Just go around the snake. If you happen to be in a two foot wide canyon where you can't do that, then just back up and go elsewhere. We used to have tons of rattlers on our south Texas farm. We wouldn't kill them unless they were inside the fenced yard or in some other way potentially dangerous to the younger kids running around cluelessly. We did end up having to take out quite a few of the buggers near the house, but not out in the fields where they were no threat at all. I hate snakes - not fear them. I think I hate them because they move in such a creepy way. Always startles me and sends shivers up my spine when I run into one. But you don't need to kill them for that.