Hook or jigger debate?

[Tatelina]

Originally Posted by Magpie

Jigging is a way of fishing, fishing uses hooks, hook = jigger.

Ohhhh.... O_o

Lame.

But thanks.

[PilbaraPythons]

Jonno
The reality is that here in Port Hedland 98% of all snake relocations involves western brown snakes, and of course we all know that this species are fully capable of killing people who are brave enough to attempt to catch them if things goes wrong. Most if not all snake catchers in this area have very little training and those that do have had next to no practical hands on experience with live large elapids. In the end of the day human safety is the first priority and the welfare of the snake only the second consideration. Tongs used correctly in my opinion are safer option for the novice. Sure, once the snake is clamped it now wants to bite you but I haven’t met too many tailed western browns that weren’t wanting to bite me after been grabbed either. I have often been called out to remove western browns in concrete sunken pits with not enough room to safely tail and only a man hole as an access, these are situations where the tongs would be perfect.

[snakehandler]

Hooks and jiggers are different, a hook is shaped just like a hook and used to handle reptiles, while a jigger is a metal rod bent at 90 degrees to help lift items such as rocks, logs and other materials.

In some situations tongs are required when the health and safety of the handler is important, as mentioned by pilbarapythons, pits, drains and in one case I have required them to recover a tiger snake from sewage where the tiger snake would not sit on a hook and we could not enter the "water" for health reasons. Each situation is different, different tools for different jobs, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. My biggest concern with tongs is the old pilstrum tongs which should be banned, there are several on the market now that are proven to cause no injury to the snake, and with good training people can be safely taught to use them to ensure minimal stress to animals.

[redbellybite]

I will say it once again those snake tongs are barbaric,,, its bad enuff on the snake when in a situation of being removed ,while people like myself who are trained to catch and relocate use the bag and jigger method( and we use that system because its the least invasive way to catch snakes ) The snakes are already in a stressed situation (99%of time) due to being harrased by the human who found it in the house or shed or even worse being attacked by a dog .......then on top using those bloody clamp like tongs would even stress it out more and i agree with jonno that it can give inexperienced people a FALSE sense of security too ... when it comes to finding venomous snakes in your house /yard /shed and you want it gone ,ring somebody that is experienced and licensed to do it ,your local council ...zoo or even police station should be able to help you out with a number to contact ,,,in a ven situation again the thing to do is watch the snake at all times till someone can get there if you have dogs chain up or place in another room away from snake and if in a bedroon place towel under door so snake is contained in one room that way when a catcher comes you know exactly where it is ........redbellybite

[nuthn2do]

Originally Posted by snakehandler

Hooks and jiggers are different, a hook is shaped just like a hook and used to handle reptiles, while a jigger is a metal rod bent at 90 degrees to help lift items such as rocks, logs and other materials.

I have a jigger that does exactly that, used for getting to the snake. I also have a hook but it's rarely used

[snakehandler]

Whilst I agree they give some inexperienced people a false sense of security if not trained properly, there is a need for them in different circumstances, not all snakes will allow themselves to be hooked, some places are too hard to pin or tail. You also need to remember that there are occupational health and safety requirements too. If you read the permit contiditons in Victoria for example it clearly states in the Wildlife act 1975 (ammended 2002) additional conditions 7. Snakes taken in accordance with this license may only be taken by the use of catching sticks, bars or nooses. So there are legal requirements also. We cannot dismiss a technique because of the past, new equipment has made it safer for the animal

We prefer techinques that have less stress on the animals so the tongs and pinning are way down on our list of techniques, but some situations require it. 95% of what we catch is tailed, we dont get usually get pythons, unless they are translocated or lost pets, so personal safety is our number one concern!

[snakehandler]

Did any one see the Bondi Rescue episode where the "snake catcher" was attempting to hook a red belly???

Tell me this playing with, teasing, fumbling and very unprofessional attempt at hooking a snake does not create stress, if they were trained to tail, or heaven forbid tong the snake it would have been in the bag in moments, reducing the stress to the snake and risk to others....this person WAS trained (not by us I must add). As I have mentioned different techniques for different circumstances.

Back to the question though....nuthn2do, that is a great example of a jigger! Unfortunatly not many places sell them, so it can often be easier to make your own!

[Australis]

Originally Posted by snakehandler

Did any one see the Bondi Rescue episode where the "snake catcher" was attempting to hook a red belly???

snakehandler,

It should also be added that this person was on her very first call out
not to mention being on camera, would add to being a little nervous.

Hardly the best case to compare catching methods/tools.

Fair go.

[Jonno from ERD]

Adding to what Australis has said, she was also trained by a wildlife rescue group that is well known for their poor training methods.

[snakehandler]

1st snake job or not, not all snakes can be hooked quickly and this increases stress on the animal, a well trained person would request the cameras to be removed and the public held back. The technique is not perfect and in fact no technique is.....I have seen several people, experienced people attempt to hook snakes and then give up to tail them. I have also seen experienced people loose control of a brown while hooking and nearly get bitten.

[snakehandler]

No technique is going to have perfect results.

Back to the hook versus jigger, I would be interested to see what other jiggers have been made, ours are very simple and industrial, I have seen some on the midwest website which look very good too...but expensive.

[-Peter]

Sydney Wildlife call it a hook.
Tongs have there application. Most people wouldn't tackle wild PNG tais without a pair.

[TrueBlue]

snakehandler,/ sorry but i disagree a hook is another name for a jigger, simple as that, always has been always will be.

I agree with jonno here as i dont like tongs in any shape or form. Ive had to catch and relocte snakes in just about evey situation you could come across and ive yet to ever need or consider wanting to use a pair.

[moosenoose]

Arrrrrr Jigger Me Timbers

[Tatelina]

Originally Posted by -Peter

Sydney Wildlife call it a hook.
Tongs have there application. Most people wouldn't tackle wild PNG tais without a pair.

The lady who did the Bondi rescue calls it a jigger!! Very confusing.