LOL As for never seeing them, I saw a cottonmouth the other day whilst walking. Scared me silly. We had been walking about over a mile, and my 3 year old was tired so I had him on my back for a piggyback ride. Couldnt have run if I had wanted too I was hot, tired and scared. You should see me when I am walking through the woods, you'll recognise me, I am the one who is not looking at the scenery, but at the sides of the path for snakes, I am also stomping my feet like a mad woman! : D
Don't stomp your feet, get a walking stick/staff. Shepards have carried them for hundreds of years. It is a necessity for walks or puttering around the barn. I keep a couple at the barn and one in the truck at all times. : )