Originally Posted by Precision

+1 to the shovel/stick/entrenching tool idea.

The simple fact is, if you are close enough to use your shot loaded gun (from a concealed location) it would have been way faster and probably safer just to move the snake.

If you are far enough away to get your gun out (from concealment) and use it easily, you could have just as easily walked away.

And for the times you blindly walked right up on them, you are already bit, so...