You all are lucky. I live in ohio now
Emporia kansas is where my love for reptiles began. I grew up 7 miles out of town and i remember tons of snakes and lizards and other things. My mom had given me a reptile fieldbook, so i was always out in our 4 acre land with this book looking up every little moving creature i found.
I remember riding my bike in the middle of town, in emporia and seen a copperhead give birth. Until then i did not realize THEY give birth to live young. That was interesting to watch, until they all were out........
But to be on topic here, i WAS entertaining the thought of field collecting this year. With these gas prices though, i am having my doubts of going.