Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone. Some of you may know me and some may not. I used to hang around on these forums in the late 90s under the name Mr. Sonora. They wouldn't let me register that this time for some reason... Anyway, I an avid field hunter and photographer and currently reside on the coast of Colima, México.

OK... nuff said... now on to a question. I was curious how many pictigasters you have found this year, specifically in May and June. Numbers, conditions (wet or dry, cold or hot) and time (day, evening, night, morning) would be very useful. The method to my madness is an effort a partner and I will undertake this year to verify the animal from some areas it is not really known from. In return I'll try to get some photos of south of the border alterna for y'all.

Now a suggestion on this HB12 thing. I find the law a truly good idea, as I am sure it's main purpose is to limit hunting of mammals with firearms and bows from the roadways. However, lumping herpers and herpetologists in this category is truly BS. I suggest that Texan residents pursue one of the following goals:

1. Follow California's example and lump herping with Fishing, thus requiring a fishing license and allowing it to be done from a public ROW. I could see this being an issue only with Rattlesnakes, which I am sure are often (and unfortunately) taken with firearms, gas or other sketchy methods.

2. Investigate Arizona's example which allows herping from a vehicle (with minor restrictions to the use of light, spotlighting is not allowed) but I am pretty sure does not allow regular hunting from a vehicle.

or

3. Look within your state and investigate why Scorpion enthusiasts can continue collecting from a roadway and you cannot.

Either way, hello, good luck and thank you in advance for any info. I will not be visiting Texas this year but I'll be with you in spirit.

Don Cascabel

I could email you a picture of a Pic found just this side of La Linda about 15 feet from the bridge. I believe we found it on May 11th this year and I do not have the animal for sex, weight type data.

Thanks Lance (you may remember me... I think I met you in 03 when I was cruising around west Texas with Colin)... anyway... picture not necesarry but I am very interested in the conditions surrounding the find.

Cheers,

Don Cascabel

Don:
THis bnill is NOT a good thing. Laws were already in effect relating to hunting mammals from the roadways and from motor vehicles. This law had only one intent - to shut down the herpers.

I've located (not collected) 5-6 picktigaster on the mountain north of Linda Vista Restaurant along 118 and a friend, George Hansen, found several others. All were out and active when found. Those furthest from the heavy vegetation and rocks were out on nights when thunderstorms were on their way. I did find two in the middle of a nasty drought up in the rocks. Others I've found were in more typical localities like the famous canyon west of Lajitas on River Road.

I'd love to hear of alterna you've come across in Mexico.

--Henry W.