Best venomous handling courses in Vic/QLD

[antaresia_boy]

Hey, it's my 18th in a few days (woo) and I want to do a venomous snake handling course, what's the best place to do it?
Can be in Vic where I live, but I'll be spending a fair bit of time up in QLD so if there is a significantly better one up that way I would consider it.

Thanks, Jamie.

 

[woody101]

If you find one in QLD let me know im looking at doing one also

 

[antaresia_boy]

thanks, will do. Had been thinking about ERD, are they still the best up that way?

 

[ollie]

I did one with snakehandler a few years ago and highly recommend it. Try googling them. Its now a nationally recognised course which is recognised in most workplaces which is an added bonus. Once you've completed a course I would highly recommend you find a 'mentor' someone who is experienced with elapids and can give you some additional help in building your skills/knowledge. Good luck with it.

 

[voodoo]

Snakehandler in both states....Best in Australia!!!. They are sponcers/members of this site. Havent heard a single bad comment about them.

 

[Renenet]

Is it easy to find a mentor? I've been thinking about doing a course myself but don't see the point if I can't continue to practise after it.

 

[jedi_339]

If you want to try and find a venomous snake handling course in QLD, try Martin Fingland from Geckoes wildlife, I did my venomous snake handling course through work and through him, and highly recommend it, I'm not sure if he does private snake courses, however I'm sure it doesn't hurt to flick off an email and check with him, google "geckoes wildlife"

 

[TaraLeigh]

I've done one but I want to do another. With snakehandler. I know a few people who are also interested in doing it. We could get a big group together and do it on the same day maybe?.... If you don't do it in QLD.... that sounds nice.

 

[ollie]

Renet, if you don't know someone already who has experience in handling elapids then joining a local herp society might be good way to meet people and gain more experience. Courses are a great introduction to snake handling giving you the basics, but having a mentor will give you the opportunity to further refine your skills in a controlled environment before you go out on your own. Also depends what field you wan't to get into, keeping or doing relocation work

 

[Renenet]

Thanks Ollie. Was eventually thinking of doing relocation work. It'll have to wait a bit though - things are too unsettled right now.

 

[kawasakirider]

Will this be good on a resume? I just did my construction card course, and one of the questions had a pic of a pipe FULL of adders (I think).

 

[crocodile_dan]

I did both my relocation and husbandry courses with Jonno (ERD) and can't recommend him highly enough, excellent in every aspect.

 

[Snakeluvver2]

I'd rather just go through an individual keeper.... The way courses are advertised really annoys me, it basically tells you can safetly keep Large Elapids after a few days of basic training.

 

[antaresia_boy]

OK, looks like it'll be snakehandler. I'll try to get into the august course, i guess! thanks for input guys.

 

[kawasakirider]

it basically tells you can safetly keep Large Elapids after a few days of basic training.

You're telling me you can't? Pfft... One defensive driving course and the road is your playground mate. Same applies to venomous reptiles.

 

[Naga_Kanya]

I've done one but I want to do another. With snakehandler. I know a few people who are also interested in doing it. We could get a big group together and do it on the same day maybe?.... If you don't do it in QLD.... that sounds nice.

Count me in if he does a group discount!

 

[Mayo]

I'd rather just go through an individual keeper.... The way courses are advertised really annoys me, it basically tells you can safetly keep Large Elapids after a few days of basic training.

I'll second that!

 

[Snakeluvver2]

I should point out only a few courses do that.

 

[$NaKe PiMp]

i did my coarse with Mr textilis,mr scutatus was assistant.Mr porphyriacus gave a hand and mr scutellatus came in and really was helpful. Bigass Mr Australis has some good advice he lent.

 

[antaresia_boy]

haha, I do realise that this isn't going to make me an expert, I just want to do it before I go and play with friends' ones so I have some basic knowledge.