Venomous Snake Handling Course - Brisbane

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day guys,

Sharna and I recently conducted a venomous snake handling course in Cloncurry, NW QLD for a large mining company. It was the first handling course we have conducted, and we were using it to test the waters to see how well we could do it. Well, after receiving nothing but positive feedback from the participants, we are now going to start offering them to the public.

We offer two courses pertaining the venomous snakes at the moment. The first caters for those who wish to gain their Damage Mitigation Permit in QLD, so they can do removals and relocations. If you work in the mining industry, or any industry that involves significant field work, a Damage Mitigation Permit can be a big asset. The second course we offer is for those who wish to keep venomous snakes in captivity. We won't be conducting the second course until later in the year, but we do strongly recommend that those who wish to partake in it complete the Damage Mitigation course first.

The courses are limited to a maximum of TWELVE people, definitely no more. It is also a pass/fail course and we reserve the right to fail those who we do not believe are competent. Rest assured, all 6 participants from the mining company passed with flying colours. Educational Reptile Displays are the only business supplying venomous snake handling courses where the trainers have been employed as venomous snake handlers. Both Sharna and I have never had a bite. (Touch wood!).

We will be conducting a Damage Mitigation course on the weekend of the 31st March/1st April. The cost of the course is $220 per person. Location will most probably be around the Sherwood area. Equipment will be supplied for use, but will also be available for sale. Purpose made welded snake hooks are $27ea, hoop bags with bag are $60, spare bags are $45. We also offer a snake handling kit, which consists of 2 snake hooks, 2 bandages, a hoop and two bags, in a purpose made carry bag. They are $190.

If anyone is interested, please PM me. Participants MUST be over 18 years old, regardless of whether they have parental permission or not.

Species used will include Eastern Browns, Western Browns, Mulga Snakes, Death Adders and Tiger Snakes. No Taipans will be used.

Cheers,

Jonno and Sharna
Educational Reptile Displays
0413 128 248

 

[rigga]

What is the difference between the two courses ?
Can I get a restricted license for keeping elapids after having done the Damage Mitigation course ?

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day mate,

Sorry for not explaining further in my original post.

The difference between the two courses is significant. The Damage Mitigation course concentrates on basic venomous snake handling. It is a strictly "hands off" course, teaching people how to use hooks, how to act around venomous snakes, how to use a hoop bag etc.

The captive venomous snake course concentrates on such things as cage design, minimising risk, day to day handling, feeding and husbandry of the main 4 species kept in captivity (Red Bellies, Colletts, Adders and Tigers). It will also teach basic skills such as tailing, but we will not be teaching head grabbing at this stage.

At the moment, nobody in Australia is able to offer a course to Queenslanders that will guarantee they get either a Damage Mitigation Permit or a Specialist endorsement on their Recreational Permit. It is at QPWS's discretion as to who they issue the permits to. However, we do supply details of the people who passed the course, what the course consisted of, and a general overview of how each individual course went to QPWS. So the round about answer is that if you are eligible for a permit, have a clean criminal record, and have completed our course, chances are you will get the permit.

Each course is specific for each permit, so if you complete the Damage Mitigation Permit course, we will not recommend you get your Specialist endorsement.

Cheers

Jonno and Sharna
Educational Reptile Displays
0413 128 248

 

[cement]

Alright thanks mate, any idea of dates

 

[rumpig]

very interested in both courses

 

[jessejames]

What experience would you reccommend to have or need, to do the first course??

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day guys,

The first course is aimed at people who have absolutely no experience with snakes, at all. It consists of a day of theory and a day of working with the snakes. The theory component starts off basic - what makes a snake a snake (compared to say, a pygopod), what the difference is between the various families, genuses and species of snakes, how to identify snakes, safety around snakes etc etc.

If there are any enquiries please don't hesitate to call or PM me.

Cheers

Jonno and Sharna
Educational Reptile Displays
0413 128 248

 

[nvenm8]

Wow Jonno and Sharna, Talk about a great deal! After inquiring about other courses i was looking at $400++. Thank you. very cool. 8) 8)

 

[ben2dray]

all i can say is i wish i was 18 i would be down for both the courses

 

[nvenm8]

PM sent.

 

[nvenm8]

well i'm excited! who else?

 

[Bendarwin]

What you need to do is get registered with the Defence force as a trainer, you can guarantee numbers and it is paid for by the government. I can get you started if you offer a course in Newcastle (RAAF Wiliamtown) . Even if you can't secure a defence contract , I would be interested If you were down here.

Ben

 

[PremierPythons]

I'm sorry if you take offence to this question being asked but are any of the snakes used in your handling course venomoids? There is another entity who runs courses in Qld who, according to their vet, approached the vet in question about voiding the vens used in their courses... That's why I ask. I am sure you do not use voided animals but I'd like to be sure before expressing interest in your particular course.

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day Chanty,

Educational Reptile Displays have not, do not, and will not ever use venomoid snakes. We are 100% against the practice, regardless of who does it. All the snakes used in the courses that were born venomous are still venomous, and most are legally wild caught so they accurately represent what the participants will encounter in reality.

Thanks for all the enquiries and tips!

Cheers

Jonno
Educational Reptile Displays
0413 128 248

 

[elapid68]

G'day guys,

Educational Reptile Displays are the only business supplying venomous snake handling courses where the trainers have been employed as venomous snake handlers.

I don't want to burst your bubble but you might want to research that a bit prior to posting a comment like this.
I know for a fact you are not the only business supplying venomous snake handling courses where the trainers have been employed as venomous snake handlers. You may be the only ones in your area but there are several licenced companies/individuals that are both Reptile Controllers and offer handling courses. Most of these people also travel all over the country providing these services.

 

[Paliadon]

Great idea for a course. I live in an area where relocation are an everyday occurrence. I would love to do a course that could teach me the good techniques to use. Any idea where one is in the Cairns area that is being run.

*** Sorry for the hijack - only a couple of responses required PM if necessary ***

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day guys,

We are getting heaps of interest in our courses. One of the most common questions is "When are you going to do a course in ........?" - at the moment we are not conducting courses outside of QLD for the time been due to permit restrictions, but it will be something we will investigate later on in the year. For those who are in QLD, but not located in the great South East, we will be advertising courses all over QLD very soon. We plan on working our way up the coast, most probably stopping at Gladstone and Cairns. If you guys would like us up there sooner than later, we require a minimum of 8 people to do the course, so gather up some mates and let us know, and we'll be there. Unfortunately we can't quote on how much it will be at the moment, as we will have to factor in freight (about $1000!), accommodation, flights and transport for us. Like always though, we will try and keep it as affordable as possible for everyone.

Thanks for the interest, and don't forget there are still a couple of spots open for the Brisbane course!

Thanks

Jonno
Educational Reptile Displays
0413 128 248

 

[Paliadon]

Thanks for the reply. Put me on a list (see my profile for an email) and let me know when you will be in the Cairns region. I will definitely be booking in for a course.

Cheers

Kris

 

[Jonno from ERD]

G'day guys,

We're getting lots of PM's and phone calls with regards to the course, but still need about 5 more people to definitely fill the spots. If we can't get those 5 people before this weekend we will have to postpone it until early May, when I am back from collecting Inland Taipans.

If anyone has any enquiries please call me on 0413 128 248.

Cheers

Jonno

 

[Jonno from ERD]

Only a couple of more spots left...