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In the same way there are bird and fish identification books, there are snake and spider books. Getting these books is probably a good investment. There are probably only a few spiders that are dangerous in your area, and they should be well known. Ask around; for instance in Georgia we pretty much only have to worry about the Black Widow and Brown Recluse. Snakes are a little easier; look out for a diamond-shaped head which is the trademark of a viper. Cottonmouth, rattlesnake, copperhead, its all the same. The exception is the coral snake, which is pretty easy to ID. "Red touches yellow, kill a fellow."
I highly advise getting a snake and spider book before you pick up something you don't recognise. You will probably see the same few species in your area, which are probably harmless, but it is the exception which is the most dangerous.
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