After encountering probably hundreds of poisonous snakes in my life (and even having one as a pet when I was a kid) I have found that the best way to deal with them is to leave them alone. For example if Im on a trail and come across a sunbathing snake then I go off-trail to go around him. If the brush is too thick for going around then I wait politely for him to continue on his way. The real kicker is Water Mocasins. They (atleast in SE TX) are territorial, kinda like dogs, so when you see one it's best to move really far away, however when you encounter one in the water, while swimming, this is not always so easy. Fortunatly I have never heard of a snake biting someone under water so if they are going to bite you, you should be able to see it coming. Maybe they dont want lungs full of water. I know I wouldn't. I hate those things. I'm glad I live in N TX now and spend all my time in N TX C TX or SW TX I don't miss Water Mocasins at all! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Non-poisonous snakes are another story. I have been bitten more than once by non-poisonous snakes but this could have been avoided as well if I had been concerned (but I was not).