My late husband killed several rattlesnakes on our property - but never told anyone - he just chopped off their head and then buried them.
For some reason, I am not able (mentally) to do that.
Here is a link to why the rattlesnake is ‘endangered’ (although I was a bit surprised to see it was an inhabitat of the Eastern US - because it is very much alive in Arizona, and the SW):
http://www.tenan.vuurwerk.nl/reports/tellcity/nathan.htm
Well, I sure am surprised to know that the Diamondback Rattler is endangered. My cousin and her husband have rattlesnakes on their ranch near Sacramento and have killed several of them. They even took their dog to school to teach him to fear and not go near any kind of snake. They also have him vaccinated against snake bite. I don’t know if they are the same kind of rattlers that are endangered or not, but my cousin is killing every one they find on their property. It’s just not safe not to.