“I live in Sweetwater in West Texas. It’s known for the Rattlesnake Roundup. My husband is a snake hunter, and I help him. We hunt every year and know where the dens are. Using a mirror, we shine the sunlight into the hole until we find the snakes. We reach in using snake catchers with levers on top and grabbers on the bottom. We catch the snakes, put them in a big trash can, and take them in for weighing. The snakes are sold for meat or anti-venom and medical research. The skins are sold for boots and belts. 

We used to get 400 pounds of snakes, but it has been down to 200 in the last few years. The people who win the prize bring in between 2,000 to 3,500 pounds in good years. We are in a bad drought. There are fewer mice and things to eat, and fewer snakes. It will swing back when there is more food again. Bringing in rattlesnakes is the same concept as deer season for  population control.. 

We are in Fairhope because I turned ‘thirty times two.’ We do the big birthdays together. We’ve been to Vegas, New Orleans, Quebec City, Nashville, and Charleston. I read articles about Fairhope and the hanging chrysanthemums at Bellingrath Gardens, and this sounded like a cool place.

We’ve had this group of friends for about 16 years. Kids and teaching brought us together. Friends who can drink and travel together stay together.”

Ann

Ann’s friend: “Ann is a wonderful grandma. She was also the first female assistant district attorney and district attorney. She’s a legend.”