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spring, when Hale and Runyan try to collect an
example of each of the venomous snake spe-
cies that are prevalent in southern Oklahoma.
As the weather warms,
snakes emerge from their
dens and are often found DON P. BROWN/ODWC
soaking up the sun on
nearby rocks.
In southern Oklahoma,
the venomous snake
species are the west-
ern diamond-backed
rattlesnake, western
cottonmouth, timber rat-
tlesnake, copperhead,
and western pygmy rat-
tlesnake. Oklahoma has
two more venomous A student reaches out to touch the juvenile western rat snake held by Game Warden Trey Hale.
snakes — the prairie rattlesnake and western
massasauga — in the northwestern counties.
The program caters to students from kinder- DON P. BROWN/ODWC
garten to seniors, Hale said. Many of the kids
have never been able to see real venomous
snakes up close and in person. And they all get
the chance to do so at the program, and to ask
any questions. Of course, safety is always the
utmost priority; no venomous snakes are taken
out of their enclosures, and Hale has never
had any incidents at any of the programs.
At some schools, the Game Wardens will
present the program eight times in a single
day so every grade level is able to get edu-
cated. Sometimes other Game Wardens from
the area are invited to help during the day. The
kids watch a slide show that shares snake facts DON P. BROWN/ODWC
and debunks myths about snakes. Milburn School students
Hale said many people believe a venomous interact with Game Warden
Trey Hale and his friend.
snake bite is deadly most of the time, but actu-
ally advances in medical treatment have dras-
tically improved outcomes in recent years. He
also said it’s a myth that sucking on a bite will
help the victim; all that really does is put snake
venom into someone else’s mouth.
The program is also certified by the Council
on Law Enforcement Education and Training
(CLEET) and is shared with Game Warden These young ladies fix their gaze on a classroom visitor.

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