Just curious...snake bites.

[LoveliestPupOnThePlains]

We FINALLY had our first camping trip of the season this weekend, but it didn't go as planned.  Friday night after dinner dh decided to take our boys to the playground and BIL went with them.  My 4 year old spotted a snake and started screaming.  BIL went to see what was the matter and got bit on the foot!!!  Turns out it was baby copperhead (dh killed it).  And BIL had to spend 2 nights in the hospital.  He's home now and doing fine, just still can't walk on it at all.

Anyway, it's made us start wondering how common things like that are, so has anyone else ever been bit by a poisonous snake while camping?  Dh and I both grew up camping and have never had it happen before.

Me ('76), DH ('76), O ('04), Ry ('06)
And our fearless camping companion Emily, a 10 yo English Springer Spaniel.

Nights camping (2007):8

[dupreet]

Hi,Sorry for BIL - that is a heck of a dose of bad luck to get tagged by a baby copperhead....it was fortunate that he took the bite rather than your little one, though.I don't think its that common - I have plundered through many miles of woods, trails, and boonies without getting bit.  Usually a watchful eye will catch anything that hasn't headed into the brush before you get close.  I do know of folks that stick there hands in cracks, crevices, and under trees and rocks.....not too bright in my opinion ;)Be safe out there,Todd[st-NC] Wife & 3 Kids[:D] Too Many Pets[popgrey] '88 Palomino TXL hardsider[tv-ford] '93 Ford E-35 Vanhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/dupreet/sets

[Chuck S]

In Georgia?  Copperheads and rattlesnakes abound.  Are you city folks?  -- Chuck'2 Bayside '6 Roo 23SS behind '2 Explorer '7 Expedition out of ClevelandBayside  Rockwood Roo 23SS

[Red Barchetta]

We see rattle snakes at least every other month here.  In fact, my oldest DS almost ran across one mountain bike riding as it was sunning itself on the trail/track 2 weeks ago.  At first I was glad he was in front (), but then thought about how his tire could have thrown it in my face, lol!  [xx]Have never been bit and don't know of anyone ever getting bit.As was mentioned before, it's a good thing an adult took the bite rather than your child.Glad he'll be alright.  [:)]Jeff'2 Coleman Utah CP[popgreen]"Get busy living, ..."Red Barchetta’s site

[MrOzarks]

I was bitten on my left forearm by a Copperhead in 1979. I was bitten because I reached to pick up a can without noticing the Copperhead just inches away. I fear Copperheads less now than before being bitten. The bite was no big deal. The night spent in the hospital was worse than the snake bite. While Copperheads are venomous, their venom isn't as toxic as many people think. A bite from a Copperhead could be fatal to a toddler or a small dog. But it is very unlikely that a healthy adult would die from the venom of a single Copperhead bite. The fact that this guy was bitten by a baby Copperhead might have made it more serious since the venom of juvenile snakes is more potent.Most people make the mistake is misidentifying Copperheads. They see a brown snake with a pattern, and automatically think it's a Copperhead. Copperheads have a very distinct look. There is a huge contrast in colors, and unique pattern. A year ago, I encountered a Copperhead while floating on the Current River in southern Missouri. I took a few pictures before catching the snake and strapping it to my kayak with bungee cords. It kept trying to get loose, so I had to put inside a container.

[whitewa327]

Copperheads are everywhere in the southeast. You might not see them but they are there. Probably in your own yard.Several years ago on a kayak trip to the Chattooga, one of our party was walking thru the campground BAREFOOT. You guessed it. Two days in the hospital.Be careful out there.BeckBeck '55 [:)]Patricia '552 Non camping cats25 Nissan Frontier [tv-nissan]24 Jayco Qwest 1k [popgrey]25 Honda VTX 13 R - Please don't hit me :)

[Bmach]

What was the reason for putting it on your yak?

[Red Barchetta]

Good question.If "freedom is better" why capture it?  [?]Jeff'2 Coleman Utah CP[popgreen]"Get busy living, ..."Red Barchetta’s site

[Baytoven]

We've run into lots of snakes on hikes, but have been lucky enough not to be bitten.  Sorry to hear anyone in your family was bitten; I hope your BIL recovers quickly.Baytoven(Me) & Gdog(DH)[st-AZ]DS('92) DS('95) DD('97)'98 Astro/'99 formerly known as Niagara

[MrOzarks]

My sister saw it first, and wanted her husband to kill it. So, I caught it instead. She was freaking out when I caught it, and wouldn't come anywhere around my kayak. It was just like we were kids again. She was always terrified of snakes. I think that was always a big part of my motivation for catching them. The rest was just the thrill factor.-Peace is Good, Freedom is Better.-It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.Nights under the stars27 - 2228 - 6 (so far):::: Click here to see the "Boondocker" ::::

[TRMA18]

Cant comment  3 G rule. Saw one outside the bath house at MB state park. called the ranger who collected it in a garbage can to be relocated to the other side of the park. I told him that where I'm from we have no problem killing them. He disagreed. To each his own.TRMA18Hillbilly CampersHillbilly Pics

[GreatWhiteNorth]

No poisonous snakes here, but we do have The Snake Pits of Narcisse.What my older siblings used to do when my family went camping when I was a kid, was to dig a big pit in the sand, and throw as many garter snakes as they could find into it. Then catch as many frogs as they could find, and throw those into the pit, too.... Geoff & Jill & Ranger, The Big Yellow Dog'5 TravelStar 19CK '[tv-gmc]Sonoma'1 Dutchmen 16D^^^^^ Click me! ^^^^^Winnipeg, Manitoba 49.9° N 97.2° W

[Thelt]

I think I heard one time that no healthy adult has ever died from a copperhead bite.  There is always a first time I guess though.  Thankfully I have never been bitten.  That is one reason I do not like to let my small kids stray too far from me when camping or any where near the woods. 22 Rockwood Freedom 161[tv-ford] 22 Ford Explorer w/ tow package

[avewads]

I hate snakes. My biggest single fear when camping. But no, I do not kill them unless they were to harm my family.  However, my biggest scare at a cg was the time I open up a dumpster to throw out the trash one night and a big ol racoon jumped out when I opened up the door.Bob and Sharon  [st-AZ]3 DD's [8)]3 cats,  >^..^<1 sometimes-a-camping Sheltiesoon-to-be-camping Golden Retriever puppy who is being raised as a service dog23, [tv-chevrolet]Trailblazer EXT [suv-g]24 Coleman/Fleetwood Bayside

[TRMA18]

Fiend of mine was moving a brush pile when he noticed some blood on his hand. Tired any way went inside took a shower and went to bed. He woke up the next day thought he had the flu. Ached all over. went to the doc and the doc asked if he had been bitten by any thing. He said no but he did get a scratch on his hand. A copper head had bitten him and he didnt even know it. No real harm done. Brush pile was burnt in place though.TRMA18Hillbilly CampersHillbilly Pics