Snakes don't bother me if they're not poisonous! But since I moved from Iowa to Arkansas...it's a whole different ballgame! I went to a seminar at the library that was put on by the Game & Fish Dept. of AR and they gave me a book about an inch thick about all the poisonous snakes in Arkansas....YIKES BATMAN! I can't find the book but I saw a snake similar to the one in your picture, in my own yard and I think someone said it was a black snake (duh!)and that it was harmless and is good for rodents....but I wouldn't take that to the bank! LOL!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!" Farmgirl Sister #226