I mentioned the other day that I'd been camping a good bit. It's always good to find one now and then, cause you know they're out there. Actually my dog found it Saturday morning, she's a good dog!

Yep. Good dog! That's a big one. How much does it cost to kill rattlers in WV?

Hal

You keep your snakes, I'll keep my bears.

We have bear too. I just checked online "West Virginia rattlesnake laws", read 4 or 5 sites. One site did say that the state had laws on the books, making it illegal to kill a rattlesnake. But, it also said that the average officer would never enforce that law.

I don't know of anyone that's ever been charged with killing a rattlesnake. This is West Virginia.

I'll check with the DNR, but there's no way a person would be convicted of killing a snake if it's a threat.

Talked to our local DNR officer today, and he said he'd check, the details of the laws. Also told me that he'd never charge anyone for killing a rattlesnake.

He agreed that our Magistrates would toss that ticket in the trash, if there is ever one written for killing a snake.

The DNR officer lives just down the street, I'll see him again in a couple of days or so?

Does anyone know of someone that's been charged and convicted/fined for killing a rattlesnake?

In Ohio, the timber rattler is legally classified as "endangered". Maximum fine, $10,000. I don't know of anyone who has been charged, but it used to be a thing of pride to kill one of the g**d*** poisonus things. I've killed plenty of them.

Hal

I don't have the jaded view of those that have had to live with Timber Rattlers.In the woods I have always just let them go on there way. Never have found them to be an aggressive snake. Around places frequented by people especially children, they would have to go.

Water Moccasins are a different story. Ugly snake with a vile temperament.No redeeming qualities in my mind.Shoot on sight is my method of dealing with them.

"In the woods I have always just let them go"

If they knew how to stay in the woods, that would be okay. I had a more "proactive" approach.

Hal

In Mo. it is against the law to kill any snake, unless it is endangering you or your property. Endangerment sorta leaves the door open, I have never heard of anyone being charged. Copperheads are probably our most dangerous snake, simply because of numbers.

As far as Copperheads. I don't think the camo patterns get any better than a Copperhead.