Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I am heading to Texas for 5 days in the end of May and was wondering what permits/licenses are necessary to herp in Texas. I will be focusing on West Texas. I am not looking to collect much, but want to be prepared incase I do collect. Where do i purchase these permits? local Walmart or can it be bought ahead of time online? Thank you

Hi, I am heading to Texas for 5 days in the end of May and was wondering what permits/licenses are necessary to herp in Texas. I will be focusing on West Texas. I am not looking to collect much, but want to be prepared incase I do collect. Where do i purchase these permits? local Walmart or can it be bought ahead of time online?

You need a Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting License (Type 157). You should be able to get them at any Wal-Mart and many other stores. It helps to know the number (157) when you go to the Wal-Mart as they can look it up faster that way if they aren't used to selling that particular license. The license costs $45.

For more info see - http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/hunt/licenses/

You should also make sure you familiarize yourself with the new interpretations of the Texas Roadcruising rules, particularly if you are going to be around the areas west of Big Bend (the River Road).

Also, if you haven't been before, remember West Texas is a big place with expensive gas (by TX standards) and poor cell phone coverage, if any at all. It is also a great herping trip!
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Chris Harrison

What are the new changes to the road crusing laws in TX, still states that a person can park along road way and search for reptiles, it has always been illeagle to hunt reptiles from moving vehicle. correct me if iam wrong, i lived in tx till 2 years ago and cant find where the law has changed.

>>What are the new changes to the road crusing laws in TX, still states that a person can park along road way and search for reptiles, it has always been illeagle to hunt reptiles from moving vehicle. correct me if iam wrong, i lived in tx till 2 years ago and cant find where the law has changed.
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Chris Harrison

Also, make sure that when you get a 5-day permit you take note of your actual collecting time. Because 5 nights will actually turn to a sixth day of collecting once you pass midnight on the last day.

is if you are leaving from point A to point B after you get your permit, have your permit starting at 10 pm or 11 pm or 12 am ( midnight )and it will expire at the same time on your last day/night. Not saying you should do anything illegal here but unless you are seen picking up something after or before the permit kicks in, there is no law that states that all the critters on your person or in your possession was found before or after. Remember also there is that fine line of determination if one can hunt River Road at the state park entrance to the the out perimeter ( or vise versa ). The fact is that so much footage on both sides of roadway is public domain. I don't know of any real trouble that anyone has gotten into by the latter information but there has been folks asked to leave the area by park rangers and such. I was one of them but it didn't come to push when they shoved. NOW if I was a resident or with extra funds, I would of protested this on my knowledge of the domain thing. Of course the national park ( as said ) is off limits and I wouldn't even have ANY reptile orientated equipment with me because of speculation or reasonable suspicion of hunting. Yes, there again it happened to me. Also there has been conflicting reports on Black Gap area if one is legal or not.

what part of country do you live in, iam planning a trip to west texas about the same time, maby see you out there. You can get the 157 permit at any wal mart or sporting goods store.

If you were born after a certain date (1973?), technically you'll need a certificate showing you've completed Hunter Education, but Wal-Mart usually doesn't ask you when you buy your license. It COULD become an issue if you're stopped (though I have no reports of it being so).

As far as the road-cruising legality, I'm sure many of y'all have seen the "Hunting Reptiles in Texas" PDF file on the TPWD site. It's dated sometime in the late 90s. However, personal communication between TPWD LE and herpers last summer clarifies the department's position--you CAN drive down the road, spot a snake, pull off the road, and get out and pick it up (this has been a gray area on more than one occasion).

I have the email, as well as the entire exchange, on my site at
www.mcmartinville.com/reptiles/trips/equip.htm

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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Thanks for all the information. I'm from Arizona and really looking foward to herping Texas! I want to have all the bases covered and be 100% legal. I am not exactly sure where River Road is? I am planning on herping around Sierra Blanca and a couple roads that run along the border of Texas/Mexico and down to Presidio. Maybe these aren't the best places, but look good on a map.