I am looking into going on an African hunting trip. I am wondering, does a guy need to prepare himself against venomous snakes? My buddy and I were talking, and wonder if carrying a side arm was the way to go, in case you run into things like puff adders, mambas, etc... I know darn well I don't want my trip ruined because of an extended stay in the hospital. Your thoughts are welcomed and appreciated.

Just don't pick them up or step on them. Really, you won't see many snakes. Don't worry about them, that is the PH's job anyway so just go enjoy your hunt.

I agree with Anne about not worrying about it. I inquired with my PH last year about Mamba's and the such and even he had rarely seen any. The most common snake was the Puff Adder and they only caused a problem in the winter since they will lay on a trail to sun themselves and not move off as you approach, so the possibility of stepping on one existed.

I don't know if it was here or Bowsite.com but there was a thread about snakes not to long ago if you searh for it.

I hunted Namibis in April/May 2001 and the only snake (Puff Adder) was on the side of the road as we passed it at about 30 miles per hour. Let that be the last thing you worry about.

Jim Miller

I've been kicking around the African bush for almost 25 years and although I've had plenty of close encounters with snakes I've never come close to getting bitten. Mostly it's a case of if you don't hassle them they won't hassle you.

Africa is a hunters paradise and heaven on earth. Don't even consider letting snakes put you off!

Cheers

They are not that dangerous, leef them alone and you will be ok

On my last trip we ran over a snake the PH identified as an Egyptian Grey Cobra....biggest f%@#ing snake I ever saw.

my MS is in herpetology, and my brother is working on his Ph.D (in herpetology) at Witswatersrand in Jo-burg right now.

basically, the statistics show that something on the order of 75% of all snakebites are caused by handling venomous snakes (live or recently killed) and the other 25% (so called "legitimate bites") are typically caused by carelessness as well:

reaching into dark areas you can't see (like turning on an outdoor water fixture that is surround by shrubbery)

stepping where you can't see (thick/high grass areas)

furthermore, in RSA's hunting season (our summer) you just aren't likely to see many snakes.

troy

Don't worry about snakes. You will most likely be there in the African winter when they aren't very active. I rarely see snakes, and I go every year, usually for about a month. I saw 1 Cobra in Tanzania in 2002, and 1 Mamba in Zimbabwe in 2001. We actually looked for the Mamba, because we saw where his track had crossed the road. The PH is a snake buff, so we followed them up and caught it, just like the Croc hunter. So, in about 100 hunting days, I have had 1 chance encounter with a snake, and he was in an open area sunning. Don't sweat it, and don't put your hands where they shouldn't be and you'll be fine.

In RSA two years ago we saw three Mambas in less than two weeks. We hit one with the front bumper of the cruiser as he had lifted his head a couple of feet while crossing the road (quite a sight I might add).

THUMP!

PH: "HOLY SHIT that was a big mamba . . . lets go look at him"!

JohnTheGreek: "Cool, lets check him out"!

As I open the door and take two stepts toward the snake and the back of the cruiser . . . all I see is about two feet of grey tail disappearing into the bush. The two of us, obviously, jumped back in the cruiser without much hesitation.

Best Regards,

JohnTheGreek

I just wonder why so many people are so worried about snakes when going to Africa . As any other animals, snakes leave you in peace if you leave them in peace.

I agree with the consensus. If you stay smart you shouldn't have any problems if you even do see a snake.

However, it's your hunt paid for by your hard earned money. If carring a side arm with a few rounds of snake shot will give you piece of mind do it.

But don't let irrational fear prevent you from experiencing Africa.

murftj

Snakes are really a non-issue. We've hunted in 3 coutries, 8 different areas and from June thru Sept. We've seen a total of 5 snakes. 2 of those snakes were nasties but they were just trying to get away from us. It never crossed my mind that I would need to shoot one. Also your handgun may be totally illegal in some countries.

Relax and enjoy your safari. Your chances of having a negative experience with any form of wildlife is almost zip.

I guess I was being attacked by a black mamba last year when the PH that worked for Clemments shot the snake with 3 rounds of 00 buckshot, which 3 of the pellets glanced and hit within 3 inches of my foot, head and the other was close enough that I felt the wind off the pellet on my cheek, while the others glanced around by torso,I think I would have done better defending myself from the snake..Pooh Bah and Tony E. were screaming at him to stop shooting, I on the other hand took it all in awe of the utter stupidity of the whole scenario, thanked God for my survival and asked him to use #9 shot in the shotty gun from now on....Got mad about it just now...

I have seen very few snakes in Africa...