We are now Famous

Yesterday morning one of the organizers/promoters of the Mangum, OK Rattlesnake Derby was interviewed by Bill Hemmer on Fox News. Southwest Oklahoma is now famous! It was interesting and informative, but I feel the case for the number of rattlesnakes was a little exaggerated. We do not see one every time we go out for a walk, or pull weeds in the garden.

Timber Rattlesnake

There are areas where they are numerous, but like any sensible person I avoid such places. Leave that area to the snake hunters who capture them for the rattlesnake derby. One man who does this lives just outside our town. His name is Melvin Ishcomer (Chief), a full blooded Choctaw Indian, and he has won the derby every year for quite a few years now. The winner is the one who brings in the most rattlesnakes by weight, and he captures them all season long and keeps them in cages at his home until derby time. If one is spotted around town, just call Chief and he will come and get it.

Diamondback Rattler

When we first moved to Oklahoma I expected to see a rattlesnake behind every bush and rock. The closest I ever came was seeing one that had been run over on the highway, until I went to the Rattlesnake Derby! There were hundreds of them in a huge cage and believe me, I kept my distance.

The best part of the derby is the flea market. It has been advertised as the largest in the southwest, and I think it must be. We did not attend this year, but did last year and had a great time.

Watch out for those reptiles. I saw more in Illinois than I have here.

Blessings to y'all.

Grandma in the yellow house