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Hiker Bitten by Rattlesnake in Ramona
NBC San Diego ^ | Thursday, Jun 12, 2014 | Laura McVicker And Bridget Naso

Posted on 06/12/2014 1:18:35 PM PDT by nickcarraway

A hiker was bitten by a snake outside Ramona on Wednesday morning. Watch our report June 11, 2014. Hiker suffers snake bite near Ramona

A woman hiking at Black Canyon Falls was bitten by a rattlesnake on Wednesday morning.

Fire officials said the 24-year-old woman was hiking near the 2130 block of Black Canyon Road in Ramona when she was bitten on the foot just before noon.

Witnesses said the woman had been surprised by a rattlesnake tucked in behind a rock. They said the woman was fortunate the incident happened in a spot with good cell service, as she was able to quickly call 911.

A Mercy Air helicopter arrived 30 minutes later and took the hiker to Pomerado Hospital.

It wasn’t immediately known the severity of the snake bite.\

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.


TOPICS: Outdoors; Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: california; hiker; snakes
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To: Ditter

I used to work with a guy who was from west Texas and had been bitten by one when he was younger. He said he got used to them where he lived. I don’t know if I could get used to the critters. I am a little careful when traveling through west Texas and stopping at their rest stops with signs that say “beware of rattlesnakes.” Yes sir, I will be aware.


21 posted on 06/12/2014 4:34:50 PM PDT by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: Inyo-Mono

Stepping on a coiled rattlesnakes is definitely NOT!!! on my bucket list. The dead one I stepped over was scary enough. It was one big boy. Fortunately with flies buzzing around him.


22 posted on 06/12/2014 4:38:59 PM PDT by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: driftless2

A few years ago I took a painting workshop in Arizona. We painted out in the red rock country and it was beautiful. Our instructor had a big revolver that he carried in his belt, I assumed it was because of guarding his students from illegals.

He said in the class before us a woman had complained that looking a the pistol scared her. (there are those) Just like it was scheduled, in a very short time, a big rattler darted out from under a big rock and he shot it.

The woman didn’t complain about the pistol again. Isn’t that a great story? :)


23 posted on 06/12/2014 4:57:15 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: Ditter
Is this what your talking about?  photo snakedance3.jpg
24 posted on 06/12/2014 5:14:13 PM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: Dusty Road
Nope! Those snakes look bigger than the one I saw dancing. The snake was up on the tip of its tail and it was wiggling making an “S” shape and rattling and hissing. Actually I heard the hissing before I heard the rattling.

The painting was by either by Russel or Remington and it appeared to be some kind of an Indian ritual with the snakes doing the same thing that I saw that day.

I wish I had not been alone that day so someone else could have seen it.
I have looked for the painting in my art books but I have never been able to find it again.

25 posted on 06/12/2014 5:36:49 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: Ditter

I remember a few years back traveling through Arizona with the wife and one of her sisters and bro-in-law from England. We stopped in Tombstone one day and went into a number of the shops. Many of the clerks had six-shooters strapped to their waists. I never asked my English, anti-gun in-laws what they thought about that. They never said anything about it.


26 posted on 06/12/2014 5:45:44 PM PDT by driftless2 (For long term happiness, learn how to play the accordion.)
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To: Ditter; Dusty Road
The snake was up on the tip of its tail and it was wiggling making an “S” shape and rattling and hissing. Actually I heard the hissing before I heard the rattling.

Sounds like a Blue Racer

27 posted on 06/12/2014 5:45:52 PM PDT by okie01 (The Mainstream Media: Ignorance on parade.)
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To: okie01; Eaker; TheMom
No it was a rattlesnake. It had only about 4 rattles. I killed it and the guys came to see it when I got back to camp. I never walked to or from my deer stand again. The only reason I walked out was because I saw a poacher climb over our fence and I didn't want to get myself shot. This has been a long time ago, at least 30 years. Mr D and I don't hunt anymore. Been there done that! Ask Eaker about the deer and elk heads on our walls.
28 posted on 06/12/2014 5:53:25 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: Ditter

Your describing something I’ve never witnessed. I’ve caught thousands of live rattlers over the years and handled for the Big Spring and Sweetwater Roundup’s. When mating rattlers can extend themselves vertically to about 1/3rd their length, when striking it’s about 1/2 their length.

For our more adventurous freepers here’s a little advice, Should you get hit “Do not cut the wound” and “do not apply a tourniquet”, both can cause un-repairable damage. Get to the hospital ASAP!


29 posted on 06/13/2014 4:11:32 AM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: Dusty Road
If I had not seen the old western painting of the Indian ceremony with rattlesnakes, I would have thought it was a one time in the history of the world thing. The snake was small (for a rattlesnake) and it was surprised when it encountered me.

When I heard the hissing/rattling it was already up on it's tail about 6 feet in front of me. (I was horrified) It was weaving around and I started shooting my deer rifle from the hip without looking through the sights. I hit it on about the 3rd shot when it had already started moving away from me.

This happened long before I had a cell phone or a camera in my pocket to photograph it. Ask your friends if they have ever witnessed it.

I am still looking for the painting.

30 posted on 06/13/2014 7:28:45 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: Dusty Road

How did one get you on the shoulder?


31 posted on 06/13/2014 7:38:03 AM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: optional, printed after your name on post)
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To: Rebelbase

How did one get you on the shoulder?

I was on my belly crawling into a snake den with a large opening, we’d gassed it but they would only come so far to the opening.


32 posted on 06/13/2014 9:00:22 AM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: Dusty Road

That is insane. Your’s must be the size of bowling balls!


33 posted on 06/13/2014 9:41:08 AM PDT by Rebelbase (Tagline: optional, printed after your name on post)
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To: Dusty Road

OMG! You were doing 2 of the last things that I would EVER do! Crawl into a hole in the ground and meet a rattlesnake face to face. You are one brave dude!


34 posted on 06/13/2014 11:18:38 AM PDT by Ditter
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To: Ditter

This was a big den with an opening about 10 ft wide and 2 ft tall, we had already caught 71 rattlers and could see a few more that we couldn’t reach. Not as spooky as it sounds I just missed a small one about 4 ft in. At the time we were getting 9.35 a pound for live rattlers. My buddy and I caught over 1100 lbs of live rattlers in a 2 week period.


35 posted on 06/13/2014 3:36:08 PM PDT by Dusty Road
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To: Cyman
We live at the edge of town, and therefore get "visitors" of that variety on occasion.....I whack 'em to pieces with my 'Mutt' (straight edged heavy hoe/scraper).

A couple of years ago, I offed one near my front door that had apparently come down the side of the house....a few minutes later, wifey shrieked that there was another in the backyard, all coiled and rattling like crazy -- I couldn't get the Mutt to him, so called Animal Control.

Anyhow, the guy walked through the front and saw carcass #1 and gave me the usual "rattlesnakes are our friends" speech.....but when we got around back and saw #2, he said "Holy shit - that's a Mojave! If you ever see another, kill it!!" (Mojaves are supposedly 20 times more venemous that Westerns)

36 posted on 06/13/2014 3:50:58 PM PDT by ErnBatavia (It ain't a "hashtag"....it's a damn pound sign. ###)
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To: Dusty Road
What do they do with the live rattlers, milk’em for venom, snake burgers, belts? The last time I heard a friend talk about antivenom for her dog the cost was unbelievable and her vet didn't have any.

If you are snake bit should you put ice on it while you get to the ER?

Keep up the good work and kill those things out, they are disgusting.

37 posted on 06/13/2014 4:50:29 PM PDT by Ditter
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To: Perseverando; nickcarraway

How do you know what hospital she was taken to?

I am the mother of the hiker who got bit by the rattlesnake.
It is no laughing matter,but instead very serious.
My daughter has been in tremendous pain since she was bit on Wednesday, June 11, 2014. She was in ICU for 13 days, given 48 vials of anti-venom & had 3 blood transfusions. The venom has caused much nerve damage to her left foot & leg. At this time she is unable to straighten her leg...so she can not stand nor walk. She is now undergoing intense therapy. Very sad indeed.


38 posted on 07/04/2014 12:43:51 PM PDT by mamatohiker
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To: mamatohiker

Prayers and best wishes for your daughter’s full recovery and easing of her pain.


39 posted on 07/04/2014 12:49:29 PM PDT by glennaro
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To: mamatohiker

I don’t think it’s a laughing matter. I go hiking a lot, and I see rattle snakes. I am very sorry for your daughter. It sounds like she got it much worse than some others I have heard about. I pray for her recovery. I hope there is good news soon.


40 posted on 07/04/2014 2:36:11 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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