Duncan wrote: Just a heads up. Some States have listed the Timber Rattler as protected according to a Nat Geo article I read several years ago. Don’t remember the States mentioned but NY comes to mind. Probably should check the State laws before killing any Timber Rattlers. The local Game Warden might use your bow as evidence against you. 😳
This is fairly accurate, many states, especially in the North East USA have listed them as threatened. They are declining across their range. As a herpetologists and a wildlife biologist, I’d advise anyone against using timber rattler skins. Not only are they generally not robust enough as a species to tolerate a sustainable harvest, if they do get a federal declaration then possessing the skins would be a fine-able offense.
Copperheads on the other hand, generally doing well. If you’re not trained in venomous snake handling/capture, I think the best way to acquire skins is to cruise black top roads and pick up roadkills. This can be especially productive in the late spring months. In my experience, in the states of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, April is the best month. North of these areas, e.g., Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, and most of the Appalachian states May and June are a bit better.
Other than one small region of West, TX, if you live west of the Pecos River, you’re out of luck, ain’t no copperheads out there. You’ll have to settle for any one of the dozen or so rattlesnake species.
Check your local fish and game laws, some states, like Kansas, have a legal harvest/possession limit on non-game wildlife. Other states, collecting reptiles is not allowed without a scientific collecting permit.
