Feild Herping!

luker3232 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 12:54 AM

I wanted to know how many people feild herp. by that i mean grab a snake hook and flip some logs, not collecting just to get that out of the way, because their is a big lake across the street from my house, and i made a hook (sorry brett no money

) and went and flipped some logs and such, didnt find much but the big spiders and all the turtles were staring at me. it was fun. I just wanted to get some expeirience with wild herps instead of captive (even though some may have some "wild and crazy'' snakes haha)
I just wanted to know some saftey tips for me and tricks for feild herping.

1. Protection like: boots, gloves, and such
2. Tips on places to look
3. Tricks on using my hook and such.
4. Other things I need to know

Im open for advice! cant wait till it warms up a little more

owen.richards · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 12:59 AM

field herping is great, i go whenever i can, i made two new snake hooks and they should work, one place you find alot of snakes is under sheets (sheetmetal, pallets, plywood) that kinda stuff

deadliestformula · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:00 AM

You may wanna check this site:Field Herp Forum

firekick3 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:05 AM

You seem pretty well on your way already to safe and fun field herping. I go quite a bit in the forest where I work as the biologist. Rotten logs are a good start. One place I like looking is the loose bark on a dead tree that is still standing. The scarlet kingsnakes love to hang out in these tight spaces between the tree and bark. But I suggest you try to slightly peel back this loose bark and not tear it off completely as that would destroy the mini- habitat. Another good spot is places where people have dumped trash such as large metal panels or big pieces of plywood. The snakehook and gloves are good ideas, and don't forget the camera!

luker3232 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owen.richards

field herping is great, i go whenever i can, i made two new snake hooks and they should work, one place you find alot of snakes is under sheets (sheetmetal, pallets, plywood) that kinda stuff

that i did that i do hahaha thanks my hook i made is actually really nice! not as good as Bretts but it should work till i can get some mewny

luker3232 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firekick3

You seem pretty well on your way already to safe and fun field herping. I go quite a bit in the forest where I work as the biologist. Rotten logs are a good start. One place I like looking is the loose bark on a dead tree that is still standing. The scarlet kingsnakes love to hang out in these tight spaces between the tree and bark. But I suggest you try to slightly peel back this loose bark and not tear it off completely as that would destroy the mini- habitat. Another good spot is places where people have dumped trash such as large metal panels or big pieces of plywood. The snakehook and gloves are good ideas, and don't forget the camera!

I KNEW IT I FORGOT MY CAMI!!!
thanks yall thats a great site "deadly"
I had alot of fun! By myself nice and quiet!

RevMojo · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:09 AM

I go when I can, but typically my hooks end up being used for hot dogs rather than snakes...I'm kind of a jinx. I do usually wear boots, but that's a matter of preference. Try to go at times the snakes will be active. Dawn and dusk are usually good bets once the weather gets warm enough. I just got unlimited access to a 70 acre ranch down in Edwards County for herping...it's a 5 hour drive, but I was down there a few weekends ago, and the area looked good for all kinds of critters. I may try to get a trip together in a few months...I'll post when I do.

John_White · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:11 AM

As Owen mentioned surface cover is a great place to look and now before the vegetation turns green is a great time to find it. If you see rodent runs under the cover that's a great sign, as are rodent nests. Where there's rodents there will more than likely be snakes when the temperatures permit it.

owen.richards · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:16 AM

all i fnd here is garters lol

luker3232 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:17 AM

thanks! there was some contruction going on about a year ago, yea it was never finished!, there was some peices of cracked siding everywhere i looked around alls i found was a HUGE spider, but I found two ground snakes under a peice of wood next to my house yesterday and a house gecko of some sort

luker3232 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by owen.richards

all i fnd here is garters lol

My mom was wershing clothes last year and a garter fell in the hot water it was sad but yea... it fried

owen.richards · #12 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:29 AM

a question, what temperatures do you start finding garters and stuff, i got a big park nearby i wanna look at

luker3232 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:37 AM

Ummmm I think our incedent was around june or july so it was warmer..

John_E_Dove · #14 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 01:49 AM

I go a lot once the weather warms up. In addition to snake stick, boots, gloves and a hat I also add Snake Gators, a backpack with (frozen bottled water/Camera/Probes/my 7001 scales with spare batteries/Cloth Measuring Tape/note book/Pens and Pencils/USGS Topo Map of the area/compass/Snake Sack/a spool of parachute cord/First Aid Kit/Granola Bars/BIC cigarette lighter/rubberized ground cloth/Military Whistle), Revolver with 14 rounds of spare ammo, Trenching Tool, Belt and pocket knives.

It is a good idea whenever possible to go with someone also. Not that I get to do that often anymore since my nephew joined the Marines but it is a good idea.
Most of what we run across are Prairie Rattlers but we have found some amphibians and snakes not previously documented in our area.

owen.richards · #15 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 02:00 AM

[QUOTE=John_E_Dove;376842]Revolver with 14 rounds of spare ammo,QUOTE]

some darn big garters down there huh

luker3232 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 02:01 AM

i want to go herping not ona military op. hahaha j/k those are some things i havent thought of! thanks

firekick3 · #17 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 02:07 AM

Lol

luker3232 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 02:38 AM

thanks every one! i cant wait till tomorrow again XD

John_E_Dove · #19 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 03:08 AM

[QUOTE=owen.richards;376852]

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_E_Dove

Revolver with 14 rounds of spare ammo,QUOTE]
some darn big garters down there huh

LOL, Not really but we do have a few big cats and once in a while you can stumble across a bear with cubs. Also if something happens around here you are in the middle of a lot of nowhere. It pays to be prepared when you are treking in an area where the nearest person might be 20 miles or more away.

luker3232 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 07:31 PM

thanks eryone this sucks i want to go today but its raining and im sick.. on the other hand i did find a toad lastnight! hahaha

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