Snake Season Begins Tuesday
Pennsylvania's annual snake season begins Tuesday. Although snake hunters may hunt non-venomous species such as the Black Rat Snake (which does not require a permit), most hunters are after pit vipers. 'It's pretty popular,' said Josh Brown, a biologist with the PA.Fish & Boat Commission's Natural Diversity section. 'The top priority is safety.'
Hunters must possess a fishing license and venomous snake permit, and are allowed to keep one snake per year. 'Typically this time of year the males are moving around so they can be anywhere,' said Brown. 'A lot of times you're going to find them near streams, but the rocky areas are always good.'
He warned hunters not to bother gestating female Rattlesnakes. 'The females are often in high density areas and you don't want to harass them.' Hunters are not permitted to kill or possess a female Rattlesnake. 95% of the time females have less than 21 subcaudal scales between the base of the tail and the anal vent scale.
There are no size restrictions for Eastern Copperheads, but Timber Rattlesnakes must be at least 42' long and have 21 or more subcaudal scales.
Besides those species, the Eastern Massasauga rounds off the state's three venomous snakes. All three are considered 'Species of Greatest Conservation Need', by the PA. Fish & Boat Commission. That means that they are vulnerable animals the commonwealth has a responsibility to protect.
'Timber rattlesnakes are pretty well distributed throughout the state and we do have some hotspots,' said Brown.' Generally you do get more Copperheads in the southern part.' The Eastern Massasauga's territory has greatly diminished to the fields and meadows of Butler and Venango Counties.
'Just keep in mind, your safety and the safety of the snake as well,' added Brown.'So if you're handling them you would want to grab them in the middle of the body with the hooks or the tongs, and try to avoid the outer thirds. Don't grab them by the head or the tail with the tongs. They don't like that and it can cause some damage.'
Hunters must submit a report at the end of the season (July 31) whether they had luck or not.
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