Shaun Loc: Tucson, AZ

My wife and myself were in Sedona last weekend for my nephew's wedding and stayed around for a few days after the event. We like to picnic up in Oak Creek Canyon which is just north of Sedona and usually go to the Banjo Bill picnic area. The road into the area splits and if you go left, you travel on a private road to a really secluded resort. Normally, the flow of water in Oak Creek is high enough that it floods the road to a depth of 1 or 2 inches but in September the flow was lower so we walked across to take some pictures looking back toward the road. I have never seen a sign like this before - I assume it was erected by the resort.

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Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

That's pretty cool! I spent a lot of time in and around Oak Creek Canyon once upon a time. Never saw that.

wolftracker Loc: Tennessee

I'd brake "on" the snakes!

Angmo

Snakes are shy little guys. People are not on their menu at all. Most rattlesnake bites in Arizona seeem to be on the hand (not ankle) and alcohol is involved... More will see you than you see of them.

I usually kill them. Once, in the Bradshaw Mountains near a creek, I found and killed one by cutting off the head. Then placed a rock on its head - as it can still be dangerous and can bite for quite a while afterwards.

There was a campground a half mile away. A group of teenaged girls came up along the creek right where that snake was. I believe I saved one of them a disfiguring wound and a horrible trip to a hospital maybe a painful 45 + minute drive away.

When out and about I carry a snake bite kit that I know how to use. But I never worry about these cute fellas. I just keep a casual respectful eye out. Just stay clear of snakey areas. Low shrubs and such. They do come out in the mornings to warm up a bit.

They intend no harm to you. Just leave them be.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Oak Creek Canyon is a really neat place. Interesting sign.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Sorry but your post confuses me. You tell us you usually kill snakes yet tell us to leave them be. Which is it. Yes I have my own ideas but am asking about yours. One more item please. Modern medicine says to leave snakebite kits at home. They generally do more harm than good. Best to get the bite victim to medical center. Snakes often dry bite and inject no venom. Why cut the victim when not necessary?

Dennis

Angmo

Unless you know what you’re doing, just leave them be, they are just shy little guys. Same with medicine. Never stated at any time to cut anyone. You have to know what you’re doing with an injury. Keep in mind, a young snake is immature and does not know to dry bite. The younger ones - relatively speaking, haven’t learned to meter their venom. But we never got into the ages of rattlesnakes.

Just use common sense and leave them be and avoid ‘snakey’ locations. That was my advice.

My killing one was part a story that one of the girls may have been hurt. It’s a long way to a hospital out there. That was not advice. I spotted it maybe 25 feet awayup the trail. My wife didn’t see it at all even when I pointed it out. Most folks don’t.

I go to Sedona often. Great place. Prescott has some nice sights too as does most of AZ. Only once in Sedona I ran into what I thought was a garter snake. Completely harmless. Just crossing the trail and doing his own thing. My wife screamed but no harm.

Most folks will never see snakes in AZ. They avoid you. I’ve been out there off the beaten trail a lot.

No worries either way.

DragonsLady Loc: Los Alamos, NM

I wouldn't kill any snake found in the US. Generally they don't want to bother you 'cause you're too big to eat. They have no ulterior motives against humans. They just want to get away and find a juicy rat for dinner.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

I think you'd have a hard time convincing rural folks in the deep South to just ignore the poisonous snakes they encounter. Adults may have the ability to think about such and take avoidance action, but children and pets do not.

DragonsLady Loc: Los Alamos, NM

True.