Rattlesnake hunt perfect fit in daily routine

Farming and ranching is often full of surprises that keep us on our toes and busy enough that we are engaged and entertained.

But there is a not insignificant amount of time and work that is not much more than what you might call routine.

It does not always engage the mind as well and leaves us with time and motivation to expend on something else. That something else, of course, has to be doable in amidst the day-to-day routine of fixing fences, driving tractors, checking water, and putting the cows back where they belong.

There is at least one good competition that meets not only these requirements, but has the added benefit of producing a useful result in and of itself.

Finding and removing rattlesnakes is what I have in mind.

This is an old and storied tradition that manifests in different arenas and ways, but I’d bet more than a few rattles that at least one clearly defined competition of this sort is going on as we speak.

There are different rules that you can use to play the game. You can keep track of the count, which is the simplest form. You can take note of the ingenuity that is used to take care of the situation and give bonus points for particularly creative solutions.

There can be a consideration for accuracy as well. If the head cannot be found after the first and only toss of lead in the snake’s direction, that is worthy of at least a modest brag every now and again.

If you can knock it unconscious with just the passing movement of air and then smother it with a blue paper towel — then you’d better have skinned that unmarked hide and be able to show it to me and the other competitors. But if you did, then I guess you probably win the season.

I’ll admit to not having a high score so far this time around. It’s a big, fat zero at the time of writing this.

I’d appreciate any leads that anyone can share. I need all the help I can get because I’m already late to the game.

The kid is batting at least five the last time I heard, and the reigning champ is already at twice that. You’d have thought he’d have run out by now. Or maybe he’s shipping them in.

Audra Brown probably needs to pay more attention to the game. Contact her at: [email protected]