Is there any rules or laws for field herping? Are you allowed to take home the animals and release them before fall?

Each state has it's own rules regarding captivity. Some restrict certain species, some let you observe in captivity for a certain time period. Most states will not allow re-introduction back into the wild after an extended period due to the fact of introducing parasites into the native species in the wild. Consult you states Fish and game department. They usually post all laws regarding this online.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

here's a link to a quick summary for your state. You'd have to go into each specific code to make sure you are completely legal.

http://ipl.unm.edu/cwl/statbook/michig.html

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

erm...how could parasites/diseases be introduced into the wild when the reptiles came from the wild in the first place?

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i'd be better off opening my own small zoo.

because they can contact them from whatever herps you already own and they may not be native.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

Well there are the state/county dependent laws then there is my(and many others') one informal rule. The rule that ther eis absolutely no reason for a minor to be handling a hot. But i'm sure you already knew that.

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~Jason Richardson

Sean only mentioned field herping in general. He never mentioned "hots". And if he did I would hope he was qualified to do so (which to my knowledge no minor in any state is permitted to posses venomous reptiles)

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

well then, woulden't be better to just say that they shoulden't come in contact with other herps you own and should be in sanitary living conditions? sure is alot nicer (and truthful imo) then just telling somebody they could introduce new parasites :P

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i'd be better off opening my own small zoo.

My sincerest appologies if I came across as not being nice. I was merely reitterating the explanation in the laws of my own state regarding the observation (capture) of herps in the wild. I was not stating an opinion on the parasite issue, I was stating a law and nothing more. while I don't necessarily agree with it,,,,it is what it is. again,,,,,my appologies. A question was asked, and I responded with facts.

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Ken
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." -- Ronald Reagan

i know, i know :P

i wasen't thinking you were rude at all.

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i'd be better off opening my own small zoo.