[Texas Fossil]

I lived in the mountains of NM for close to 14 years.

Beautiful country.

Never saw a rattler there. But they have them.

We killed them often here in TX where I grew up. Family has farmed here since 1889.

As the families moved from the farms to town, the wildlife (including rattlers) re-inhabited the pastures.

We are in the process of remodeling my grandparents home at the farm. Must move back to prevent the theft that has become so prevalent since the oil price collapse. They are outsiders and recent groups that have moved in with the oil boom, now bust has given them an excuse to steal from the locals. Some of them have found it is a dangerous place to steal things. Lead follows in some cases.

[DJ Taylor]

"I lived in the mountains of NM for close to 14 years. Beautiful country."

Your description made me think of Ruidoso, NM. It doesn't get more beautiful than the Ruidoso mountains.