Snake hunters

NASA

NASA

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It's getting to be about that time of year, again. Anyone else out there enjoy rattlesnake hunting? If you've never been to a round-up, you are missing some genuine old time showmanship. The handlers put on a show that is guaranteed to amaze even the harshest critic. If you've never participated in the actual "round-up" part of the event, you're missing a chance to get up close and personal with a really fascinating creature. There may be a round-up coming to a town near you. Here's a schedule. http://www.rattlesnakerecipe.us/roundup.htm


And if you can find one with Jackie Bibby performing, you better bring your camera! http://www.texsnakeman.com/

 
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And if you can find one with NASA performing, you better bring your camera!




Now THAT'S what I want to see... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I think I read in the Post there was one this weekend in Sweetwater, TX... Years ago they had roundups out in Springfield, CO..... We went to a couple of those and enjoyed em. Haven't heard about one being held there in a long time.
 
I usually go to the round up in Cross Forks, Pa. The state championship is held there every year. The last 2 years, guys have gotten bit during the bagging competition. It is an all around good way to spend the weekend.
 
I met Bibby and some of the other handlers at the Alamagordo round-up. Very interesting people! I watched their whole being change character when they climbed into the pit to sort snakes a few hours before the show. They become unbelievably focused. The guy you were having a casual conversation with a minute ago is now a tightly coiled spring. Everything he does is premeditated. This is not a "show personna", it's a survival mode. Rattlesnakes never "tame down" like most constrictors will. The only thing predictable about them is that they will bite, and usually when you least expect it.

Hidalgo, don't hold your breath waiting to see me crawl into a sleeping bag with 80 rattlesnakes. I love to catch them, but after my last divorce I've given up sleeping with snakes! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Colorado has a rattlesnake season in the summer so I will be heading out. I keep things like tarantulas, scorpions, centipedes, and (non-venomous)snakes. So I'm tempted to catch a couple rather than just shoot them.
But I will restrict myself to simply popping a few for some snake meat dinner.

I usually take my .22LR six shooter pistol (using the pellet 'rat shot' ammo) and maybe my 20 gauge side by side shotgun. Fun cause it's not so gear intensive other than snake boots and lots of water
 
I have never been involved in something like that, but would like to maybe one day. I seem to have a fascination with snakes.
 
NASA,
How do you like this puppie? I shot him couple yrs. ago with .357 Mag. He was curled up and I hit him in the neck and bullet then went thru the middle section made a big hole as you can see. Well when I picked him up I saw this junk hanging out of the hole and thought it was his guts. Well I shook it and out fell this rat which was about 6 inches long and not even digested yet. He must have just got him not too long before I shot him. Eastern Timber rattler was 52 inches long. I didn't kill him in Pa. cause we're not supposed to kill them here without a permit of some kind. I also have a pic. of his head and fangs if I can find it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
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I found the pic of his head. Fangs were approx. 9/16ths long. Would not have wanted to let him sink those boys in me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif BTW thanks for the link about the snake hunts. I've always wanted to go up to that one in Morris Pa. but never did. I may go this year. Its only about 150 miles from my house.

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Gimmebeer,
I stand corrected. I had a brain fart...I meant Timber Rattler not a Diamond back...I know better than that. sorry. Must have been having a glass of wine when I typed that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
 
I knew of the one in Noxen but didnt realize how many other roundups were in PA. Thanks for the info

Quote:
black phase and a yellow phase timber



Same with up here in NEPA. I know of 1 good den and great locations to find both.
I thought the black phase around here was them evloving because of the enviorment living around the black coal rail road beds.
 
I think I am going to get me one of those wranglin' sticks and go search the desert for some. I hate snakes, but it is already in the 80's out here, too hot to hunt anything else.
 
When I worked at the SSES near Berwick, I found a yellow phase in the parking lot. Barely 3' long. People were freaking out, so I threw it in the back of the truck and let it go on the way back to Allentown. Only timber I've ever run across.
 
They don't do any good that other non-venomous snakes don't do as well and they can do enormous damage. While a bite is rarely fatal, a course of anti venom treatment can run $30,000. Even with the treatment, if a person who hasn't already attained full growth (teen or kid) is bitten, the further development of the leg they were bitten on will normally be stunted.

I leave other snakes alone, and have even transferred them to safer areas. I kill rattlers.
 
The last 2 years, guys have gotten bit during the bagging competition. It is an all around good way to spend the weekend.




Yep, gettin' bit by a timber rattler, now that's a
COOL way to spend a weekend.
 
You know that's not what he meant. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif But it does add to the excitement. Just like crashes at the Indy 500 or an endo at a motocross event. People come to expect it, and are actually disappointed if it doesn't happen.

But there are usually a lot of other activities going on at a round-up. Swap meets, vendors, food stalls, and there are always the handfull of Anti's that show up and are good for a few laughs. Eating fried rattler in front of them usually makes their knees buckle. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 


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