Rope and Cowboy Camping

[Sunny Guy]

I just saw the newly released movie "True Grit" in which the characters surround their sleeping area with a single loop of rope. Is this some kind of defensive mechanism against snakes? Do any Benders employ this method when sleeping under the stars?

[homerboy2u]

I have heard of this way back since my Dad use to hike when he was a kiddo, but i do not think a snake will deter away froma laying rope. To me, it is just movie hoopla.

[Homer67]

Wauer and Fleming, in Naturalist's Big Bend, say the idea that spreading horsehair rope around one's bedroll at night to keep snakes away is "...false but fascinating!" (ch9, p.100)

[bdann]

Sounds like something for the Mythbusters to try. 

[fartymarty]

I think you are supposed to store the non-synthetic rope in a canister filled with fresh moth balls for this to have any chance of working. Easy to haul around if you're a cowboy on a horse, not so good for backpackers. The mothball scent may actaully attract some animals to the area to investigate.

[MilesOfTexas]

The rope myth has been around as long as I can remember, but I never believed that it would work.  What I do wonder though is if a can of tuna will draw in a cougar so I can get a closeup photo! 

[RichardM]

Just saw True Grit last night. Don't forget to suck out the poison!

Frankly, the snakes in this version looked more like rat snakes than rattlesnakes. The ones in the John Wayne version seemed more realistic. Other than that, the movie was fairly well done.

[Sunny Guy]

Thanks for the interesting replies. As to rather the rope bit is a myth, I would say that is an individual matter. The cowboy who awoke with a snake in his bag would say of course it's a myth. The old cowboy who has always used rope and never shared his bed with a snake would say it is not. As for me, the one time I cowboy camped was in Zion NP. I awoke in the middle of the night and saw a huge skunk a mere 3 feet away. No amount of rope would have prevented his joining me in bed. Fortunately he wandered off, keeping his scent to himself. Since that time I have always relied on a good tent to protect me from the dangers of the wild.
MOT: I've never heard of chumming for cougar. Fine art is always worth pursuing, but what if one can of tuna isn't enough and he gets angry? What if you are more attractive than that can of tuna? Anyway, be careful. I want to see much more of your fantastic fotography!

[MilesOfTexas]

MOT: I've never heard of chumming for cougar. Fine art is always worth pursuing, but what if one can of tuna isn't enough and he gets angry? What if you are more attractive than that can of tuna? Anyway, be careful. I want to see much more of your fantastic fotography!

Well, I could always put it in a rag and tie it to the end of my winch, then 'reel it in'. 

No worries though, I would never do anything like that!!!

[Robert]

While it may be a myth as far as keeping snakes away, I have it on good authority that it will absolutely work on keeping chupacabras away. 

[MilesOfTexas]

While it may be a myth as far as keeping snakes away, I have it on good authority that it will absolutely work on keeping chupacabras away. 

True, but then again, most sickly coyotes don't want to be roped! 

[Red Hawk]

I've been told that it has to be a horse hair rope, not just any old plastic or hemp rope. Something about the pricklys irritating the snake so it turns and just keeps going around.