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YORK DAILY RECORD (Pennsylvania) 03 August 03 Real rattlesnake hunters don’t kill their prey (David G. Mcfadden)
I noticed an interesting and informative article on the front page of the York Daily Record (YDR, July 14). It referenced rattlesnake hunting, the number of rattlesnake possession permits issued this year, and that rattlesnake hunters must annually report the number of snakes “killed” within a given season.
On behalf of my nephew, Jason Smith, my niece, Becky Smith, and many other rattlesnake hunters across the state of Pennsylvania, I would like to inform readers that the true rattlesnake “hunters” do not kill any snakes they capture.
The three of us are proud members of the Keystone Reptile Club and the Mon-River Reptile Association. Both of these clubs offer organized snake hunts throughout the state, which include many snake-oriented activities for children and adults. The overall idea behind the clubs is to help raise funding for volunteer fire companies and sportsmen’s associations, while promoting and enhancing public education and conservation in conjunction with snakes of all kinds, both venomous and non-venomous.
The Keystone Reptile Club is an extremely friendly and family-style organization that strives to teach all in attendance that snakes are necessary links within the ecosystem and should not be harmed or molested in any way. The members of KRC will always go above and beyond to answer questions and to get folks directly involved with snakes in a safe and educational setting. KRC routinely invites children of all ages into the “pit” to get a close, hands-on look at a variety of non-venomous snakes and they provide a children’s sacking contest as well.
The Mon-River Reptile Association offers most of the same things but is on a little bit more of an adult level, and handlers are permitted by club rules to consume alcohol while exhibiting snakes and during the sacking contests.
There exists a unique brotherhood among the “true” rattlesnake hunters. Handling venomous snakes is a fairly dangerous sport/pastime. For a successful and knowledgeable hunter, it provides for many adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing experiences. Just finding a rattlesnake sunning itself on a rock can be a memorable moment. Capturing that snake without harming it or being bitten is another story completely and should never be attempted by anyone who is not well-educated in these procedures.
KRC and Mon-River entice veteran hunters to find and bring in the very biggest rattlesnakes and copperheads they can. Prizes are given for such in several categories. But, once the snakes that are brought in are measured, sexed, weighed and exhibited, they are given back to the individual hunter and he/she must return them to the exact location where found and release them perfectly healthy and completely unharmed.
Rattlesnake season runs from the second week in June through the last week in July. The reason for this particular timeframe is to avoid interruption with the birthing process of new rattlers. Oftentimes, a hunter will encounter a “gravid” (pregnant) female rattlesnake. Veteran hunters can tell right away if a particular rattlesnake is gravid and will leave her right where she was found without disturbing her. This is to prevent stressing of the female while she is carrying her young.
The Pennsylvania timber rattlesnake is on the “protected” list and the “true” rattlesnake hunters go out of their way to keep them from reaching the “endangered” list. Pennsylvania’s timber rattlesnake is not aggressive. Contrary to popular belief, they do not hide in the grass or rocks and wait for a human being to walk by so they can bite them. They simply wish to be left alone to carry out their mission in life. Which is to eat, sleep and procreate. Timber rattlesnakes will always try to avoid human contact. They do not want to share space with us.
Accidents happen. Folks are sometimes bitten by venomous snakes through absolutely no fault of their own. When this occurs, it is extremely important to remain very calm and to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
We have witnessed quite a few rattlesnake bites and the results of those bites. One fellow lost a third of his hand due to mishandling a western diamondback last year in a sacking contest. The same man was bitten again this year on his leg by a timber rattlesnake while he was hunting them.
Another fellow was bitten last year at the KRC state championship diamondback sacking contest and again last Saturday by a timber rattlesnake while he was out hunting them. He apparently lost his footing in a rocky area and when he put his hand out in front of him to catch himself, the snake bit him.
The venom that copperheads and rattlesnakes carry is called a “hemo-toxin,” which means that the venom will attack one’s blood and tissue. The venom deteriorates the blood and tissue naturally. It is part of the digestive process for these snakes.
For anyone who is contemplating trying their hand at hunting rattlesnakes, we urge you to arrange to go with a veteran or experienced hunter. If you desire hunting rattlesnakes to kill them — stay home. We don’t want you out there.
If readers have questions, I will be glad to answer them if I can. If I cannot, I’ll refer you to the proper parties.
Real rattlesnake hunters don’t kill their prey

Pretty good article. Nothing really to complain about for once. Looks like the press finnaly did a good job regarding snakes and its good to see somthing positive amungust all of the negative revolving around this hobby.

Thanks for the article Wes!

J

im glad that you do not kill the snakes but most do so i still hate rattel snake hunting. Nothing agenst you if a snake hunts where by your morols i would hunt thim to,

im glad that you do not kill the snakes but most do so i still hate rattel snake hunting. Nothing agenst you if all snake hunts where by your morols i would hunt thim to,