small dilema here

[nailbender]

  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]

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]

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]

"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]

Every rattlesnake I find becomes endangered.
I wouldn't worry about it too much. You didn't kill it.......   He did.

[vvarmitr]

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

maybe ride over it before you report it,

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

[nailbender]

  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]

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]

  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]

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]

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

[cb223]

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

[ohiobob]

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