Submitted by:
Tranger1, from About Forestry Forum, Snake Story Discussion
"We shot our way in...":
Years ago when I was an indentured state employee, a fellow forester and I had to look at a place called the Gilbert Woods, an isolated patch of timber on the Gulf Coast surrounded by rice paddies. Here the only access was along the dikes that separated the rice paddies.
Being good foresters, we showed up with all equipment in hand and got about 30 feet from the truck when we noticed the grass and weeds in front of us moving on their own accord. Closer exam indicated the movement was caused by reptiles moving away from us, every type of southern water snake, frog, toad, and God alone knows what else, was on that dike. Seems like rice paddies raise large amounts of frogs and toads, which attracts snakes, which means an unusually large population of both. Some of the larger snakes were not happy with us on their paddy.
We decided that, under the circumstances, our snake killers (cruise sticks) would not take the pressure of the hunt. So we left and returned the next day. With .22 pistols, all the rat shot we could find in our little town and the best snake leggings the state could buy. We shot our way in, and shot our way out, 'till we ran out of ammunition, and continued out with the old trusty snake killer.
It was the last voyage into rice country until I took a job, as a consultant, working for the USDA crop insurance program and doing crop damage appraisal. (I know, not forestry, but the bank account appreciated it). Right back to the same rice paddies, same darn snakes, and same procedure. Seems that the guy that worked that area refused to go into the paddies when wet.
Forestry is so fun.
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