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This summer I did some hiking in Cibola NF. My wife and I are quite possibly moving to the ABQ area either this next summer (hopefully) or next. I have often worried particularly about rattlesnakes and have thought about some type of small rattlesnake gun. Is this overkill? lol. I also hiked in Lincoln NF and near Las Cruces. Have not encountered anything yet. I do hike alone often- day hikes. The hiking on the Sandias is excellent! I'm from upstate NY.
If you are able to get a good bead on a rattlesnake with a gun, then you are most likely in a position to get away from it. If I felt I had to carry a "rattlesnake gun" it would probably be a .410 shotgun...
I would being willing to bet there are a lot more rattlesnakes in upstate NY than Cibola NF, but I will let you find the statistics. I have been hiking here in New Mexico going on 14 years and have not seen any rattlesnakes except on Kirtland Air Force Base near the golf course with the lush grass and chubby bunnies.
Snakes are more afraid of you, than you are of them anyway. Please don't shoot our snakes out here because they eat hantavirus carrying vermin - besides, you are invading their habitat not yours.
If you are that afraid, I recommend you stay at home on the sofa where you are safe - and you are free to shoot rattlers who dare venture in there with you ,guilt free.
In the 39 years I've been on this earth and in NM I have never know anyone personally that was bitten by a rattlesnake. That includes my mother's entire family who live on a 14 section Ranch in Norther NM and have for 6 Generations.
I have never know anyone personally that was bitten by a rattlesnake.
In the United States, I have met three, one in New Mexico, one in Texas and one in Pennsylvania...
"Less than 1 percent of snakebites result in death worldwide, and the occurrence is less in New Mexico. Only one New Mexican is known to have died of snakebite in the last five years. Deming "snake wrangler" James Bear, 37, died in El Paso on Jan. 29, 2008, one day after he was bitten on the thumb by a rare Canebreak rattlesnake — one of 300 snakes he kept in his home. He reportedly had an allergic reaction, complicated by previous bites."
"estimated 100 people are bitten every year in New Mexico, with 80 treated at UNM Hospital and the others deemed "dry" bites or so mild that no hospitalization is required."
The only rattle snake I came across here in NM was last week when I was out walking somewhere in Rio Del Oro. It was a large snake, probably 6' long if it was stretched out. It was curled up in the middle of a dirt trail (called a "road" here in R.D.O.) and just like you see on tv, it had it's tail up and rattling and it's forked tongue sticking out at me. I stopped and looked at it, decided to go back down another trail and leave it alone. Have no problem at all with snakes, they were here first and they do eat and keep other pests under control. However, I have seen scorpions that somehow got inside the house, as well as huge black widows outside up under the edge of the roof. They met a little different fate than the snake did!
Thanks Rich...I don't think we have rattlers here but we do have plenty of others. I have hiked extensively upstate NY and in the Adirondacks. The only snakes I have encountered are harmless garters, blacksnakes, water snakes etc. Sounds like the best thing is to just leave them alone if you come across one.! Larry
Thanks Rich...I don't think we have rattlers here but we do have plenty of others. I have hiked extensively upstate NY and in the Adirondacks. The only snakes I have encountered are harmless garters, blacksnakes, water snakes etc. Sounds like the best thing is to just leave them alone if you come across one.! Larry
Falling seems to be the major accident issue with hikers in New Mexico. Having warm clothes, water and yes as much as I hate to say it, a cell phone, seems to be items of importance.
Come on out! Enjoy New Mexico!
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Rattlesnake Bites
