nomansland4404, not all "big tough bowhunters" are created equal
I grew up outside Detroit and have never seen the only poisonous snake in Michigan. I used to play with the non-poisonous ones, letting garter snakes crawl up my sleeves, etc. Then, for some unknown reason, I developed a phobia of snakes. There is simply no way I could touch one now.
I spent some time at Fort Sill OK, and Fort Hood TX and developed a healthy respect for their rattlers. St Louis, MO taught me to respect copperheads and water moccasins.
The only snake I have killed was a copperhead in our fireplace woodpile. He scarred the snot out of me and got his head smashed before I even thought about it. I will help a snake across a road to keep it from being run over if I can find a stick long enough.
I can approach a snake if I see it well in advance, but if I look down and see I'm standing on, or about to be stepping on a snake, it's either heart attack time or new world record long jump time.
For some it's heights, for some spiders, for me it's snakes. Just can't help it.