Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm considering a trip mid-to-late September to the Val Verde County area. How are the chances, and will anyone else be there?

I haven't been to alterna country in a couple of years, and have yet to find one (or run into anybody I know from this forum).
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I am assuming that part of the reason to pick Val Verde is to keep the milage down.

You may not see much of a crowd though, most people burned off their vacation time already. You could make your way to the Outback in Sanderson, the owner is Roy and he is a herper with display animals in the lobby. I am sure that he would enjoy a visit.

Or you could through caution to the wind and do the Davis / Alpine area or maybe Hudspeth county. Late in the season is when those places seem to be best anyway.

But if you want a more social hunting trip Sanderson would be the best bet any month.

>>I am assuming that part of the reason to pick Val Verde is to keep the milage down.

Yes, plus it's the area I'm most familiar with (though that's not saying much). I don't live too far from 277, but also keep in mind 277 runs from Del Rio through Oklahoma!

>>But if you want a more social hunting trip Sanderson would be the best bet any month.

I usually don't have "social" trips--I don't know if I prefer to drive alone or what. VERY occasionally I'll invite, or be invited, but usually it's just incidental meetings in the field. Just figure if I'm out at the same time as someone else it'd be nice to know who to expect!

I might also hit some spots near San Angelo (for random herps) along the way--I flew over some interesting terrain a few weeks back and made a note to check it out.
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

>>I might also hit some spots near San Angelo (for random herps) along the way--I flew over some interesting terrain a few weeks back and made a note to check it out.

If you are headed through San Angelo, make sure you stop in the San Angelo Nature Center and talk to Mike Price. He may have some tips on what's been hot (and what hasn't) and besides, he has an awesome collection of rare herps on display.
-----
Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

your odds would be better in the west (Davis, Alpine, Xmas) than in Val Verde in September - given that the Davis, Alpine, Xmas have had more rain, etc., and usually do on an annual basis, given their rains are monsoonal.

Val Verde has been extremely dry this year, and even give a bit of recent rain still looks parched.

Sanderson is pretty borderline right now. They've had some rain, but are on the edge of the monsoonal stuff and are still behind. Dryden/Palma/Lozier are pretty desolate right now, Sanderson is, like I said, borderline. Everything west of Sanderson has had good quality rains over the past month.

Troy

Chris, we will be heading out on the 15th for a long weekend, but will also be after splendida and hognose but alterna will be on the menu. Planning on further vwest though. Let me know when you go as I would like to meet ya! Good luck!
Todd Hughes

Let me know when you go as I would like to meet ya! Good luck!

Thanks to all. Troy, I haven't been paying enough attention to the rainfall in the trans-Pecos to notice which spots were getting more; I've been watching primarily my own area in the hopes of hitting some cuts and other sites in this neck of the woods. Hopefully things will pick up here on "north 277" soon.

Sounds like I need to plan any possible trip the weekend of the 15th. The hardest part will be getting the kitchen pass!
-----
Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Right now, current plans, my wife and I plan to be in Alpine Sept 16 through 18- 19ish.
Please, anyone, stop and say hello if you see me on a cut or cruisin'.
I'll be in a Burgundy, 2001, Isuzu Trooper.
Good Luck.

-----
Regards, Bill McGighan