.38 spl snake shot cartridges are most useful in such a situation. I’ve had to do it. Hated to do it, since they’re good at eating problem rodents, but I couldn’t have one of the kids accidentally stepping on one.
While hiking a popular trail I almost walked on a 3’ rattler. Unfortunately for the snake, I had my .22 thompson semi auto pistol.
In West Texas, we generally leave the alone unless they get around the house. The key is to keep the lawn very closelt mowed because they will rarely expose themselves to being picked off by hawks and eagles.
“I’ve had to do it. Hated to do it, since they’re good at eating problem rodents,”
Eradicating rattlers is a happy duty. And maybe it’s just me, but if I had to choose, I would prefer to run into a rodent than a rattler.
We have chicken/rat snakes around the house that we leave for rodent control....rattlers...no way.
We have more copperheads than anything, but a venomous snake around my place is a dead snake.
I don’t hate to do it with rattlers. There are plenty of bull snakes to eat the rodents. He must have had a significant heart condition usually a rattler will not kill an adult.