Years ago I was quail hunting in the sierra foothills above Fresno. I was quietly walk along watching my Brittany work the brush ahead and I heard a 'Thump' directly behind me. It sounded/felt like someone had thrown a rock or stick at me & it landed just behind me. I casually looked over my shoulder to see the biggest rattlesnake I've ever seen....recoiling.....it had just missed me!....it never made a sound......
We've had a busier than usual Rattlesnake year this year. I've found/killed 4 on the property this year. 1 near the garden, one on the driveway, one in the horses stalls, and one curled up at the base of an outdoor water spicket. My record is 14 rattelers in one season though, I felt like I was surrounded by snakes every time I went outside that season. I think it was our 2nd year here and I was doing a lot of brush clearing then.
The biggest Ratteler was 69", 15 buttons, and as round as my forearm, the wife got that one. She was feeding the horses and it was laying across the driveway. Me and my son were gone, so she got the shotgun and blasted him. She's scared shitless of ALL snakes, then she had to deal with that monster....LOL poor girl.
TMB-