Suggestions on Field Herping

[Crotalusatrox]

I was hoping someone viewing this forum would offer some suggestions on "how to" herp. I am an avid hiker and I have only had the privilege of seeing a few snakes (coach whips). I desperately want to go out and see a rattlesnake. Can someone help me out and inform me of where and when to successfully see a rattlesnake. I would appreciate it if someone could clue me in. This site is awesome by the way. I can not believe what some of you have seen and photographed. Keep the pictures coming!

[AZCrochunter]

Personally I have seen more rattlesnakes in Urban areas rather than out in the boonies. I look on golf courses mostly...I don't know if it is the water or what, but I see a rattlesnake at least 40% of the time. All Atrox but nonetheless...very awesome. I have found more of my target species by hiking...most herpers now road herp, as I do, because it is ALOT more profitable. I have to give respect to the herpers who do hike. I hiked the Chiris this last Labor day weekend four days straight of camping and hiking and found some Alligator Lizards and a Banded Rock Rattlesnake which was a REAAAALY treat. Keep it up dude!!

Austin:bright

[sharrack]

HMMMMMMMM.........just getting started.....huh??
Start attending the AHA meetings and listening close.
You'll make friends who will eventually take you on a nightcruise or
a hike.This part could take a while !

Buy the Arizona Gazetteer ( big red book ), Western field giude to reptiles by stebbin's and The field guide to North American reptiles and Amphibians.

Hang out on the net and read all the posts.
Although most people are quick to omit locales and tricks from their posts, you'll still learn alot.

You'll have all winter to learn species names and look at range maps which will aid you in next springs search.

Kenny Sharrocks

[reptilepunk]

In regard to your inquiry about a good place to go looking for herps I recommend Sugar loaf Mountain/ Sycamore Creek. I would say 4 out of 5 times I see an Atrox while Hiking around. Most of the time the Atrox are right off the wash. They are also black tails more on the rocky mountain slope areas. You may also see a Desert Tortoise, this is where Game and Fish does there Tortoise Research. Let me know if you have any other ?'s.

Jusitn

[SWHerper]

Where exactly is Sugar Loaf Mountain and Sycamore canyon? I have the Arizona TOPO Program and it comes up with quite a few locations in Maricopa, Yavapai, Mohave, and Cochise counties. I understand if you don't want to give specific localities. Thx

[sharrack]

There are more sycamore watchacallits in Arizona than you can shake a stick at. Lets just call the area Four Peaks north of fountain hills.
Kenny S.

P.s.- the topo program is great but get yourself a gazetteer for the vehicle. It's a must.

[Cmpyrrhus]

I need one myself more for the areas I have not been to, but in the end they are great to help when you are "out in the sticks." Some of the areas I go to myself are not for the public to know. The topo maps help find where those tiny little dirt roads leed to and what you will expect on them terrain wise (dirt road, etc..)
Best thing to do is just find some good natural history on a given species, check around for the habitat and start looking. I myself like the idea of searching rather than "Go over this way and there you will see blah blah blah...." This to me also helps you better judge your knowledge of how to actually herp rather than just darting out in the woods in blind hopes of getting something. Good Luck and be kind to the animals......

----Beau

[reptilepunk]

To get to Sugarloaf Mountain you take Highway 87 toward Payson. You will pass Shea Blvd, Fort Mcdowell Casino, and the Saguaro Lake Rd exit. It is about 10-15 minutes past Fort Mcdowell casino. You will see an exit for Sugarloaf mountain on the left side of highway 87. From that point just take the dirt road as far as you want to go. I have seen diamondbacks and gila monsters right off the wash and blacktail rattlesnakes on the rocky slopes, not to mention desert tortoises. Good luck let me know how you do and if you need better directions.

Justin

[SWHerper]

Thanks a bunch...I've been to the Four Peaks area and look forward to going again and I'll check out Sugarloaf as well. Thx!

[reptilist]

I admire your enthusiasm to help out other herpers. But, it is not good policy to advertise specific locales over the world wide web. There are unscrupulous collectors who may take full advantage of your directions and the place/abundance of animals may never be the same again.(And I am not talking about SWHerper specifically.) This is a lesson hard learned by several formerly enthusiastic sharers of herp information!

[Crotalusatrox]

I went for a night drive to SugarLoaf Mountain. The landscape looks promising however I spent most of the drive pulling to the side of the road. I counted fifteen cars either going up the mountain or coming down off it. The mountain range is very small. I was disappointed however at the amount of people. I even saw a few people shooting rifles at targets at 12:30 in the morning! I did see yet another coachwhip however (Not on SugarLoaf)! He must have just shed his skin because he was very deep black. I will have to hike SugarLoaf in the daytime.

Crotalus (Chris)

[sharrack]

Reptile punk forgot to tell you that there's an insane amount of offroaders, dirtbikers, atc riders and quad poeple in that area on the weekends. K>>S:D