Snake Gun

[bensnacks]

"But I also think the gun is a good idea, as there are situations where that would be the best tool"-Cornerstone.

Maybe you could outline for us a hypothetical situation where this 'tool' would be the most appropriate defense against a snake??

[CornerStone]

The problem with tongs is that they are cumbersome at best to carry around a 3 to 6 foot long tong. (Personally, I would want the longer tongs if I encounter a 5 – 7 foot Western Diamondback.) If you are out working on the farm/ranch, enjoying a hike, remote camping, outdoor work, etc, lugging around long tongs everywhere you go is impractical to improbable, depending on the activity/work. The nice thing about handguns is they are easily holstered and safely carried without interfering with other activities. Portability is certainly a big advantage to using a handgun over tongs.

If a snake where coiled and ready to strike someone standing still within 1 to 3 feet of striking distance, I would much rather take the one shot kill rather than risk provoking the snake to strike by moving in with a set of tongs. Likewise if a snake was ready to strike myself, I would still want a gun rather than risk provoking a strike with tongs. Of course, the spread pattern of the shot, distance, backdrop, angle, etc all play a role in a safe gun shot, but is certainly within safe limits of a proficient handgun shooter.

The gun can be used offensively as well. I have no problems with responsible hunters killing animals for their meat.

[reptilemama]

If you see the snake long enough before the strike to shoot it, couldn't you just step away from it?

[CornerStone]

Absolutely! I have seen many rattlesnakes, and not once have I killed one. One time, I pulled over on my motorcycle to stretch my legs. I had my key in hand and walked around a bit, and almost walked right into one. It scared me so bad I ended up jumping, and throwing the key in the process! I ended up having to walk a mile to call home and have someone drive 30 miles to bring me a new key Even after all that, it never even crossed my mind once to kill it, as there was no imminent danger, just one scared human, and one scared snake.

My last post was just an example of where I would personally use a gun to kill a snake.

[RevMojo]

I've got a holster for my snakehook...or scabbard rather. Sure, it's just a piece of pvc with an endcap and some string tied to it, but it keeps it out of my way (until I try to bend over togo under a low hanging branch anyway). You get that ninja feeling drawing it out too

Maybe, just maybe, if I were hungry enough, I'd kill a snake in the wild. Or to put roadkill out of it's misery.