Game, Fish & Parks officials reminding public to watch for rattlesnakes while outdoors

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Now that the temperatures are warming up, some might be finding their way out to the outdoors – but being out in the Black Hills comes with its cautions.

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks officials are reminding the public to be extra diligent when out exploring the outdoors and watch for rattlesnakes.

If you do come upon a snake, just let it do its thing and slither away.

“Couple things that you can do is just watch from afar, don’t approach it and just give it the trail right away so that it can pass along,” said Mike Klosowski, a Regional Wildlife Supervisor for western South Dakota. “The vast majority of the time, snakes are not aggressive, they just simply are going about their business and if the public just let’s them do that, everybody’s gunna go home safely.”

Klosowski also says to wear long pants and hiking boots and stay on the trails when hiking.