Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello Everyone. I am new to this forum and was hoping to get some help. A friend and I are planning to take a trip to Desoto National Forest in Missippi to do some herp photography. Has anyone on this forum ever herped this park? Our goal is to get photos of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, and to canoe in an area that we will see American alligators. This is a very large park. Any advice that would point us in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

The E.D.B. is quite common there.The whole park is made up of the perfect habitat for them.Roadcruising and along with applying basic herp knowledge should jar one up for You.Keep in mind that it is a park and I have been stopped and questioned about my intentions there.Fortunately I photograph myself, so I have no wildlife in my posession.Good luck and keep us posted.....

Thanks Chip. Your information has gotten me really excited about the trip. We will be going July 11th. I'll post pics when I return.

Good luck Bro.Let Me know if You see any Lodgini.Kep us posted...

Keep in mind that it is a park and I have been stopped and questioned about my intentions there.

Actually, DeSoto is a National Forest, not a Park, therefore, as long as you aren't violating any state laws (or other federal laws re endangered species) you can herp all you want.

Some national forests have wilderness areas included within them where collecting is prohibited, but otherwise, they are public land and there are no prohibitions against herping or collecting, for that matter. A forest map will delineate the wilderness areas. You should also be aware that many NF have private land within them - another reason to stop at the information center and buy a forest map.

I'm not suggesting anyone go there and pillage the forests, but I feel that you should go there with the facts in hand.

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Chris Harrison

...WA's are not closed to herping as a rule, particularly Forest Service & BLM managed areas. NPS and funnily enough USF&WS managed WA's often are. How the feds pervert their jurisdiction & increasingly perceive non-migratory & non federally listed state owned wildlife, to be their property is one of the ugly episodes in modern US Wldlf.Mngmt. Its terrible that a goodly number of "public servants" run about [amok] exploiting the publics ignorance of this & threaten lawful collectors collecting on public lands.
Case in point; the KOFA NWR [& now Wilderness too]; was BLM land prior to the Game Range being created [specifically for bighorn sheep recovery]. There was a population of rockboas on that land. Like all Az rockboas & other resident wildlf. these belonged to the state & its citizens.
Eventually through its own rule making process [w/o elected officials oversight...] USF&W has closed the refuge to all "take" except what traditional hunters desire; quail/deer, & bighorn. Exactly when, why, & how did AZ surrender its ownership & interest in those boas and what compensation has the state received for them & all the other resident wildlf. on the refuge?

Cheers, RxR

Hey guys. Thanks for the info. on the rules about herping national forrests. Believe it or not this is the 4th trip I will be taking trying to find and photograph an Eastern Diamondback in the wild. I have tried south Alabama, south Georgia, and the Florida panhandle(Okeefenokee Swamp a.k.a. heaven). With Desoto National Forrest in Mississippi hopefully the fourth time will be a charm. Has anyone on this forum ever herped this forrest and found an EDB? This is such a big place that any specifics (spots that have produced in the past, names of roads to cruise) would be GREATLY appreciated. Happy herping, Matt

Matt .Send Me your email and ill be able to send you in a successful direction..Chip...

Hey Chip. My e-mail is matt_dempsey@hotmail.com
I really appreciate your help!
-Matt