A Challenge Answered

While turkey hunting a few weeks ago, I came headlong into one of the elements of nature that cause many to shiver.

There are many sounds of nature I have never heard. Others I am very familiar with. I can recognize a barn owl at half a mile. A mocking bird on a branch at dawn. And grunting bucks chasing unwilling does. I know the sound very well of a red tail hawk teasing a murder of crows, and their antagonized response. I know the sound of a gobbler who is teasing his hens, and one that is on a dead run. I have heard many times the gander as he sets his wings and recognize by sound when to "take 'em". I know the difference between a Pintail, and a Wood duck, a Mallard from a Black Duck, and a Canvasback from a Ringneck. Many sounds in nature as as familiar to my ear as my wife's voice when she calls me for dinner.

There are other sounds I haven't heard. I've never heard the growl of a grizzly bear - nor do I want to. I've never heard the teasing of a porpoise or the shrill of an Orca. And I'm not sure I would recognoize it if I did.

And until April 6, 2012, I'd never hard the sound of a rattlesnake.

As my friend and I were roaming in search of turkeys we ambled along an old loading deck where long forgotten loggers loaded their trucks. In this ambling we let our guard down. Each of us walked within easy striking distance of this Timber Rattlesnake. He was wearing snake boots, I was not. After passing a few feet, the snake awoke from her slumber and coiled and announced her presence. The sound, while never heard by my ears was instantly recognizable. The soft rattle rang through my ears like gongs and bells. Turning around my Benelli instantly came to my shoulder and Mrs. Timber Rattler was introduced to a load of 3 1/2" Winchester #5's.

It happened so fast, so instantly that it was almost instinctual. Without thought or hesitation, I shouldered the 12 gauge, released the safety and blew that snake into four pieces.

Some would argue that I should have let the snake go. That I should have allowed the snake to meander along its way. That I should have shown restraint. My reply is simply, had she not announced her presence she would have lived. One thing I learned in this transaction. The rattle of the Timber rattlesnake is a challenge, a threat, an invitation if you will to engage. So I accepted the challenge. She came to the battle with rattles, fangs and venom. I answered with a 12 gauge load of # 5's.

I won.