THE TENNESSEAN (Nashville, Tennessee) 11 June 06 Prosecution possible for killer of large snake (Larry Woody)
The hunter who killed what may be the biggest deadly-poisonous cottonmouth on record is reluctant to come forward because he's afraid he will be prosecuted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
It is against the law to kill any species of snake in Tennessee, even a poisonous one. Sonny Richardson, the TWRA's chief of enforcement, said killing a snake is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine and possible jail time.
However, Richardson said there can be extenuating circumstances in which killing a snake is permissible — for example, if the snake presents a threat or danger.
The giant cottonmouth whose photo has created a sensation around the state was killed by a turkey hunter earlier this spring in the Big Sandy area. The hunter said he was returning to his ATV when he discovered the snake coiled nearby and killed it.
Will the hunter be prosecuted if he comes forward?
"I can't say for sure," Richardson said. "Our enforcement officers are given a great deal of discretion. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, and I don't know all the details of this particular case."
Since 1974 it has been illegal to kill or capture any species of snake in Tennessee. Richardson said the law is intended to prevent professional collectors from capturing and selling snakes — or any other reptiles — as well as keep persons from destroying entire dens of snakes for whatever motivations.
He said there have been cases in which violators have been prosecuted.
"Snakes have their place, just like any other creature," Richardson said.
The photo of the monstrous cottonmouth has created a buzz in outdoor circles. One expert said if the snake is as big as it appears to be, it could be the largest cottonmouth ever recorded.
"The largest cottonmouth I've ever seen was 5½ feet long and this one appears to be almost twice that big," said Austin Peay State University's Dr. Floyd Scott, who has studied snakes for 30 years.
Scott said hunters, fishermen, hikers, campers and other outdoorsmen should be alert when in snaky areas, but as a rule snakes are not aggressive and bites are rare.
However, without prompt treatment a bite from a cottonmouth the size of the one in the photo could be fatal.
Prosecution possible for killer of large snake

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