A copperhead bit an acquaintance of mine in Monticello, AR just last month. Mr. Forman needs to check his facts.

I would be glad for you to contact me. Three years ago, I was bit by a cottonmouth in my backyard--on Memorial Day. Dr. James Beck took care of me...and still does if I need help. Pain everyday in my left arm, loss of strength in my left arm, and I wear a compression wrist band everyday. Yes, I was injured by a snake and suffer with pain everyday. It hasn't been 20 years.

It's been 20 years since a snake has hurt anyone in the state of arkansas?That has to be a misprint or something, I know for a fact that we have multiple snake bites in the state of arkansas every year and from the looks of the bites... they hurt!

Ok, so I am studying herpetology (that's reptiles) I see so many people that are deathly scared of snakes and unfortunately that leads to the unnecessary killing of harmless snakes. I've caught rattlesnakes, copperheads, and moccasins, along with the local nonvenomous varieties. They have such a bad reputation that stems from peoples fears yet they have a very key role in our local ecosystems, and if all the snakes were dead as many people wish; our environment would be thrown out of balance. Everyone should just remember that they should be respected, not feared. You don't have to love them or even go near them, but unless there is an impending threat,think twice before cutting their heads off. They will most likely be happy to go the other way and leave you be. I am in the Conway area and if anyone has any snake issues my email is revolvingband@yahoo.com and I would be happy to remove and relocate any snakes that may be an issue or safety concern to you or your family. Free of charge. Thank you, and watch where ya step at night!

As much good as most snakes do we should atleast try to learn a little basic knowledge about them. Thank GOD for King snakes they will make a meal out of the copperheads and other poisonous snakes. I have found using a walking stick and tapping the ground as I walk in areas they might be usually gives them warning enough I'm coming and they do their best to get away. Nothing eats more rodents than a rat snake except possibly a nesting owl.

One of the things I like to do is ride my horse in the Buffalo Wilderness and it's rare I don't see atleast one snake on these rides. When I first started this activity I built a little cabin over the White River, a corral for my horse and a little barn. Almost immediately the barn rats attacked my tractor harness, my oats and my leather tack and I began spending the weekend dispensing Decon and rewiring my tractor instead of riding my horse. One day I walked in the barn and heard a rustling sound over head and when I looked up my heart stopped. There, three feet above my head, in some PVC pipe I had stored in the rafters was an 8 foot long black snake staring down at me. I slowly backed out of the barn and went to the cabin to change my pants and get my gun. But on second thought knowing nothing about snakes, I looked up this snake on line and saw that he was a rat snake and decided not to put a hole in my barn roof with my 22. Since then I have not had a single problem with rat damage in my barn. The snake and I have developed a cordual relationship and I speak to him upon entering the barn. He doesn't talk much but will occasionally flick his tail as if to say "Hello." I don't always see him but I know he's there taking care of business. I'd put him on the payrole if I could. He's one of the best things that has happened to me in the Buffalo Wilderness. I swear he's grown a foot in the last two years and I haven't had to buy a single box of Decon during that time.

Signs warning people of snakes in a park, thats around water and overgrown vegetation. Hmmmmmmm. If you dont have enough common sense to realize that the odds of seeing a snake in those types of settings, then let me make this recommendation. DONT GO TO PARKS!!!!!!!

I live in Hot Springs..and me and my kid went to DESOTO PARK. off of park ave.there,s a little bridge goes over the creek as you enter park area.Kids were on the bridge throwing rocks jumping in water etc.Key work here Kids/BEWARE/THE CREEK WAS FULL OF COPPER HEAD SNAKEs!AND THEY WERE NOT HIDING.. THESE ARE VENOMOUS..they blend so well they were noticed by no one..I really think park rangers should put snake warning signs at the entrance there to alert the kids so when they see the snakes they dont bother them and get bitten.To the snakes credit..they showed great patience with the unaware humans..kinda saying dont bother me i wont bother you.. But accidents happen..AND YES SNAKES GO INTO PARKS TO PEOPLE "when i alerted parents that the snakes were there,one lady said"i didnt know snakes came into parks too,their scared of people"I SAID"LADY,ITS A SNAKE,,not a rabbit..i dont think they fear us.".lol.They got my respect,i am going to get me and my kiddo a... snake.detector..dog..the snakes don,t appear to be cautious at all this summer,and for the most most i see are venomous..so be alert.please.God Bless dee

Take a dog with you on your nature ventures if you're worried about snakes. A dog will usually know if a snake is around long before you do and will scare it off or alert you

I find it funny that during an election year, we have a headline that says "Snake Warning." LOL.