Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I canot decide what road to hunt around wildhorse station. There are so many different localties lol.So what road in that area would give me the best chance of seeing the most diversity of snakes and hopefully and Alterna. I got like and 100 or more page booklet of alterna pages and lots of crotes and colubrids from west texas! but it took alot of printing paper lol and if i keep going on and on and on its because im bored lol. Last comment John Hollisters Guide to the Trans-Pecos is awsome!

Actually, Blake, even though it is a huge area, there isn't much choice in which roads to hunt. Other than a few relatively short back ranch roads, River Road (FM 170) and 118 through the Xmas mntns. are going to be your options. Both excellent spots, I've seen a it more diversity on 170, but the alterna that come from the Xmas can be breathtaking! I'd hit them both.
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Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Ok the xmas mountain Alterna look pretty amazing!

I looked on a map and if i hunt river road i wold go throgh Study Butte and the Lajitas?

Yes, the River Road (FM 170) runs from Study Butte to Presidio. There are a number of good spots along that road. Check out the Alterna Page image gallery for details.

http://www.kingsnake.com/alterna/index.html

Also, be careful with your terminology. Based on some of your prior posts, I assume you plan to observe and photograph, NOT HUNT along the public roads. If you want to collect, you will need to restrict that activity to private lands where you have permission of the landowner. HCU has a access to a number of properties, including my own (to be added to the list soon) that is very close to the Wild Horse.

I know I probaly wouldnt even collect if i could because i already had to deal with 2 pickey eating alterna and dont want to deal with it agin lol.

LOL. I gave up on keeping herps years ago. Some people are great at husbandry and do herps and herpers a real service by decreasing demand on wild populations. I decided I'm not one of those and limit myself to the much more exciting (IMHO) activity of field herp observation and photography. The best part is that I don't have to feed, or clean-up after my photos.

Just be careful not to use the H word when a warden stops you and asks what you are doing.

for the "h" word

jk

I knew what you were referring to.

If the warden stops me ill be like Seen any good Alterna tonigh i need a female bad! lol now for a reall question.I heard on the Alterna page that theres olnly Two miles of Excesible Alterna habitat in the xmas mountains. So do I walk the cuts and road cruise just the 2 mile area ?

The Luna Vista cuts are the main focal point, especially if walking. When driving, all of 118 from the Luna Vista cuts south to Bee Mtn (Study Butte) passes through or near good habitat. A big determining factor for me is the number of other herpers. If I want to herp more than visit and the Christmases are crowded, I just go elsewhere.

Ok do think that it will be less crowded since the law?

probably not.....you'll be one more....d. eby...maybe we'll get to meet this year