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THE OKLAHOMAN (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) 17 February 06 Snake hunting made less rattling (Ron Jackson)
Rattlesnake hunts just got easier -- slightly.
The state Wildlife Conservation Department will allow folks to purchase a rattlesnake hunting permit at any of Oklahoma's five rattlesnake festivals this year, rather than strictly through the department's Oklahoma City office or the Internet, officials announced Wednesday.
Rattlesnake hunter Ron Orf of Apache is convinced festival towns like his have just avoided a bureaucratic nightmare. Thousands of tourists flock to rattlesnake hunts each spring at festivals in Apache, Mangum, Okeene, Waurika and Waynoka.
"Last year we had some 300 people take part in the rattlesnake hunt," said Orf, whose hometown will host its 23rd festival April 13-16. "We have people coming in from Australia and New Zealand and Japan, just to take part in the rattlesnake hunt. If they wouldn't have made this change, we would have had a lot of people who wouldn't have been able to participate. They wouldn't have been able to get licensed in time.
"Now everyone can purchase a permit on the spot at a minimal fee."
The $5 permits will be good for five days.
The issue nearly reached the state House and Senate floors.
House Bill 2948 by state Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, and state Sen. Daisy Lawler, D-Comanche, called for the state Wildlife Conservation Department to issue rattlesnake hunting licenses to private entities. The bill became unnecessary when the proposal became state policy.
"These community festivals are not only a long standing tradition and important part of our culture, these events are also a big boost to local economies," Dorman said in a written release. "Visitors come from miles around to participate, have a good time with their families and just to see these unique spectacles."
Maxine Thomason, the Mangum Main Street director, is grateful the state agency made it easier for people to take part in these traditional hunts.
"We'll get over 30,000 in town over the weekend," she said. "It's a huge economic impact because the people who come buy gas, eat food, stay overnight and shop at our stores ... I'm glad they made the change."
Thomason also found an amusing side to the announcement.
"You know, these snake hunters are very independent people," she mused. "They have a plainsman-like attitude. And they take these hunts very serious.
"I'd sure hate to be the ones to tell them they would have to fill out more paperwork."
http://newsok.com/article/1764073/?template=news/main
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

It looks like Oklahoma has no plans to stop this anytime soon..
I cannot believe this. I am speechless.

I guess hunting Bison was too, right?.....look what nearly happened to them. That's too bad.

Don't be surprised; it's Oklahoma. Rattlesnake roundups truly are engrained in the culture of many rural people. The events will be incredibly difficult to stop in this state. There's also a legal crow season here. Yep, a legal season to kill something for the sake of killing it.
Shane
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Shane's Herp Lifelist
http://www.geocities.com/shane77@sbcglobal.net/my_page.html

On that comment, here in Ohio, Crow can be killed year round. There is no closed season on any "varmint" animals such as crow and coyote.

Chris

>>Don't be surprised; it's Oklahoma. Rattlesnake roundups truly are engrained in the culture of many rural people. The events will be incredibly difficult to stop in this state. There's also a legal crow season here. Yep, a legal season to kill something for the sake of killing it.
>>Shane
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>>Shane's Herp Lifelist
>>http://www.geocities.com/shane77@sbcglobal.net/my_page.html
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org

You may want to re-check the crow season there in Ohio, Chris. I wouldn't want you to be wrong, though regardless of season or lack thereof, it's ridiculous.
Shane
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Shane's Herp Lifelist
http://www.geocities.com/shane77@sbcglobal.net/my_page.html

Shane,

You are right. I just checked them and the hunting laws have certainly changed within the last several years. I used to be a hunter myself but kinda got out of it within the last several years. At that time, there was no closed season for crow as they were considered "varmints". I still have the 2000 hunting regs book stating that. Now it looks as if they have actually added a bag limit plus you are only allowed to hunt them on fridays, saturdays and sundays. However, personally as long as the animal is being put to good use (e.g... actually using it for food, etc.) then I am not actually against it. I am only against hunters who simply kill the animals to kill it and allow the remains to go to waste.

Chris

>>You may want to re-check the crow season there in Ohio, Chris. I wouldn't want you to be wrong, though regardless of season or lack thereof, it's ridiculous.
>>Shane
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>>Shane's Herp Lifelist
>>http://www.geocities.com/shane77@sbcglobal.net/my_page.html
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U.A.P.P.E.A.L.
Uniting A Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League
www.uappeal.org