We technically have timber rattlers in our area, but they're pretty rare. We saw one once when we were out on a hiking trail about 30 miles from home, but none on our property or in our neighborhood. The copperheads are another story - they're everywhere! Now, I admit that our property is designed to be wildlife friendly, so we do attract more than our fair share. And it has been a particularly good year for snakes of all sorts, I guess. We can't go a day without tripping over one!
I have not seen one this year.
There are luckily still some populations along the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers.
Logging in the area is what reduced our timber rattler population to the level it is now. Apparently they reproduce very slowly & have a hard time coming back from that sort of thing. And, sadly, the vast majority of people around here simply kill any venomous snake on sight. Heck, I know people who kill ANY snake on sight. Although, often the rat snakes are given a 'pass', because people believe the old wive's tale that "the black snakes keep the copperheads away". (they don't, but I rarely correct people spewing this misinformation because at least it keeps them from shooting at the poor rat snakes! lol)They are one of the most incredible looking snakes, I think.
I do have the advantage of not having any venomous snakes in this area. Historically there were a lot more rattlesnakes in Wisconsin, but they were wiped out by people.
