Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It is that time of year again. Time to shrug off those cobwebs and hit the roads/cuts to do some observing. What are some of your favorite must have items for the road?

I am listing some things besides teh obvious (lights, batteries, etc..)

Here are a few of mine...

1. Visine - gets the red out. At 4 am in the morning, you need all the support you can get!

2. Ipods - Got tired of carrying around case after case of cd's. Ipods cured that mess up fast.

3. Pemican Beef Jerky - Some of the best food by-product jerky I have ever tasted. Dont know what they make it out of, but I love it.

4. Favorite Sleeping Bag and Pillow - As comfy as Roy's place is, a little bit of home just doesn't hurt. Everyone needs some creature comfort when you playing hard.

5. Laptop - Lets face it, when you are a geek you dont get to take a break just cause your on vacation. So the laptop goes everywhere. Games, surfing, mobile theater, etc...

6. Cold packs to help rest the eyes. These are a necessity. My eyes and head are killing me most nights.

Good luck to everyone. I hope everyone has a fun and safe year!

Best Wishes,

Steven X

all I need is this lamp....and this ashtray, and this paddleball paddle and that's all I need! And this chair, the lamp, the ashtray, the paddleball paddle and this chair, and that's all!
I like to stop off in San Antonio and hit a certain meat market for the turkey jerky and a ice chest full of Starbucks vanilla mocha coffee drinks! There's a whole lotta nada out there in the wild!
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Todd Hughes

Red thong underbritches????????
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If con is the opposite of pro, does that mean congress is the opposite of progress??

I need a triangular bed and three to four vending machines in my hotel room.

Don't forget your camera!

...for "observing", you think it would be number one on the lists...........................................

.....what I find weird....never saw a snake at night in Pennsylvania........

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Hook, camera, lights (and backup lights), GPS (for recording exact localities), juice and snacks. and I'm ready to go.

Oh, one other thing-I wouldn't leave for the Trans-Pecos without my SIRIUS satellite radio. Unless you're into mariachi music, it's a godsend out there!

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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

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

A good flashlight is my biggest item. Can't wait to try out my 630 lumen fenix and 900 lumen MTE lights. A whole lot of Monster Energy drinks and some comfortable boots. Chris

Things that others would not necessarily think about.

We all have flashlights and stuff.

Give us a sample that is on the must have list that is above and beyond.

Best wishes,

StevenX

1. Glock 19, or maybe a Sig P232 soon...
2. Hand sanitizer; my blue bonnet almonds just don't taste the same with that special scent...

Max

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Snakes to the Max

I prefer the Springfield XD in .40. Also, for me, if I am out there alone, my dog is in the cab of the truck the entire time. Someone mentioned an IPOD, those things are a god-send. If you do not have satellite radio, an IPOD is a lifesaver.
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South Texas Herps

I am trying to buy one of these right now, my FFL is just having trouble trying to find a couple for sale. But this gun would make a great pocket gun for CC, while walking cuts.
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South Texas Herps

For me I carry a Glock 26 (9mm.) for the higher capacity.

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Steve W.

Sig Sauer P229 in .357 sig (CHL)
iPod
Camera
Flashlight
Extra Batteries
Extra Flashlight
Headlamp
Full tank of gas
Something with caffine
Snacks
Ice Cold Water
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___________________________
Herp Conservation Unlimited

If people really learn from their mistakes, I should be like the smartest guy in the world

I have a springfield mini xd9. It is very nice. I like it. Also we are thinking of inviting you and cheryl out within the next 2 weeks. Lance and I are heading out west the last week of May for a week or so. Club Lozier (new snake house) should be ready in the back yard soon. So we wanted to see if you could makes some time and swing out. We yet to notice activity from the Buffalo Creeks... (but don't count em out)

Hope all is well.

Take Care,

Steven X

Ever since I found out the Teaching Company offers downloadable lectures for the Ipod, it really passes the night a little easier. And that way road hunting for alterna isn't a total waste of time. Might as well learn something rather than stewing your brain on the same music over and over and over again.

Of course, Car Talk downloads on my Ipod help when I'm too tired to concentrate on lectures. In fact, Podcasts rule for lots of different stuff.

Of course, my favorite thing to listen to when out roadhunting is West Texas. I probably have the radio/Ipod turned off most of the night so I can enjoy the West Texas experience.

Beyond that, I need my camera and a tripod so I can take photos during the slow hours.

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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Audio books and podcasts are a godsend. Lance and I have listened to so many audio books on the road i doubt I can remember them all. Harry potter, artemis fowl, dan brown series, star wars, etc etc etc... Again thank apple for the ipod!

Good point and thanks for posting the pics of West Texas. Can't wait.

Steven X

1) antibacterial soap/wash/wipes
2) Extra TP
3) Extra h20
4) first aid kit(tweezers, neosporin, bandages)
5) Emergency road kit/spare tire
6) Moon pies
7) Dutch chocolate milk
8) Deflector shields to protect your vehicle from border bandits on 170
9) A locking chastity belt if you decide to sleep with your windows down while parked anywhere along Juno road.

Yes, in addition to the stuff you guys have listed, these would be must haves.

KR
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Thank you,
Kevin Rhodes

np

Talking to a fellow herper in the early 90s on Juno at Bakers Crossing I turned off my flashlight to thin out the swarm of bugs flying into my face. Well that must have seemed like an invitation to some physical advances from this fellow herper who gently reached up in the dark and got a handful of my package. No this was not an accidental bump in the dark, it was a deliberate caress that was not invited or appreciated.

I was stunned to silence, turned on my flashlight and backed my way to the truck then left. As a matter of fact I did not hunt Juno again for years after that.

So, #9 gets my vote....

So that is my top shocker story, anybody else got a good one?

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Herp Conservation Unlimited

If people really learn from their mistakes, I should be like the smartest guy in the world

>>Talking to a fellow herper in the early 90s on Juno at Bakers Crossing I turned off my flashlight to thin out the swarm of bugs flying into my face. Well that must have seemed like an invitation to some physical advances from this fellow herper who gently reached up in the dark and got a handful of my package. No this was not an accidental bump in the dark, it was a deliberate caress that was not invited or appreciated.
>>
>>I was stunned to silence, turned on my flashlight and backed my way to the truck then left. As a matter of fact I did not hunt Juno again for years after that.
>>
>>So, #9 gets my vote....
>>
>>So that is my top shocker story, anybody else got a good one?

Hmmmm, the Bakers Crossing thing kind of gives it away. LOL
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Steve W.

So you verify the need for a belt as well when herping this area?
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Thank you,
Kevin Rhodes

>>So you verify the need for a belt as well when herping this area?
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>>Thank you,
>>Kevin Rhodes

It's not a bad idea. When my son was small we were being followed at a distance by a car and we pulled over at the rest stop at Bakers Crossing to let it pass. But instead of passing it pulled up behind us and just sat there. We then pulled away and it followed. I made a u-turn and was able to see that it was occupied by a few Mexican males. My instinct was that they didn't have good intentions. They eventually stopped following when we started to drive back to 90. I started to arm myself after that trip.
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Steve W.

That is scary.
Don't know what it is about that area, but back in '99, I went down with some friends to pandale and Juno rd. We were tailed by a car full of teenagers for 15 miles (we had just eaten at the cafe in Comstock. We were heading North towards Bakers on 163). I know there are blind curves and such, but everytime we slowed to let them pass, they followed our every move, not more than 10 feet back. Not that the driver was scared but annoyed. Finally about at the south cut they passed. This was about 8 pm so not yet dark. Within 15 min, we were pulled over by a sherriff which said that some locals called saying shots were fired along 163 about the time we went by. Glad we did not get into it with crazy teens which were gun-weilding.
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Thank you,
Kevin Rhodes

...when 3 trucks full of amorous cowboys box you in up against a rock cut on 277?
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Thank you,
Kevin Rhodes

As odd as that was I think the "cowboys" did not have luv'n on their mind. But since we backed around their trucks and did not wait to see what they wanted we will never know.

Call me what you will but I prefer to avoid trouble when I can... It is best to walk away if you can find the exit, but I am always prepaired for the worst anyway
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

If people really learn from their mistakes, I should be like the smartest guy in the world

really make me want to go to this Juno you know area....
(not really)
....maybe it's the water?....

....guns' a very good idea.....(if legal).....I think 4 BIG friends and 4 extra weapons is a better idea....use 2 trucks...and stay a little apart...when someone rides up behind you too closely...call the other guys and have them fall in behind the problem children.......then stop.....IN the road...

.....might make for an intresting trip....

.....!!!!
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It is really not that bad as a rule, but it does seem like Juno draws out a more than fair share of wackos...
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___________________________
Herp Conservation Unlimited

If people really learn from their mistakes, I should be like the smartest guy in the world

Sounds like we might see some Broke Back Mts. locals to go with the others. They would have to be "observed" when you have an unsolicitated male companion trying to find your special scaleless snake. Lampropeltis manterna
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If con is the opposite of pro, does that mean congress is the opposite of progress??