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I want to herp?!
- Thread starter stangugrl
- Start date
Rich in KY
Fortunate Fool
That is one of the first things you need to do. Have something to identify all venomous snakes native to the area you will herp. Then when you are herping, if you don't know what snake it is, stay away from it.
Then I always take a camera, a long stick and friend.
Then I always take a camera, a long stick and friend.
Allison
New member
Herping is by far one of my favorite past times. Here are some things I never go without:
Leather gloves- For overturning logs, bricks, wood, and climbing trees.
Good shoes
Water
A hat for the really hot days and to protect when I'm in thick brush.
MY CAMERA! You never know what you might find!
Snake "bag" or a plastic observation container.
I know I'm probably forgetting something there... but anyway I have found that I find more snakes when there is a good source of water near by.
Have fun!
Leather gloves- For overturning logs, bricks, wood, and climbing trees.
Good shoes
Water
A hat for the really hot days and to protect when I'm in thick brush.
MY CAMERA! You never know what you might find!
Snake "bag" or a plastic observation container.
I know I'm probably forgetting something there... but anyway I have found that I find more snakes when there is a good source of water near by.
Have fun!
Pruddock
Gig 'Em Ags!! Whoop!!
Where are you at? The only reason I ask is that some of us may be able to direct you towards great field guides for your area. A field guide is your best friend for identifying. You don't want to put your hands anywhere where they could get nailed by something dangerous. You see these guys on tv trying tail snakes and do all this stupid stuff....DONT!!! its not worth it. Make sure you where high leather boots, bring a good sized stick, snake hook, or snake tongs, a bottle of water, a camera with a zoom, and snake bags. Also make sure you check the laws in your area, THIS IS A MUST!!! You don't want a $300 fine just because you were looking for snakes, it ain't worth it. The only other advise I can give you is to go in the mornings or late evenings to places that are near water. Snakes can go a long time without food, but all of them need water at some point in time or another. Also try to go at times when the temperature is in the mid 70s or low 80s (75-85). That's when I've had the most luck.
Just remember to take a friend, the snakes are sneaky critters that make a living at not being found (so don't get discouraged
) and don't grab anything you shouldnt'. Have fun and be safe
Just remember to take a friend, the snakes are sneaky critters that make a living at not being found (so don't get discouraged
) and don't grab anything you shouldnt'. Have fun and be safe
Pruddock
Gig 'Em Ags!! Whoop!!
A great way to get a good location is to talk to your local conservational board or if you are located near a university/college, send an email to somebody in their wildlife and fisheries department or biology department. I know I found places around here by talking to people at Texas A&M.
jjspirko
African House Snake King
Some of my favorite tools/necessities
1. Snake Hook, I used a "pro" version for a while but then went back to one made from a common garden hoe. Take a 9 dollar hoe from Walmart or Home Depot and smack the strait edge off with a hammer (one or two wacks does it) and it leaves a beautiful hook! Very strong to for turning over stuff with out getting to close to something like a rattler.
2. Good camera with an adjustable monopod or tripod.
3. Wear good boots not so much for the snakes (most vipers can bite though leather anyway) but just to protect your ankles, etc.
4. Cotton sacks if you are going to keep anything. Know your local laws :smash:
5. Good field guide is nice to have. I know all the venomous stuff in the US (ain't hard) but a guide is still nice when you find something a bit different especially many of the juveniles that look different as babies.
6. A partner, herping can get you hurt, just walking in the woods can so a partner is a great idea just to be safe, I have and do do it alone but not as a first choice.
7. GPS, I have a Lorrance H20 I use for fishing too. You can get them under a hundred bucks though now in any sporting and most department stores. Not needed but really nice.
As for where to look anywhere dark and nice to hide in or under. Or any place to catch some rays. Water sources should never be ignored.
There is also something to be said for just doing it in time you get a "sense" of where to look on any particular day. Also get of the paths that 100 people walk on a day and get into the real woods, etc. This is where the GPS really helps.
The other nice part of GPS is marking where you find everything to the foot, that is pretty nice for future trips.
1. Snake Hook, I used a "pro" version for a while but then went back to one made from a common garden hoe. Take a 9 dollar hoe from Walmart or Home Depot and smack the strait edge off with a hammer (one or two wacks does it) and it leaves a beautiful hook! Very strong to for turning over stuff with out getting to close to something like a rattler.
2. Good camera with an adjustable monopod or tripod.
3. Wear good boots not so much for the snakes (most vipers can bite though leather anyway) but just to protect your ankles, etc.
4. Cotton sacks if you are going to keep anything. Know your local laws :smash:
5. Good field guide is nice to have. I know all the venomous stuff in the US (ain't hard) but a guide is still nice when you find something a bit different especially many of the juveniles that look different as babies.
6. A partner, herping can get you hurt, just walking in the woods can so a partner is a great idea just to be safe, I have and do do it alone but not as a first choice.
7. GPS, I have a Lorrance H20 I use for fishing too. You can get them under a hundred bucks though now in any sporting and most department stores. Not needed but really nice.
As for where to look anywhere dark and nice to hide in or under. Or any place to catch some rays. Water sources should never be ignored.
There is also something to be said for just doing it in time you get a "sense" of where to look on any particular day. Also get of the paths that 100 people walk on a day and get into the real woods, etc. This is where the GPS really helps.
The other nice part of GPS is marking where you find everything to the foot, that is pretty nice for future trips.
MerlinsPop
New member
Abandoned houses, trailers, barns (get permission first! Forget the fine, you might get some buckshot instead!). Snakes like to get under roofing material that's been blown off, especially tin, as it'll warm up qicker in the moring sun.
