Hello everyone,
Lets hope a few can advise on the following queries please. Sorry for quite a few questions, but I'd rather ask.
Been winter, I know snakes are very sparse but are around according to the experts as they do not hibernate like other species. Because its cold, the chances of seeing any are nearly zero, but on a warmer day in winter, an odd one may be out and sleepy, and we are approaching Spring.
Due to our current restrictions in Melbourne, we won't be prospecting yet, but once back out, I'd like to get more information from the experience Gold Panners on this forum who enjoy the creeks and rivers.
It worries me a little sometimes panning on my own, walking for about 20 minutes to my area in a valley and getting bitten by a snake could be very risky. Walking back up a hill with a snake bite is only going to get the venom spreading quicker and the time to get back to my vehicle or a house takes time. Phone signal in the valley is poor too.
1. Do most prospectors wear Gum Boots walking to site and are these suitable to handle a snake bite? In the creeks, the gum boots are perfect, but I walk to site with work boots and risk it currently. My mate who goes with me has been panning for years and wear gum boots to get to site, but he's an old timer and risks other things.
2. Does anyone recommend snake gators walking to site, then change into gumboots once in the creek.
3. As walking in the creek and doing the usual panning etc, if the banks are grassy, is there a good chance a snake could be hiding there and possibly bite you higher up on the arms say? Who has come across snakes on the banks while panning or wading in creeks? I know most snakes are venomous, but I worry about Browns & Tigers.
4. I know winter is a good time to prospect in creeks assuming its dry and water is low as the temperature is bearable and snakes will be a lot less, would you suggest its very dangerous prospecting in summer when the snakes are around more, I have never seen any in the other summers yet?
5. Does many of you pan on your own in a creek? I now have a rule to go with 1 more person for safety just in case and acting on caution due to been a long walk away from my vehicle or nearest house. If I am near civilization, I can pan on my own.
6. Any advise on anything else what can keep us more safe with snakes? Apart from taking the usual bandages, splints etc for the usual snake kit.
Been a POM, you will all probably think I'm silly worrying about all this, but I have prospected in creeks now for a around 3 years and have never seen a snake yet, but recently been a bit distracted by finding better gold deposits and gone back to my usual British roots of not worrying about anything that can kill you and relaxing my cautions, but I need to keep focused.
Many thanks if anyone can comment on my points, just need to be sensible as where I prospect is way out of the way, if it was nearer civilization, I would not be asking these questions.
Cheers.
Rick.
