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Narrator: COMING UP ON "RATTLESNAKE REPUBLIC"...
GOD [BLEEP]
DAD!
Jackie: GENTLY, PLEASE.
Mike: YOU GOT TO GO, SNAKE. I DON'T HAVE NO CHOICE.
[ CROWD GASPS ]
GOD [BLEEP]
YEAH, I THINK YOU LOST HIM, BUDDY.
YEAH, COULD BE.
IT'S NO WONDER YOU HAVEN'T GOT ANY MONEY.
DO YOU SMELL THAT?
Shawn: NO.
AAH!
Eric: CAREFUL ON THIS EDGE HERE.
Rick: HOLY [BLEEP]
RICK!
[ COYOTES HOWLING ]
Narrator: DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS
LIES THE RATTLESNAKE REPUBLIC,
A WILD LAND RULED BY ONE OF EARTH'S DEADLIEST PREDATORS.
Eric: EVERY TIME WE GO OUT THERE, WE PUT OUR LIFE ON THE LINE.
LOOK OUT! BACK UP! BACK UP!
YOU COULD BE DEAD IN AS LITTLE AS A FEW MINUTES.
Narrator: WITH SNAKE SIGHTINGS AND BITES AT ALL-TIME HIGHS,
THIS DEADLY COUNTRY HAS BECOME THE EPICENTER
OF A MILLION-DOLLAR RATTLESNAKE INDUSTRY.
HELL, THERE'S ABOUT $200 OR $300 WORTH OF HIDE THERE.
Narrator: AND FOR FOUR ELITE HUNTING CREWS,
IT'S THEIR WAY OF LIFE.
I'M GONNA DO SNAKES TILL THE DAY I DIE.
Narrator: EACH HAS THEIR OWN STYLE.
Shawn: THIS IS A BLITZKRIEG HUNT.
Daltin: KICKING "A."
Narrator: EACH THINKS THEY'RE THE BEST AROUND.
WE'RE THE BADASSES OF THE BUNCH.
Narrator: ON A GOOD DAY,
THEY COULD WALK AWAY $1,000 RICHER.
THAT'S BIG MONEY. THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT -- THE DOLLARS.
Narrator: ON A BAD DAY, THEY'RE LUCKY TO WALK AWAY AT ALL.
LUCKILY, ON THIS HAND, MY FINGERS STILL WORK.
THUMB'S GONE.
Riley: RATTLESNAKES ARE A PART OF TEXAS.
IT'S A TEXAS THING, AND THAT'S WHO I AM.
Narrator: WELCOME TO A WORLD YOU NEVER KNEW EXISTED.
THIS IS THE RATTLESNAKE REPUBLIC.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
IT'S THE PEAK OF RATTLESNAKE HUNTING SEASON
IN THE HEART OF TEXAS.
THIS YEAR, FOUR VETERAN TEAMS
HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO EARN THEIR LIVING
AGAINST SEARING HEAT, SEVERE DRAUGHT, AND LOW SNAKE NUMBERS.
TEAM BIBBY HAS MANAGED TO BREAK EVEN
BY TURNING SOME SERIOUS RISKS INTO DECENT HAULS
DESPITE THE HEAT.
IT'S TIME FOR US TO GET OFF THIS MOUNTAIN WHILE WE STILL CAN.
Narrator: NOT SO FOR RILEY SAWYERS,
WHO'S LOST MORE PARTNERS THAN HE'S CAUGHT SNAKES.
Riley: MAN, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO START DOING STUFF MY WAY
OR HIT THE HIGHWAY.
TROPHY SNAKE HUNTERS ERIC AND RICK TIMAEUS
HAVE MANAGED TO CATCH SOME SIZABLE SNAKES.
BUT THE LARGE, TROPHY-SIZED DIAMONDBACKS HAVE ELUDED THEM.
YEAH, THIS SNAKE'S NOT WORTH IT TO TAKE IT OUT OF THE WILD.
AND LEADING THE PACK SO FAR THIS SEASON,
ROBERT AND SHAWN HAVE USED SOME SMART MOVES
TO STAY IN THE GREEN.
THAT'S SOME MONEY IN THE BANK, SON.
JUST OUTSIDE OF RISING STAR,
JACKIE BIBBY AND HIS TEAMMATES, MIKE AND DOUGIE,
ARE HEADING OUT TO CATCH RATTLESNAKES
FOR AN UPCOMING STUNT SHOW.
HEADED OUT TODAY TO CATCH SOME SNAKES.
WE'VE GOT A BIG SHOW COMING UP IN RISING STAR.
IT'S HOMECOMING, AND WE'RE GONNA PUT ON A GOOD SHOW.
SO, HOPEFULLY WE CAN CATCH SOME SNAKES. WE NEED SOME.
Narrator: BECAUSE THEY MAKE
OVER HALF THEIR INCOME FROM STUNT SHOWS,
JACKIE, MIKE, AND DOUGIE USUALLY KEEP SOME SNAKES IN RESERVE
FOR THEIR PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.
BUT THIS YEAR, THEY'VE BEEN LIVING HAND-TO-MOUTH,
SO THE TEAM'S HAD NO CHOICE
BUT TO SELL EVERY SNAKE THEY'VE CAUGHT.
IF THERE'S NO SNAKES, THERE'S NO SHOWS.
AND THAT MEANS NO MONEY.
TO DRAW A BIG CROWD
AND MAKE UP SOME OF THIS SEASON'S LOST EARNINGS,
JACKIE'S PLANNED A HUGE SHOW
TOPPED OFF WITH A RECORD-BREAKING STUNT.
BUT THIS ISN'T A NEW RECORD FOR JACKIE.
THIS ONE WAS STOLEN.
A FEW MONTHS AGO, RIVAL SHOWMAN ROBERT ACKERMAN
TOOK ONE OF JACKIE'S RECORDS
BY CLIMBING INTO A SLEEPING BAG HEADFIRST
WITH 23 RATTLESNAKES.
Man: THERE YOU GO, FOLKS. THAT'S A NEW WORLD RECORD.
Narrator: FOR JACKIE, A STOLEN RECORD IS MATTER OF PRIDE,
AND HE'S DETERMINED TO TAKE IT BACK.
BUT THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PLACES WHERE YOU CAN BE SURE
TO CATCH 24 DIAMONDBACKS IN A SINGLE DAY.
HOW MUCH FARTHER YOU THINK IT IS, JACKIE?
OH, IT'S NOT TOO MUCH FURTHER.
THIS MAY BE WORTH IT.
MAYBE WE'LL GET SOME. I HOPE WE DO.
TO GET THE SNAKES THEY NEED,
JACKIE, MIKE, AND DOUGIE
ARE HIKING DEEP INTO THE COUNTRYSIDE
TO ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS DENS IN ALL OF TEXAS --
THE ABANDONED ROCK QUARRY.
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
WE KNOW YOU WANT TO BE THE SHOWMAN.
YOU WANT TO HOLD THE RECORDS.
WELL, WE'LL HELP YOU HOLD THEM RECORDS,
BUT YOU'RE TAKING SOME CHANCES.
YEAH, BUT IT'S WORTH THE GAMBLE
'CAUSE IT AIN'T NEVER BEEN HUNTED.
ALL RIGHT.
Narrator: THE TERRAIN AT THE ROCK QUARRY
GIVES THE DIAMONDBACKS EVERY ADVANTAGE.
TALL GRASS AND LARGE CREVICES BETWEEN THE ROCKS
ARE PERFECT CAMOUFLAGE.
AND A DENSE BRIER PATCH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE
FOR A HUNTER TO MANEUVER QUICKLY.
I'M TELLING YOU THEY'RE HERE, GUYS.
A COUPLE OF HOLES RIGHT UP THERE ABOVE HIM, TOO.
BECAUSE HUNTERS AVOID THIS DEN AT ALL COSTS,
TEAM BIBBY IS ALMOST GUARANTEED
TO FIND THESE ROCK PILES TEEMING WITH SNAKES.
BUT THERE'S ALSO A GOOD CHANCE
THAT ONE OF THEM COULD GET HURT.
LET'S GET DOWN THERE, GUYS.
LET'S GO.
LET'S GO. WE GOT TO GET THESE.
Narrator: JACKIE'S PLAN IS TO HUNT THE EDGES OF THE QUARRY,
WHERE THERE'S LESS GRASS AND BRIERS
FOR THE DIAMONDBACKS TO HIDE IN.
HE THINKS THERE'S ENOUGH SNAKES
THAT THEY CAN CATCH WHAT THEY NEED
WITHOUT HAVING TO WADE
INTO THE TRULY DANGEROUS PARTS OF THE QUARRY.
Dougie: THERE'S SNAKES EVERYWHERE 'CAUSE THERE'S SKINS EVERYWHERE.
THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.
YEAH, THERE IS.
OH, YEAH. YEAH. THERE'S A SNAKE LAYING OUT RIGHT THERE.
OH, YEAH, I SEE HIM NOW.
MAN, WE GO OUT TO THAT ROCK PILE,
AND IT'S SNAKE CITY, LET ME TELL YOU.
GET HIM BEFORE HE GOES IN THERE.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT, GET HIM.
LOOK AT HIM, BOYS. HE'S HOT, TOO.
GET HIM. GET HIM BEFORE HE GOES IN THERE.
YOU GOT HIM, DOUGIE?
HOLD HIM IN THERE.
YEAH, I GOT HIM. I GOT HIM RIGHT THERE.
THERE HE IS.
HEY, I'M NOT GONNA -- HE'S GOING BACK IN THEM ROCKS, JACKIE.
YEAH, I'VE GOT HIM.
THAT'S ONE RIGHT THERE.
THEY'RE SCATTERED AROUND LIKE PEPPER ON GRAVY.
GOT HIM.
I GOT HIM. I'M NOT GONNA --
YOU GOT HIM?
THERE HE IS. BE CAREFUL. I DON'T KNOW WHERE HIS HEAD'S AT.
GET CLEAR, BOYS.
GET THESE ROCKS OUT OF HERE.
YEAH, HE'S PRETTY DEEP. I GOT HIM.
THERE HE IS.
Jackie: WHOO, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
Dougie: WHERE'S HE AT?
Narrator: JACKIE, MIKE, AND DOUGIE
HAVE PULLED A MAJOR SCORE ON THE EDGES OF THE QUARRY.
WE GOT ABOUT 15, GUYS, SO FAR.
I KNOW THERE'S SOME MORE HERE.
BUT THEY STILL NEED NINE MORE SNAKES
IF JACKIE'S GONNA BREAK THE RECORD.
BOY, YOU CAN'T SEE THEM IN THIS GRASS.
Narrator: AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE REST OF THE SNAKES
HAVE RETREATED INTO THE WORST TERRAIN.
RIGHT UP UNDER THAT TREE LOOKS GOOD, DOUGIE.
YEAH, I KNOW, BUT I CAN'T SEE THEM IN THIS GRASS.
I CAN'T SEE THEM. THEY BLEND IN TOO GOOD.
Jackie: TRUST ME ON THIS DEAL.
WE AIN'T GOT NOBODY KILLED YET.
WITH JACKIE'S PRIDE ON THE LINE
AND THEIR FUNDS AT AN ALL-TIME LOW,
TEAM BIBBY HAS NO CHOICE
BUT TO CLIMB INTO THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE QUARRY
AND HOPE THEY CAN CATCH THE SNAKES
BEFORE THE SNAKES CATCH THEM.
Jackie: WELL, TURN HIM MY WAY.
JUST OUTSIDE OF TAYLOR, TEXAS,
DAREDEVIL SNAKE WRANGLER ROBERT ACKERMAN
IS SO CONFIDENT IN HIS TEAM'S PERFORMANCE,
HE'S BROUGHT ALONG A FRIEND TO WATCH THEM WORK.
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN BIT BEFORE?
I'VE BEEN BIT THREE TIMES.
NEVER SEEN THE INSIDE OF A HOSPITAL.
AS A SNAKE SHOWMAN,
ROBERT MAKES HIS LIVING RISKING HIS LIFE,
AND HE LOVES THE ATTENTION THAT COMES WITH IT.
SO, THAT'S HOW THEY MOVE THE FOOD DOWN INTO THEIR STOMACH --
BY COMPRESSING THE RIBS.
ONE AT A TIME.
AND WHEN THAT ATTENTION COMES FROM A PRETTY LADY,
HE LOVES IT EVEN MORE.
Robert: WE'RE DAREDEVILS.
WE GET A LOT OF ATTENTION FOR IT,
AND SOMETIMES WE GET THE ATTENTION
OF SOME NICE-LOOKING LADIES.
MMM.
Narrator: TODAY, A LOCAL FARMER HAS HIRED THE BOYS
TO REMOVE SOME SNAKES THAT HAVE TAKEN OVER HIS CATTLE BARN.
BUT ROBERT HAS YET TO TELL HIS LONGTIME PARTNER
ABOUT HIS GUEST,
KNOWING SHAWN WON'T BE HAPPY
ABOUT AN INEXPERIENCED NEWCOMER TAGGING ALONG.
I PULL UP HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO GO ON A HUNT WITH ROBERT.
I GOT AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE. HE HAD A GIRL OUT HERE.
Narrator: AND THIS LITTLE LADY CAME DRESSED FOR THE WRONG RODEO.
Shawn: SHE'S GOT ON A LITTLE, BITTY PAIR OF SHORTS,
BUT THAT'S ABOUT IT.
I AIN'T REAL HAPPY ABOUT IT.
SHE'S A PRETTY GOOD-LOOKING LITTLE GAL,
SO, YOU KNOW, I'M PRETTY SURE HE'S GONNA BE DISTRACTED.
'CAUSE I CAUGHT THE SNAKE,
AND THEN HE REGURGITATED THE RABBIT.
EW.
WHAT'S UP, ROBERT?
HEY, SHAWN. THIS IS ROXANNE.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?
PRETTY GOOD. SO, WHAT ARE WE DOING?
WE'RE GONNA GO IN HERE SNAKE HUNTING.
I THOUGHT I'D TAKE HER SNAKE HUNTING.
I'VE KNOWN HER FOR A WHILE.
SO...
TALK TO YOU FOR A MINUTE?
OKAY.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
IT LOOKS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD DISTRACTION.
YOU GONNA BE ABLE TO PAY ATTENTION?
I'LL BE PAYING ATTENTION.
Narrator: TO PULL A PROFIT TODAY,
THESE PARTNERS HAVE TO BE ON THEIR GAME.
AND SHAWN KNOWS ROBERT'S MIND WON'T BE ON BUSINESS.
WE'RE HERE TO MAKE MONEY AND MAKE A LIVING.
YEAH, BUT I THINK IT'LL ALL BE COOL.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S A TIME AND A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING.
OUT HERE IS A TIME TO HUNT AND MAKE MONEY.
AND HE JUST GOT HIS PRIORITIES A LITTLE MIXED UP.
Narrator: ROBERT AND SHAWN HAVE BEEN HUNTING TOGETHER
FOR 15 YEARS,
AND IN SHAWN'S EXPERIENCE,
ADDING A THIRD IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT. Y'ALL READY TO HUNT?
LADIES FIRST.
Narrator: 30 MILES WEST OF CASTROVILLE, TEXAS,
FATHER-AND-SON SNAKE HUNTERS ERIC AND RICK TIMAEUS
ARE SEARCHING FOR A MASSIVE UNDERGROUND CAVE.
WELL, THERE IT IS. I SEE THE ROCK.
Eric: OKAY, YEAH. I SEE IT NOW.
ALL RIGHT.
UNLIKE MOST TEXAS SNAKE HUNTERS,
ERIC AND RICK ARE AFTER TROPHY SNAKES,
AND THAT MEANS THEY'RE HUNTING FOR SIZE, NOT NUMBERS.
FOR THE BIG SNAKES THAT WE GET, WE AVERAGE ABOUT $55 A POUND.
THOSE BIG SNAKES, THEY MAKE US A LOT OF MONEY.
Narrator: THE LARGEST KNOWN RATTLER
MEASURED JUST UNDER NINE FEET,
AND A SNAKE THAT HUGE COULD SELL FOR THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS
TO A COLLECTOR.
THEY JUST DON'T ALL GROW THAT BIG.
AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE
THAT PAY MORE FOR THOSE TYPES OF SNAKES.
Narrator: BUT THEY'RE NOT EASY TO FIND.
Eric: WE'VE NEVER BEEN IN THIS CAVE BEFORE.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT IT FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
HOPING WE'RE GONNA FIND SOMETHING GOOD.
Narrator: FILLED WITH MILES OF MAZE-LIKE PASSAGES,
STEEP DROP-OFFS, AND FALLING ROCKS,
A CAVE IS A TREACHEROUS PLACE TO HUNT.
BUT ERIC THINKS IT'S WHERE THE TROPHY-SIZED RATTLESNAKES
HAVE GONE TO ESCAPE THE SEARING TEXAS HEAT.
Rick: YOU KNOW, IT'S SO HOT UP HERE.
WE'RE THINKING THEY MIGHT BE GOING DOWN THESE HOLES
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAVE,
WHERE IT'S COOLER AND THERE MIGHT BE SOME WATER.
RIGHT THERE IS WHERE ALL THE WATER COME DOWN
THAT FORMED THAT SINK HOLE.
YEAH, LOOK. HERE'S THE CAVE.
YOU SEE HOW YOU CAN SEE DOWN IN THERE?
YEAH.
DON'T GET TOO CLOSE.
THIS IS AMAZING.
Narrator: ERIC AND RICK ARE WALKING THE EDGE OF A SINK HOLE --
UNSTABLE GROUND WHERE THE CEILING OF A CAVE COLLAPSED.
I DON'T THINK WE CAN GET DOWN HERE.
THERE'S JUST WAY TOO MUCH DROP.
LET'S WALK AROUND AND SEE WHAT THE OTHER SIDE LOOKS LIKE.
YOU SURE WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO DO THIS?
I'M STARTING TO RETHINK MYSELF IF THIS IS THE WISEST DECISION,
BUT I'M FOLLOWING DAD.
AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY HE'S NOT GONNA...
[ SIGHS ] GET US HURT.
THANK YOU.
WATCH WHERE YOU'RE WALKING.
HOLY [BLEEP]
WHOA! [BLEEP]
WHOA!
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
Narrator: EAST OF SWEETWATER,
MAVERICK RATTLESNAKE HUNTER RILEY SAWYERS
AND HIS YOUNG-GUN APPRENTICE, DALTIN FRITZ,
ARE THREE HOURS INTO AN EARLY-MORNING HUNT
DEEP IN THE ROLLING PLAINS OF TEXAS.
ASIDE FROM A FEW BRIGHT SPOTS,
IT'S BEEN A ROUGH SEASON FOR TEAM SAWYERS.
AND TODAY IS MORE OF THE SAME.
YEAH, I THINK YOU LOST HIM, BUDDY.
Riley: YEAH, COULD BE.
WE LOST ON THAT HOLE.
Riley: I'M BAFFLED WE HAVEN'T FOUND ANY SNAKES.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S I'M NOT HUNTING IN THE RIGHT PLACE
OR IF THEY'VE JUST MOVED.
I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN WHAT'S HAPPENING.
YOU KNOW, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, DALTIN,
I'VE LOST A LITTLE FAITH IN MYSELF.
ONCE YOU LOSE YOUR GUT FEELING
ON WHERE TO FIND THEM, YOU'VE LOST IT.
AND I HOPE I HAVEN'T LOST MY GUT FEELING.
Narrator: RILEY AND DALTIN CAN'T AFFORD
TO KEEP COMING UP EMPTY-HANDED.
I'M TIRED OF THIS, MAN.
I WANT TO GO SEE AN OLD FRIEND.
'ROUND THESE PARTS, OLD MAN HIGGINBOTTOM IS A LEGEND --
A VETERAN SNAKE HUNTER TURNED DEALER
AND KINGPIN OF THE RATTLESNAKE TRADE.
WHEN HUNTERS PULL UP TO HIGGINBOTTOM'S PLACE,
IT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT SNAKES TO SELL.
BUT TODAY, RILEY'S HERE FOR A DIFFERENT REASON.
AND HE'S NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.
HEY, OLD MAN HIGGINBOTTOM, YOU HERE?
I'M ALWAYS HERE.
WELL, GOOD.
HOW MANY SNAKES YOU GOT?
NO SNAKES TODAY.
I THINK I'M HERE MORE FOR ADVICE THAN ANYTHING.
I DON'T KNOW IF ALL MY LOCATIONS ARE DRYING UP
OR -- I DON'T KNOW.
AND I'M HOPING MAYBE YOU'LL GIVE ME SOME ADVICE
AND POINT ME OUT TO SOME OF YOUR OLD GLORY HOLES.
HMM.
IN THE WORLD OF TEXAS SNAKE HUNTING,
THERE ARE NO GUIDE BOOKS.
HUNTERS FIND RATTLERS
BY PUTTING IN MONTHS OF HARD WORK
SCOURING THE TEXAS COUNTRYSIDE.
SO, AS A RULE, THEY DON'T SHARE
THE LOCATIONS OF THEIR DENS WITH OTHER HUNTERS.
GOOD LORD. NO WONDER YOU HAVEN'T GOT ANY MONEY.
BUT IN PAST YEARS, RILEY'S BEEN ONE OF HIGGY'S BIGGEST EARNERS,
AND LOSING HIM COULD BE BAD FOR HIS BOTTOM LINE.
HELL, YOU COULD STARVE TO DEATH.
YEAH, BUT IT'S KIND OF A TWO-EDGED SWORD.
IF I DON'T BRING YOU SNAKES,
YOU COULD STARVE TO DEATH, TOO.
HE'LL THROW HIM A BONE THIS TIME,
BUT HE'S NOT GONNA MAKE IT EASY ON HIM.
YOU KNOW, RILEY, YOU'VE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PROBLEMS THIS YEAR.
I-I KNOW, AND I DON'T KNOW IF -- IF I'M LOSING IT OR WHAT.
I THINK YOU NEED TO HANG IT UP AND GET YOU A DAY JOB.
Leroy: I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S GONNA DO.
I ASSUME THAT HE'S GONNA HAVE TO GET HIM A JOB
OR GET ON WELFARE, ONE.
Narrator: AFTER TWISTING THE KNIFE A LITTLE,
HIGGY GIVES RILEY A LEAD ON A HONEY HOLE
WITH THE MOST SNAKES HE'S EVER FOUND IN TEXAS.
GO OUT OF CISCO,
AND OUT THERE, GET ON THE SERV ROAD.
IT'LL BE THE FIRST ROAD ON YOUR LEFT.
I GET 100-POUND SNAKES.
I'VE HAD TO DRAG THEM OUT. I COULDN'T CARRY THEM.
THESE DENS PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT.
100 POUNDS OF SNAKES
WOULD MEAN THE BIGGEST DEN RILEY'S EVER SEEN
AND THE CHANCE TO TURN AROUND HIS ENTIRE SEASON
IN ONE DAY.
ALL RIGHT, CATCH YOU LATER.
ALL RIGHT. THANKS, LEROY.
BUT IF HE DOESN'T COME BACK WITH A LOAD OF SNAKES,
HIGGY'S DAY-JOB JOKES ARE GONNA LOOK LIKE GOOD ADVICE.
200 MILES EAST, NEAR TAYLOR,
A LOCAL FARMER HAS HIRED ROBERT AND SHAWN
TO REMOVE A BUNCH OF RATTLERS FROM HIS CATTLE BARN.
Robert: LOOKS LIKE HE HAD SOMETHING FOR DINNER DOWN HERE.
DIAMONDBACKS LOVE TO CRAWL INTO HAY PILES
AND LIE IN WAIT FOR FIELD MICE AND OTHER PREY.
HEY, SHAWN, WATCH IT. YOU SEE HIM?
BUT THIS ALSO BRINGS THEM INTO CONTACT WITH THE COWS.
HE WAS HID DOWN IN THERE GOOD, WASN'T HE?
THE STRESS FROM THESE ENCOUNTERS CAN STOP A DAIRY COW
FROM PRODUCING MILK,
COSTING THE FARMER HIS LIVELIHOOD.
THE HUNT'S GOING WELL,
BUT ROBERT'S BROUGHT ALONG HIS FRIEND ROXY EDWARDS,
AND SHAWN'S CONCERN ABOUT HIS PARTNER ARE PROVING SPOT-ON.
Robert: THERE YOU GO.
YOU'RE LEARNING HOW TO HUNT THEM.
Robert: WELL, SHAWN SEEMS TO THINK
I'LL BE DISTRACTED WITH ROXANNE AROUND.
I'LL BE ON MY GAME.
HE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.
I KIND OF LIKE THIS. ALL I GOT TO DO IS WALK ALONG AND HOLD A BAG.
BE NICE IF YOU'D PAY ATTENTION.
UH-HUH.
YOU KNOW, ROBERT NEEDS TO KEEP HIS MIND ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
YOU KNOW, THIS IS A BUSINESS THAT WE'RE RUNNING HERE.
AND THIS COULD POTENTIALLY COST US SOME MONEY,
ESPECIALLY IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO HER.
YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST TOO MANY RISK FACTORS INVOLVED.
WHAT DO YOU GOT THERE?
THAT'S WHY YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION.
NO.
COME ON, SHAWN. LET HER. LET HER PIN IT.
NO.
HE'S FEISTY.
HE WAS TRYING TO GET AWAY ON ME.
HE'S A LITTLE AGITATED.
YEAH.
THERE YOU GO.
YOU'RE GONNA GET HER *** BIT.
I'M JUST TRYING TO BE HELPFUL.
WELL, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN BEING HELPFUL AND GETTING HURT.
SHE'S GOT ON A LITTLE, BITTY PAIR OF SHORTS.
FROM A SAFETY POINT, YOU KNOW,
SHE SHOULD BE WEARING SOME LONG BRITCHES.
Narrator: WITH AN AVERAGE STRIKING DISTANCE OF OVER 2 1/2 FEET,
AN AGGRESSIVE WESTERN DIAMONDBACK
COULD EASILY BITE ROXY ABOVE HER BOOTS,
WHERE THERE'S NOTHING TO PROTECT HER.
WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WHEN A SNAKE JUMPS OUT AT YOU?
YOU'RE GONNA HELP ME.
HEY, SHAWN, WATCH IT --
RIGHT OVER THERE IN THAT CORNER.
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
OH, THERE WE GO. THERE WE GO.
CAN I PIN IT?
SURE. YEAH.
NO.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHAWN'S ALL WOUND UP ABOUT.
HE THINKS I'M PAYING MORE ATTENTION TO ROXY
THAN I AM TO WHAT'S GOING ON.
SHAWN, I AGREE WITH HER. LET HER PIN IT.
IT'S TWO AGAINST ONE.
I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP] WHAT YOUR MATH IS. IT'S STUPID.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE KNOWN AS DAREDEVILS.
BUT TODAY WAS JUST PLAIN STUPID.
Robert: IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER SHAWN LIKES IT OR NOT.
HE CAN GO ON BACK HOME.
Narrator: AGAINST HIS BETTER JUDGEMENT,
SHAWN DECIDES TO WASH HIS HANDS OF THE SITUATION
AND AVOID A FALLOUT WITH HIS PARTNER.
SO, CAN I PIN IT?
DON'T ASK ME. ASK HIM.
I'M DEAD-SET AGAINST IT.
ALL RIGHT. HERE I GO.
Robert: GET UP ON A LITTLE FURTHER ON THE HEAD.
ALL RIGHT. OH.
Narrator: RATTLESNAKE VENOM PREVENTS BLOOD FROM COAGULATING.
AND ONCE YOU GET HIS HEAD PINNED DOWN,
THEN YOU CAN REACH DOWN AND GRAB HIM BEHIND THE HEAD.
IF ROXY DOESN'T IMMOBILIZE THE SNAKE'S HEAD,
HE COULD PULL FREE AND BITE HER IN A MAJOR LEG ARTERY,
CAUSING A LETHAL AMOUNT OF BLOOD LOSS.
Roxanne: WHERE DO I GRAB HIM?
THEN YOU GOT TO GET HIM RIGHT UP BEHIND THE HEAD,
JUST LIKE THIS, WITH THREE FINGERS.
IF YOU AIN'T GOT HIM HELD DOWN, GIRL --
UP A LITTLE CLOSER.
ALL RIGHT. WAIT.
AAH!
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
HE'S LAYING RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: JUST NORTH OF TAYLOR,
THIS SEASON'S MOST SUCCESSFUL HUNTERS HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES
AT ODDS OVER AN ATTRACTIVE ADDITION TO THEIR TEAM.
CAN I PIN IT?
DON'T ASK ME. ASK HIM.
I'M DEAD-SET AGAINST IT.
ROBERT WANTS TO LET HIS FRIEND ROXY PIN HER FIRST RATTLER,
BUT SHAWN'S CONCERNED HE'S GOT HIS EYES ON THE WRONG PRIZE.
UP A LITTLE CLOSER.
ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. AND THEN WHAT DO I -- WAIT.
AAH! NO, NO, NO. OKAY.
GOD [BLEEP] GIVE ME THAT.
GET THAT GOD[BLEEP] BAG.
Y'ALL GONNA [BLEEP] AROUND AND GET HER BIT.
I WAS JUST TRYING, SHAWN. I WAS TRYING TO BE HELPFUL.
HEY, I TELL YOU WHAT.
WHY DON'T YOU TRY TO GO TAKE YOUR *** TO THE TRUCK?
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY.
LOOK, DUDE, IF SHE GETS BIT, WE'RE DONE.
I'M NOT TRYING TO BE UGLY TO YOU,
BUT, SERIOUSLY, JUST GO SIT IN THE TRUCK.
ALL RIGHT, FINE.
SHE ALMOST GOT HIT TWICE RIGHT THERE.
EH, IT WAS ALL RIGHT.
WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S JUST KEEP HUNTING
AND FIND SOME SNAKES AND MAKE SOME MONEY.
NOW YOU'RE TALKING. THAT'S THE ROBERT I KNOW.
Narrator: WITH PLENTY OF DAYLIGHT LEFT,
THESE BOYS HAVE A JOB TO FINISH.
AND NO FIGHT COULD STAND BETWEEN THEM AND A HEFTY PAYDAY.
WITH THE BARN FINISHED,
THEY'LL HEAD OUT BACK TO CLEAR THE PROPERTY.
Shawn: THERE'S TWO.
Shawn: I DIDN'T MEAN TO SEEM LIKE AN ***,
BUT I SENT ROXY TO THE TRUCK BECAUSE I SAW A COUPLE OF THINGS
THAT JUST WASN'T GOING RIGHT WITH HER PIN.
AND I'D SURE HATE TO SEE THAT GOOD-LOOKING LITTLE GIRL GET BIT.
I-I KNOW, BUT, DAMN, ROBERT,
I CAN'T AFFORD FOR HER TO GET BIT.
Robert: SHAWN WASN'T HAPPY,
BUT WE'RE PARTNERS, SO IT'S ALWAYS GONNA WORK OUT.
WE'RE GONNA GET OVER IT.
DON'T EXPECT ME TO APOLOGIZE FOR IT.
I KNOW BETTER THAN TO EXPECT YOU TO APOLOGIZE.
Narrator: 180 MILES WEST, NEAR SWEETWATER,
RILEY SAWYERS IS FOLLOWING UP
ON THE TIP GIVEN HIM BY LEROY HIGGINBOTTOM.
Riley: OLD MAN HIGGINBOTTOM --
HE WAS SAYING IF WE COME RIGHT UP HERE,
THERE'S THIS FORK IN THE ROAD, AND THAT WE SHOULD GO LEFT.
RILEY'S MADE VERY LITTLE MONEY THIS SEASON,
SO HIGGINBOTTOM SENT HIM TO THE BIGGEST DEN HE EVER HUNTED.
HIGGY CLAIMS THIS DEN IS SO BIG,
RILEY COULD CATCH 100 POUNDS OF SNAKES IN A SINGLE DAY.
HE'S BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME, AND HE KNOWS HIS BUSINESS.
HE KNOWS SNAKES.
AND 99% OF THE TIME, HE KNOWS WHERE TO FIND SNAKES.
RILEY'S ROOKIE PARTNER, DALTIN FRITZ,
IS HUNGRY FOR A PAYDAY,
BUT HE'S LOST FAITH IN HIS MENTOR'S ABILITY TO FIND ONE.
IF RILEY CAN JUST FOLLOW THE MAP TO HIGGY'S HONEY HOLE,
HE MAY SALVAGE HIS PARTNERSHIP AND HIS SEASON.
SO, HOW MUCH FURTHER IS THIS FORK SUPPOSED TO BE COMING UP ON?
UH, ACCORDING TO THE MAP,
NOT... TOO MUCH FURTHER.
BUT BEING LED AROUND BY THE NOSE
DOESN'T SIT TOO WELL WITH RILEY.
HE SAYS LEFT.
I THINK RIGHT, THOUGH.
I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS.
HEY, MAN, I'M TRYING TO CATCH SOME SNAKES, DUDE.
I WANT SOME MONEY.
I AIN'T OUT HERE JUST TO CRUISE AROUND.
YOU'LL MAKE MONEY.
YOU JUST HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME FROM TIME TO TIME.
RILEY, SURE ENOUGH, YOU KNOW, HE'S A LITTLE HARD ***,
AND HE LIKES IT HIS WAY.
I DIDN'T HAVE TOO MUCH FAITH IN HIM.
YOU, UH, THINK THEY'RE GONNA BE OVER HERE, MAN?
ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO HIGGY AND --
NO. I'M TRUSTING MY INSTINCTS.
WELL, LET'S HOPE THERE'S SOMETHING OUT HERE.
Narrator: THIS LOOSE CANNON JUST GAVE UP
THE BIGGEST SCORE OF HIS LIFE.
AND IF HE DOESN'T FIND ANY RATTLERS,
HIS WALLET WILL BE AS EMPTY AS HIS SNAKE BOX.
30 MILES OUTSIDE OF RISING STAR,
JACKIE, MIKE, AND DOUGIE HAVE HIKED
TO ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS HUNTING GROUNDS IN TEXAS --
THE ABANDONED ROCK QUARRY.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ]
THEY'VE BEEN HUNTING THE EDGES OF THE ROCK PILES,
HOPING TO AVOID THE WORST TERRAIN.
BUT JACKIE NEEDS 24 SNAKES FOR AN UPCOMING STUNT SHOW,
AND SO FAR, THEY'VE ONLY CAUGHT 15.
Jackie: WHOO, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
THE RATTLERS HAVE RETREATED
TO THE TALL GRASS AND DENSE BRIERS,
WHERE THEIR COLOR AND MARKINGS ACT
AS THE PERFECT CAMOUFLAGE.
RIGHT UP UNDER THAT TREE LOOKS GOOD, DOUGIE.
YEAH, I KNOW, BUT I CAN'T SEE THEM IN THIS GRASS.
Mike: I CAN'T SEE THEM. THEY BLEND IN TOO GOOD.
Jackie: TRUST ME ON THIS DEAL. WE AIN'T GOT NOBODY KILLED YET.
Narrator: SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BITTEN HERE, NO ONE WANTS TO HUNT IT.
BUT WITH MONEY AND PRIDE ON THE LINE,
TEAM BIBBY HAS NO CHOICE.
I CANNOT MOVE ONE OVER. I CAN'T TELL WHAT IT IS.
CAN'T SEE NOTHING. SO DARN GRASSY.
A COUPLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OVER THERE,
RIGHT ON THAT ROCK.
YEAH.
GET THESE LIMBS OUT OF THE WAY.
HE'S UP HERE, BOYS.
Jackie: YOU GOT HIM?
HELL, I GOT ONE GOT AWAY, FELLAS.
GOD [BLEEP]
I'M GETTING EAT UP BY THIS GOD [BLEEP]
Narrator: WESTERN DIAMONDBACKS CAN LAND A STRIKE
IN UNDER HALF A SECOND.
IF DOUGIE GETS STUCK IN THE BRIERS,
HE'LL HAVE NO TIME TO ESCAPE.
HE'S CRAWLING UP, MIKE. WATCH OUT.
[BLEEP] DON'T PUT HIM UP MY LEFT.
SON OF A [BLEEP]
EASY.
GOD [BLEEP] IT.
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
Dougie: HE'S UP HERE, BOYS.
Narrator: NEAR RISING STAR, TEXAS,
JACKIE, MIKE, AND DOUGIE ARE HUNTING
THE INFAMOUS ABANDONED QUARRY,
AND IT'S CRAWLING WITH SNAKES.
HELL, I GOT ONE GOT AWAY, FELLAS.
DOUGIE'S FOUND AN AGGRESSIVE DIAMONDBACK,
BUT TALL GRASS AND A DENSE BRIER PATCH
ARE MAKING THIS SNAKE HARD TO SEE AND EVEN HARDER TO CATCH.
Mike: I GOT IT. [BLEEP]
HE'S CRAWLING UP, MIKE. WATCH OUT.
[BLEEP] DON'T PUT HIM UP MY LEFT.
THEY'RE HARD TO SEE IN THAT OLD GRASS.
I MEAN, YOU CAN'T SEE THEM.
AND THEN WHEN I SEEN HIM, HE WAS TRYING TO CRAWL AWAY,
TRYING TO GET UP UNDERNEATH THAT HOLE.
I GOT HIM.
EASY.
GOD [BLEEP] IT.
TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIM AWAY FROM ME,
I HAD TO RUN THROUGH A BRIER PATCH.
OH [BLEEP] [BLEEP]
I'M GETTING EAT UP BY THIS GOD[BLEEP]
THERE HE IS.
GOT HIM?
GOT HIM.
BUT I GOT HIM.
HELL, I GOT UP IN THIS BRIER PATCH
TRYING TO GET THAT RATTLESNAKE.
HE GOT UP UNDER THAT ROCK. I COULDN'T GET TO HIM.
I HAD TO GO THROUGH THEM BRIERS.
WHOO, THAT'S A GOOD ONE.
THAT'S ANOTHER BIG ONE RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: THIS MASSIVE HAUL SHOULD CASH OUT IN THE HUNDREDS.
I BET WE GOT 50, 60 POUNDS IN THERE, MAN.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY CAUGHT THE 24 SNAKES
THEY NEEDED TO PUT ON THEIR RECORD-BREAKING SHOW.
AND THAT WILL MEAN A BIG PAYCHECK
AND TONS OF FUTURE BUSINESS.
Jackie: I KNOW THOSE GUYS STOLE THAT RECORD OFF ME,
BUT I'M A SNAKE LEGEND.
I'VE BEEN A LEGEND IN THIS BUSINESS
FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
SO, TODAY I'M GONNA TAKE IT BACK.
Narrator: JACKIE'S CONFIDENT,
BUT THEIR REPUTATION IS ON THE LINE,
SO HE'S GOT TO DELIVER.
NEAR SWEETWATER, TEXAS,
MAVERICK SNAKE HUNTER RILEY SAWYERS
HAS GONE OFF HALF-COCKED AGAIN.
I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYBODY SAYS.
RILEY WAS GIVEN THE TIP OF A LIFETIME
BY LEROY HIGGINBOTTOM,
BUT HE'S DECIDED TO GO HIS OWN WAY.
I'M TRUSTING MY INSTINCTS.
WELL, LET'S HOPE THERE'S SOMETHING OUT HERE.
RILEY'S NOT ONE TO TAKE ADVICE FROM OTHERS,
BUT HE AND DALTIN CAN'T AFFORD TO COME UP EMPTY-HANDED AGAIN.
HEY. [ SNIFFS ] YOU SMELL THAT?
YEAH.
YEAH, I THINK THIS COULD BE THE SPOT.
SNAKES USE SCENT TO MARK THEIR TERRITORY.
THE STRONGER THE SMELL,
THE MORE SNAKES THERE ARE IN THE AREA.
YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN HUNTING SNAKES A LONG TIME.
I GUESS I'VE TRAINED MY SENSES
THAT I CAN ACTUALLY SMELL THE MUSKY ODOR.
YOU THINK THIS IS WHERE THEY'RE AT, HUH?
MAYBE.
WELL, I'M RIGHT BEHIND YOU.
IF I COME ACROSS A PLACE
AND THE SMELL IS REAL INTENSE,
THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE WE COULD MAKE $1,000 THAT DAY.
Narrator: AFTER A LONG DRY SPELL,
IT LOOKS LIKE RILEY'S HUNCH
MAY HAVE LED THEM TO THE MOTHER LODE.
THAT AROMA'S GETTING STRONGER.
HEY, STOP.
LOOK RIGHT THERE.
THERE'S ONE RIGHT THERE.
OKAY. JUST EASE UP ON IT.
DON'T SPOOK HIM BACK INTO THE HOLE.
AND LOOK. THERE'S ANOTHER ONE.
THERE'S ONE UP THERE, TOO.
YEAH, I SEE ANOTHER ONE RIGHT HERE.
YEAH, THAT'S A SNAKE RIGHT THERE.
JUST STAY CALM. JUST EASE INTO IT.
I'M GONNA LET YOU GRAB THAT ONE.
OH [BLEEP]
THAT'S A NICE SNAKE.
HE'D BE SOME GOOD EATING -- THAT OR A GOOD PAYCHECK.
THESE ARE SOME BIG ONES, TOO.
[ LAUGHS ]
THIS IS A GOOD ONE RIGHT HERE.
THAT'S HALF A TANK OF GAS.
MAN, THERE'S A BUNCH IN THERE, DUDE. YOU SEE THEM?
HE'S NONE TOO HAPPY.
UNH-UNH. YOU BETTER NOT LET THAT BAD BOY GET ME.
I WON'T.
WHEW!
YEAH, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S
ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE MORE IN HERE, DUDE.
YEAH, THIS MIGHT BE THE MONEY HOLE.
Narrator: WITH SUPPLY AT AN ALL-TIME LOW THIS SEASON,
EACH SNAKE COULD BE WORTH UPWARDS OF $25.
HELL, YEAH.
WITH OVER 20 SNAKES IN THE BOX,
THIS SCORE COULD REPLENISH
A GOOD CHUNK OF THIS YEAR'S LOSSES.
WHOO, BABY, IN THAT PROFIT REGION NOW, HUH?
PROUD TO GIVE DALTIN HIS FIRST BIG PAYDAY...
RIGHT ON, MAN.
...RILEY CAN'T WAIT TO SHOW HIGGY
JUST HOW FAR FROM RETIREMENT HE REALLY IS.
CATCH ENOUGH OF THESE SNAKES,
MAYBE I'LL PUT ME A DOWN PAYMENT ON A CAMARO.
NEAR CASTROVILLE, TEXAS,
FATHER-AND-SON TROPHY SNAKE HUNTERS ERIC AND RICK TIMAEUS
ARE SEARCHING FOR A CAVE THEY THINK COULD BE HOME
TO AN EIGHT-FOOT, MONSTER RATTLESNAKE.
WE'LL TRY TO GET OVER HERE TO THE EDGE,
SEE IF WE CAN FIND A SPOT TO GET DOWN.
BE CAREFUL ON THIS EDGE HERE.
BUT THE GROUND IS INCREDIBLY UNSTABLE.
WATCH WHERE YOU'RE WALKING.
HOLY [BLEEP]
THAT IS DEEP.
HEY! HEY, YOU!
SON OF A [BLEEP] YOU OKAY?
YOU ALL RIGHT?
YEAH.
I THINK WE GOT TO GET OVER HERE TO THIS BOTTOM.
YEAH. HERE'S WHERE WE'RE GONNA GO DOWN.
ERIC AND RICK ARE RAPPELLING
50 FEET DOWN THE SIDE OF THE SINK HOLE
TO REACH THE MOUTH OF THE CAVE BELOW.
Rick: ALL RIGHT, I'M ON. I'M ON.
WHOA.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE LAST OF THEIR TROUBLES.
THE CAVE ITSELF COULD EXTEND FOR MILES BENEATH THE SURFACE
AND BRANCH OUT IN A HUNDRED DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.
HOLY [BLEEP] LOOK AT THE CAVES BACK THERE.
IT'S LIKE CAVE AFTER CAVE.
TEXAS IS HOME
TO SOME OF THE LARGEST NETWORKS OF UNDERGROUND CAVES
IN THE U.S.
IN THESE MASSIVE, WINDING CAVERNS,
TEMPERATURES CAN BE UP TO 40 DEGREES COOLER
THAN ON THE SURFACE, MAKING THEM AN IDEAL HABITAT
FOR ANY CREATURE SEEKING A REPRIEVE FROM THE DESERT HEAT.
MM, HERE'S SOME OLD BONES LAYING DOWN HERE.
Rick: WE KNOW OTHER ANIMALS GO DOWN THESE CAVES
TO FIND SHELTER AND COOL OFF DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY.
SO WE THINK THAT SNAKES ARE GONNA BE DOWN THERE.
Narrator: TO COVER ENOUGH GROUND
IN THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF DAYLIGHT LEFT,
ERIC AND RICK ARE GONNA HAVE TO SPLIT UP.
HUMANS HAVE BEEN USING THESE CAVES FOR 8,000 YEARS,
FROM NATIVE AMERICAN HUNTERS TAKING SHELTER IN 5000 B.C.
TO CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS LOOKING FOR A SECRET PLACE
TO MAKE GUNPOWDER DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
IT'S REALLY COOL IN HERE.
BUT EACH VISITOR QUICKLY LEARNS
THAT THEY MUST KEEP THEIR BEARINGS,
BECAUSE THE FARTHER YOU WANDER,
THE MORE LIKELY YOU ARE TO GET LOST.
I'M ALL TURNED AROUND.
DAD!
WHERE ARE YOU?!
[ PANTING ]
I'M LOST!
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
Narrator: NEAR CASTROVILLE, TEXAS,
TROPHY SNAKE HUNTERS ERIC AND RICK TIMAEUS
HAVE RAPPELLED INTO A MASSIVE CAVERN
TO SEARCH FOR RATTLESNAKES.
DAD!
I'M LOST!
Narrator: THEY'VE WANDERED TOO FAR APART,
AND NOW THEY'RE SEPARATED IN A DARK LABYRINTH OF PASSAGES.
I'M ALL TURNED AROUND.
DAD!
Eric: I FINALLY HEARD HIM.
IT SOUNDED LIKE HE WAS A MILE AWAY.
Rick: WHERE ARE YOU?! I CAN HEAR YOU!
Eric: I'M UP HERE IN THIS CAVE!
KEEP TALKING.
I'M DOWN HERE! CAN YOU SEE MY LIGHT?
I GOT ON MY HANDS AND KNEES, AND I WAS LOOKING WAY DOWN THIS CAVE.
I COULD SEE A LIGHT BOUNCING AROUND.
YEAH.
HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU COME IN FROM THIS DIRECTION?
I HAD NO CLUE. ALL THESE THINGS ARE CIRCLING AROUND.
Narrator: AFTER HOURS INSIDE THE CAVES,
THE TIMAEUSES ARE READY TO CALL THE DAY A BUST
AND GET BACK TO THEIR TRUCK BEFORE SUNDOWN.
WE WERE DONE. I DIDN'T WANT ANY MORE OF THIS CAVE TODAY.
THIS IS SLICK HERE, WITH THESE ROCKS.
LOOK AT THAT.
AND HERE'S THIS 4 1/2-FOOT-LONG RATTLESNAKE
CRAWLING UP OUT OF THE CAVE.
Narrator: IF A SURFACE IS ROUGH ENOUGH,
RATTLESNAKES CAN USE THEIR SCALES TO GRIP AND CLIMB
EVEN A NEARLY VERTICAL SURFACE.
Rick: HE'S GOING RIGHT UP THE SIDE OF THE WALL.
HE'S GONNA CRAWL RIGHT OUT OF THIS CAVE. LOOK AT THAT.
BUT THEIR GRIP IS WEAK,
WHICH MAKES THEM VULNERABLE AND MORE LIKELY TO LASH OUT.
UH-OH. WATCH HIM.
HE COULD STRIKE FOUR FEET OFF OF THAT ROCK, RICK.
[ SNAKE HISSES ]
OHH. HERE HE COMES.
COME ON DOWN AROUND BEHIND ME NOW.
COME ON.
I'M GONNA HAVE TO GET DOWN ON MY KNEE.
HE'S PROBABLY GONNA BE PRETTY STRONG.
NOSE TO THE GROUND. GOT HIM. GOT HIM.
I'LL LET HIM GO NOW.
I'M GONNA PUT MY HAND IN THERE A LONG WAYS
AND BRING IT OUT FAST.
YOU READY?
TWIST IT.
YEAH.
THIS RATTLER WASN'T THE EIGHT-FOOTER
THEY WERE HOPING FOR.
FOUR FEET WON'T NET MUCH ON THE TROPHY MARKET
AND CERTAINLY WASN'T WORTH THE RISKS.
Rick: TODAY WASN'T A GOOD DAY FOR US.
WE PUT OURSELVES IN A LOT OF DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.
COME ON. GRAB THAT TREE BRANCH.
[ GRUNTS ]
I GOT LOST, DAD WASN'T HAPPY AT ME,
AND ALL FOR ONE SNAKE.
IT JUST WASN'T WORTH IT.
RILEY.
HEY, I GOT A LOT OF SNAKES, LEROY.
IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE.
I WENT TO THAT GENERAL VICINITY WHERE YOU POINTED ME OUT.
BUT SOMETHING WAS SAYING, "GO RIGHT. GO RIGHT."
AND I WENT AHEAD AND WENT RIGHT.
AND I'VE GOT A BOX FULL OF SNAKES. I'M BACK.
Narrator: AND A BOX FULL OF SNAKES...
WELL, IT LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 70 POUNDS.
...EARNS A POCKETFUL OF MONEY.
$500, CASH.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE SEASON COULD BE TURNING AROUND
FOR TEAM SAWYERS.
Riley: ALL THE TIME.
YEAH, UH-HUH.
IN DOWNTOWN RISING STAR,
JACKIE BIBBY IS PREPARING TO PUT ON A STUNT SHOW
AT THE TOWN'S HOMECOMING FESTIVAL.
STUNT SHOWS BRING IN A SIZABLE PAYCHECK,
AND AN IMPRESSED CROWD CAN BRING IN EVEN MORE BUSINESS.
BUT FOR JACKIE, THIS SHOW IS ABOUT MORE THAN MONEY.
IT'S ABOUT PRIDE.
[ SNAKE HISSES ]
JACKIE'S BEEN A LEGEND FOR DECADES,
AND THAT REPUTATION WAS EARNED WITH FIVE WORLD RECORDS.
THAT'S A NEW WORLD RECORD.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
BUT AT THE PEANUT FESTIVAL,
DAREDEVIL STUNTMAN ROBERT ACKERMAN
STOLE ONE OF JACKIE'S RECORDS
BY CLIMBING INTO A SLEEPING BAG HEADFIRST WITH 23 RATTLESNAKES.
I KNOW THOSE GUYS STOLE THAT RECORD OFF ME A FEW WEEKS BACK,
BUT I'M BACK IN MY ELEMENT NOW
BECAUSE WHEN I GET IN THAT SHOW PIT,
THAT'S WHEN I REALLY BEGIN TO SHINE,
AND TODAY I'M GONNA TAKE IT BACK.
Narrator: USING THE 24 SNAKES
THEY CAUGHT AT THE ROCK QUARRY,
JACKIE'S PLANNING TO RESTORE HIS REPUTATION.
BUT THESE RATTLERS AREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT EASY.
THE RATTLERS FROM THE QUARRY
HAVE LIVED FOR YEARS WITH MINIMAL CONTACT FROM HUMANS.
NOW THESE DEADLY PREDATORS ARE IN A ROOM
SURROUNDED BY A HUNDRED OF THEM.
AND THEY'RE NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
Mike: ALL RIGHT. LET'S ROCK AND ROLL.
ONE. TWO.
Narrator: NORMALLY MIKE AND DOUGIE TRY TO USE
THE MOST DOCILE SNAKES FOR THIS STUNT.
[ SNAKES HISSING ]
IF A SNAKE STRIKES AT THEIR BOOT,
IT'S TOO ANGRY TO GO IN THE BAG.
AND TODAY, ALMOST ALL THE RATTLERS ARE READY TO FIGHT.
Dougie: EVERYTHING'S TRACKING, MAN.
Mike: IT'S ALL WE GOT.
MOVE SLOW. WE GOT THIS ONE EXCITED OVER HERE.
Jackie: GOD DANG.
YOU GOT TO GO, SNAKE. I DON'T HAVE NO CHOICE.
HE'S GOING UNDER ME.
WELL, THAT'S ALL I CAN DO.
Narrator: WITH 10 SNAKES IN THE BAG AND 14 TO GO,
TEAM BIBBY'S ONLY CHOICE
IS TO WAIT FOR THE REST OF THE SNAKES TO CALM DOWN
WHILE JACKIE SWEATS IT OUT IN THE BAG.
Jackie: GENTLY, PLEASE.
GOD [BLEEP]
[ CROWD GASPS ]
[ SNAKE RATTLING ]
Narrator: IN DOWNTOWN RISING STAR,
SNAKE SHOWMAN JACKIE BIBBY IS TRYING TO RETAKE A WORLD RECORD
BY LYING HEADFIRST IN A SLEEPING BAG
WITH 24 DIAMONDBACK RATTLERS.
Mike: YOU GOT TO GO, SNAKE. I DON'T HAVE NO CHOICE.
Jackie: HE'S GOING UNDER ME.
WELL, THAT'S ALL I CAN DO.
THE FIRST 18 WERE CALM ENOUGH TO PLACE INSIDE,
BUT THE FINAL SIX WILL NOT RELAX.
AND MIKE AND DOUGIE ARE WORRIED JACKIE WILL GET BIT.
THE VENOM FROM A SINGLE UNTREATED DIAMONDBACK BITE
CAN BE FATAL.
THE VENOM OF 24 BITES
COULD CAUSE SUCH SEVERE INTERNAL BLEEDING
THAT JACKIE WOULD HAVE TO BE TREATED WITHIN MINUTES TO SURVIVE.
Dougie: MOVE SLOW. WE GOT THIS ONE EXCITED OVER HERE.
AND ONE STRIKE COULD SET THEM ALL OFF.
EASY. NO.
EVERYTHING'S TRACKING, MAN.
IT'S ALL WE GOT.
WITH ONLY THE MOST VIOLENT SNAKES LEFT,
TEAM BIBBY HAS TO MAKE A CHOICE --
CANCEL THE STUNT OR PLACE SIX AGGRESSIVE SNAKES IN THE BAG.
HOLD ON. HOLD ON.
MOST HANDLERS WOULD END THE STUNT HERE.
BUT WITH HIS PRIDE ON THE LINE, THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.
LET'S LIGHT THIS ROMAN CANDLE.
TURN HIM MY WAY, VINNY.
Jackie: HOW MANY IS THAT?
I NEED THREE MORE.
I NEED THREE MORE TO MAKE IT.
EVERYTHING'S CRACKING, MAN.
BE CAREFUL WITH HIM.
MIKEY, CAREFUL. CAREFUL.
Mike: HOLD ON. HOLD ON.
GOD DANG.
CAREFUL WITH THAT ONE.
OH, MAN.
EASY. EASY.
THAT'S ALL WE GOT.
THAT'S ALL WE GOT.
1, 2, 3.
REALLY? REALLY?
OKAY.
GET HIM IN THERE.
GET THAT ONE IN THERE AND GET IT ZIPPED UP.
WE GOT TO GET HIM OUT OF THERE.
JACKIE'S TEAM MANAGED TO SQUEEZE IN ALL 24 SNAKES.
Dougie: GOD [BLEEP] GET MOVING.
BUT NOW COMES THE DANGEROUS PART.
THEY'LL ZIP HIM IN, TIGHTENING THE BAG EVEN MORE,
AND THEN PULL HIM OUT BY THE FEET.
Jackie: GENTLY, PLEASE.
Narrator: UNTIL NOW, JACKIE'S REMAINED COMPLETELY STILL.
AND THE SUDDEN MOVEMENT COULD SET OFF A STRIKING FRENZY.
Man: ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR JACKIE BIBBY.
Dougie: ALL RIGHT, JACKIE, I'M RIGHT HERE BESIDE YOU.
I'M RIGHT HERE. YOU HEAR ME?
IF YOU GOT ANY PROBLEMS, YOU JUST LET ME KNOW.
Jackie: GO GENTLY 'CAUSE I GOT SOMETHING BESIDE ME.
COMING OUT.
HOLD ON, OKAY? COME ON.
EASY. EASY.
Man: ONE MORE TIME -- A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR JACKIE BIBBY.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
IT'S HOT IN THERE.
I DECIDED TO STEAL THAT RECORD BACK
THAT ROBERT AND SHAWN GOT AWAY FROM ME A FEW WEEKS AGO.
AND IT FEELS GREAT TO BE BACK ON TOP.
I AM THE TEXAS SNAKE MAN.
THAT'S WHAT I AM. THAT'S WHO I AM.
AND THAT'S ABSOLUTELY WHO I'M GONNA ALWAYS BE --
THE TEXAS SNAKE MAN.
BOY, IT WAS GETTING CROWDED IN THAT SLEEPING BAG.
[ LAUGHTER ]
AND IT SURE WAS HOT IN THERE.
Narrator: WITH A BIG PAYCHECK IN THEIR POCKET
AND A HUGE CROWD PROMISING EVEN BIGGER FUTURE EARNINGS,
JACKIE'S DECIDED TO GO OUT AND BUY HIMSELF A LITTLE REWARD.
Jackie: MAN, SMELL THAT. THAT SMELLS GOOD, DON'T IT?
WHEW! I LIKE THAT LEATHER SMELL.
FRESH LEATHER.
Jackie: IF YOU AIN'T WEARING GOOD BOOTS,
YOU JUST AIN'T FIT TO GO OUT IN THE WOODS.
Dougie: HERE'S SOMETHING RIGHT HERE, JACK.
TWO CAIMAN ALLIGATORS THERE.
Jackie: OOH!
HELLO, GENTLEMEN.
HOW DO YOU DO, SIR?
WHAT CAN I DO FOR Y'ALL?
WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME BOOTS, AND YOU GOT SOME OF THEM.
OH, YES, SIR.
HOW MUCH IS THESE, SCOTT?
WHEW!
THEY'RE NICE.
THEY ARE. THEY'RE LOVELY. THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.
I'M GONNA COME BACK AND SEE YOU ON THESE.
ALL RIGHT. THAT WORKS.
BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, JUST SOME STANDARD,
JUST KIND OF EVERYDAY COWBOY BOOTS.
THAT'S NICE RIGHT THERE. I LIKE THAT.
SCOTT, LET ME TRY THAT ON.
THAT MIGHT BE JUST WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR RIGHT THERE.
MAN, THEM WILL SURE MAKE YOUR DOGS LAUGH.
I BELIEVE THAT'LL WORK.