I wondered about that. I have lived all my life in snake and gator country, too. There've been mighty few instances with copperheads, tho' I do see them on the farm from time to time. Most of my close calls have been with canebrake rattlers and cottonmouths. I should have added that I was referring to shooting it with that derringer. Last one I shot with a short barreled pistol was with my .45 ACP and I plugged one ear with an offhand finger while I took aim at it's head. Do that, and turn your other ear away and it helps a lot. I once shot a feral cat that was hunting quail in a hedgerow with that .45, out my truck window. My ears rang for the rest of the day.
Used to drive through your neck of the woods going to McClellanville for the SC State M/L Shoot, which was held there once every three years, at the Charlestowne Longrifles Club. I well remember the devastation to that part of the world, and especially the Frances Marion National Forest, after Hugo blew through.
Best to you, SRH