58th Annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup Sets New Record

Mark Sager of Sweetwater has been a Jaycee since 1984. During the 58th annual Rattlesnake Round-Up today in his hometown, he said, "The hunters bring the boxes of snakes in, we separate them out, milk them, and then they go to the research pit. We keep track of what area they were caught in from the hunters, and that information is then sent to Austin for the Texas Parks and Wildlife data bank." Sager explained that once the snakes are recorded and processed, they are sold for meat consumption, and the skin makes various novelties such as belts, hat bands, wallets, etc.

The Nolan County Coliseum and Fairgrounds is the setting for the world's largest rattlesnake round-up event for Sager and his fellow Sweetwater Jaycees. The Round-Up started Thursday March 10 and will continue through Sunday March 13. Some of the scheduled items include: Guided Hunts, snake eating, the longest beard contests, a cook-off (Sanctioned by IBCA), and a dance at the Jaycee Barn on Saturday night. The Sweetwater Rifle and Pistol Club Gun, Knife and Coin Show are in the exhibit building next door, and there is a carnival offering an "all day pass" for $25.00 (all you can ride).  

At the Coliseum today, the snake pits outlined the floor. Towards the center sat various vendor booths selling a variety of foods, crafts, soaps and lotions, stuffed animals and other novelties. Visitors of all ages lined the fronts of the snake booths that offered everything from snake head necklaces, key chains, bracelets, wall hangings, and even mason jars labeled "snake oil."

Leah Andrews, executive vice president of Sweetwater and Nolan Counties Chamber of Commerce, said, "Maybe one of the biggest misconceptions people may have is they think this event is damaging the rattlesnake population, when, in fact, it is a method of population control. We want the ecology to stay in balance; do not want to damage it; and work very closely with Texas A & M and the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife." 

Andrews added that her office also receives many phone calls from individuals wondering if they need to wear their snake boots to the event because they think the snakes are allowed to roam around freely. That's another misconception.

"Rattlesnakes can be very dangerous--and even deadly--and it is very costly to treat a bite, so educating the public is one of the numerous benefits of this event." 

Andrews also stated Sweetwater's population is around 12,000, and the town expects 30,000 people to attend this event throughout the weekend. Andrews noted that she's very appreciative and grateful for the countless ways the Sweetwater Jaycees contribute to the community and surrounding areas.

"It seems like whenever there is a need, the Jaycees are there to serve," she said.

And of course, there's the snakes, the draw of the event. The Jaycees know the snakes like the back of their West Texas hands.

In regards to the snakes' habitat, Sager explained, "One area is about as good as another just as long as they can get access to food, water, and shelter; I've even found one in my front yard in a residential neighborhood." Sager said he's never been bit, and, with a smile, he added, "Mama said if I get bit I can't play anymore." 

Mark's brother, David Sager, has also been a Jaycee since 1979, has a love for the snakes, and runs the educational "demonstration pit."
 
At the skinning table, Del Riley looked up and assured the many wonder-struck onlookers if they had any questions, he'd be happy to answer them. He said he started partaking in the event four years ago when a buddy asked him to come help out, and he was "hooked." The Army veteran said, "I don't mind snakes; they're critters like everything else."  As he continued the processing of a snake, Riley said, "As soon as the heads are removed, they are put in a bucket because just as when you cut the head off a chicken, the muscles still contract, and, with snakes, they will still reflexively bite." He added they are "very careful when handling them as at no time do we ever put ourselves in danger."  

Riley added that an additional bonus to partaking in the event is the boost to the economy. He said a recent economic impact study showed that the Rattlesnake Round-Up brought in $8.4 million dollars to the Sweetwater area, and all proceeds are put back into the community. The Jaycees help the local Boy and Girl Scouts, youth sports teams, and they provide for and host many community events such as the Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Meal and Easter festivities. 

"Our last Thanksgiving dinner fed over 800 people who would otherwise have gone without a meal," said Riley. "When we hold our Easter Egg Hunt, it takes over two hours to put out 250,000 eggs, and five minutes for the kids to pick them up. I love it, and the more people who come out and get involved, the better."

Walter Matschek has been a Jaycee since 2001 and remembered when photos were taken by Polaroid. His table had many photos shellacked into the top of it that showed smiling children posing by or holding snake remnants.  He described the tanning process for those who wanted to skin their own snake and take it home. One of his assistants, 16-year-old Daniel Richards, who said it was his first time to help in the event, rolled up the freshly processed snake skins. He said it was a little bit "gross and slimy," but that won't keep him from tasting snake meat for the first time.

Overall, the Jaycees set a new record of 25,000 pounds of snakes collected this year. Last year, they collected 20,000. To see the Sweetwater Jaycees in action, they, along with the Chamber of Commerce, invite everyone to come out this weekend and bring the family.  

Part of the Jaycees' mission is to empower young active citizens to create positive change in their communities. They believe that faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life, and that service to humanity is the best work of life. "Jaycees" stands for Junior Chamber of Commerce and it is an international organization with nearly 200,000 young active citizens and over five million alumni – including several world leaders. JCI chapters are spread over more than 5,000 local communities and over 100 countries around the world.

For more information on the Rattlesnake Round-Up and the Sweetwater Jaycees, go to http://www.rattlesnakeroundup.net and "Rattlesnake Roundup Sweetwater TX" on Facebook. Fore more information on the many family-oriented events to come, visit the Sweetwater Chamber of Commerce at http://sweetwatertexas.org.