Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Been about 5-6 years since I last hunted,used to all the time.Primarily looking for leps. Any suggestions. Thanks, Steve

I have really good luck finding leps most of the time. Seen a lot more of them than alterna that is for sure. Dusk is the best time for me. I have found a few cruising at night but most during the dusk hours on cuts and on roads. Even found one (my buddy lance) in the picnic area on 277. Drive slow and check the shoulders, lots of them in that area too.

Best Wishes,

Steven

I know folks talk about camo but leps really do blend in with the rocks and cuts in Val Verde. When you are walking on top of a cut it is so easy to miss a lep sometimes if the rocks are thick. It is essential to take your time.

Luck comes into play as well. I remember in 97 when lance and I were on 277 we were trying to outrun a storm coming from the northeast and it wasn't working. We were probably driving at about 70 mph south and sure enough I see a lepidus under a guard rail at 70mph at dusk. It was a nice one.

The other lessoned learned.. Don't try to outrun a storm. You might miss stuff...

Last, road cruising to me at Dusk is the hardest time. When the sun is setting your eyes are getting adjusted and to me it is easy to miss animals. Cruise slow if you are going to road hunt at dusk.

Again Best Wishes,

Steven Owens

Years ago I discovered that, if I was driving west at dusk it helped if I pulled down the visor so it blocked the sky but not the road. With the brighter sky light out of your eyes it is definitely easier to see the pavement. Your pupils don't contract as much to compensate for the brighter light

If one were only hunting lepidus (mottled not banded)what is the best time of day? Dusk, night, or dawn? Eairly as in May or late as in August? Lastly are they more present on top of cuts, on the cuts, or at the base of cuts? I just want to see what everybody has observed over the years about their activity. My cusin had one from 277 and a banded from organ mtns. In captivity they were not very active at all. Shane Dobson

The lepidus will be more common the method that you tend to hunt the most. (I think) I have seen most of mine on shoulder and road but that is because I love to road cruise sooo much.

Everything you listed is good. I have found them on the should, not far from the base of a cut.

Hope this helps... It is making me want to get back out to Alterna country ASAP.

Steven