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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
This has probably been asked a bunch here but here goes anyway. I have allways been lucky in finding herps usually when i am not looking. But how does one get started Field herping??
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The best way to start is just get out in the field. Simplistic answer I know, but basically that is all there is to it. It helps if you can find a buddy who has some experience, but if not the more you do it the more experience you get. Like you said you usually find stuff when you are not looking, finding stuff takes some experience. You have to "train" your eyes and mind to "see" things that a person wouldn't normally see. If your senses are not "trained" you can look right at a snake coiled under a bush and not even see it. Sometimes if I am looking for a specific reptile, I hunt a specific way, it's hard to explain, but different methods may have different results, depending on the habitat, and nature of the animal you are looking for.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
What kind of Field guides do yall suggest??
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Well the "bible" of field herping for me has always been the Peterson Field Guides Series (excelent series covering everything from herps, birds, insects, mammals, forests, stars and planets, to seashells and more.) The books are
Reptiles and Amphibians-Western region by Robert Stebbins, and
Reptiles and Amphibians-Eastern/Central America by Roger Conant/Joeseph Collins. Nice photos, great info on each individual species/ssp., and good locality/range maps. There is also a nice set of books covering snakes only.
Snakes of North America-Western region by R.D. Bartlett/Alan Tennant and
Snakes of North America, Revised Edition : Eastern and Central Regions by Alan Tennant. Good info, good range maps, and excellent photos. There are also the Audobon? type field guides, though they have tons of nice photos, the info and range maps are very cursory or simplistic for my tastes.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
How do you obtain access to land to look in or know when its OK to go looking on a piece of land??
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Well, that's getting to be the most difficult part. Here in CA, 30 and 20 years ago, I could just about go anywhere, even private land. If I got "caught" by the landowner, they were usually more than happy to let me go about my business, after I explained what I was doing. Nowadays it is almost impossible to hunt private land here in CA, as nobody wants anybody on their private property. Even landowners who are okay with the concept of me snake hunting, don't allow it because they are afraid of liability, and because then others would see you on their land, and now you have other people tresspassing. Public lands, and the roads are your best bets.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
Whats a life list??
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i think the birders actually started it. It is a personal list one keeps of the species they have found. These lists vary widely. Some people only count to the species level, some to the subspecies level. Some keep a list of their county or area, some the state. I keep a list of all animals I've found everywhere. Then there are the "parametors" of the list. Some count anythingn they see, even if someone else found it. Some count any animal actually caught by someone in the group they are hunting with, others only if they see it and catch it them selves. Some don't count animals found on the road (or night driving), some only count what they have been able to photograph. They can be simple, like Western Diamondback Rattlesnake-check, others keep lots of detail; Date, time of day, Temperature and weather conditions, size and sex, how found (under rock, in open, etc).
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
Is it legal to herp Natl forests, State Parks, and or WMA??
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Mostly yes, with some caviats; some places they consider it "hunting" so they may hastle you. Usually as long as you don't harrass the animals, and destroy habitat, or actually keep the animal you should be okay. Some land, like BLM land it is legal to hunt, so those are even "safer".
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
How do you find new land to go herping??
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Networking mostly. If you are going on vacation to somewhere were you are unfamilair, you can post on reptile sites, and someone can usually give some basic tips, and or areas. To get the really good, specific info you usually have to know the people, as a lot of herpers, don't like to give out their "secret" spots.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
What do you do if you turn something and find something your not looking for like a venomous snake??
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If you are uncomfortable, just slowly set the rock (or whatever item) back down, making sure you put it exactly the same so as not to smash the snake, and go about your business. They will usually stay put, and won't be any trouble.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
Most places is not legal to carry a firearm because then its considered hunting. What precautions do you take to avoid being in a postion where you may have to defend yourself from Coyote, Wild Hog, Bear, Bobcat, or a panther? Us country boys normally tote firearms while in remote areas.?
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Well, being an outdoorsman, I'm more afraid of people than any wild animal, so my gun (cwp) is with me when I am in humanity, and only with me in areas where it is legal to have one such as BLM land. Otherwise, just keep weary of your surroundings, so you njotice if you are beinig stalked by a cougar or something, keep food in bear safe's, and not on your person or in your car, and you should never be bothered. I've seen both coougars and bears in the wild, never had any problems. Bears are "relatively" commonly seen wandering through the campsites at a place I go to often near me (South Fork campground)
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
What would yall suggest to add to a basic survival pack while herping??
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I carry a small day pack. Lots of water, field guide, camera, flashlight (even if it's daytime) and basic first aid stuff-gauze etc. That's about it.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
Should i wear snake boots, and chaps just in case??
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I wear regular hiking boots, you could wear some higher more protective boots if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with venomous snakes.
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Originally Posted by cowboyman13
Is there anything i haven't thought of yall would like to add?
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Not off hand. Hope this helps.
Geez, I clicked the spell check and it said okay done, so I posted, and there are all kinds of misspellings. Stupid spellcheck.