small dilema here

nailbender · September 06, 2007, 07:32:44 PM

This morning when a guy I know was loadin up some forms and lumber there was a little snake in the pile. Little bugger had a real attitude problem too! It's tail was caught under a pin I guess. So anyway, he just took care of it.
Got curious and looked it up since I'd never seen one like it and wouldn't ya know it's some kind of endangered damn species. Never reported in this area. This was a rattlesnake, and venomous. Of course he did'nt know that at the time.
Under these circumstances, snakes dead, would you tell anybody??
Could end up with a fine for killing the dang thing the way our government works. Even if you're trying to let people know there are dangerous snakes in the neighborhood.
Shovel and shut up, or maybe ride over it before you report it, what options are there?

FinsnFur · September 06, 2007, 07:42:44 PM

If your concerned about alerting the neighborhood, I think I'd do just that.
You dont have to tell them you found it outside and killed it. Say you found it in the house and felt threatened.

OR.....the dog did it

studabaka · September 06, 2007, 08:50:14 PM

Where there is one little one there are usually more within a reasonably small area.

Probably good to let folks know the hazzard as well as the fact that they are endangered so maybe be careful and avoid killing them.

What's done is done ..... not sure I would major on the curcumstances around the one that was 'found'.

May need to consider a relocation strategy with the wildlife guys, though I've heard snakes don't relocate well.

bushmaster · September 07, 2007, 01:13:05 AM

"The only good snake, is a dead snake." As my granddad always says. Stu does have a good point about making the locals aware. :innocentwhistle:Under the rug with that little bugger

weedwalker · September 07, 2007, 04:35:05 AM

Every rattlesnake I find becomes endangered.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. You didn't kill it.......

He did.

vvarmitr · September 07, 2007, 07:24:09 AM

Sure as shoot'n you tell the Gov' & they'll be emptying your pockets. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Quote from: nailbender on September 06, 2007, 07:32:44 PMmaybe ride over it before you report it,

Sounds like a plan. That way you can inform the DNR & the neighborhood.

nailbender · September 07, 2007, 08:23:29 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll see if it's even around yet. Some critter may have carried it away. Making id confirmation impossible.

awh · September 07, 2007, 08:24:11 AM

Blame it on your neighbor.....

Nah. I would inform the neighbors to be on the look out. And that's about as far as I would go w/ it.
What kind of rattler was it? They are thick around here in places and we the neighbors kill them all the time...

nailbender · September 07, 2007, 08:56:15 AM

This is what I THINK it may have been. Although it was small and didn't have any rattles I saw.http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=26
Just going by the markings, thought it was a different kind of garter snake at first.

weedwalker · September 07, 2007, 01:38:09 PM

There's a bunch of those Massasauga rattlers around Ft. Wayne, In. where my Mom lives. A freind of my brother was arrested for catching and selling them. He got in a LOT of trouble over it.

Silencer · September 07, 2007, 02:10:05 PM

Git rid of it, then maybe tell the neighbors you heard for a fella who spotted one etc.. etc etc etc...

cb223 · September 07, 2007, 03:43:18 PM

Tell them it was under the pile of lumber. It was found (already dead) under the pile.

ohiobob · September 07, 2007, 04:00:01 PM

HOW did the guy "Dispatch" the Snake,,sell me YOUR Computer real cheap ! they will use YOUR Computer as Evidence against YOU !!!

NAH,,but I am curious as to HOW the guy killed the snake ? if it is ALL in 1 piece,I would call the DNR and tell them you found it in your yard ALREADY DEAD,,or actually run it over with your mower,,either way tell them that you NEVER saw a snake like this before,,so you were curious and looked it up on the Intronet,and it LOOKS like an ENDANGERED Rattle Snake,,then let them come pick it up,,but also tell them that IF it IS the endangered Rattle snake to PLEASE let you AND ALL the neighbors know !!!
Bob