TOPIC:

For the sake of the story let's say it was a friend of mine. Sitting out on one on the state owned FWA's, a man & his wife enjoying a nice sunny but windy day looking for some panfish. When they hear someone yelling from a ways away. He was waving his arms and yelling look over there it's coming towards you. So they looked at the water between the boats and they saw what looked to be a large snake swimming on the water heading towards them. It seemed to be heading towards the back of their boat like it was on a string. Kept getting closer & closer. Soon it's near the boat. 10' or less. They could see the random markings on the sides and it was 7' or bigger and was bigger around than the man's arm. Now being anchored up with 2 anchors and only a minute or two to think.
So what would you have done at this point.
A. Do nothing & hope it swims away?
B. Look for something in the boat you can use to push it away?
C. Wait until it comes in the boat & then figure out what to do?
D. Take out your personal protection and scare it away before it comes in the boat?

I'll let this sit for a while before finishing the story. Let me know what you would have done in my buddies case.

B

First b and then shoot to kill.

B, smack it with that fishing pole and chase it away.
Wouldn't be the first time.

B
And then change my soiled clothing
But if I had a gun, I'd shoot it...lol

Do nothing - its a water snake chances are it is just cruising the water. 99.5% of snakes will avoid humans at all cost unless provoked. If i was IN the water it would be a different story but if they are in the boat, just let him be. If he starts into the boat push him back with an oar or a fishing pole. But then again my daughter has a snake and we have had reptiles for the last 25+ years so.

E.) Wrestle it then make boots out of it.

Well thanks to all for your comments and thoughts. It's my understanding that all lived to see another day. The snake did continue it's path to the back of the boat (for what ever reason). As it got within a couple of feet a failed attempt to push it away with a 5' fishing pole so as it got within a foot or so of the outboard an attempt was made to scar it way. The second attempt convinced the critter to look else where. I don't think it was big enough for a pair of boots but would have made a couple nice belts. LOL

Killing is not an option of anything except flys roaches and mosquitoes imho unless it has a purpose- like a table fare. We are intruders in a snakes world over there even if we are dominant species. Great choice. What i kill I consume, in this year a dozen cohos so far. With them moving out I think my next kill will be skunk.

This explains all the 10 inch bluegills, 12 pound cohos and 30 pound chinooks! Assuming this was an Indiana or at least a northern Midwest lake, the largest native snake is the bull snake - not normally a water snake, but they probably can swim. Seldom much more than 6 feet long, usually less and the six footers I've messed with are MAYBE as big around as my wrist. On the other hand, I've been bitten by mosquitos the size of hummingbirds!