Definition, Legality, and Ethics of Field Herping

[BWSmith]

In the most basic sense, Field Herping is simply looking for herpetofauna outdoors. But turning over logs in your yard is generally not really considered herping. Much of the time, herpers drive great distances to get to the prime habitat of target species or an area with a concentrated population of reptiles and amphibians.

For the average herper, there are three main methods for field herping. The most obvious, of course, is just walking near creeks, swamps, or other suitable habitat looking for herps. Logs or rocks are often lifted as herps like to lay under them. This can become very arduous as the results may vary and there are usually very few snakes (the most common target) found per day except in prime areas. The second method is affectionately referred to as "Flipping Tin". And it is pretty much what it sounds like. Herpers will drive around and find fallen buildings, sheds, piles of roofing tin, plywood, car hoods, refrigerators, debris, just about anything flat on the ground. Snakes and other herps are drawn to these items. They are carefully lifted to see what resides under. Each piece is then put back the way it was found. This retains the integrity of the site and gives you and the snakes someplace to come back to. The final method is called "Road Cruising". During the morning, dusk, and at night, herpers drive down back roads looking for snakes that are crossing the road. This may sound like an exercise in futility just driving around on the off chance that a snake is crossing the road, but it is remarkably effective. It is not uncommon, during favorable conditions, for road cruising to out perform all other methods of herping.

Now so far, I have just talked about FINDING herps, not what happens once they are found. Many state laws govern the contact that people can have with wildlife. In Georgia, for example, all native nonvenomous species of snakes are protected and are illegal to take, possess, breed, or sell. Some states have a set number of native species that can be taken. Sometimes a special license may be required for collection. It is important to know and obey the laws relating to wild herpetofauna. There is a word for unlawfully taking wildlife ........ POACHING.

There are some commercial collectors that go herping for the specific purpose of finding animals to sell. Of course, one would be hard pressed to offset the cost of the gasoline used to find them. Luckily, commercial collectors make up a small percentage of field herpers. It is important to remember that just as you enjoy seeing these animals in the wild, future generations would like to see them as well. Consider a few things before removing a herp from the wild:

Are you keeping it just because you are proud you caught it?
It is understandable to want to show off your "prize". But this really is not a good reason to remove a wild animal from its natural environment. You WILL find more. If this is your only reason for wanting to keep it, then let it go. Besides, photographs eat less and live longer.

Do you have the enclosure space available?
Just as with acquiring any animal, the enclosure should be prepared before the animal arrives. At the very least, a cage should be available. Animals should not be removed if there is no place to put them. Do not make the animal suffer because of your lack of planning.

Is it LEGAL for you to take it?
This is pretty self explanatory. To you, it may just be a Cornsnake. But to regulatory and law enforcement agencies, it may be a protected species and you could be subject to legal repercussions. Stay legal!

Is it an animal that would have otherwise bought?
This is an important one. If you saw this animal at a herp show or pet shop, would you have bought it? If not, then you do not really want the animal. Let it go!

Is it a species that does well in captivity?
There are some species that simply do not do well in captivity and should never be taken. One example would be the Queen Snake. While it is an interesting little snake, do you have the means to supply it with a steady stream of freshly molted crayfish for its whole life? Probably not. Remember that many snakes DO NOT eat rodents. Before removing anything, you should already know its dietary requirements and this should be considered when deciding to bag it or release it.

Most herpers come home from field herping with many photos, but rarely a snake. If you truly love and respect these animals, then they should not be removed from the wild simply because they were found. herping is a wonderful opportunity to see these creatures in their natural habitat and get some incredible photo opportunities. The wild is not just a place for "Free Herps", it is where herps live free. Besides, it always a rare treat to find the same herp twice months or even years apart. It is a proud feeling to know that the animal that you let go on its way is thriving.

It is important to use ethical judgment to balance your enjoyment, the welfare of the animal, and the overall health of the habitat.

[VoodooChile]

My pet peeve is going out to flip tin or otherwise search under rocks, only to find they have been flipped, and not replaced! Whats worse is when you find the dead animals littering nearby, so you KNOW the person before you sought the animal out to kill it.

[CharlieJ]

Originally Posted by BWSmith

The wild is not just a place for "Free Herps", it is where herps live free.

The above statement sums it up quite nicely! Herping is LOTS of fun -- but should not be used to acquire "free herps".

[RioBravoReptiles]

Excellent topic and very good coverage of the most of the pertinant points..
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Let us consider this also. Reptiles and amphibians in nature are an abundant and renewable resource. They only require space, a relatively stable environment and protection from overexploitation. These are all things which are provided (many times at great public expense) to wildlife populations such as deer, turkey, migratory waterfowl and very many other types of wildlife. We are allowed to kill these animals for sport or food and limits and regulations are set in place to insure the continuation of the resource. Increasingly, reptile and amphibian populations are not managed, but are protected. Protected from whom? Responsible people interested in herps are rarely the problem, instead it is the people in the field for other purposes (work, hunting, etc.) that kill snakes and other herps. They have no knowledge of or interest in the legality of killing a native reptile in Georgia, as an example.
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I don't sell wild-collected snakes of any kind, native or imports and the last thing I would want to see is a land-rush of people going out into the field and taking herps! In my opinion the sale and resale of most wild-collected herps should be abolished. But I remember looking for animals when I was younger and I'd bring some of that stuff home. This is a real learning experience even if it doesn't always work out. It would be a shame if all future generations' hands-on experiences with herps were limited to a Petco or a herp-show.
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Prohibition is not management, it is a philosophical weapon. This applies to the taking of common herps as much as to regulations banning the keeping of some exotics or others. For all the right reasons you cautioned against the un-needed taking of herps from the wild and I agree with you... But we should not be so judgemental as to think we can decide for others when they can take a herp for a pet.
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That's my opinion.
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Gus.

[BWSmith]

This is very true. That is why I was specific in regards to reasoning. When I go into the field, I generally have something specific in mind. The last trip, I was looking for a large Cottonmouth for my programs. The first one was only 2' so I let it go. The second was just what I was looking for, a nice 42" female. She came home with me. The rats, corn, waters, garter, etc were all photographed let free.

habitat destruction is definitely the most pressing problem. But overcollection is a contributing factor. Just as anything relating to herps, acting responsibly is paramount.

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.

[RioBravoReptiles]

I'm happy a seemingly responsible and reasonable person such as yourself is giving programs! (I assume you're giving programs, not charging).. In either case let me only venture this further explanation.. If you and I think it's ok for you to take an adult female Cottonmouth out of a population for your purposes we would be hypocrites to tell others they can't take one just because we don't agree with what they are going to do with it..
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That's my point.
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Gus.

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.