I’m like you are with snakes; kill first, then identify! It was 2 water moccasins, the 1st one hiding under a tarp (surprise!) and the other one in a pile of leaves. I shot the 1st one with my pistol, but when i found the 2nd one i was ready w/a shovel. No sense in wasting expensive hollow points if something else will work. Lol.
You must live out in the country. In the city, I’m scared to shoot a snake in my own yard for fear some idiot will complain to the cops. Bought a Judge (good for shooting snakes) years back when I lived in a house that backed onto a water-filled ditch. Lots of critters hanging around that water. But then I moved and the neighborhood I’m in now probably has a LOT of anti-gun liberals.