Just killed a rattlesnake. I saw a full-grown rattler winding his way across the yard to our house. I hit him on the head with a shovel, he started rattling his tail, and he was knocked out for a few minutes. Then he got going again.
I went out again, this time with a metal rake, and hit him good once (with the points toward the ground, of course!) While he was stunned, I sprinkled him with lighter fluid -- emphasis on the head -- and lit a match. He roasted for a good minute or so. Seems to have done the trick! Pics later today.