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New to Florida area

Posted: October 26th, 2015, 2:56 pm
by axeman2729
Hi my name is Garrett brethauer I am originally from Pennsylvania and recently moved down to Florida for the navy I'm located in Pensacola wanted to know if anyone in the area is down for a meet up as I said new to the area and don't really know what I'm doing down here yet hahah I'm gonna be here til at least February inbox me if you don't feel comfortable using the thread

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 27th, 2015, 11:18 am
by mtratcliffe
axeman2729 wrote:Hi my name is Garrett brethauer I am originally from Pennsylvania and recently moved down to Florida for the navy I'm located in Pensacola wanted to know if anyone in the area is down for a meet up as I said new to the area and don't really know what I'm doing down here yet hahah I'm gonna be here til at least February inbox me if you don't feel comfortable using the thread
Are you the guy that posted a while back asking for recommendations on where to get stationed in the Navy based on herping chances? If so, congrats on getting Pensacola - you are in a very rich area of biodiversity. Thought it sounds like you are just there for school. Still, now is a great time to roadcruise pine forests during the day, and salamander season will begin soon (if not already). The winters can get too cold there for herps, but it all depends on how far south the cold fronts dip. Take advantage of the warm days while you have them!

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 27th, 2015, 9:02 pm
by axeman2729
Yup that was me hahah and I'd road cruise if 1 I had a car and 2 if I had a license hahah

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 7:15 am
by simus343
No license required here in Florida to road cruise. The only license I could foresee someone needing in the Escambia and Santa Rosa county area is a venomous permit if they were going to be messing with venomous snakes, which is strongly advised against regardless of having the permit or not.

Now, you do need a license to access and do anything on Eglin AFB, especially of you are an active member of the military (training or active duty). The penalty for rule breaking on the Eglin Reservation, as a military member, is the civilian penalty and then some because you are expected to know and follow the regulations of a military installation.

Although, not having a car is a hard one for herping in Florida, especially in Pensacola, so I'd stick to bay and coastal parks like I recommended in the PM.

Edit: Yes, you do need a drivers license to roadcruise :P. I tend to overlook the obvious.

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 7:22 am
by Noah M
Well, you need a drivers license.... :roll:

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 8:02 am
by Stohlgren
mtratcliffe wrote:The winters can get too cold there for herps
False! Salamanders and chorus frogs all winter long.

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 10:10 am
by BillMcGighan
Good luck, Garrett.
With or without a car, take advantage of your accessibility to military lands, that are off-limits to general public.

Keep us posted of your finds and let us know where you end up for a longer duty station.

:thumb:

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 7:42 pm
by JakeScott
Stohlgren wrote:False! Salamanders and chorus frogs all winter long.
Most definitely! Don't forget about the squishy herps.

-Jake

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 7:43 pm
by axeman2729
I found I think an American toad last night

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 28th, 2015, 7:45 pm
by axeman2729
Like I said though if anyone is in the area I'm allowed off base now if anyone wants to meet up (preferably on the weekends) and I'm not on duty send me a message or I could send you my number

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 4:20 am
by Carl D. May
And don't forget about fishing...you're in a great spot for coastal species like speckled sea trout, flounder and redfish. Just sayin'...
Also, as was mentioned you should be able to find amphibians on base fairly easily.

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 9:19 am
by mtratcliffe
Stohlgren wrote:
mtratcliffe wrote:The winters can get too cold there for herps
False! Salamanders and chorus frogs all winter long.
Yeah, that was a misleading comment on my part. I think I meant to say that the Panhandle can get winter storms on rare occasions, but it's otherwise great for herping year-round.

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 1:08 pm
by axeman2729
Excellent

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 1:09 pm
by axeman2729
Carl D. May wrote:And don't forget about fishing...you're in a great spot for coastal species like speckled sea trout, flounder and redfish. Just sayin'...
Also, as was mentioned you should be able to find amphibians on base fairly easily.

I definitely plan on fishing

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 3:41 pm
by simus343
axeman2729 wrote:
Carl D. May wrote:And don't forget about fishing...you're in a great spot for coastal species like speckled sea trout, flounder and redfish. Just sayin'...
Also, as was mentioned you should be able to find amphibians on base fairly easily.

I definitely plan on fishing
That reminds me. A friend of mine goes fishing in Blackwater Bay all the time and finds Diamondback Terrapins fairly frequently. I was surprised and didn't believe him, until he showed me a photograph of one of them. I don't know how long they'll still be out for this year, but they are there.

The local species are still on my lifer list and I'm going to try and hit the water to knock them off in April or May, possibly even as late as summer. My skinny arse has to wait for the water to warm back up before I get out there in the water haha.

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 6:46 pm
by Noah M
I wish I could help you. If I find that I'm going to be up your direction with nothing to do I'll be sure and let you know.

I'm betting you found either a Fowler's toad or a Southern toad. I don't think we have American toads in Florida.

Re: New to Florida area

Posted: October 29th, 2015, 7:15 pm
by Coluber Constrictor
.