I hope not. I expect Opp and the surrounding countryside are more beset by rodents than venomous serpents. Give the Eastern Diamondbacks their space and let them become the large rat-eating snakes God intended.
It’s a shame. These festivals are one of the reasons that not only eastern diamondback numbers have plummeted, but also gopher tortoises and eastern indigo snakes. Traditionally, the tortoise burrows were gassed, which killed and/or drove out anything inside. I don’t know how they do it now, but needlessly killing threatened species is a waste. And I say this as an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
How destructive , do you know how some in the past collected these snakes , by pouring gas down the shared holes of endangered species like the gopher tortoise, these holes are shared by many species and give them protection from wildfires , the kill all snakes mentality has to stop , and it is so sad that people use the bible to justify killing all snakes !
Nice try. They do NOT taste like chicken. They taste like a combination of an old rubber tire and a snake. Just about what you’d think a snalke tastes like. Nasty. There plenty other snakes that eat rats that don’t have the potential to kill people and animals. No snattlerakes around the houses or barn, thanks.
Anonymous
They dont kill the snakes. They release them into the Conecuh National Forest when the event is over
I will tell you anyone that thinks these things won’t hurt you let one be in your yard and you walk up on it lets see how you fill then they just don’t run from you…
My son and I ate rattlesnake years ago. I had a couple of bites and had something else for supper. It tasted pretty good, but the thought of what I was eating made my stomach roll. This coming from a guy who used to catch snakes, so I have no phobia about them. Pretty, white meat, if you can get past the idea of what you’re eating.
An in March I don’t want to be there ( hate snakes)
Max Hand
If I remember correctly, the county name was changed to Jones to honor a particular Mr. Jones who was still living. He did not like it and had the name changed back to Covington. I loved Opp and Covington County; I lived in Opp for fifteen years. There will always be a place in my heart for them.
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Actually, I DO want to miss it — as in never see it take place again. ” Opp hosts one of two remaining lethal rattlesnake roundups in the Southeast. Claxton, Georgia received a boost in attendance when it recently replaced its roundup with a wildlife festival, which displays captive rattlesnakes, along with educational wildlife exhibits.” http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/04/rattlesnake_rodeo_is_inhumane.html (q.v. ” 55,000 People Call on Alabama “Rattlesnake Rodeo” to Switch to Humane Wildlife Festival” http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2013/rattlesnake-rodeo-03-21-2013.html)
Thank you for the update Kyle.
The link is not working.
Sorry, I was doing some editing. It is working now.
As far as I Know, they Do! There was a Race Track in Opp, that Cars Raced That Week, when I was on a Guy’s Pit Crew.
They still have it.
I hope not. I expect Opp and the surrounding countryside are more beset by rodents than venomous serpents. Give the Eastern Diamondbacks their space and let them become the large rat-eating snakes God intended.
Thanks for the info. What month does it occur?
It is still an annual event that takes place over three days. It’s a large festival, arts and crafts from all over.
It’s a shame. These festivals are one of the reasons that not only eastern diamondback numbers have plummeted, but also gopher tortoises and eastern indigo snakes. Traditionally, the tortoise burrows were gassed, which killed and/or drove out anything inside. I don’t know how they do it now, but needlessly killing threatened species is a waste. And I say this as an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
It eas April 12th weekend You can Google it.
How destructive , do you know how some in the past collected these snakes , by pouring gas down the shared holes of endangered species like the gopher tortoise, these holes are shared by many species and give them protection from wildfires , the kill all snakes mentality has to stop , and it is so sad that people use the bible to justify killing all snakes !
Idiot
Yes
Nice try. They do NOT taste like chicken. They taste like a combination of an old rubber tire and a snake. Just about what you’d think a snalke tastes like. Nasty. There plenty other snakes that eat rats that don’t have the potential to kill people and animals. No snattlerakes around the houses or barn, thanks.
They dont kill the snakes. They release them into the Conecuh National Forest when the event is over
The city took it over when the Jaycees disbanded. It is usually around the first weekend in April.
it is still going on !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes they are still having it i just wish they still killed all the rattle snakes they caught
I will tell you anyone that thinks these things won’t hurt you let one be in your yard and you walk up on it lets see how you fill then they just don’t run from you…
tastes like chicken………………that mated with a fish.
Google? https://m.facebook.com/opprattlesnakerodeo
I went many years ago…it has come a long way since then….got in line to get rattlesnake meat and I chickened out lol!
My son and I ate rattlesnake years ago. I had a couple of bites and had something else for supper. It tasted pretty good, but the thought of what I was eating made my stomach roll. This coming from a guy who used to catch snakes, so I have no phobia about them. Pretty, white meat, if you can get past the idea of what you’re eating.
Yes
This is where my Grandparents originated from. Opp/Andulusa area.
This is where my dads family is from
Yes, every March
An in March I don’t want to be there ( hate snakes)
If I remember correctly, the county name was changed to Jones to honor a particular Mr. Jones who was still living. He did not like it and had the name changed back to Covington. I loved Opp and Covington County; I lived in Opp for fifteen years. There will always be a place in my heart for them.