Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone I am out in the San Angelo area and will only bee here for another month and would love to go out collecting before I get on out of here, I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction as to some good places to herp/cruise. And also as I am from California originally what are the local regs for taking pics of reptiles only, I am unable to possess animals on base.

Not really close to me (Texas is way TOO BIG LOL)but you cannot collect snakes at least, on public land. No road cruising anymore, either. I still do, though..
Texas herp laws are confusing.
You can, however, herp to your heart's content on private land. So best find someone with access to a large area of ranchland. Which from my visits to west/southwest Tx, is just about everywhere...

Sincerely,
Matthew

>>Not really close to me (Texas is way TOO BIG LOL)but you cannot collect snakes at least, on public land. No road cruising anymore, either. I still do, though..

To clarify: You CAN collect snakes on public land--right-of-ways, that is (i.e. not in state/national parks). However, you must have a current hunting license AND the new reptile/amphibian stamp (which is $10 on top of whatever huntin' license you purchase).

Road cruising was not, is not, and CAN NOT be made illegal, in the strictest sense. NOBODY can tell you you can't drive around and see an animal, herp or otherwise.

That being said, it is illegal to touch a herp on the roadway (to include the shoulder of the road). Also, if you "corral," "shoo," or otherwise impede the progress of, or change the natural behavior of, a herp on the road (technically, EVEN TO GET IT OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC), that is considered "hunting" and you can get a ticket.

See http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/huntwild/amphibian_reptile_stamp.phtml for a generally-good explanation of the regs. Note their Question 6 which makes you think you can't road-cruise. False--I believe it is indeed intended to be read that way, as this FAQ was written by someone who doesn't hold herpers in the highest regard...long story. However, it is really meant to address the "old" technique of driving slowly along the shoulder of the road, shining a road cut with a Q-Beam or similar out the window. That is in fact verboten these days.

Regarding where to go--you can find some decent places southwest of San Angelo on some of the smaller roads. Find smaller road cuts with flippable rocks (after purchasing your license/stamp). You can also shine cuts at night (ensure you have your vest!). If you want to spend more on gas, drive a couple hours southwest on 277 and shine cuts for the standard West Texas fare (subocs, alterna, etc). The next couple of weeks should be a good time to do so (specifically, last quarter moon next weekend onward).

I assume you're at Goodfellow for intel training or some such...
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

I'm here in San Angelo.

Not much to find here in the local area. Going out to lake Nasworthy and cruising up and down random dirt roads will get you bulls and atrox almost any night of the week.
There is a spillway by the ASU lake house that has a swampy microhabit that provides lots of water snakes and i've found a few cotton mouths there as well.
The drive between San Angelo and Midland has provided me with an unlimited amount of coachwhips to chase down over the years.
Most of the "cool" things in the area you just have to stumble upon by chance... it's so hot and there is so much private land that herping the concho valley is mostly luck and not skill.
You could go out to the nature center and talk with Mike Price, i'm sure he can point you in the right direction... the guy really really knows his stuff.
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1.1 Dumerils Boas
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2.3 California King Snakes
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2.2 Corn Snakes