HPPR People & Communities

Slideshow: Hunters Round Up Rattlers in the Oklahoma Hills

High Plains Public Radio

Published May 3, 2016 at 9:36 AM CDT

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Ty Judd and his father, David Wilson, pause during a rattlesnake hunt.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Ty Judd grabs a constrained rattlesnake's head shortly after its capture.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Ty Judd opens a rattlesnake's mouth to show its fangs.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Ty Judd flashes a rattlesnake's fangs during a hunt on April 16, 2016 near Okeene, Oklahoma.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Tongs clasp a recently captured rattlesnake near Okeene.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Jon Struve, David Wilson, Ty Judd and Max Geiser inspect a rattlesnake den near Okeene.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Tongs clasp a recently captured rattlesnake near Okeene.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Jon Struve carries his quarry back to a pickup truck.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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Ty Judd rests during a rattlesnake hunt on April 16, 2016 near Okeene, Oklahoma.

Brian Hardzinski / KGOU

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A western diamondback rattlesnake goes into a strike pose in the "den of death" at the Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup on April 22, 2016.

Jacob McLeland / KGOU

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A snake handler holds a rattlesnake on a hook

Jacob McLeland / KGOU

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Mike Hippard deep fries rattlesnake in beer batter at the Snack Shack.

Jacob McLeland / KGOU

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Matt Gambrell holds up a rattlesnake in the "den of death."

Jacob McLeland / KGOU

Ty Judd and his friends recently went on an outing to round up rattlesnakes in the Oklahoma hills. Member station KGOU photographer Brian Hardzinski tagged along.

The snakes were delivered to Okeene’s rattlesnake roundup, one of five such festivals each year in Oklahoma.