Duval County Picture (San Diego, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 12, 1989 Page: 17 of 30
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Compliments
"GOOD LUCK
RATTLESNAKE
394-5201 OR 394-6677
E. HWY 44
FREER, TEXAS
I
Snake hunting requires
important safety rules
The Rattlesnake Round Up origi-
nated as the Freer Oil-O-Rama in 1965,
but approximately 20 years ago, em-
phasis shifted to the rattlesnake hunt
and related contests, and the event was
renamed the Rattlesnake Round up.
Caution should be taken in hunting
rattlesnakes. Hunters must have a valid
Texas hunting license. Here arc some
safely tips in hunting rattlesnakes.
1. Wear protective snake leggings.
These arc hard plastic and are shields
much like that worn by the baseball
catcher, and arc snake-bite proof. They
fit on the top of the foot, over the boot,
to the knee, and may extend over the
knee.
2. Have a snake catcher. This is a
long pole, approximately five feet in
length, with i leather loop or a metal
clamp at one end, and a lever at the other
end to activate the clamp or loop.
3. Have a snake carrier. Many use
burlap bags, but a rattlesnake is able to
bite through burlap, so these arc unwise
to use. A sturdy box is the best thing to
use. it is usually quite large and it is
covered on at least two sides with wire.
One side should l)e made of all small-
gauge wire for ve dilation.
4. Most importantly, have a first aid
kit with an up-to-date snake bite kit. (A
modem snake bite kit will have the
If the hunter is not entered inteh contest,
the snake will still be eligible to be sold.
Pre-established criteria sets the
guidelines for the sale, adnthe price of
live rattlesnakes varies much like the
price of gold. Orices, in 1989 have
varied from $2 to $9 per pound.
The captured snakes are then taken
to the professional snake handlers
where they are removed from the snake
carriers. If the hunter is entered in the
contest, the snake will then be
stretched, measured and weighed. If the
hunter is not entered in the contest, the
snake will just be weighed.
At this point, the snake will go into
one of the two large snake pits at the
Rattlesnake Round Up for visitors to
observe. The snake may also be milked
to gel the venom from his fangs and
venom sacs. This is done by the snake
handlers forcing the snake’s mouth
open with the fangs protruding (there
are usually two fangs, sometimes four).
Then the fangs are placed inside a
glass jar and as the rattler attempts to
retract the fangs, the venom is forced
from the sacs into the glass jar. This
poison is used for medical research.
The snake may also be butchered,
skinned and eaten. If this is the choice,
there is nowastc. .
The skins arc bought at a premium
, . ~ ~ ------ iinmo aii/ ia/u^iii at a 1.1111 ui 1 ■
package in it with two pouches. When pricc for tanning, like leather, and made
these two pouches are broken inside a into hats, clothing, belts, wallets, boots
bigger pouch, it automatically makes a and numerous other goods. The meat is
liquid that freezes. Never use a toumi
quet with a snake bite or any other
injury unless you are medically quali-
fied since this can cost you an aim or leg
if not properly applied.
Hunters travel out to one of the
ranches in the area that allows snake
hunting. Many folks that come to the
snake hunt will ride up and down the
highway around here at night to find the
rattlers. It seems after the sun goes
down, the rattlers really enjoy crawling
upon the pavement of a highway and
soaking up the warmth retained from
the hot sun. Artificial means, such as
gasoline, fires, torches, smoke bombs.
cut in approximately three inch chunks,
dipped in com meal and deep fried until
golden brown and sold.
The taste is a cross between fish and
chicken. The gall bladders arc consid-
ered a delicacy among Oriental people.
The heads arc bought for decorations on
hats, belts, desh ornaments and many
other items. The rattlers are used in
untold crafts and decorations from ear-
rings to hat bands.
The rattlesnake cannot be “at-
tracted”, as rattling deer horns can at-
tract another deer. The rattler cannot
sec very well for very far. So he may lie
and wait beside a well-used animal trail
etc., are not used in this area to get the in the brush. He is very sensitive and
rattlesnakes out of,thcir dens. can feel the slightest vibration as his
The hunt is by obse rvation, guessing prcy approaches; he will also sense the
and lots of foot yrork. For example, warmth from its body. He will strike
there may be a large cactus with a rat's (bite) the innocent prcy.
nest in the bottom. The nest should be A rattlesnake will never cat any-
carcfully raked, prodded, and probed in thing that is dead. Therefore, he injects
an attempt to scare out a snake. enough venom in it to stun or paralyze
If one docs come out, take the long it. He will then unhinge his jaws and
snake catcher and carefully secure the swallow the animal whole, using a
loop or clamp around the snake’s neck, wave-like constriction to push the ani-
about six inches behind the head (this mal further inside his body. The rattle-
•!T^atC arca‘s suhfcct lobneak cas- snake will lie quietly until he is able to
ily). Then carefully lift and place the digest it. A rather small rattlesnake of
snake in the box. ) two and one half feet can swallow a
Upon releasing the lever, the loop or
clamp is loosened enough that the snake
can crawl out.
Rattlesnakes are caught for two pri-
mary reasons. If the hunter is property
entered in tch snake contest, there are
prizes to be had fordiffcrcnt categories.
whole rabbit.
Although the rattlers on a rattle-
snake will act as a warning that the
snake is near, it is not until after he has
bitten or struck his prey that a ratle-
snakc rattles.
Page 10B
&ut>al County picture
Wednesday, April 12,1989
v -m + A
Compliments
of
FREER
PUMP-N-SHOP
Conoco Gasoline & Diesel
"Enjoy Rattlesnake
Round Up 89"
The Largest in South Texas
_ i < T
Highway 44 East
Freer, Texas
394-5253
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Cardenas, Alfredo E. Duval County Picture (San Diego, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 12, 1989, newspaper, April 12, 1989; San Diego, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1053258/m1/17/?q=music: accessed June 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .