Speak Out: Road cruising
As summer quickly approaches, field herpers are getting back into the field. Road cruising is the simplest means of field collecting and among the most popular. For this speakout topic, I would like to see herpers share cruising stories, strategies, techniques, and hot spots. When giving locations bear in mind most people reading them will not know slang road names, so try to give proper road numbers and exits from major interstates if applicable. Also include the species one would likely encounter on the roads suggested. This is the first summer for many “green” herpers, so let’s try to point them in the right direction.
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Steve71 on 2004-04-14
I agree, road cruising is a great way to find new herps. All you need is a great spotlight and good eyes.
I have recently moved to Loveland, Colorado and am looking forward to getting out this spring.
Anyone in Colorado interested in herping and know of some good spots let me know.
Mitch, to answer your question about tongs vs. hooks.. both have their benefits. I use tongs when getting snakes out of tight spots but on typical catches I prefer the hook. I purchased my equipment from tongs.com and have the collapsible tongs. Great for taking out in the field. I do agree with Blake, the tongs are definitely the safest method for catching venomous snakes.
Once you get good at balancing the snake on the hook and feel comfortable tailing it, the hook is very easy to use. I have found the snakes slide a bit between the tongs so I plan to put some friction tape around he spoon to decrease this.
Blake on 2004-04-06
To Crick100
Sorry. I haven't been here lately. Umm I don't really know where you could find red sandy dirt... in fact ours isn't really sandy its more rocky. its kinda of a Okie thing. Oklahoma is like where the east meets the west, where woods meets plains and deserts. In some places it feels as though you are in the south east and other you could belive your in weastern Texas. Why do you ask about the red dirt? All you really need to know is its all about the ROCKS! Find a really nice rocky area and you'll get copperheads and rattlesnakes. Dump sites are also very good.
To Mitch: I'd get snake tongs. I love them. if you have a nice defensive snake all you have to do is just gently close the those tongs and hes yours. dont have to worry about grabing the tail or pinning or him sliping off the hook while you walk threw some water, brush, or up a hill or such. well thats about all I have... if anyone as any more questions I'll try to have an answer. just e-mail me at Christianskatr16
I usualy dont come on here much, but I think thats about to change with the onset of spring and summer. So far this year I have caught 2 diamond back watersnakes, 2 common rat snakes, 8 stribed-bark scorpions, 2 black widows, and an eastern collared lizard. And Ive only been out herping three times :) I'm about to start searching out cane brake rattlesnake den in a week or two. Michael has been out there, yet, all hes found was nerodia and a coach whip.
take care everyone happy herpings :)
Cheers,
Blake
Anonymous on 2004-03-26
Anonymous on 2004-03-26
Anonymous on 2004-03-26
Anonymous on 2004-02-25
uh... hi
crick100 on 2004-02-17
BLAKE, are you going to answer my question?!
Mitch on 2004-02-16
Does anyone here prefere hooks rather then tongs or tongs rather then hooks? If you do, what are some of the reasons? I'm debating if I should get a pair of tongs or a hook. P.S. I mostly deal with cottonmouths, Eatsern Diamondbacks and just overall heavy bodied snakes.
crick100 on 2004-02-03
Yo Blake, where's the best place to find red,sandy dirt in Georgia you think?
Blake on 2004-02-01
I think road cruzing is a great way to find herps of all types. here in still water any country road west of town is good, though we only have two hots (copperheads, and cane-brake rattlesnakes) there are other stuff too. My main road is cottonwood heading south. It is a very remote rugged little road with only three active house on the very end of it. The road is of soft sandy red dirt. The most common species on the road are copperheads and an asortment of king snakes and rat snakes. Also very common, are cane-brakes. Though I've only ever found one while road cruzing they are everywere if you get of the road and look around the rocky areas. There is also a dump site half way down cottonwood that is great. My very first time herping it I turned over a 4x4ft play wood and found two cane-brakes under sleeping. The best time is to start around dust when theres still light left. My friend has herped and found stuff all the way untill 4am and thats when he stoped cause he was to tired. One problem how ever is in late July and Agust when it becomes very hot, the snakes wont move until real late around 3-4am.
well thats my road. I think this is great to share the roads ;) if anyone could e-mail me at ChristianSkatr16@aol.com and give me some tips on roads down in the Ever Glades Florida and any good roads on south Arizona, I would be most thank full. Thanks very much.
Cheers
Blake
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