honestly, i know they are around but i have lived here for a long time and have never seen one. we spend a lot of time outdoors, guess we are just never in the same place at the same time. :-)

I spent a week there in 2003 with my ex-girlfriend who was deathly afraid of snakes. I convinced her that she would be safe if, every time we went hiking, she sang that one Art of Noise song from the movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." So basically she spent the whole time nervously reciting something along the lines of "Chick. Chicka-chee-ka. Eew-Bomp-Bomp." We didn't see any snakes, but I can never watch that movie now without busting out laughing. She was pretty gullible sometimes.

This Title sounds like one of those B-movies... Rattlesnakes in Bend!!

lol

I am very happy to hear that they stay in Bend..

>> ...please give me some advise thanks <<

1) Never put your hands or feet where you cannot see, such as under a rock.

2) Be watchful for snakes sunning themselves on a cool day.

3) Pay attention to sounds around you. A loud rattling sound is a pretty good indication a rattlesnake is nearby. And angry.

4) Speak softly and carry a big stick. Or better yet a .357 mag.

#4 Smiling...

Scarlett, good news and bad news.

The snakes will stay in Bend.

The bad news, for you in Argentina:

fotosaves.com.ar/FotosReptiles/FotosReptiles…

Some advice--

1. Don't go hiking in open areas without adequate footwear. Save the barefoot for the beach and mowed grassy areas.

2. Rattlesnakes cannot strike unless they are coiled. But watch where you are walking. They don't appreciate being stepped on when they're trying to slither out of the hot sun.

3. We've traveled and hiked many places in Central and Eastern Oregon and Washington and the only place we ever saw any rattlesnakes was at Steamboat Rock State Park near Grand Coulee Dam and that was more than 20 years ago.

Barefoot?? Bend is not an area to go barefoot. You may be walking on rocks or lava. Not nice on the feet.

I worked out in the woods in Central and Eastern Oregon for a few years, and rarely saw rattlesnakes. but did constantly watch for them. And always wore somethig that covered my legs, and feet.

Vibram shoes are a good "barefoot alternative" and are very popular and easy to find in bend: http://www.vibramfivefingers.com/

I am barefoot quite a bit as well (thought it's getting a bit cold for that now). I don't like the feel of the toe wraps though so generally wear Chaco's when I can't go barefoot.

I have been visiting the Bend area for all my years and have never to see a rattlesnake in the vicintiy until this year. Last May I saw one at Smith Rocks State Park sunning itself right square on the walking trail down near the river. I had my dog with me so we walked as far away as humanly/doggly? possible without getting wet. However there was a sign at the begining of the trail saying that their were snakes in the area... useally I just blow those things off, but apparently the parks people know what they are talking about...:)

Smith ROcks more canyon country and remoter than Bend proper so no worries, but they are about in central oregon.