern right away. Freaked me out for sure because I was going to step on it. That was too close for my comfort. I decided to take another route (the grass was very tall in that part of the woods).

Acameron52 · 10-09-2019, 07:06 AM

Exactly why I don’t hunt out of pop ups on the ground.

bearintex · 10-09-2019, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikerosa

Kill that POS. I know you snake lovers hate that. But it’s poisonous and has little value to a human getting bit.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

*venomous

Edit- tried to delete but I don't see the option?

GA Bowhunter · 10-09-2019, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riceguy

I’ve never been one to harp on this, but the medical system is just ridiculous. 200K to get treated for a bite, completely criminal.

I concur.

We don't have a health insurance problem. We have a health care cost problem.

GA Bowhunter · 10-09-2019, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okrattler

8 vials costs him that much? That's just insane. Hell it's cheaper to die or lose some digits.

I need to start milking my copperheads.

okrattler · 10-09-2019, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Bowhunter

I need to start milking my copperheads.

I guarantee you if I got a bill in the mail that looked like that (assuming I didn't have a coronary) I'd be sitting a bucket of them in the lobby at the hospital so they could replenish their supply. Either that or they'd have to put it on my tab. That's just stupidness.

sixwarden9 · 10-14-2019, 09:41 AM

It took me few days to circle back to this as we were running our TYHP youth hunt this past weekend, man was the weather nice. I agree on the elevate, I have been wanting to build a bow box blind at this one spot because the only way to hunt it is from the south and being inside helps control the stink. I thing short term I am going to try piling dirt around the edges as Jen-Man and Huntindad said.

Those that elevate your pop ups are you doing it with a wooden platform, how are you securing it?

SaltwaterSlick · 10-14-2019, 02:27 PM

Most pop ups have a flap at the bottom around the edges. If I'm putting a pop up out for a season long placement, I take a shovel and be sure those flaps are facing to the outside of the blind and I cover them completely with dirt. It keeps the snakes and bugs out pretty good. I check it good every time I hunt the blind for the season...

Jspradley · 10-14-2019, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Bowhunter

Venomous.

Poison you bite, venom bites you

dphillips62 · 10-14-2019, 02:46 PM

I quit hunting pop ups on the ground when I found 2 Cottonmouths in my pop up. I did not see them until it got light enough to see I ended up cutting a new door out the front. that was a couple of years ago I don't believe deer come back to that location on my place as much of a commotion as I made.

TxBowHntr · 10-14-2019, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Bowhunter

I concur.

We don't have a health insurance problem. We have a health care cost problem.

This could be a chicken before the egg situation. I think the health care costs are where they are mainly due to health insurance and malpractice suits. They can charge what they do because the insurance companies pay it. Malpractice suits mean the Medical Providers need insurance, which costs $$ which drives the costs of services up. Malpractice insurance mean more lawsuits as those companies pay, etc... Its a spiraling situation of mass proportions.

double bogey · 10-14-2019, 03:49 PM

We are caught in the middle of the healthcare industry and the insurance industry, both wanting to make huge profits from us.

GA Bowhunter · 10-14-2019, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxBowHntr

This could be a chicken before the egg situation. I think the health care costs are where they are mainly due to health insurance...

That is a good point.
When my daughter broke her back doing gymnastics they prescribed her a TENS unit. It sent electrical current through the injury site.

I asked how much it cost. The lady said $15,000 if insurance covers it. If insurance doesn't cover it it's $750.

That was 7 or 8 years ago. Now the units can be had from Amazon for $17(I just Googled it).

Beargrasstx · 10-14-2019, 08:13 PM

This is why I wear snake guards
https://turtleskin.com

10-08-2019, 06:32 PM	#1
sixwarden9 Nubbin' Buck Join Date: Oct 2019 Hunt In: San Jacinto, Falls, Gillespie Co's	Close encounter of the copperhead kind. Decided to hunt yesterday evening in a pop up blind. I am hanging out enjoying not sweating to death and notice a little movement by my feet. Cue the, scream like a little girl sound track, and nearly rip out of the blind like the hulk tearing through a t-shirt video and I managed not to get bit. Now this little dude would not leave. I found a nice long stick and poked and slapped and he just game me the middle finger, or tongue in his case. I finally decided he could have it. Luckily I had a harness with me and went up one of my tree stands to enjoy the rest of the evening. I sent my bride a text and told her that pop up was dead to me and it was time to build an elevated box blind. Is there anything that works to keep the snakes out of a pop up? I've always looked for snakes, but never had one in the blind, much less slither in while I'm in it. Glad it was me and not one of my kids.

10-08-2019, 07:39 PM	#6
hogslayer78 Pope & Young Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Porter, Tx Hunt In: San Augustine	I had one myself opening weekend. Walking up my trail and happened to look down and there he was about 3 ft from where I was about to walk. Could have been a bad morning for sure! Those rascals blend in well with that pine straw too! Attached Images

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10-08-2019, 06:46 PM	#2
GA Bowhunter Eight Point Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Watkinsville, GA Hunt In: Tree/blind/ground	We are covered up in copperheads around here. I don't think you can keep them out of a blind. A dude in south Georgia(where I hear copperheads are rare) just got bite while he was hunting. Medical bills are over 200k. https://www.gon.com/news/copperhead-...n-memorial-wma

10-08-2019, 07:06 PM	#3
jerp Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Aledo Hunt In: Shackleford Co.	I don’t know of any way to keep them out but I always pitch my pop up on top of a piece of indoor/outdoor carpet so I can tell at a glance if a snake has taken up residence before getting in

10-08-2019, 07:15 PM	#4
stickerpatch59 Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: gonzales tx Hunt In: gonzales, and....	this is why I elevate my pop-up about 6'. no snakes.... but spiders are another story.

10-08-2019, 07:31 PM	#5
ctom87 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Fort Worth Hunt In: Nolan County	I elevated mine about 4' and no issues. Attached popup to the platform. Now, I did go to put a tarp on my riding lawn mower the other day. Started the mower, let in run a minute or so, turned it off, lifted the front to put the tarp under the tires, covered it, went to lift the back to do the same and heard a rattle. Good enough. I left.

10-08-2019, 07:40 PM	#7
jlinville Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Tyler Hunt In: Cherokee Co.	I was weedeating the other day. Was walking backwards and had an 18"er slither a couple inches from the toe of my steel toed boots. It took me a few seconds to register what just happened. Glad he wasn't aggressive! He still got trimmer line to the head!

10-08-2019, 08:42 PM	#8
Jdavis9753 Four Point Join Date: May 2012 Location: Royse City, TX Hunt In: Timberon NM, Rankin TX, Durango CO	I jumped over this rascal on my morning run this last week... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-08-2019, 08:50 PM	#9
Mudslinger Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lubbock, TX Hunt In: Kent Co., Stonewall Co., CO, Limpopo RSA	Elevated platform!

10-08-2019, 08:54 PM	#10
Tom Ten Point Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Montgomery Hunt In: Rocky Mountains, Africa	well...don't scream like a girl scout. Keep a machete in the blind and relocate his head from his rear end with one whack and get back to hunting.

10-08-2019, 08:54 PM	#11
redleif Four Point Join Date: Feb 2009	We only buy the popups with the zip in floor.

10-08-2019, 09:12 PM	#13
mikerosa Eight Point Join Date: Jun 2016	Kill that POS. I know you snake lovers hate that. But it’s poisonous and has little value to a human getting bit. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-08-2019, 10:10 PM	#14
hopedale Ten Point Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Williamson county Hunt In: WMAs	Ain't going to lie. Every time I get in a pop-up it is on my mind.

10-09-2019, 12:08 AM	#21
blatallic Spike Join Date: Jul 2018	I almost stepped on one this weekend. I always walk with a walking stick and wave it in front of me, especially if its an area with high grass. When I waved it to my right side, something moved very fast by my right foot. I recognized the pattern right away. Freaked me out for sure because I was going to step on it. That was too close for my comfort. I decided to take another route (the grass was very tall in that part of the woods).

10-09-2019, 07:06 AM	#22
Acameron52 Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Lewisville Hunt In: Coleman & Loving	Exactly why I don’t hunt out of pop ups on the ground.

10-14-2019, 09:41 AM	#27
sixwarden9 Nubbin' Buck Join Date: Oct 2019 Hunt In: San Jacinto, Falls, Gillespie Co's	It took me few days to circle back to this as we were running our TYHP youth hunt this past weekend, man was the weather nice. I agree on the elevate, I have been wanting to build a bow box blind at this one spot because the only way to hunt it is from the south and being inside helps control the stink. I thing short term I am going to try piling dirt around the edges as Jen-Man and Huntindad said. Those that elevate your pop ups are you doing it with a wooden platform, how are you securing it?

10-14-2019, 02:27 PM	#28
SaltwaterSlick Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006	Most pop ups have a flap at the bottom around the edges. If I'm putting a pop up out for a season long placement, I take a shovel and be sure those flaps are facing to the outside of the blind and I cover them completely with dirt. It keeps the snakes and bugs out pretty good. I check it good every time I hunt the blind for the season...

10-14-2019, 02:46 PM	#30
dphillips62 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Victoria Hunt In: Mission Valley, Victoria, and anywhere else I can sling an arrow	I quit hunting pop ups on the ground when I found 2 Cottonmouths in my pop up. I did not see them until it got light enough to see I ended up cutting a new door out the front. that was a couple of years ago I don't believe deer come back to that location on my place as much of a commotion as I made.

10-14-2019, 03:49 PM	#32
double bogey Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Mesquite Hunt In: where ever I can	We are caught in the middle of the healthcare industry and the insurance industry, both wanting to make huge profits from us.

10-14-2019, 08:13 PM	#34
Beargrasstx Eight Point Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Richmond Hunt In: Leon County, Robertson County, and Limestone County....Montana-Colorado	This is why I wear snake guards https://turtleskin.com