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Herping for hots in Illinois
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by LongDucDong on March 6, 2006
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I have a long weekend in June down in Southern Illinois and Northeastern Missouri. Im mainly going to collect tarantulas and scorpions, but would also love to photograph some venomous snakes that inhabit the area. In this particular region there are 3 venomous snakes that are indigenous: A. contortrix, C. horridus and A. piscivorus. Im a big fan of copperheads and would like to capture them on film in their natural habitats. Have any of you herped in southern Illinois? Where can I expect to find A. contortrix in early June? I have heard some people finding them in the rocky outcrops along the Mississippi and am wondering if any of you all can verify this? Thanks for your time.
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RE: Herping for hots in Illinois
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by Rob_Carmichael on March 7, 2006
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I would just cover your bases and make sure its okay to collect arachnids down there. Additionally, in certain parts, just having a snake hook can get your rear in the slinger (something I am in favor of since a lot of illegal poaching takes place in that area)...even a pillow case in a back pack is cause for getting in trouble. When I go to the Shawnee area, I typically just have my camera and a good walking stick with me. When I do find a nice herp, I get a pic w/out having to disturb the animal. If its crossing a road, then I will gently get it on the side, photograph it, and then gently get it well off the road (obviously, I am not going to recommend doing this with a venomous species unless you have a LOT of experience in working with them). If I am on private property, with the appropriate approvals from the landowners, I may hook a snake to get it in a better position to photograph but that's about the extent of it. The Pine Hills area is a great spot for herping So. Illinois but just follow the rules.
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RE: Herping for hots in Illinois
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by LongDucDong on March 7, 2006
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Thanks Rob, I will not be collecting in Illinois, mostly Missouri and I am in the process of obtaining a wildlife collectors permit through MDNR. As far as the snakes go, I do not intend to move them around for photography purposes, Id like to leave exactly where Ive found them. The only time Ive ever moved one for photography purposes, was a C. atrox I found in AZ. It was in my father in law's yard and I moved him at his request to a more secluded area, and while doing so I snapped several photos. If it were up to me, I would have left it right where I found it.
Have you had any luck in the Shawnee National Forest/Garden of the Gods area? I was briefly there last year and did turn a few logs, but that was also in the middle of that blistering heat wave, not exactly prime snake hunting conditions. And yes Im aware to not collect anything from these lands. Id rather photograph than collect.
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