Snake Hunting Hudspeth County and the Trans-Pecos

WHEN, WHERE and HOW?

    This topic could go on forever and is very debatable depending on with whom you talk. So the following descriptions/recommendations are just my general observations and are by no means the "end all" rules of snake hunting and are only meant for Hudspeth County and the surrounding areas of the Trans-Pecos Region of West Texas.

WHEN

Time of Year - Snakes start moving in Hudspeth and adjacent Culberson Counties reliably around the beginning of April. This is highly variable however depending upon weather. I once found 22 snakes during the first week of March during unseasonably warm weather and one day after a rain. The snakes continue to move throughout the summer months in these areas due to the high elevations and cool nights. Activity seems to slow around the end of September. As  mentioned before this is by no means a sure thing. A friend once found a Gopher Snake crawling across the road just before Christmas (a definite fluke) during some very cold weather. 

Day or Night? - The majority of snakes move during the night (nocturnal) but some species such as the racers, coachwhips and patch-nose move during the day (diurnal). Coachwhips can be found during the hottest parts of the day whipping across roads looking like a mirage. Other species such as the Mexican Hognose and to an extent Gopher snakes prefer dusk or sunrise while the sun is on the horizon. Snakes that move at night seem to move more during the first parts of the evening. I personally have noticed their activity to taper off as it gets later. One exception to this rule (I'm sure there are many more) seems to be the Gray Banded King Snake. Many people have found them throughout the night at all times up to sunrise. 

Moon - It has been my observation as well as many others who have collected for many years that the more moon visible the less snakes move. During a full moon I rarely go out looking because if I find anything at all, it is usually an atrox. I can't explain the reason behind this but there are many theories. The main one seems to be that with a full moon, it is easier for predators such as owls, ringtails and foxes to see snakes and eat them. 

Rain (moister) - Moister is a major factor in the movement of snakes in the Trans-Pecos region. When there is a severe drought, snakes seem to go into a type of brumation to prevent them from dying of dehydration.  Conversely, when there is sufficient rain, movement increases dramatically. Some snakes such as the Desert King snakes seem to like crawling around during a rainstorm.  Others such as milk snakes seem to like moving just afterwards.  But it seems to me that the best time to look is within 2 days of a good rain for most species. This doesn't mean that snakes cannot be found while conditions are dry, just that they seem to move better when there is moister.  

There are other conditions that affect snake movement such as barometric pressure and wind direction but I believe the major factors are listed above. With all this being said, I have been out when there was no moon at all, recent rains and all conditions seemed right and found NOTHING.  So I guess that makes snake hunting sort of like fishing. 

WHERE

WHERE to look for snakes depends mainly  on two things, range and preferred habitat. Many people that go out looking for snakes go out looking for a particular species (target species). Once inside of a snakes known range, one must take into consideration the snakes preferred habitat. Example: If one where to go out looking for a Gray Banded King Snake, I would hunt in areas with lots of rocky outcroppings. The more fissures in the rock, the better. In contrast, if I were to want to find kennerlyi , I would hunt flatter grassy areas with sandy spots. Some snakes such as splendida seem not to care about habitat as much. I have found them in all types of habitat within their range. Like I said before, this discussion could go on forever.

HOW

DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer and the information contained below should not be used as legal advice. These are merely my opinions and interpretations from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code and letters received in response to inquiries that I have sent  to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Law Enforcement Division.

The discussion of HOW to look for snakes is a sore spot amongst collectors in Texas but less so amongst photographers.

First Things First: In Texas, you need a hunting license to collect snakes legally. If you collect them to sell or collect them in numbers, you need a special non-game permit. If you don't know if you need one I suggest reading the law here.

ROAD HUNTING (paved or dirt): Legal means of "Take" or "Hunt" varies from state to state. In Texas there seems to be a large debate concerning this law. If you ask a Texas Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer (Game Warden), most will tell you that road hunting (that is; hunting snakes from a vehicle) is illegal in Texas. The question is then, "what constitutes hunting from a vehicle concerning snakes?" The arguments and misunderstandings concerning this are many. The main argument from collectors is discussed in question # 1.

1.)Question:  If you are driving down a road and see a snake warming itself on the road or crossing the road, if you pull off of the roadway completely and safely, you get out of your vehicle, walk to the snake and pick it up, is this illegal?

Answer: In Texas it seems that it depends on whom you ask. ANSWER- A.) Some Wardens say that as a collector, your original intent was to look for snakes. Therefore, you found the snake using a vehicle thereby meeting the  requirements under the law for hunting from a vehicle. ANSWER- B.) Some Wardens say that since you safely pulled off of the roadway (without violating any of the Texas Traffic Codes), got out of your vehicle and then returned for the snake afoot, that your collected the snake legally.

If the above is confusing to you, rest assured that you're not alone. If you go out in Texas looking to collect snakes on a public roadway from a vehicle, you're taking your chances. If you really want to know, call the Warden in that particular county BEFORE you go out and ask his opinion.  ALL of the Texas Wardens that I know are very friendly and will answer any questions that you have. If he thinks its illegal, then chances are he's willing to issue a citation for hunting from a vehicle. Then he and you can argue the point in front of a Texas Judge.   I personally don't keep many snakes at home (usually one or two) and have never sold them so it's an easy decision for me. Taking pictures is just easier. Another point to remember: In Texas, Game Wardens are peace officers and thus can issue ANY citations that a State Trooper can. Some violations that are important to remember are, "Stopping on a Public Roadway", "Failure to Dim Headlights" (which is just plain rude and may get you beat up in Texas), "Illegal Right/Left Turns" and the list goes on. Moral of the story, BE POLITE to the Wardens, they have an Important job to do and when you act badly, it gives other snake hunters a bad reputation. I hate to admit it, but the one thing I liked about California and Arizona when I went there was the fact that as long as you had a state license, you didn't have to worry about road cruising for snakes, that is, there was no gray area.

2.) Question: Can I spotlight from my vehicle to look for snakes?            

Answer: Again, it depends.. On a public roadway? NO.    On public property? NO.    On private property? YES, IF you own the property or have the owners consent.

3.) Question: Can I hunt snakes legally by walking the roads?

Answer: Short answer is yes. During the spring and early summer on any given night, you will see snake hunters all over the Trans-Pecos area spotlighting (afoot) and lighting rock cuts on the right-of-ways of many West Texas roads. Don't walk in the middle of the road. That is illegal and you might get used as a speed bump. You can also legally walk hunt at night with the aid of a light on your own property or on another's private property with their consent.

Finally, the method used by all snake hunters at one time or another, is day hunting habitat. If you have a place you can legally collect snakes (your property or another's with their permission) walking and flipping rocks, trash, etc. is a great way to find snakes, not to mention the good exercise you get by doing this.  If you decide to do this, put the rocks, etc. back in place and don't destroy habitat.  I went hunting once in Arizona day walking with a friend and couldn't believe the destruction some moron did looking for Mountain King Snakes. It looked like they did it with a bull dozer.

As a general rule, I don't collect many snakes. I take home and keep maybe one a year. If I take others home, I usually photograph it and return it to where I found it.  Maybe I'm just lazy and don't like caring for a bunch of snakes. When I do go out looking, I will keep one if it just stands out to me. As of this writing, I have one Gray Banded King Snake, one Mexican Hognose and one Rosy Boa. They are interesting animals to keep but bear in mind that they do require upkeep just like any other animal and in the lack of such will quickly die. I personally find more enjoyment in the hunt and taking pictures in their natural habitat.

Snake Hunting in West Texas is an indescribable experience. The cool nights combined with the solitude is just something everyone should experience. The Sun Sets in West Texas are unlike any other in Texas. Even non-snake hunters that I have taken with me have enjoyed their trips and the majority of them want to go back. So plan a trip to the Big Bend Area and enjoy....