I winter in a remote part of Arizona (Why, AZ. Google Earth it) on the edge of some very sparely populated land. We see rattlers and scorpions on occasion but they are not a "problem".

Being from Maine (no poisonous snakes there) it was all new to me. We keep the area clear of hiding places and are cautious about sticking our fingers in places before we look. We are careful when hiking and pay attention to our surroundings.

Actually we find that Maine black flies and mosquitoes influence out activities more than the snakes and scorpions do.

Every area has its risks. I have been traveling for over 20 years and find this rural Sonoran desert to be one of the most interesting and pleasant places that we have found. Summer on the Maine coast and winter in southern Arizona with a few trips around the planet in between. Hard to beat that.

Nomad.