Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys,

Checking the weather report this morning and it shows that sunday is supposed to be like 62 degrees at the high. Is this the sign that field herping is pretty much over until next spring? It's kinda a bummer because I recently obtained 3 new snake hooks that I was wanting to field test. Oh well....theres always next year!

Best Wishes,

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

Well..if you're the one of the many who only enjoys seeing snakes...then the days for snakes are likely numbered (although I have found Thamnophis through late November...). I'll often make some nice finds on those warm October days. But if you appreciate salamanders, then some of the best herping days are ahead of us (October and much of November are great months to find sals). I will be heading out roadcruising at night to some areas with Ambystoma pretty soon (hopefully roadcruise some A. tigrinum).
~Mike

Besides looking for amphibians, there are plenty of other activities that can be done in the winter months to increase your productivity for the next season.

Once again, it all comes down to having the time to do everything that is on your list...

Personally, even though I am more of the typical reptile guy, I look forward to the winter months as a necessary change of pace.

Do you guys typically use this "down-time" to search out different habitat that you want to check out for the following season? Most likely, I will still do a bit of hiking but I will be searching out some habitat to check out for next season. This year being my first field herping year, I was not very familiar with good habitat locations etc.

The night that you let me ride with you Jason taught me quite a bit and I am quite surprised at how much I have found since then. Still haven't found all that I was hoping to, but hey, you have start somewhere right?

Looks like I will try get ahold of some more "toys" for next year and hopefully have a good gameplan for next season.

Chris
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Chris Law
U.A.P.P.E.A.L. (Uniting a Proactive Primate and Exotic Animal League)
Herpetoculture Element Representative

Exactly, check out new places or things that you noticed during the year. Rock outcroppings, old barns in the woods, and springs are all much more visible in the winter. It is also a great time to get out there and throw down some tin and boards.

Just keep with it and certain things will become easy, and you start to develop a good "sense" for where you will find things.

And no the field season is not over - I just had a good afternoon with amphibians, despite only spending about an hour flipping stuff. Mike has done really well the last couple weeks. You just change your gears a bit and stay at it!

Jason