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I've been reading a bit about the so called rattle snake roundups, and I am wondering how these are legal, or even justified. Most ranchers that I have talked to that support these "festivals" say that rattlesnakes are a danger to their live stock and, therefore, should be allowed. To me, the U.S. imports most of its lamb wool and meats from foreign sources and does not depend heavily on domestic uses of livestock. The point I'm trying to make is that the rattlesnake is a native species and is being descriminated against in favor of a ferrel animal that is not even needed.
This first arguement is a simple logical arguement, and does not even touch on the animal rights aspect. The whole idea of rattlesnake round ups baffel me. Its just so sad....
Eliot Stone
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Revenue. Think of how much money a place like Sweetwater will make when it attracts tons of people from around the state (which is quite sickening). It was started as a population control method and is now just a freak show for idiots to prove they are just that, idiots.
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Andy Maddox
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Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

What exactly is a rattlesnake roundup? I have an idea, but am curious to know more.
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In roundups they will send gas into dens and collect as many snakes as possible. Then they take them to the "festival" where they kill them and skin them. This is, of course, only after they see how many snakes jim bob can get in a sleeping bag with. The whole things is stupid. EP
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interstingly enough Reptile Magazine just mentioned the bizarre legality of roundups in Georgia. Apparently in Georgia roundups are legal but keeping cornsnakes isn't. Check it out in this month's issue it's worth a look.
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I agree that this is an abhorrent practice. I would also say that rattlesnakes pose little or no actual threat to livestock. They are however indigenous animals that are irreplaceable in the ecosystem. Stopping these roundups will require new legislation. You will need to get laws passed providing minimal bag limits for the animals. I would also think necessary legislation to prohibit snakeskin and snakehead novelties, boots, hatbands etc. It takes a lot of effort to get laws passed and unfortunately rattlesnakes have few benefactors. I believe it would be worth the effort.

Randy Hallman

The point not being addressed here is that for a number of small towns the "Festival" constitutes a large part of the town's annual income. Smart legislators do not destroy a towns's economy in the name of doing what is right.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

The legislation needed would have to be in response to State wide lobbying. It is true that a few small towns would lobby against it but the majority of a states population would not be economically affected. There are multiple interest groups that could be tapped in assisting with pushing legislation. No legislative majority is going to have a fiduciary relationship with the few small towns in question. I also doubt that a town could prove that it needed the rattlesnake roundup to survive. Legislative efforts would also prompt these towns, if their governing entities have any brains at all, to start developing new economic paradigms. I believe beyond doubt that there exists a lot more resources to abolish the roundups than there exists to keep it. Legislative change will have to occur at the state level because it is not a Federal issue and because the local communities involved will not pass such legislation. Fish and Game regulations are State issues anyway. The point is you must lobby the State and not the town or county. The first step is learning the legislative process of the particular state and then organizing. People must be recruited to donate their time and money must be raised. Legislative proposals must be placed on the ballot or on the agenda of the state senate. Voters must be educated as to what the roundup is and as to why it is wrong. They must be exposed to the ecological importance of rattlesnakes. A states economy is better served by keeping rodents in check and the ecological system in balance than by the roundups. The BIGGEST problem is reptile people as a community. They are afraid of regulations involving reptiles as this may affect species they want to collect. Many reptile enthusiasts like to collect large numbers themselves. It is very unfortunate that as a potential interest group reptile enthusiasts tend to have an adversarial relationship with legislative authorities rather a cooperative relationship. Getting laws passed to abolish the roundups will take time, effort, and resources but its accomplishment defiantly possible.

Randy Hallman

I like where you are going with this, but I have to tell you....I lived for three years in the Atlanta area. Drumbing up the votes necessary to accomplish your legislation is not very likely. lets just say there is not very much sympathy there for reptiles of any kind.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

It takes organized interest group(s) willing to continue the effort. It will not occur in one or two legislative cycles. I guarantee it can eventually succeed. It is well documented that the more an issue is repeated the more support it acquires. But you may be right that it is too difficult. Let us not waste our time with it and let those who don't know, don't care, or who just hate snakes influence the legislation.

(Not trying to be sarcastic. Just illuminating the alternative to inaction)

Randy Hallman

np
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Andy Maddox
AIM: SurfAndSkimTx04
MSN: Poloboy32486@hotmail.com
Yahoo:surfandskimtx04
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Burgundy baby, With your blue eyed soul, You play the hits and I'm on that roll, Capricorn sister, Freddie Mercury, Jupiter Child cry

to badd its not only just rattler roundups, if ya ask me ppl are always tryin to prove there stupidity, One.