Herping?

[Melesse]

Hey all,

It's coming up on warm weather here in the valley, and I was thinking on doing some hiking and snake and reptile hunting. As I've never gone about this seriously before, I was wondering if anyone could give me any hints. When I was younger, I would just run around the woods looking for anything and everything that caught my eyes, but I'm looking to do it a little more selectively now. Any serious herpers out there that can give me some tips to start with?

Thanks,
Matt
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We have a special forum for these discussions actually...herp adventures. There is a group of us planning a trip for May 18-19 weekend in Franklin, NC. If you're interested, pop down to the above mentioned forum and check it out...

Welcome to RTB btw [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Melesse]

OoooOOOOOooo, I missed this forum somehow. Thx, but I have a restricted license due to a mistake of mine, so that's a no deal [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

I'm still looking for tips, as I have no restricted walking license and there's a fair bit of wilderness close enough to walk to around here [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Matt
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[JuliusSqueezer]

There are 3 things that are a must ....Water, Food, and Shelter. Water is the only one of those that is negotiable as many species don't seem to mind waiting for rain to drink. But as a rule, where there is food and plenty of places to hide, there will be snakes. Old fallen down barns where there is still old grain bins and healthy rodent populations are likely spots. Tin, old boards etc., however obscured by vines and shrubs are always worth flipping over. If there are fireants when ya flip....forget it...they don't coexist well. Other things that attract rodents and so also attract snakes are fruit orchards and bird feeders. Areas around ponds and streams where frogs and toads are hatching out are good locations for some species as well. When I go in old barns that are still standing...I will often bang on the walls and tin and make alot of startling noise...this has many times caused ratsnakes hiding in the rafters to musk and then I just follow my nose and find em.
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