Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all, I've been away from alterna country for 20 years and am ready to return. Its been far too long. I road and field collected successfuly back in the 70s and 80s all thru the Big Bend area and in Mexico. Don't know most of you folks but would like to meet you in the Bend area sometime. A question for you: what's happened to the Luna Vista resturant property and the hill north of it? Can one still nightlight around there? I heard there is land for sale somewhere around there -- is that true?

I'm no longer a keeper, but I would love to get back and find and photograph animals in the wild again. If I can get a web page set up sometime, I'll post photos of animals I caught way back when.

Thanks for bringing me back home with this forum (my wife may not thank you, however!). --H

If you were around way back when, maybe some of us still remember you. Who are you????? By the way, welcome back.

ECT

Sorry, I should have put in my name -- I'm Henry Wallace. I spent a lot of time collecting with Steve Hale, Ron Savage, Bruce Smith, and enjoyed meeting people like Tom Boyden, Frank Retes, Bob Makin, etc. on the roads. I live in Tucson.

Maybe you can tell me: If I don't want to collect now, just observe in the wild and photo, what are the regulations? I think I need to get a Texas hunting license and that's all -- does that sound right? Any info would be appreciated. Best, Henry

It has been a long time. Glad to know your alive and well. L alterna is no longer State protected as it was in the 70's and 80's. It sure would be fun to meet up and recount the old days!

Welcome back,
Bob Haase

Hi Bob,

Great to hear from you. I'd love to meet up with you again in the Bend. I'm sure there are LOTS of stories I haven't heard from you and all the others that have collected there. So do you have to have a state hunting license? It sounds like you can buy them online. If you or others know specifically what's needed, I'd like to be legal! Thanks. --Henry

Henry,

If your only intent is to take pics, you do not need a license. If you pick a snake up and even want to just keep it till morning and take pics, then turn it loose, you will need to have a hunting license. If you carry bags, containers, and or other collecting stuff, the warden will more than likely consider you collecting an require you to show proof of a license. If you can convince a warden you are only observing and/or photographing you should not need one. Presently you can get a 5 day license for about $40 if you are from out of state. That would allow you to collect providing you do not collect more than 25 total animals. Over that you will need a non-game collecting permit. I do not know what that runs for out of state.

Hope this helps. If you come out, good luck.

ECT

Yo Eric and Henry,

The 25 in aggragate limit ONLY applies to the species listed on this page.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/huntwild/nongame_permits.phtml

Gray-banded Kingsnakes, NM Milks, TP Rats and many other species are NOT on this list. Of course Henry needs to check the Texas T&E list as well, these are hands off w/o permits

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/?c=endangered

Forks

reading/deciphering/been told the total aggregate numbers wrong on species of the likes of alterna, nm milks, tp rats , etc. in that there or no limits to numbers ? Of course i guess one still needs the permit but that is news to me on the above.
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I may be old , cantankerous, crabby, and cynical, but......

OK, I'm confused as it appears some others are. Maybe someone with TPW checks in sometimes and could tell us. Otherwise, I'll contact them. Anyone know who at TPW I should contact? Given I might want to corral an alterna for a short time while photographing, it looks like I need some sort of license. I appreciate the feedback everyone! --Henry W.

>>Given I might want to corral an alterna for a short time while photographing, it looks like I need some sort of license. I appreciate the feedback everyone! --Henry W.

If that is the case, they will tell you to buy the license.
here is the license you need. Depending on the length of your stay buy either of these. For trips 10 days or less you can buy two 5 day permits, another after the first expires:

Non-resident Special Hunting (Type 107): $125
Valid to hunt: Exotic animals, all legal game birds (except turkeys), all nongame animals, squirrel and javelina (not valid for other game animals, NOT VALID FOR DEER). Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting (Type 157): $45
Legal for any period of 5 consecutive days (valid hunting dates will be printed on the license when issued). Valid to hunt: Exotic animals, all legal game birds (except turkeys), all nongame animals, squirrel and javelina (not valid for other game animals, NOT VALID FOR DEER). Stamp endorsement requirements apply.

Hey, thanks, Joe! That's exactly what I needed to know. I appreciate the help and I love this forum. --Henry W.

Hi Henry!

Wondered over the years what happened to you. Long time since Iowa!

Terry Vandeventer

Last time I saw you was on a 50ft rope in a cave,in a cave I was basicly living in on dirt pandale. That was in 1978. I've only missed 2 yrs since then. you have missed some go times and some sad news about our old friends. contact me at cbconst@charter.net good to see you are still on the hunt. No b.g.geckos No lyre snakes anything eles you want is fair game with a licence. your cave dewling friend Charlie Bentley