Field Herping Questions

Hey guys, I really want to go out and do some field herping. Is it just as easy as going out and walking around the woods looking for typical spots some herps would be. I live in the Adirondacks so we dont have a huge reptile population. Mostly garter snakes. Supposedly there are milks, corns, timber rattlers, copperheads, five lined skinks. Has anyone gone field herping in the far northeast? Do you guys have any tips on the best way to find some herps?

Thanks, Connor

I know people who have private property and mark locations with logs or even leave sheet metal out to go field herping at later dates.

It really is just as "easy" as going out and walking while looking at "typical spots".

The key is that every location is different, and the more time you spend somewhere and the more animals you find, the better you get at identifying where animals should be.

When I was in Louisiana, I focused in areas near water for most of my herping, though in the fall I'd dig through brush and fallen leaves for copperheads.

It really helps if you go field herping in places with big populations, but that isn't always possible.

Here in MN, most of my field herping is limited to turtles and frogs in lakes.

If you are interested in getting into field herping, I would suggest picking up the book "A Snake Hunting Guide II" by Will Bird and Phil Peak.

Their info is great for someone not knowing exactly where to start.

In my experience, herping is all about knowing the animals you are looking for. Read books to familiarize yourself with your local snakes and....especially knowledge of their habitats and behaviors.