HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. – A man was bitten by a copperhead at Latta Plantation in Huntersville Tuesday.
A witness told NBC Charlotte that the man was standing on the banks fishing on a trail when he was bitten by the snake. The man was taken by ambulance to Novant Hospital and is expected to be okay, according to Long Creek Fire Department.
Reported snake bites have nearly quadrupled from this time last year, according to a report released Monday by the Carolinas Poison Center. In April, officials received 71 calls about snake bites, which is up from just 19 calls this time last year.
Fellow fisherman James Wilkerson says he has seen snakes in the water and steers clear of the woods out of fear of what's lurking.
"This is the worst time to really be walking the trail," Wilkerson said. "I don't go down there."
Wilkerson says the victim was in the woods when the snake bit him.
"Next thing I know, they were loading him up on a gurney," he recalled.
Allen Eckman with A-1 Wildlife said his company has been extremely busy this season, including seven calls for snakes on Monday.
“Three to four times the amount of snake calls than I’ve ever got,” Eckman said.
"Right now, it's hot, they have come out and they're looking, those snakes are looking for something to do, and if you step on one, you'll know it," Wilkerson said.