A herper is someone who hunts and catches snakes with a snake hook. Most herpers approach the hobby with
great care and regard for the environment. Often a herper takes detailed notes
on his or her finds, keeps a lifelist of species found to date, and is always
trying to add to that lifelist. It can take years and years of dedicated
searching to find every species in your area.
The catch and release method is
highly encouraged while herping. While sometimes an animal may be highly
tempting to keep as a pet, try to remember that captive bred animals are
readily available for a low cost and usually make much better pets. Just
remember to capture that special find on film, and the whole experience will
probably be much more satisfying.
If you decide to
pursue herping, make sure you check your state's regulations regarding
collection and approved hunting methods. A small game license may be required in
some states.
If you herp a lot you will be in the sun a lot. Try the Columbia Bahama II Longsleeve Shirt to protect yourself from the sun.
Also, check out this article to learn about some of my other hobbies.