What would you do in a camping trip if this happened?
March 12th, 2010 | by admin |As an avid camper/backpacker, you enjoy hiking into dense forest and setting up a crude camp. The camping trip is for 2 weeks and so you will need a stack of firewood. But by doing this, you are encouraging snakes to come live close by. What can you do to keep snakes away from your camp?
If you collect firewood on a daily basis instead of stacking 2 weeks worth in one shot you can avoid snakes from taking up residence in your woodpile. Since you are going to be in the woods 24/7 for 2 weeks I’m sure you can carve out 45-60 minutes a day to scrounge up the wood you need for the next 24 hours.
By the way, it is you who are in the snakes’ home. They can go wherever they want.
8 Responses to “What would you do in a camping trip if this happened?”
By hh60jayhawk on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
It would depend on where you are, as well as the time of year. In some places there are few to no snakes. In others, there are many snakes. I would say keep some Kindling nearby, and some larger stuff a little farther away. Also, a nice fire may just keep the snakes away. Personally, I don’t have much snake experience, mainly because of the places and time of year I camp, but that is probably what I would do.
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Experience
By Willie D on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
If you collect firewood on a daily basis instead of stacking 2 weeks worth in one shot you can avoid snakes from taking up residence in your woodpile. Since you are going to be in the woods 24/7 for 2 weeks I’m sure you can carve out 45-60 minutes a day to scrounge up the wood you need for the next 24 hours.
By the way, it is you who are in the snakes’ home. They can go wherever they want.
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By Trish on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Willie D makes a good point about not keeping too large of a woodpile all at once. But even apart from the woodpile, if you are going to be in the woods, you need to be aware of the possbility of encountering snakes. Look before you put your hand (or any other part of your body) into a space, and when you see a snake, move away slowly. Snakes don’t bite an adult human because they think they can eat it. They bite because they fear they are under attack. Sudden, jerky moves may scare the snake into biting you. If they’re not scared, you’re going to be fine.
I am curious: I noticed in another question that you mentioned having done a lot of "survival-style" camping, but you also sound disproportionately worried about snakes. After all, there are many other dangers in the wilderness, some far more common than snakebite. Have you had a recent bad experience that has made you especially concerned about this specific danger, such as a close encounter with a cottonmouth in an area where you plan to camp soon?
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By BeachBum818 on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Mann snakes are my last worry when I`m camping. As long as you don’t startle them or harass them they wont bother you. I`d be more concerned about knowing wilderness 1st aid, orienteering skills, how to hang a bear bag, and how to handle larger predators.
If I`m not mistaken hypothermia kills more people in a year than snake bites. Which should you be more concerned about?
If you are really that worried you can do some extended camping in Ireland and stack a months worth of woods without having to worry about snakes, but then there are those leprechauns
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By Unknown Truth on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
The best thing you can do is probably clear the area that you will be camping in. "Sweep" the leaves and sticks out from around your camping site so that there is only bare ground. I don’t know why, but it seems that snakes would rather go through leaves than open ground. I’m not saying that this will stop them, but it’s one method. Stack the wood away from camp, maybe the end of it where you won’t be going near so much. At any rate, have fun and enjoy.
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By Dave M on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Usually snakes are attracted to areas where there are allot of rodents – that’s usually there natural food – be careful with the food you bring in which would attract rodents.
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By Josh V on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
Circle your camp with a small line of sulfur, with a mothball here and there. Ive even seen snake nets at sporting good stores. I really wouldnt worry to much about it though.
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By chris w on Mar 12, 2010 | Reply
From a famous line in Indiana Jones;
Snakes! I hate snakes why does it always have to be Snakes!?
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been there done that