The original Okeene Rattlesnake Hunters were the pioneers who came in when the territory and strip was opened for settlement. At this time the country surrounding Okeene was abounding with Rattlesnakes. As more settlers arrived the Prairie Rattler began to disappear. However, in the nearby Gypsum hills west of Okeene the human population was never large. Certainly local ranchers killed them with guns while running fences and herding the cattle but the diamond back rattlesnake went largely unmolested for years.

In the early 30’s some of the ranchers started hunting them in when they weren’t working hours and soon learned how to handle the rattlesnakes bare handed. As time went on townspeople joined in these unorganized hunts and the sport sort of caught on. Others soon heard of these hunts and each spring new hunters came into the hills with the ranchers to help rid them of the Rattler which was a hazard to cattle and other livestock. These unorganized hunts eventually developed a new sport.

In 1939 Orville von Gulker outlined plans for an organized hunt to the Okeene Jr. Chamber of Commerce. Realizing this sport had possibilities and being unusual they decided to hold an advertised Rattlesnake Roundup. The first event caught hold and newsmen and magazine writers around the country became interested and many sport editors made much of the new found sport. From this point on the hunt became an annual spring event.

The holding of the hunt in spring is based on the annual movement of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. During the months of October and November the snakes make their way back to the dens that are located under the heavy gypsum cap rock found in the hills west of Okeene. They spend the winter in hibernation until the warm spring days begin to bring them out of hibernation. As they days warm up the snakes begin to sun themselves just outside their dens. At this time the snakes are often slow and sluggish, and milky eyed and blind from hibernation. Despite this, they can strike very quickly and on the warmest days are very vicious.

The early hunters used brake rods from early automobiles and forked sticks to pin down the snake which were then picked up by bare hand and dumped into sacks. This kept many a would be hunter from participating in the sport. However, this would soon change.

In 1946 the mechanical type hunting tong was developed by the Okeene Jaycees and it immediately took hold. Gone were the days of having to pick up rattlesnakes with your bare hands and hundreds of new hunters joined the search for the rattler. This new way of hunting meant that anyone could hunt the Rattler and it was and still is a common sight to see women and children hunting. The Rattlesnake Roundup began to grow by leaps and bounds as the sport was opened to all persons who wished to hunt.

It’s interesting to note that these new hunting tongs found their way into the hands of hunters all over the U. S. A. with orders coming in from all over the country. Some tongs were taken overseas by servicemen to hunt other types of snakes.

Hunters come from all over the U. S. and the world come to Okeene to join in or at least have a look. Moreover, the hunt has been reported in many other countries including Tripoli, Sydney, Australia (Sydney and the State of Tasmania), the Fiji Islands, Japan, England, Germany and France. The unusualness of the Rattlesnake Roundup makes the event a much talked about sporting affair.

Even the U. S. Airforce and some Atomic installations have come here to photograph and copy our means of hunting in order to make the site of new operations usable. Workmen feared the reptiles and refused to work in areas where they were found. Thus the Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup became a National Defense item.

The Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup takes on the Air of a festival of FUN. Many people come to Okeene just for FUN on Rattlesnake Roundup day. Only about one third actually hunt the snakes. Many are just on lookers the first year and the next year they find themselves ready to hunt after being acquainted with the ways of hunting and handling snakes.

As time goes by, stories drift back from the hunt; The cars that “had the snakes loose in it; The man who jumped out of a moving car. The Snake that got loose ‘in the airplane, The truck load of snakes that caught fire; the lost hunter who was left in the Canyons. Many humorous stories drift around about the Rattlesnake Roundup. Many hunters tell the of coming face to face with that legendary rattlesnake “Old Smokey” and the Old Rattler himself has been seen by many in Okeene including the author.

For Thrills, Chills, Sport and a real days outing in a pioneer setting, the Salt Creek Canyon country holds all this for the outdoorsman; Picnicker and the Snake Hunter. Or come and be just a plain onlooker, BUT don’t miss the Okeene Rattlesnake Roundup. It comes but once a year.