Finding northerns in PA shouldn't be too difficult. They are extremely common snakes. Just find a lake or pond with cover around the edges and they'll be there. Make sure the lake or pond is somewhat secluded; there's a lake in the woods near my house and tons of northerns are found there. Too much human activity could startle them. However the ones by me allow me to get pretty close to them(check out my previous posts for Northern Water Snake pics). Oh, it might be a good idea to visit this lake or pond in the morning between 9 and 12. Around that time they are getting warmed up and sit out in the open.

Now to catching them. The thing you MUST remember is to MOVE SLOW. If it sees you and starts moving away, stop moving immediately and NO SUDDEN MOVEMENTS. This may sound crazy, but I took a lesson form the chameleon's book and actually sway back and forth while moving slowly towards them. This sounds comletely insane, but it works! When you get in close enough, make the grab. I usually grab them gently by the tail. If it starts trying to bite, look for a stick and pin it's head. This makes it easy for you to grab it by the head. I never let go of the head, no matter how tame it seems. Also, wear gloves. Good luck!

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