It is not so much a fear as a hatred. They're the people who tell me stories of shooting snakes deep in the woods, of swerving their car to flatten a snake on the road, of beating a snake with a log, a hoe, a rake or some other creative implement of destruction. I am not saying that a poisonous snake in your yard doesn't need to be dealt with, but going out of your way to kill them is so unnecessary. Just learn about snakes and your hatred may turn to interest. More people die each year of bee stings than snake bites.
Snakes are important for keeping rodent populations in check and in turn are food for birds of prey.
This is a great time of year to visit the Beidler Forest, but not a great time of year to see our wonderful snakes. The temperatures are cooling, the leaves are changing and fall migratory birds are arriving. Please come see us soon.