In Washington you are not allowed,(technically) to even pick one up and move it off the road. I think any herper who has found them in Wa has and will continue to handle them. You cannot collect them at all unless you have a biologist permit and that is not just handed out. Fall can be a good time to find them but through the winter months of nov.-feb you are not lickley to find any. Finding them is all about the temperature and the amount of time an area is at prime temperatures. That is why spring is generally better, there is just a longer time period at which prime temps can be reached. Spring is also breeding season which would contribute somewhat to finding them crusing around looking for a mate and/or food. they won't be looking for food this time of year