Snake Hunting on the Devil's Highway: Humorous Tales from the Glory Days of Snake Hunting

by Richard Lapidus

On his first snake hunting trip to southeastern Arizona, the author was taunted and belittled by the owner of a small café because he expressed a fear of insects. The author extracted revenge by releasing a large rattlesnake in the crowded eatery. That's where the fun begins in this humorous accounting of the true-life trials and tribulations of two unlikely friends, Richard Lapidus and Buz Lunsford, as they traveled hundreds of miles each summer to spend a few days and nights hunting for snakes, and found themselves in the middle of situations (sometimes dangerous--always funny), mainly around the Chiricahua National Monument and Highway 666. More than snakes were encountered on the summer trips, however; and, through humorous short stories, other desert creatures are discussed, including bats, arachnids, lizards, frogs, toads, turtles, birds, skunks, insects, spiders, rabbits, coatimundis, rangers, law enforcement officials and other unusual two and four-legged critters. As Master of Ceremonies of the Warren Earp Days and Western Book Exposition in 2002, Richard Lapidus stood before the large group and told the story of his first snake hunting trip to that very city of Willcox, Arizona. There was so much laughter and good cheer that Richard was overwhelmed. He later dusted off his notes, and with the assistance of many people, assembled the stories in this collection.

149 pages, Paperback

First published October 3, 2006

About the author

Richard Lapidus writes about reptiles and the old west. His articles have appeared in major newspapers, national magazines and scientific and history journals since 1975. He has contributed to many books and has had two of his own published, with two more on the way.

Reviews

[Dennis Cathcart]

I hated for the book to end. Myself an old-time snake hunter, Richard’s book, took me to places I’d never hunted, and left me feeling as though I had. The non-stop banter between two hunting buddies, on every topic under the sun, is part of what I miss the most from those “glory days.” Richard puts you in the front seat on each foray into the Arizona desert. Engaging and exciting, educational, and nostalgic. All the elements for a fun read.