Last week, a woman suffered a fatal rattlesnake bite in Paulden, Ariz., The Yuma Sun reported.

Randy Smith of the Arizona Fish and Game Department said snakes go into hibernation in November and remain inactive until March. But in the meantime, they are more likely at this time of year to be active during the day, sunning themselves in open spaces.

Smith said even bites of venomous snakes like the sidewinder and Mojave rattlesnake are rarely fatal, and most snakes are not venomous. But he said anyone bitten by a snake should get medical attention as soon as possible and not try to treat the bite themselves.

Violet Coburn was bitten by a sidewinder in the Barry Goldwater Range in 2003 and spent two weeks in the hospital. The 77-year-old woman said she still likes to hike -- but now she watches where she steps.