Pictures of the Year International

Stacy Foster showing to the people a Timber rattlesnake during the Rattlesnake Roundup and hunt organized by Morris Township Fire Company, in its 66th annual hunt in Tioga County. The event includes a flea market, one-pitch softball tournament, local performers and fireworks. Every June, hunters are able to hunt a snake with a Venomous Snake Permit and bring it to the contest, in which the biggest one, the most heavy one, etc wins a plaque or a trophy. In the 60s and early 70s, these round ups were a different event, and snakes were killed and eaten. Now the roundup is an educational event, where the organizers talk about the snakes, their importance and show from a close distance the snakes to the people, allowing them to touch the snakes. After the hunt most of the snakes are returned back to where they were captured. But this is a final decision of the hunters, since they can keep the snake or kill it if they wish. As long as a person holds a valid Venomous Snake Permit, they are able to possess one of the snakes if it meets certain criteria The permit allows the holder to take, kill or possess timber rattlesnakes at least 42 inches in length, which have 21 or more subcaudal scales, so males only. All the hunters need a special hunting license for venomous reptiles, available through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. June 11, 2022. Not staged or posed.