Respect property:
- Obtain permission (preferably written) before entering private property.
- Respect the landscape, livestock, fences, and buildings on any property. Do not enter buildings (even those abandoned).
- Do not open gates or enter properties with your vehicle, unless authorized.
- Park along the road or in designated parking areas.
- Leave field-access, drives, and rural roads open so that landowners moving large implements may pass.
- Avoid stretching fences when crossing them, and use fence stiles where available.
- Do not start fires.
- Do not litter. Take all trash with you.
- Attempt to place cover objects back as you found them. This is not so much a habitat destruction concern as it is an aesthetic issue.
- Make a point to visit with landowners/park personnel after your fieldwork. If possible show them (animals or pictures) the herps you discovered.
Respect laws/regulations:
- It is your responsibility to know the Kansas and local/park statutes. This includes not only species and bag limits, but also access to private and public lands/refuges and trespassing.
- Know what species are protected (Endangered, Threatened, or Species in Need of Conservation [SINC]).
- Obey all signage (e.g. requests to stay on trails)
- Persons field herping in Kansas (even those exempt) should purchase a permit/license. Non-game wildlife is currently managed by funds generated through the sale of licenses.
Respect herps:
- Learn about the local herps before you go. How to identify them (e.g. venomous) and what to expect (and what might be notable and of scientific value).
- Don't handle venomous snakes. Many of them resemble harmless species at first glance.
- In your haste to grab a Western Milksnake under a piece of cover, don't neglect to notice the Eastern Copperhead lying concealed right next to it.
- Minimize your disturbance of herp aggregations (den sites, etc.). In general, these are special sites and a small amount of disturbance might have a significant effect on the local population.
- After lifting a cover object, be sure to move any animals that might be crushed when the cover is put back down.
- Keep animals in containers that satisfy their needs adequately while in the field (e.g. out of the sun, keeping amphibians moist, etc).
- Don't handle amphibians if you have harmful chemicals on your hands (insect repellents, lotions, sunscreens, etc).
- Don't put different species of amphibians in the same container.
- Don't handle them roughly and make sure that you are fully prepared to care for a 'pet', should you decide to take one home.
- Return all animals to a spot as close to the collection locality as possible.
- Don't release non-native herps into the wild.
- Attempt to disinfect your clothing (gloves, shoes, etc) and gear between sites. Especially in wetland situations.
Respect other herpers:
- Give yourselves space and don't turn cover ahead of others.
- On slopes, ensure that cover does not 'break loose' when there are herpers below you.
- Share your spots and information, to assist others by increasing their knowledge of the local herpetofauna.
- Stay out of research sites, don't disturb traps or cover objects set by others.
Respect the public:
- Avoid going herping alone, minimally let friends know where you're going and when you expect to be back.
- While road cruising, always be aware of vehicles both ahead and behind you.
- Choose a rarely traveled roadway and don't drive too slowly as to impede traffic.
- If you stop, be sure to pull over to the side and where you can be easily seen over hills and around curves.
- If possible wear reflective clothing when road herping.
- While field herping on public land, avoid impacting areas immediately adjacent to a trail.
Last Updated: 04/02/2022 8:47:09 AM CT — Travis Taggart