I did my AF Summer Camp at Eglin AFB in Florida. We had training about indigenous critters before going on our survival campout. A group of Army Rangers showed us the snakes.
When it came time to show us the Eastern Diamondback, two of them dumped it out of the box and pinned it with their tool. Then one picked it up and walked around showing us what it looked like and got it to show its fangs.
When it came time to show us the Water Moccasin, three of them dumped it out of the box and danced around a LOT before they finally pinned it. Then the guy (who could have dropped and done 100 pushups without breaking a sweat) carried it around. The thing was jerking his hands around like crazy and we were all a little nervous it might make him let go.
I’ll come carry a Rattler, but you can carry your own Water Moccasins.
I was never afraid to go swimming in the lake near my house, but watching that Ranger with the Water Moccasin gave me second thoughts.
ArGee my error. Proud of you. Been on a rattlesnake hunt. You got guts boy. Ain’t going moccasin hunting. One of them two legged ones almost took off me scalp back when I was young. Was legging it out west with Louis and Clark ... well that another story. Have to tell it sometime. ArGee, I ain’t holding that moccasin! There might be an injun out there with only one. You hold it! Papa is threatening to take a drink, over in the corner. Papa calm down ... we’ll go groundhog hunting; we gotta bury Mom first. That’s Papa, he don’t let anything stand in the way of hunting.