The snake thread and randomly coming across guys on YouTube, makes me think this would be a fun hobby. I don't have a place to be laying out plywood and tin like I see the guys doing online, but I do work on a large 11,000 acre + property in Kerr County. Lots of water and varied terrain.

Have good snake boots and can get field hook and tongs. Is it as simple as covering ground, turning stones and logs?
Any resources on field herping techniques I should look into? Just seems like a fun way to spend a morning or evening. TIA!

Regardless of which definition of "herping" you use I don't think I want anything to do with it!

Go to Lubbock with a C-note in your pocket.

In Texas, collecting (or "herping") reptiles and amphibians is permitted with certain restrictions and regulations. A valid hunting license and a Reptile and Amphibian Stamp are generally required for non-protected species. Additionally, you cannot collect on public roads, must wear reflective clothing when collecting on roadsides, and are prohibited from using traps.

I think the above is in the TPWD Code. This applies to even picking one up and taking a photograph of it. My aggie son was really into herps when he was younger. We were in SE Arizona, where there are lots of rare herps, and one night (herping is good at night) after a rain we went out on a gravel road to look for herps i.e. frogs, toads mainly. We found a good one and he picked it up to photograph and all of a sudden we got "lit up" by red and blue flashing lights! It was AZ game warden. He was nice and informed us of their law (similar to ours) that AZ hunting license required. They have even more restrictive laws on some species, lots of rare rattlesnakes and stuff and people trying to poach/collect them illegally.

I'm sure one of the herp guys on OB can spell this out in better detail.

Not what I thought this thread was going to be about when I clicked on it.

Lots of ways to do it.

- flipping rocks, tin, etc.
- road cruising at unusual hours is the night in weird locations.

You have to know what you're looking for in the area you're looking for it. We did a lot of West Texas (around Abilene, Davis Mountains), New Mexico, the Gila in New Mexico. It's been a while since I've been specifically for herpin.

Once you start, you never really stop

Night cruising is great, they move to the road for warmth in cool night areas like the desert. Flip tin/plywood, if they got some old run down barns/homesites on the ranch those are good.

Just gotta find the right girl.

I got into some bad food a few times and herped all night.

clobby said:

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Night cruising is great, they move to the road for warmth in cool night areas like the desert. Flip tin/plywood, if they got some old run down barns/homesites on the ranch those are good.

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So do the armadillos, you know they take two fifty, $3 maybe more down in Hallettsville.

11,000 acres in Kerr County? I'd pick up arrowhead hunting as a hobby with that kind of access. Theyre everywhere in Kerr county. Im sure some snakes would come along in your search too

In West Texas, road cruising after it has rained is always a good idea. I was out there about 20 years ago and we found 22 snakes in a one mile stretch.

You telling me you have to have a special stamp to pick up a frog?

I learned something too! I'd stick to private land.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/faq/huntwild/amphibian_reptile_stamp.phtml

Quote:

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Q2: Where can I capture indigenous reptiles and amphibians if I buy the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp?
A2: With the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp, and a valid hunting license, you can capture by nonlethal means indigenous reptiles and amphibians on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way.

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Quote:

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Q9: If I only want to photograph reptiles and amphibians that I find on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way, do I need a hunting license and a Reptile and Amphibian Stamp?
A9: If you capture, or handle in any way, the reptiles and amphibians that you find on the shoulder of a road or on the unpaved area of a public right-of-way, then you do need a valid hunting license and Reptile and Amphibian Stamp. This includes temporarily capturing, or temporarily handling in order to position a reptile or amphibian for photographs.

Note: Violations of the Reptile and Amphibian Stamp laws are Class C Parks and Wildlife Code Misdemeanors. Each violation is punishable by a fine of up to $500 plus court costs.

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