2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

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gretzkyrh4
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2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Hey All,

In 2013, the SC Chapter decided to kick off the new year (and database contribution) with a chapter wide New Year's day field herping challenge. In the face of inclement weather, those of us in the southern reaches of our chapter headed out into the field and managed to add over 90 records to the database (including 1 new species!).

This year, I'd like to invite the SE Chapter Membership to join in on the fun and see if we can't really up our New Year's day contribution. We'll follow the scoring format included below (designed by Chrish prior to last year's contest) and see which chapter can claim bragging rights when January 2 rolls around.

Be sure to chime in below, if you're interested in taking part. Good luck to everyone who takes part!

Chris Williams
SC Chapter VP


------
Here's the 2014 scorecard for those who want to keep track as people begin submitting records:

SC Chapter
http://www.naherp.com/reports/national- ... 2014-01-01

SE Chapter
http://www.naherp.com/reports/national- ... 2014-01-01


And Chrish’s scoring format:


Three ways to win:
(a) Overall Points Winner (see scoring system below)
(b) Most Taxa (total species observed)
(c) Most Records (total records submitted to NAHERP)


Overall Points Scoring System:
(a) 10 points/taxon/county (species level)
(b) 1 point/vouchered record (limit 10/species/county)

Here's an example of how scoring will work (provided by chrish)

So if contestant A stays in their home county and enters 4 taxa:

25 Acris crepitans = 10 points + 10 (maxed out the number of points for Acris in one county)
5 Ambystoma texanum = 10 points + 5
20 Trachemys = 10 points + 10 (again maxed out)
5 Alligators = 10 points + 5
10 Incilius nebulifer = 10 points + 10

They get 40 points for the records (only the first 10 Acris and Trachemys count), 50 points for five taxa for a total of 90 points.

If contestant B enters 7 taxa from one one county:

2 Acris = 10 points + 2
3 Hyla versicolor = 10 points + 3
3 Incilius nebulifer = 10 points + 3
2 Lithobates clamitans = 10 points + 2
3 Eurycea quadrigittata = 10 points + 3
5 Pseudacris fouquettei = 10 points + 5
2 Nerodia fasciata = 10 points + 2

They get 20 points for the records but another 70 points for the for the 7 taxa for a total of 90 points.

Contestant C find four taxa in two counties and enters:

1 Hyla chrysoscelis (county 1) = 10 points + 1
2 Hyla chrysoscelis (county 2) = 10 points + 2
1 Acris crepitans (county 1) = 10 points + 1
1 Acris crepitans (county 2) = 10 points + 1
2 Alligator (county 1) = 10 points + 2
1 Alligator (county 2) = 10 points + 1
1 Incilius nebulifer (county 1) = 10 points + 1
1 Incilius nebulifer (county 2) = 10 points + 1

Person C gets 10 points for their records plus 80 points for having 8 different "county-taxa", so they end up with 90 points.
gretzkyrh4
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:17 pm
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Here's a link to last year's contest discussion for those interested.

http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/vie ... 10&t=14639

Chris
gretzkyrh4
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Bump....

No one interested in some New Year's Day herping?
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Josh Holbrook »

gretzkyrh4 wrote:Bump....

No one interested in some New Year's Day herping?

I'll be trying to get out a little bit if I can.
gretzkyrh4
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 12:17 pm
Location: Baton Rouge, LA

Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Anyone else interested?

So far we only have four participants that I am aware of:

1. gretzkyrh4
2. beanie
3. Josh Holbrook
4. ritt
5. jeffro
6. Tamara D. McConnell
7. Coluber Constrictor
8. dbh
9. brennan
10. Rich in Reptiles

Hopefully, a few more catch this post now that the Christmas holiday is behind us.

Chris

**Up to 10 as of this evening, hope a few more decide to join in
Tamara D. McConnell
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I'm in.
Coluber Constrictor
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Coluber Constrictor »

Count me in.
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Rich in Reptiles
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Rich in Reptiles »

I would love to participate in this competition! Right now I rely on others for transportation, so i'll do my best begging :lol:
gretzkyrh4
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Rich in Reptiles wrote:I would love to participate in this competition! Right now I rely on others for transportation, so i'll do my best begging :lol:
Good luck with your begging. I'll add your name to the list in hopes that you manage to find a ride.
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PrimitiveTim
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by PrimitiveTim »

Sounds fun! I'm in. I'll try to get greensnakeman (alex) to join me.
gretzkyrh4
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Alright, looks like our participant count has reached double digits with 3 days to go:

Here's the list including a few questionables:

1. gretzkyrh4
2. beanie
3. Josh Holbrook
4. ritt
5. jeffro
6. Tamara D. McConnell
7. Coluber Constrictor
8. dbh
9. brennan
10. Rich in Reptiles
11. PrimitiveTim
12. greensnakeman?
13. ratsnake?

Looks like I'll have my work cut out for me tallying the scores if numbers keep growing (and i'm completely okay with that).

Chris
Tamara D. McConnell
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I just found out about a family thang going on that day. Doubtful I will be able to do much herping. But I will try.
kwross
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by kwross »

Great luck guys
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PrimitiveTim
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by PrimitiveTim »

Greensnakeman said he's in. He said, "We will find some sickening $h!& to throw in their faces I tell you what!." I'm pretty sure the means he's in. ;)
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soulsurvivor
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by soulsurvivor »

I've got a family thing going on as well, but I would like to give it a shot. I'll just try to get out early.
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Tim Borski
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Tim Borski »

I'm in as long as you don't mind 40 Corns, 5 nerodia, 3 Ringers and a ton of nonnatives.
Tim
gretzkyrh4
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Tim Borski wrote:I'm in as long as you don't mind 40 Corns, 5 nerodia, 3 Ringers and a ton of nonnatives.
Tim
Sounds good Tim. 12 species took first in the species tally last year. I'm pretty sure you can blow by that with ease. And if I move around a bit, I might be able to find 40 marbled salamanders.

Chris


----
17 potential participants and counting. Time to start coming up with plans of attack.

1. gretzkyrh4
2. beanie
3. Josh Holbrook
4. ritt
5. jeffro
6. Tamara D. McConnell
7. Coluber Constrictor
8. dbh
9. brennan
10. Rich in Reptiles
11. PrimitiveTim
12. greensnakeman
13. ratsnake?
14. soulsurvivor
15.Tim Borski
16. dery
17. Daniel D Dye
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Daniel D Dye
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Daniel D Dye »

I'm in as well as long as 650 Spring Peepers to start off at midnight doesn't discourage anyone. :lol:

Daniel
gretzkyrh4
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by gretzkyrh4 »

Daniel D Dye wrote:I'm in as well as long as 650 Spring Peepers to start off at midnight doesn't discourage anyone. :lol:

Daniel
Don't over exert yourself with the peepers, Daniel. The scoring system for the overall winner maxes out at 10 vouchers per species per county.

Chris
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Tim Borski
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Tim Borski »

Josef wants to go fishing instead...'long story involving lost ten plus pound largemouth yesterday morn. A very real heart breaker, but I'll still make sure we top 12 species of herps along the way.
:thumb:

Tim
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Matt S.
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Matt S. »

I decided to throw my hat into the ring, good luck everyone!
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Tim Borski
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Re: 2014 New Year's Day Herp Challenge

Post by Tim Borski »

Matt S. wrote:I decided to throw my hat into the ring, good luck everyone!

Excellent! :thumb:

Tim
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