froggy
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Thought everyone would enjoy this article from the Abilene newspaper about the Sweetwater rattlesnake roundup:
"Rattler at round-up neared record
By LLuvia Mares / maresl@reporternews.com
March 13, 2006
Most people run away when they see a rattlesnake, but more than 30,000 people made their way to Sweetwater over the weekend just to catch a glimpse of the critters.
The Sweetwater Jaycees put on the 48th annual Rattlesnake Round-Up in the Nolan County Coliseum. The round-up bills itself as the world's largest and has continued growing since 1958.
Richard Ferguson, KXOX 96.7FM announcer, said this year the round-up netted 13,542 pounds of live Western diamondback rattlesnakes - the fourth largest total in round-up history.
That figure compared to last year's 10,212 pounds. Total pounds caught in the round-up's 48 years is 284,152.
The round-up was conceived by a group of ranchers in an effort to get rid of snakes that raised havoc with their livestock, according to a Rattlesnake Round-Up news release.
At this year's version, 41 snake-hunting teams scavenged the area in search of the biggest, meanest, and heaviest rattlesnakes around.
The victors of the hunt were the Cliff Seekers team, which captured a total of 1,456 pounds of rattlesnakes. Second place went to HLH with 1,422 pounds. Steve Rives came in third with 1,392 pounds. All teams got a cash prize and trophies.
This year's largest snake measured 6 feet 8 inches and was captured by Eric Tomaus. The length fell an inch short of setting a record for largest rattlesnake captured in the round-up's history.
The weekend event launched on Thursday with the Miss Snake Charmer beauty pageant and the Rattlesnake Review Parade. Sara Warren, a student at Colorado High School, was named Miss Snake Charmer.
Spectators not only got to see rattlesnakes up close, they also learned how to handle and milk them, too.
And, for the adventurous, a fried rattlesnake-eating contest was held. Sammy Sanchez beat nine others to take the title. The amount that Sanchez ate was not available Sunday.
BY THE NUMBERS
13,542 - pounds of live Western diamondback rattlesnakes captured this year - fourth largest total in round-up history
10,212 - pounds caught in 2005
48 - years the round-up has existed
284,152 - total pounds of rattlesnakes in 48 years
17,986 - most pounds captured in one year (1982)
16,086 - second largest round-up (1986)
15,053 - third largest round-up (1983)"
"Rattler at round-up neared record
By LLuvia Mares / maresl@reporternews.com
March 13, 2006
Most people run away when they see a rattlesnake, but more than 30,000 people made their way to Sweetwater over the weekend just to catch a glimpse of the critters.
The Sweetwater Jaycees put on the 48th annual Rattlesnake Round-Up in the Nolan County Coliseum. The round-up bills itself as the world's largest and has continued growing since 1958.
Richard Ferguson, KXOX 96.7FM announcer, said this year the round-up netted 13,542 pounds of live Western diamondback rattlesnakes - the fourth largest total in round-up history.
That figure compared to last year's 10,212 pounds. Total pounds caught in the round-up's 48 years is 284,152.
The round-up was conceived by a group of ranchers in an effort to get rid of snakes that raised havoc with their livestock, according to a Rattlesnake Round-Up news release.
At this year's version, 41 snake-hunting teams scavenged the area in search of the biggest, meanest, and heaviest rattlesnakes around.
The victors of the hunt were the Cliff Seekers team, which captured a total of 1,456 pounds of rattlesnakes. Second place went to HLH with 1,422 pounds. Steve Rives came in third with 1,392 pounds. All teams got a cash prize and trophies.
This year's largest snake measured 6 feet 8 inches and was captured by Eric Tomaus. The length fell an inch short of setting a record for largest rattlesnake captured in the round-up's history.
The weekend event launched on Thursday with the Miss Snake Charmer beauty pageant and the Rattlesnake Review Parade. Sara Warren, a student at Colorado High School, was named Miss Snake Charmer.
Spectators not only got to see rattlesnakes up close, they also learned how to handle and milk them, too.
And, for the adventurous, a fried rattlesnake-eating contest was held. Sammy Sanchez beat nine others to take the title. The amount that Sanchez ate was not available Sunday.
BY THE NUMBERS
13,542 - pounds of live Western diamondback rattlesnakes captured this year - fourth largest total in round-up history
10,212 - pounds caught in 2005
48 - years the round-up has existed
284,152 - total pounds of rattlesnakes in 48 years
17,986 - most pounds captured in one year (1982)
16,086 - second largest round-up (1986)
15,053 - third largest round-up (1983)"
