This page is dedicated to alerting our guests to potential
dangers on the ranch.
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GENERAL SAFETY
1. Do not speed, ranch speed limit is 15mph. The park is a working ranch. Watch corners.
2. We recommend that you carry a safety pack on your off road vehicle. Your pack should
include a cell phone, flare gun, GPS, first aid kit, flash light and air horn. If you have an
ATV or full size vehicle we recommend a fire extinguisher, winch and straps. A GPS
device is very important due to the size of the ranch. A GPS location will help us find you
in the event of an injury. In case of emergency call Jeff at (512) 755-5413 or Howard (512)
755-5417.
3. It is already hot, drink plenty of water before and while riding.
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SNAKE SEASON - Do's & Dont's
Texas had 4 venomous snakes, all of which call our ranch home. Diamondback
Rattlesnake, Coral Snake, Copper Head, Cotton Mouth (water moccasin)
Diamondback rattlesnake breeding season is from April to June, however you may
encounter rattlesnake at any time on the ranch. Our spring has been warm and we have
seen several on the ranch. Rattlesnakes typically hide in rocky areas, wood piles but will
hunt anywhere. During warm days they will stretch out on warm surfaces such as rocks.
If you are bit by a rattlesnake call us ASAP, you will be air lifted out of the ranch.
Here are some do's and dont's for a rattlesnake bit.
GENERAL DO's
1. Remove everyone from risk.
2. Calm the patient. This is far more important than you may think! Nearly all snake bites
are successfully treated in the US. Most poisonous snake bites are not fatal. Panic only
increases danger to the victim by increasing heart rate, and it spurs carelessness among
everyone.
3. Use your snakebite kit immediately. The first few minutes are the most effective for
venom removal. Follow the instructions provided in the kit.
4. Seek medical help at once. Recent studies indicate the single most effective thing you
can do is calmly transport the victim to a medical facility. In most cases, severe
complications DO NOT occur until several hours after the bite. If you're deep in the wild,
make wise use of your time, but don't rush.
5. Remove tight watches, sleeves, jewelry, etc. Cut these items off if you have to. Note
that rings and bracelets are especially hazardous as they will severely restrict blood flow
to their particular extremity once swelling begins. Amputation is a likely outcome if these
items are not removed.
6. While in route to a hospital, apply a loose yet constricting band between the bite and
the heart. This is NOT a tourniquet and should not be any tighter than a semi-tight watch
band.
7. Keep the patient still if possible and immobilize the injured limb with a splint.
Treat the site like a puncture wound. If possible, wash the wound with copious amounts
of soap and water. Once at the hospital, a doctor will likely give the patient a tetanus shot
in addition to other treatments.
8. Keep the affected extremity at heart level or lower.
9. Avoid alcohol. It only increases metabolism and impairs judgment.
GENERAL DONT's
1. DO NOT GIVE ANTIVENIN IN THE FIELD! Many snakebite victims experience allergic
reactions to antivenin and this potential requires that the person giving the antivenin
must be ready and able to provide advanced heart and lung support -- something only
available at a hospital via trained medical personnel, sophisticated machines, and
powerful drugs. Further, more than six vials are often needed to treat one bite. More
drawbacks come into play when the detrimental effects of heat and agitation (due to
carrying the vials in a backpack) are considered.
2. Don't kill the snake! unless you are hungry. It was only defending itself and such an
attempt may produce yet another bite.
3. Don't try to capture the snake -- it's not necessary. There are only two types of venom
-- neurotoxin and hemotoxin (antivenin for pit viper bites is the same for all species).
Based on the geographic area and the patient's symptoms, a doctor will usually know
which type of antivenin to use.
4. NEVER cut an "X" at the bite site. This is ineffective and increases trauma in the area
of the wound.
5. NEVER suck out venom with the mouth. The person sucking poison from the wound
with his/her mouth will absorb the poison through his/her gums the same way a person
absorbs nicotine from chewing tobacco. Further, the human mouth carries at least 42
species of pathogen†and this action could give the snakebite victim a major infection.
Don't excite the victim or allow him/her to walk if avoidable. Doing so will increase venom
circulation.
6. Never apply a tourniquet, constricting band, or "Australian Wrap," unless you are well-
trained in its use. As with snakebite kits, recent studies suggest this is of no help and
even detrimental. (If, for some reason you do apply one, write a capital T (for tourniquet)
on the victim's forehead AND the TIME you applied it. Relax it for 1 minute every 15
minutes.)
7. Do not apply ice, a cold pack, or freon spray to the wound. This does not retard the
spread of venom.
8. Never apply electrical stimulation from any device in an attempt to retard or reverse
venom spread. Studies show this does NOT retard or reverse the spread of venom.
Texas
moccasin) Very Agressive