Working with Texas Parks & Wildlife

This information provided by Bill E. Del Monte, retired Wildlife Biologist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The Sweetwater Jaycees in cooperation with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have collected valuable biological data and other pertinent information about the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. This information was gathered by random sampling of rattlesnakes brought to the annual Sweetwater Rattlesnake Round-up held the second weekend of March. The snake handlers are Jaycees trained in the proper technique of weighing, measuring and sexing the snakes. This is dangerous, tedious and labor intensive work so the Jaycees are to be commended for their efforts. They are also to be commended for their genuine concern about the future of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. The Jaycees have cooperated fully with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A & M University to determine whether commercial roundups have any adverse impact on the future of rattlesnake populations. Their interest in the future of this natural resource is also reflected by changing the thrust of the event to an educational experience.