End The Lake Providence Snake Rodeo

Lake Providence Snake Rodeo Organizers; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Southern Watersnake photographed by Julie Dermansky

Since the mid-1960s, thousands of native snakes have been shot as they basked at the Lake Providence Snake Rodeo in northeast Louisiana. Participants shoot an unlimited number of snakes from their boats and are awarded prizes for killing the most and longest snakes.

The vast majority of snakes slaughtered at the rodeo are harmless. On average, 4 out of every 5 snakes killed at the rodeo are non-venomous.* The (misguided) goal of the rodeo is to reduce the number of venomous snakes (Northern Cottonmouths, also known as Water Moccasins) in the lake. But since snakes are not usually identified until after they are killed, all snakes, whether harmless or not, are indiscriminately targeted by participants. Non-venomous snakes pose no threat to people or pets, and all snakes play a vital role in nature as predator and prey.*

Venomous snakes pose virtually no risk to people. On average, 5x more Americans are killed by lightning each year than by venomous snakes.* Less than six people are killed by venomous snakes in the U.S. each year, on average, and no one has been killed by a Northern Cottonmouth since 2011.* Because snakes naturally avoid humans, you dramatically increase your risk of being bitten by attempting to chase or kill a venomous snake.

Wildlife-killing contests like this rodeo contradict principles of ethical hunting and science-based conservation. Snake rodeos violate core guiding principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (non-frivolous use of wildlife, sound science to manage wildlife) and the Boone and Crockett Club (fair chase).* Both ethical hunters and conservation scientists recognize the importance of responsible stewardship over all wildlife and ecosystems. Though proponents of the rodeo say it is needed to prevent snake overpopulation, there is no reason to believe that the numbers of Northern Cottonmouths in Lake Providence need to be reduced, nor is there any evidence that the Snake Rodeo benefits fish, other wildlife, or that ecosystem.* Like other wild animals, snake populations are maintained by food availability, predation, and other natural processes like disease.

Events like the Lake Providence Snake Rodeo foster disrespect for wildlife and the natural world. Many of the participants in the rodeo are minors, and it is abhorrent that this behavior is normalized for impressionable youth. Snake rodeos have been rightfully relegated to a thing of the past in many areas, and it is shameful that a Parish-sanctioned snake rodeo exists today in Louisiana.

The unethical slaughter and waste of native wildlife at the Lake Providence Snake Rodeo must end.

*Get the facts about The Lake Providence Snake Rodeo at LivingWithSnakes.org/rodeo

To: Lake Providence Snake Rodeo Organizers; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
From: [Your Name]

We, the undersigned:

- Support ethical wildlife management based on science rather than fear.
- Support limits on the number of snakes that can be removed from the wild.
- Support a ban on events like the Lake Providence Snake Rodeo that promote unethical hunting practices and the disrespect, needless slaughter, and wanton waste of native wildlife.

We want to see all snake rodeos transformed into no-kill, educational festivals where local wildlife is celebrated instead of shot. The unethical slaughter and waste of native wildlife at the Lake Providence Snake Rodeo must end.