Timber rattlesnakes are generally found in deciduous forests in rugged terrain. Although still fairly common in some local areas, the timber rattlesnake has been extirpated or greatly reduced in numbers in most areas where it was once numerous due to unregulated collection and indiscriminate killing. A contributing factor was the bounty system under which a reward was paid for each timber rattler killed. Bounties were outlawed in New York State in 1971. Even in areas without bounties, the snake was severely persecuted by local residents or overcollected for the pet and curio trade.
Timber rattlesnakes reproduce at a low rate, making for slow population growth.
Factors such as development, illegal collecting, and the continual disturbance of forests by recreational users will likely prevent or hinder population recovery for many areas. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation coordinates a program to monitor and map, using a Geographic Information System, the remaining populations in New York State. Surveys are in progress to identify existing den sites and assess each population's size, reproductive success and any threats to existing habitat. Protection of habitat is now a primary concern. Collecting rattlers from the wild is now prohibited, but poachers are still active in supplying the black market pet trade.