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 the cover objects back as you found them. This is not so much a concern about habitat destruction as 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 with funds generated from license sales.

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 adequately meet their needs 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 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 the corner ahead of others.
• On slopes, ensure that cover does not 'break loose' when there are herpers below you.
• Share your spots and information to help others increase 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 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.