Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all I know that this would be better in the fieldherpers forum but I post and read this forum more than any other. I am planning a herping trip to Texas and while I have maps of Texas and books of Texas I am still trying to find the laws of Texa. To the point what do I need for permits and what do they cost. I have heard that all you need is a general hunting permit. If that is the case great but I thought I would double check with you guys. I know a few guy who post here alot are from Texas so any info would be helpful.

Thanks Jason

P.s. If you would like to email me my address is Snakesunlimited@SbcGlobal.net
Any herping spots/tips would be appreciated I plan on being in the Del Rio area and west Thanks Again

Jason, from what I've heard you need a hunting license, but I have no idea how much one would cost for out-of-state. Road hunting is now legal, if you get out of your car to go get an animal, and you park on the roadside. You can collect up to ten of a kind, but not more than 25 in aggregate. Hope that's accurate enough. Seems the hunting license is the hardest part.

TC

Thanks Terry I thought as much. Does Walmart carry them in Texas? I was pretty sure that was all you needed but I figured I would ask. Now on the bag limit is that 10 Blairs per person or per car??? LOL I hope I find at least one. Add a suboc and a big bull and I will be happy!!!
Thanks Jason

Thanks Terry I thought as much. Does Walmart carry them in Texas? I was pretty sure that was all you needed but I figured I would ask. Now on the bag limit is that 10 Blairs per person or per car??? LOL I hope I find at least one. Add a suboc and a big bull and I will be happy!!!
Thanks Jason

When are you going? I used to go there once a year when I lived in Texas. You should be able to get your hunting license at any Wal-mart! I've found some NICE subocolaris, a 66" bairds rat, big Bulls, lepidus, red coachwhips and unfortunately two DOR's gray bands. I may be going this year, but probably not that far west. . .

Zee

I am heading out there the last weekend in May and the first week of June. The week before I go will be the full moon. Hopefully the snakes will be active. I found in Florida, where I have done most of my hunting, the week after the full moon the snakes are more active than usual. I have had really good luck during the week of the full moon on the nights that the moon rises late. My guess is that the lack of activity during the full moon except on the late riseing nights causes the snake to get restless and on the move right after the full moon. I might start a new thread on that subject to see what other people think. Unless people respond here.
Thanks Jason

>>Thanks Terry I thought as much. Does Walmart carry them in Texas? I was pretty sure that was all you needed but I figured I would ask. Now on the bag limit is that 10 Blairs per person or per car??? LOL I hope I find at least one. Add a suboc and a big bull and I will be happy!!!
>>Thanks Jason

Jason, I responded to your message yesterday, but my post isn't here this morning. I probably hit the wrong button, or something. Anyway, I have yet to actually go herping in TX, except when I lived there one year a long time ago. I would like to do what you're doing someday and might put together a trip in 06 to South TX. I have bought a non-resident hunting license in AZ for the past three yrs, and the cost is up to $113+. It's a pretty expensive trip, but we love it there, so a big vacation for us. Good luck...

TC

Man Terry I hear you on the liscense. I bought a yearly one just incase I went back. This year I am going to Tx because there is a ton there I have never seen in the wild. All I want to see in Az that I didn't is a Twin Spotted Rattlesnake, a Green Rat, maybe a sidewinder. I saw most of the rattlers including a Ridge Nose and that is most of what Az has. The Ridge Nose was on the road of all places, in 50 degree weather, in the rain, and it was probably a full moon behind the cloads to just to make it the worst conditions possible. LOL But anyway I got super lucky when I went out there and found most of what I wanted to see. Even if you see nothing its a fun trip with amazing views everywhere you turn.
I can't afford these trips every year so this year I am takeing what I hope isn't my one and only trip to Tx. If I can find 1/3 of what I found in Az I will be the happyest herper of the year.
Later Jason

Jason, two of my best finds have been the green ratsnake and the mtn. kingsnake. I also saw my first sidewinder last summer. Unfortunately, someone had just run it over. My most desireable montane rattler to see is the twin-spot. I have yet to see a ridge-nose or twin-spot, but we keep trying each year. I'm also trying to see a desert massasauga in AZ. Having goals is good and I'm sure we'll come across them eventually.

In Texas I'm mainly interested in the Great Plains ratsnakes, but I wouldn't mind finding firsts of a few other species, like the N. M. and Mexican milks, gray-band kings, and some of the Rio Grande Valley specialties. Texas really has a lot of interesting snakes. Some that I've found before that I really liked were copperheads, cottonmouths, pygmy rattlers, and TX coral snake. Let me know how you do on your trip this summer.

Later....TC