Reptile & Amphibian Forums

let me introduce my self. my name is sony, and this is my first post here seeing as ive never been field herping. a good buddy of mine, ken diehl, asked me to go online and start learning and asking questions, so thats what im doing doing. we are planning to go on memorial day weekend, so the end of may. can i ask, would it be more advantageous to go to west texas or to south texas during that time of the yr? and also, i do need a hunting license also, am i correct? im sure ya'll will be getting a million more questions from me here shortly. thank you for reading.

Welcome and it is good to ask questions! Both south and west Texas are good at this time of year but as always, depends on the weather. Rain is happening in south Texas as we speak, and I hear the west is getting some as well. Look into a weather based site to look at local forecasts and precipitation. A great website for the west is found right here on the graybanded king forum. Go to the alterna forum from there and soak it all in! I will be adding a section on my new site once it is up and running for the south Texas area. Depending on what species you want to see most and where you launch from it is possible to do a little of both! Be prepared for high gas and motel prices, but don't let that keep you from enjoying the herps. Also be advised that there are a host of poisonous, stinging, biting, and poking plant and animal species in both places. Again, with a careful attitude and some reading, these can be identified and avoided,(the bites, stings, etc., not the plants and animals!) That should get you started, what species are you most interested in? Also of note, south Texas has more than a few protected herps, so study more.Texas Parks and Wildlife also has a site that should fill in your questions on protected species and license requirements. Be careful to get landowners permission before encroaching on private property!!!!!!!!!
Todd Hughes

Todd,
where is that banded gecko from, I have a few, but have never seen one like that, that thing is smokin.
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South Texas Herps

Near Freer. I think, lemme look it up.
Todd Hughes

Webb county, Mike, found it under a rock on the way hame from Laredo, the long way! 2004.
Todd Hughes

thank you for the quick reply. ill be sure to keep the weather forecast in mind as the date gets closer. as far as what species i am wanting, i am not sure. i keep chondropythons specifically, so am pretty new to native texas snakes and wildlife. but seeing as this is the first time i am going, i would like to go to the location that would possibly yield the most sightings. as far as gas and hotel prices, am not worried about that! its just money, right? one last question, for now....in watching the news and what not as of late, is it that dangerous at night in south texas in regard to drugsmugglers and what not, or is that not as big of a deal as ppl say?

I would be a little more concerned in west Texas than south Texas. Always herp with a buddy! You should check some of the back posts on the grayband forum, talks about this very thing. There are quite a few Border Patrol stations and a few sheriffs cruising around so I don't really worry. Way down in the Bend may be another matter!
Todd Hughes

I can't believe Ken doesn't know where to go in Texas!
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Good luck.
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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com

"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

*lol* ken does know where to go. he just asked me to do some homework and check into things on my own....we have decided to go round abouts to del rio on memorial day weekend....