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Herping San Diego County September October

Posted: April 30th, 2015, 4:49 am
by malpolon
Hello to all herpers,
I have a question, I am from Europe and I want to visit the area around San Diego for herping (photography), so I have some questions:
1) Can someone recommend me a good area for herping for snakes, would be great if there is a Hotel o Motel near where I can stay for 5/6 days.
2) What is the better month for herping for snakes, September or beginning of October?
3) What kind of licence I need (I have heard that I need a fishing license??), can I buy this licence in San Diego or only via Internet?
4) Is it dangerous to herp near San Diego, crime etc...?
5) Would be great if I can herp with someone?

Kind regards,
frank

PD.
Please visit my webpage about the most intelligent snake in Europe:
www.malpolon.com
The web is in german but you can use a translator...

Re: Herping San Diego County September October

Posted: April 30th, 2015, 12:53 pm
by Kent VanSooy
Frank, fall in San Diego County can be good, but.....last year was not good at all, and I expect this year to be lousy as well. Typically snakes can be found in the fall road-cruising, and usually the neonates far outnumber the adults. But with the drought we're experiencing - 2 years in a row now - the snakes haven't been reproducing, and babies have been a rare sight. Sadly, since you're coming a long ways, my best advice would be to wait until SoCal starts to get some rain, hopefully next year.

Re: Herping San Diego County September October

Posted: April 30th, 2015, 2:28 pm
by SurfinHerp
I concur with everything Kent says above.

However, if you're definitely coming to San Diego and want someone to help you find snakes, I'll meet up with you. If we try hard enough, I'm sure we'll see at least one or two cool snakes.

Jeff

Re: Herping San Diego County September October

Posted: April 30th, 2015, 2:59 pm
by SurfinHerp
Here are some answers to your specific questions:

1) All of San Diego County is good for herping! It might be a good idea to stay somewhere near the center of the County in order to be about an hour's drive from almost any spot you may want to go. The town of Ramona is a good central location. Not sure of a decent motel to stay in there though.
I can recommend The Oaks at Sacred Rocks RV Resort in Boulevard. It's not centrally located, but it has many different types of accommodations to choose from, including small cabins. The people there are very friendly, and it's located close to some excellent herping locales.
2) Late September and early October should be similar in terms of productive herping. I think early September is not quite as good as later in the Fall. Since night time road-cruising will likely be the most productive method, avoid coming during the waxing gibbous moon occurring in the following weeks: 9/21-9/28, 10/20-10/27.
3) You'll need a non-resident sportfishing license which can be purchased online here: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Licensing/Online-Sales
4) I don't consider it dangerous to herp in SD. Just use common sense, and stay away from people :lol: .


Hope this helps,

Jeff

Re: Herping San Diego County September October

Posted: April 30th, 2015, 7:08 pm
by Eimon
SurfinHerp wrote:Here are some answers to your specific questions:
4) I don't consider it dangerous to herp in SD. Just use common sense, and stay away from people :lol: .
And Hubbs' board lines :lol: