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I've also been bitten by a copperhead. It was way back just after snakes first evolved, and I was a Boy Scout in southern Illinois.
We were climbing what we called cliffs but were just rock outcrops. I reached up for a handhold - and somebody stuck an icepick in my hand. A hot one. Burned like the devil. One of the other scouts saw the snake sliher away (probably to find some mouthwash) and identified it.
Not one of the Scout adult leaders would believe my story, even when the other Scout tried to confirm it. Well, that was late afternoon, and by nighttime, my hand had swollen up a bit and the bite mark (just one hole) was red and purple. I got sick to my stomach and lost my share of the tinfoil burger and potato hobo meal.
Didn't sleep too good, either. Next morning, the swelling was down, the leaders STILL wouldn't believe me, and I went my slightly less than merry way.
Years later, I got stung pretty bad by a nest of yellowjackets (another story) and my whole arm swole up. My fingers were the diameter of kielbasa. The doctor said, "You ever been bitten by anything poisonous?" I told him the Scout story, and he said I was now highly allergic to venom. The next one might do me in.
Well, even the wasp event is now three decades past. I am still REALLY careful around wasps, spiders and poisonous snakes. I don't fear any of them (even play with ordinary snakes) but I damn sure don't do anything that would tick one off!
In case anyone suggests it, I stopped carrying anti-venin kits. They are expensive, expire pretty quick and are just a royal pain to keep nearby ALL the time. And part time does no good.
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