46th AMBUCS Rattlesnake Roundup coming

By STEVE REAGAN     
Staff Writer
What do you get when you put hundreds, if not thousands, of poisonous snakes in an enclosed space? One of this area's longest-running attractions.

Final preparations are under way for the American Business Club's 46th Rattlesnake Roundup, which returns to the Howard County Fair Barns March 28 and 29.

Hunters will begin bringing snakes in the day before the events begins.

Day passes to the event will be $5 for visitors ages 12 and older and $3 for younger children. Admission is free to the arts and crafts section of the event.

If Mother Nature cooperates, visitors to the roundup will get the opportunity to get a lot closer to large numbers of rattlesnakes than they probably would under normal circumstances.

But organizers are hoping for a break from the recent cool weather.

“The warmer it is, the better the chance we'll have of catching a large number of snakes,” said Ray Alexander, secretary/treasurer of the local AMBUCS.

Simply put, rattlers, which are cold-blooded animals, will go where it's warm. The warmer the weather, the better the chance of catching them outside.

“Last year, we had a lot fewer snakes because the weather was cooler and they stayed in their dens,” said AMBUCS member Dennis Burns. “Hopefully, we'll get a break in the weather and bring in a lot more snakes this year.”

Regardless of the number of snakes on display, however, organizers promise many of the same attractions as in previous years.

For starters, club members will go ankle-deep into the snake pit to give handling demonstrations and tips on how to avoid getting bitten if you happen across one of the creatures.

“It really is an educational program,” Alexander said. “We show them that these snakes can be really dangerous ... and the best way to handle yourself when and if you come up on one.”

Ken Darnell of Alabama will return this year and present a milking demonstration — venom extracted from rattlers is routinely used in medical research. Venom collected at this year's event will be sold to BioTech, a medical firm.

A major draw, as always, will be professional snake handler Jackie Bilby of Fort Worth, who will perform a variety of stunts, including crawling into a sleeping bag full of snakes and putting several rattlers into his mouth.

And, if you prefer your rattlesnakes dead, skinned and cooked, fried snake meat will be on sale.

Alexander said he expects up to 50 vendors for the arts and crafts show, which will be held in conjunction with the roundup.

“It'll be a mixture of items,” he said. “There will be jewelry, there will be caps and other clothing items, candles and lots of other things.”

For more information, contact Burns at 263-3409 or Alexander at 212-3533.

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it