Tennessee field herping questions

carpets4life · 02-11-15, 01:23 PM

I have a few questions about herping (specifically snake hunting) in Tennessee. First question, what is the easiest ways to find copperheads in the middle TN area. Secondly, what size snake hook should I be using. I will be handling venomous snakes such as timber rattlesnakes and northern copperheads. thanks for any info you can give me.

**millertime89** · 02-11-15, 01:55 PM

I would want no shorter than a 36" hook. Flip tree bark or anything that is flat and can act as shelter. I would carry both a hook and a set of tongs since you're looking for hots.

**Minkness** · 02-11-15, 03:35 PM

Just curious, where in middle TN are you?

carpets4life · 02-11-15, 03:50 PM

I'm in Nashville, and I generally do my snake hunting, well, all over the place in TN.

carpets4life · 02-11-15, 03:52 PM

and thanks millertime89, will do

**Minkness** · 02-11-15, 03:56 PM

Dude! Me too! (Well, just south of Nash)

We should go herping together!

carpets4life · 02-11-15, 06:02 PM

That sounds sounds awesome! lets get in touch! spring is upon us.

**Minkness** · 02-11-15, 07:01 PM

Do you have skype? If so, PM it to me so we can stay in touch!

pet_snake_78 · 02-11-15, 07:34 PM

I've mostly looked for salamanders in TN but I did find a timber crossing a gravel road. In late summer when the males are searching out females they should be easier to find on roads however I remember it being pretty cool when I was there and I still managed to come across one. Generally, I have good luck finding timbers and copperheads in crevices in rocks. Road cuts and rocky hills should provide some results. I've even found some copperheads by sticking my head over the side of a cliff and peering into a crevice of a den that had both copperheads and ratsnakes. Copperheads also show up under flat rocks and piles of junk, sometimes they won't be where you expect them. I found 2 under a rotting log one time that seemed much more like a place for a slimy salamander than a copperhead so watch your hands even in unlikely places.

logo33 · 03-08-15, 03:35 AM

Bringing this thread back since it's finally starting to warm up! I'm in Nashville and couldn't be any more excited for this years herping season! It's supposed to be 66 degrees on Wednesday so I am going to try to get out in the early evening before it starts to cool down. Do you all have any specific spots that you have good luck at? My girlfriend is out towards Opry Mills and has an awesome swamp right in her back yard. Will be spending a lot of time back there. Last year wasn't incredible for me.... only caught a water snake on the Harpeth and a juvi grey rat snake that found its way into my house.

**Minkness** · 03-08-15, 11:35 AM

I'm in murfreesboro and have come across some fat garters and once found a baby rattler (no idea what kind but it was cute being so small and agressive lol) I've never gone looking though, those are just what's come across my path by accedent.