Tiny shoe buckle, confused snake

[Lodge Scent]

Hiked out to a colonial era spot that I hadn't been to several years. You can see in the pic below why I haven't been there in a while. The site is TOUGH to hunt. Very thick. There is a cellar hole just beyond that tangle of vines. It had only gotten thicker over the years. Just a few small patches clear enough to swing a coil.



Had no luck other than a couple of shot caps. But on the hike out I got a screamer and dug this complete knee buckle or small shoe buckle.



The biggest surprise find of the day was when I pulled into my driveway, got out of my car and almost stepped on this garter snake. I don't recall ever seeing a snake this late in the year. It was very lethargic to say the least with the temps only in the 40's. We had 2 days in the low teens earlier in the week. Maybe all the rain we had last night flooded him out. It made a halfhearted attempt to bite me when I picked it up to put it under my front steps. I had seen a couple hanging around the shrubs near the steps this summer.



Jeff

[Digger_O'Dell]

Cool buckle! Looks wet and tough swinging for sure, and looks like an area I hunted in my area. Had to crawl through the vines and brush to get to the foundation. Wish I could say it was worth it.

[Digger Don]

Congrats on the cool buckle! Nice find for sure!!

[OxShoeDrew]

I glad you're able to get out, Jeff. I tried the day before yesterday but it took 5min to dig one target, trying to break the ice. Cute buckle! Looks like a child's shoe buckle but the boys will chime in.

[aloldstuff]

Jeff, great buckle and good job trying to save the snake.

[The Rebel]

Nice job on the buckle! Those sites are tough but the goodies are in the thick of it, where most people don't go. Bring a pair of lopers or a machete and really get in there.

WTG on saving the snake, they are good at keeping the critters away.

[del]

Just look at the water in that hole ! I was just telling some friends that the conditions are more like early spring after the thaw than late fall . The buckle is a nice one probably just pre 1750's , congrats and keep hitting that place .

[calabash digger]

Nice one!

[Lodge Scent]

Cool buckle! Looks wet and tough swinging for sure, and looks like an area I hunted in my area. Had to crawl through the vines and brush to get to the foundation. Wish I could say it was worth it.

Yeah, I wasn't in the mood to crawl through that stuff DO'D. Last time I was there I actually had a thorn pierce my ear lobe

Congrats on the cool buckle! Nice find for sure!!

I am always happy to get a complete buckle DD. Another 200 and I will catch up to Dan.

I glad you're able to get out, Jeff. I tried the day before yesterday but it took 5min to dig one target, trying to break the ice. Cute buckle! Looks like a child's shoe buckle but the boys will chime in.

Ah Drew, time to head back into the woods my friend where the ground never freezes.

Jeff, great buckle and good job trying to save the snake.

Yeah Al, I considered bringing into the house to let it warm up a bit BUT I am not positive that me or the snake would have gotten a warm welcome from Mrs. Lodge Scent.

Nice job on the buckle! Those sites are tough but the goodies are in the thick of it, where most people don't go. Bring a pair of lopers or a machete and really get in there.

WTG on saving the snake, they are good at keeping the critters away.

Rebel, what that site needs is a good brush fire

Just look at the water in that hole ! I was just telling some friends that the conditions are more like early spring after the thaw than late fall . The buckle is a nice one probably just pre 1750's , congrats and keep hitting that place .

Yep, it was mucky indeed Dan. As the Supreme Bucklemeister Laureate, would you consider that a shoe or knee buckle.

Nice one!

Thanks CD.

[Donnie B]

Nice buckle! Your next one will probably be a snake buckle!

[Lodge Scent]

I hope you are right Donnie!