Crowds found their way to the Annual Sinnemahoning Sportmen’s Club Snake Hunt over the weekend. The grounds filled with campers, parking was so full that others wanting to get in began parking along state Route 120 before walking up the road.
Hunters would bring in snakes in all sorts of containers ranging from wooden boxes to sleeping bags featuring cartoon characters. Some of the snakes, once logged, were returned to the woods where they found so that they could once again find their dens.
In the hunt itself 108 people trekked through the area for rattlesnakes alone with more looking for other varieties. Twenty rattlesnakes were brought in by the end of the first day on Saturday. In addition to the snake hunting, visitors were treated to educational seminars about regional snakes, vendors, and food stands.
Some awards were handed out on the first day for weights in the following categories: rattlesnakes of the black phase, yellow phase, non-poisonous, and copperhead. The weights were, respectively; 4 pounds 1 ounce, 3 pounds 4 ounces, 1 pound 14 ounces, and 8 ounces.
Additional awards would be given out the next day for lengths, number of rattles, variety of snakes, etc.
The judging and hunt was lead by the Keystone Reptile Club, Inc. #1 Pa. Manning the judging station and speaker system was Bill Wheeler, club president.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to technical difficulties, photos from the event were unable to be uploaded. Once the technical issues have been resolved, the photos will be uploaded.
