[76834]

Of course the guy was an idjit, every good ole redneck knows you stomp a copperhead's bloody head off before picking them up.

We take it a bit farther around here.
Cut it's head off first, then the rattles, they make great hat ornaments.
Then skin em and stretch out the skin, make a few dollars here.
Gut em and clean them a lot like you would a fish.
Mix up cornmeal batter and deep fry.

They dont call it the "Chicken of the Desert" for nothing...

[Ursus arctos horribilis]

I live in AZ, a buzz tail warns (sometimes) you before striking. A damned copperhead lies stealthily in wait until you get near or touch it. I remember back home they were always showing up around the the house, barn or the privacy outbuilding with a moon cut in the door. We killed them one & all.