lets get the facts straight

[sneakysnake]

I'm new here and have posted a picture of me handling a Black Tailed Rattlesnake freely.  I posted it under the venomous section so you should not be surprised to see something like that.  I have received some slack about it and want to give you some facts.  I am experienced and do not promote anyone else to do what I do, nor am I responsible what other people do.  If Evil Knevil jumps the Grand Canon, are you going to?

Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter, free handled venomous snakes on TV all the time, he even put them right up to his face.  He handles snakes right out of the wild that he does not know, I knew this snake and its temperament.  He held his baby while he hand fed crocodiles.  Does this mean that you will do it?

More people are killed by large snakes than venomous in our hobby/business.  But people freely handle them with nothing said.  Both are illegal to keep as pets in my state.

Point I'm trying to make is that I respect every ones opinion, but that's it, your opinion.  Not everyone shares it.  I have learned that I say what I need to say and if you don't agree with me that's OK.  I'm not trying to convince you, just expressing myself.  I don't feel it's my responsibility to be a good example, although I try to be.  People are responsible for their own actions and need to teach their children what to do and not to do. 

I do educational snake shows and let people know right from the start not to do what I do.  So lets cut me some slack on this picture, I was only sharing it for people who may want to see it.

[abi21491]

Great post Jerry

[Ivona]

You are completely right ! Great post 

[Geegmasta]

Good call my man.

I have a WDB Rattler and I get the same jive you do.  I agree totally.

[Aminah Undone]

This is a great post, man! Thank you for taking the time 

If there isn't already, I'd like to see a very large and obvious STICKY put on the top of the threads in the Venomous section  ....some kind of detailed disclaimer about the proper way to go about becoming fully prepared for keeping Venomous. Not as an encouragement to someone, but as a statement explaining the absolute necessity for knowledge and experience.



..even this post would be a good addition (with the free-handling pic linked, maybe)

[Donnie_K]

This is a great post, man! Thank you for taking the time 

If there isn't already, I'd like to see a very large and obvious STICKY put on the top of the threads in the Venomous section  ....some kind of detailed disclaimer about the proper way to go about becoming fully prepared for keeping Venomous. Not as an encouragement to someone, but as a statement explaining the absolute necessity for knowledge and experience.

This is a great idea, we'll have to type something like that up for sure!

[Gloryhound]

I didn't do it, I wasn't there, you can't prove anything! 

Sorry, I'm just used to everything always being my fault.   

[sneakysnake]

I didn't do it, I wasn't there, you can't prove anything! 

Sorry, I'm just used to everything always being my fault.   

Yea I know what you mean.  I share with people and get attacked.  Makes you want to keep things to yourself. 

[Southern_Boa_Gurl]

This is a great post Jerry!!  Thank you for taking the time out to explain all of this.  It's unfortunate that some people will always judge others.  People jump to conclusions and sometimes think that every person that free handles a venomous snake is bad for the hobby.  It solely depends on the person in my opinion.  You are the type that has plenty of experience and only handle them for the sole purpose of educational purposes.  I don't think people should jump to conclusions so fast before even reading and learning more about the situation.

It's not like he's some douche out there making videos on youtube while handling venomous snakes when you don't have any experience or purpose of doing it other than showing off.  Jerry is licensed and qualified to handle them as he does this for education and teaching people, just as he said "I do educational snake shows and let people know right from the start not to do what I do."

[Donnie_K]

I can't agree with you there Tara. Free handling any venomous snake is just bad practice. Even the guy doing it will tell you he shouldn't be. My point was that we're not here to be anybody's father, but because of the uproar I have to make it clear that dark side does not promote this act. However we're not bashing sneakysnake for it. Simply saying basically that the views, opinions, and practices of some of the members that post here are not the same views, opions, and practices that we would use or promote to others...

The people that have complained, I have talked to. We will not allow any bashing here and I've made that clear. But their concern is that newer members will see this, think it's cool, and decide to go and try it themselves. I can completely understand that. I'm not gonna get on jerry for free handling his snake, it's his business. But we definately need to put up some kind of disclaimer for that kind of thing.

Jerry, I'm sorry if you felt I was attacking you in any way, but as admin, I have to make it clear that we don't promote it. I won't bash you for it though, and honestly I enjoy looking at your pics.