Deer Hunting Part 3: Swamp Buggy and Snakes

My first car was a 1962 VW Bug that ran on 3 1/2 cylinders. I purchased it from Herman for, I think $250, and made a few modifications. The modification that got most of the attention, was the carpet. You ask, "what was so unique about changing carpeting?".....well this carpet was not on the inside, it was on the outside....tan as I remember it. I glued it on the hood and trunk. You have to remember back in those days I was a little bit on ...... well let's just say I enjoyed myself. It was not unusual, when I stopped at a red light, for people crossing the street to stop and rub my car and either shake their heads or give me a thumbs up. In those days a VW bug was built  such that it would go just about anywhere ..... on any road ........ off-road ...... even no road. So you will understand when I say I decide to take it hunting with me ..... I don't mean just drive it to the camp site .... but TAKE IT hunting WITH me in the woods. It was not unusual for a club member to be in his tree stand and to his amazement (and I am sure frustration), the white swamp buggy would come zipping by. The nice thing was that the swamp buggy could get to places that were a little more remote. Which is what I had done this day. Having parked the buggy near where I planned to hunt, I was walking down a path, minding my own business, when noticed a very large snake on the path.

It was a copperhead and was right in the middle of the road blocking the path. I was in a swampy area where they can usually be found, but normally in October copperheads retreat to their dens until February or March. The only thing I could think to explain why it was in front of me, was that the night before there was a particularly violent storm, so my guess was that it had gotten disturbed. I was alone and decided I really did not want anything to do with it. I moved to the right side of the road to move around it, but that stubborn thing moved over to the right. Ok....you can have the right I will take the left .... I moved left ..... you got it...the snake moved left.....I moved right.....snake moved right and moved closer to me ..... I guess the snake planned to take it's anger at being disturbed on me ..... I was wet .... I was cold ..... I was not in the best mood either .... I was carrying a 308 rifle that I bought from Earl for $100 (yes it was a good deal, but it was with the understanding that if I got rid of it, I was to sell back to Earl for $100, which I did years later - not sure who in the family ended up with it), stubborn snake, 308 rifle, bad mood ........ BOOM ..... dead snake ...... snake into pouch ..... a dead snake at camp could be a lot of fun.