I've decided to try to start field herping this year and had no luck. so far I saw a box turtle and a garter snake this year, but I wasnt field herping at the time. i saw the turtle when I was riding my atv and my mom saw the snake when she was closing her window. every time I try to look for them I find nothing. i live in southeast PA. What is the best field herping book that covers the whole U.S.?

What time of day is best?
What weather is best?
Which is better? Roads? Woods?
Is it worth planting boards?

Thanks.

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2 Eastern Box Turtles-Calvin & Hobbes
1 Spotted Turtle-Guppy
Chow/Sheperd Mix- Colby
1 Cat- Evi
1 Black and white tegu- Strider

Hello, contact your local department of Fish and Game for a localized field guide, New Jersey has a great set for $24.95, the Peterson's field guide series are really good, just try to avoid one with hand drawn pictures. If you can get to Hawk Mountain there are some really good trails there, I found a ringneck there last year. See this webpage for some more things I've found here. http://www.jaysreptiles.com/page6.htm

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Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

thanks jay. i live very close to hawk mountain, but I live on 28 acres of woods so I was hoping to find some here. i know that there are herps around, but cant find them. anyone have any other ideas?

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2 Eastern Box Turtles-Calvin & Hobbes
1 Spotted Turtle-Guppy
Chow/Sheperd Mix- Colby
1 Cat- Evi
1 Black and white tegu- Strider

Walk softly and turn over lots of flat rocks and boards. Always be careful and lift the board so the far side comes up, that way an animal cannot strike at you before you can see whats under there. Always be careful when you replace the rock or board so you don't accidentaly crush anything. Stop and listen, you would be surprised at how noisy an animal is. Most importantly.....always carry a camera.

__________________
Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

What type of herp are you looking for?

Amphibians that I usually find seem to be more active in the early morning and night than in the day. Snakes are usually out around 7 pm.

For amphibians, try searching after light rain. For reptiles, search when it's sunny.

Sorry, I'm not sure about the other two.