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The essential snake tool in the field
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by crotalus17 on October 9, 2006
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I am looking to purchase a tool to turn over logs/rocks and also to handle venomous snakes found on the East coast (USA). I would prefer to only bring one tool with me. From reading in the review section, I am going with FurMont. Could the L-shaped tool be used for lifting hots? Otherwise is the U-shaped hook strong enough for turning logs and rocks?
Any suggestions on length? I have been reading about 24" and 30", but they both seem too small. I was thinking of at least 40", to get my hands safe distance away from strike.
I have caught Timber Rattlers and Copperheads with use of a stick, so wasn't thinking much of tongs. But I do plan on traveling south to find cottonmouths. Are tongs essential when trying to capture them? I imagine the stout-bodied water snake to be difficult to catch with just a hook. Anyone with experience have some input?
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RE: The essential snake tool in the field
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by Buzztail1 on October 9, 2006
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Essential tools:
On the West coast I don't leave "home" without a camera, a flashlight, and my collapsable hook (Midwest). I don't usually need much more than that since I do not intend to collect anything.
On the East coast the tools aren't that much different. I take a camera, a flashlight and my Pro Field Hook (Midwest). It is an "L" shaped hook and I have used it for several large venomous snakes from South Georgia including Cottonmouths.
I am sure that the Furmont "L" shaped hook will be fine for lifting venomous and am equally certain that it will be stronger for lifting things than the "U" shaped hook.
Good luck,
Karl
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RE: The essential snake tool in the field
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by Cro on October 9, 2006
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John, the ``L`` shaped hooks work very well for working with snakes. The technique is slightly different from working with a ``U`` shaped hook, in that a snake can slide back toward you along the shaft if you lift the hook end higher than the handle end. You would not normally run into this though, unless you were trying to hook a snake from a branch or rock-face that was way above you.
As far as the ``U`` shaped hooks turning rocks and logs, they are not really strong enough to do that.
On the length, 40 to 44 inches is a good size. You can use it safely with even 6 foot rattlesnakes, and it can also serve as a walking staff.
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
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RE: The essential snake tool in the field
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by Rob_Carmichael on October 10, 2006
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Of all of my various tools, my Midwest Pro Field Hook ("L" shaped) is my hook of choice. I can use it to flip very large objects yet its light enough to not become a burden on long adventures into the "bush". It's fairly easy to maneuver snakes from tight places or just moving them into a bag/container...and, when flipped over, you can use it as a nice walking stick! I have also brought along my collapsible gentle giant tongs and they have also been invaluable at times.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
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RE: The essential snake tool in the field
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by Atrox788 on October 11, 2006
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Id have to say the Furmont L shape hook is the strongest, most durable hook you cant get. That thing is a tank and you simply will not break or bend it. The midwest varient is great, much lighter weight but I can tell your from experince, it wont allow you to lift thing the furmont varient will. I bent the hell out of the first one I got from Midwest. Lucky I won a new one at a SHHS banquet a few yrs back to replace it ^^
I guess you could say furmont is the tank of the hook world. It may even be over sturdy but there are times your lifting things that the midwest hook just cant keep up on.
Keep in mind that I base my statments on the first modle L shape hook from midwest and I dont know if they have renforced it.
Though I agree with you on not wanting to use tongs they can be very handy in alot of cases. Just imagine seeing a EDB crossing the road, with traffic coming on the horizon and your sitting there trying to fumble around with the snake and keep it on the hook to get it off the road. With the tongs the snakes just dosent have a choice lol. For tongs you cant beat Midwest gental giants.
Id say it best to have 3 peices of equip on a snake hunt. Tong for the before mentioned senario (just keep in your car), lshaped hook for lifting rocks, boards etc and handleing mid to large size crotalids and a smaller hook for any juvis or neonate you might find and want to havce a look at.
Depending on how trust worthy you are it maybe a good idea to get the midwest gloves as well. Test have shown that anything short of a King Cobra chewing on the glove for over a min wont peirce through. They would be golden for reaching in a grabbing small snakes or even larger ones under rocks so long as the snake isnt long enough to nail you on another extremity or the trunk of your body.
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