Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been herping Val Verde county the last three years, and this year I am going to try River Road. Just exactly where is big hill located in referance to the towns along 170?

Big Hill is 12 miles west of Lajitas, on hwy. 170. You will know it when you get there. The area that most people collect is from the rest area on the east side of the Big Hill to about 18 miles west. There are several different types of habitat along that area from the Hill it self through what we call mud flats then through some cut along the river then through a series of dips and low hills on to a wind mill on the right. The wind mill is were a lot of people turn around. I personally don't go that far. When I lived there in the 80's, they were most common in mud flats but the prettiest ones came from the Big Hill and the speckle necks came from along the river.
They have also been collected from Lajitas, west about 4 miles, also very cool animals.
All of that area is state owned land now, wildlife management area or State Park, I don't remember what they call it but a permit is required to collect so beware.

and yes, you need your Texas hunting permit like every place else. The consensus is that the road going through as well as so many feet on each side is public owned, so criteria is the same for looking for reptiles.

Chambo