Despite dire warnings about poisonous snakes from the locals in every
place I've gone where they are known to exist in significant numbers,
there are exactly two places where I've encountered live ones.

The snakes will usually avoid contact if possible. The time of year and
amount or rainfall affect their concentration. So does the amount of human
activity involving food scraps that draw mice and other small rodents.
Clean campsites usually have less visits from snakes if they are not
situated near denning or sunning areas. Human encroachment into snake
habitat does lead to more encounters. New subdivisions in rocky and/or
wooded areas often experience large numbers of sightings.

Your failure to encounter the serpents in question may also involve your
vision and their protective camouflage. Copperheads in dead leaves are
damnably hard to see.

----
Stev Lenon 91B20 '68-'69
Drowning flies to Darkstar

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/stevglo/i...age92kword.htm