Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Lets say you were going to spend a week in the field in SE Arizona. What if you could stay at a place that was within, say, 1hour or less of all the sky islands and then some. It would be at 3400' in elevation and smack in the middle of Saguaros and Paloverdes with a view of the Santa Rita Mtns. to the south. Less than 30 minutes from the airport and downtown Tucson. A B&B for field people you might say, or a basecamp for explorers in the area. Would you stay the night if it was reasonable and offered more than the average campground or pullout in the backcountry?

I have a casual interest in the hospitality industry you might say!

Cheers
Lat

Nah sorry I'd prolly just stay at my place in Tucson for free...........hahaha. How's it gong man? Did you find your place down here to buy or something? If your on your way back down to check some places out you're welcome to stay here. Talk to you lata.

Hi chip, no not yet but email me and we can catch up.
Ciao
B

I would stay there and I think it would be a good idea. With property values on the rise in Arizone it wouldn't be a bad investment regardless. I would also advertise expeditions out into the wilderness and offer your expertise on the areas to travelers from other parts of the world. I am sure there are a lot of herpers in Europe that would love for someone to show them around the deserts of our great southwest and find them a nice fat Gila....I have always liked the idea of owning a B&B coming from the hospitality industry myself at one time. Good idea, let me know when you purchase...I work at a bank in the lending department(killer rates)!!!
Nice sunset BTW...here's mine from Costa Rica near Dominical.

Been there many times(southeast az), Cant wait to go back
Nice picture, that brings it all back.

Sounds like a nifty idea. Being one of those field herpers that frequents those areas, however, I like to keep some of my spots fairly low key and "hidden" from the general herp public. I know too many folks who just like to go in and "clear cut" (collect) everything they see; that's a real shame considering the delicate balance and low fecundity of rattlesnakes. But, if done right, I think your idea is pretty neat.

Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center
Lake Forest, IL

>>Lets say you were going to spend a week in the field in SE Arizona. What if you could stay at a place that was within, say, 1hour or less of all the sky islands and then some. It would be at 3400' in elevation and smack in the middle of Saguaros and Paloverdes with a view of the Santa Rita Mtns. to the south. Less than 30 minutes from the airport and downtown Tucson. A B&B for field people you might say, or a basecamp for explorers in the area. Would you stay the night if it was reasonable and offered more than the average campground or pullout in the backcountry?
>>
>>I have a casual interest in the hospitality industry you might say!
>>
>>Cheers
>>Lat
>>
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

n/p

suggestion box. It is not a concrete thing just a survey really, I know there are 100000's of square miles to pull out and camp but wouldnt it be nice to have a SECURE place to hang out with likeminded folks? No illegals, no tribal police, no BP's no nothing but good company and nice views? and a nice preserve to hike in? What if it had a waterslide? LOL
Cheers
B

np

You might consider setting it up with guides (if necessary), & make it photo & release only. If there were no collecting, it might cut your clientele down a tad, but probably not as much as you think. It would also put you in the good graces of AZ Fish & Game, I'd bet. Costa Rica allows no collecting without jumping through more hoops than I care to think about, but a friend of mine runs two trips a year down there & his clients are always happy. That's photo & release only.

Whatever you do, Brett, I wish you the best with it!

~~Greg~~

Thanks Greg!, its really all theoretical right now but the concept is sound I think. Many of your points have passed my review as well, I would like to think that agencies would promote it as long as it was the top shelf operation that I envision.
Any poachers discovered onsite would be put on the flensing board and served with a key lime sauce and baby potatoes.

Cheers
B

I completely agree...any animals found on property should be photo and release only.

I think this is an extremely interesting and unique idea. Bear in mind that everyone on a venomous forum is going to promise the support of that small community. This is really kind of a "Rattler Dude Ranch" or managed "Rattler Hunting Preserve". This might just be crazy enough to work. Go for the "catch and release", "foreign market" ideas suggested. The bottom line would be the advertising. Great advertising to the right people could make this a goldmine and valuable opportunity . The thing is to make this a "fad" for the people with too much money to spend, kind of like skiing Vale. I assume this place would be one of a kind which has to be good. I also know my description is distasteful to herp purists, but think of the conservation education implications. I would love to see Roundups of nasty rattlers replaced with the same vile creatures embraced by the Beautiful People.