Rattlesnakes are a psychological, if not physical, concern for many people that recreate on West Virginia’s public forests, parks, and wildlife management areas. Many wild trout anglers look over their shoulders while fishing because of the perception that a rattlesnake is lurking along every remote stream bank. Hikers and campers may avoid areas because a rattlesnake was reported on a certain trail or near a campground. One reported rattlesnake interaction often morphs into many encounters after the story is retold over a few years. Should this public concern be addressed by land managers?
A timber rattlesnake monitoring effort on Coopers Rock and WVU forests from 2016 to 2023 documented over 1,300 encounters in this intensively used area. Fifty percent of the encounters occurred on popular trails, campgrounds, and roads. There were no reported bites and all reported encounters were considered a positive experience.
An analysis of West Virginia death certificate records in 1991 and newspaper reports through 2023 revealed 13 deaths from timber rattlesnakes and one by a cottonmouth from 1961 to 2023. Eleven of these 14 deaths occurred during snake-handling church services. A captive rattlesnake caused one death and only two occurred in forested areas. The cottonmouth bite was a captive church snake.
It is obvious that the fear of being bitten by a timber rattlesnake on West Virginia public or private lands and dying is completely unwarranted since only two deaths have occurred in 63 years.
Abstract of presentation at WV AFS/TWS meeting on 3/7/24. Charleston, WV.
Frank Jernejcic.
Retired WVDNR Fishery Biologist.
304-612-7725.