2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

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Josh Holbrook
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2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Well, folks, the people have spoken and it looks like our Spring NAFHA SE Chapter trip will be April 25-27 and we'll be herping in/around Apalachicola National Forest. This is one of the most herpetofaunally diverse areas in North American and a real sight to behold. We'll be camping at Camel Lake (Daniel, can you make reservations there?), and looking for herps to photograph and put into the database from there. I'm hoping to get us permits to pose for photography purposes for the event, so if anyone's willing to help with that, that'd be swell - but let's also get a running list going of how many folks we're going to have.

See you all in ANF. We'll come up with a rough schedule at some point. Bring your instruments, because I hereby declare the first NAFHA music/poetry/open mic (err...air?) for the weekend as well.



-Josh


Who's coming:

Josh Holbrook
Daniel
Sam
Tamara (and maybe Ray)
Noah
Soulsurvivor
Robb
Tim
Matt
Chris M
Joe Jenkins
Adam Cooner
Don Filipiak
Jordan S.
Josh Young

Chris (Maybe)
Brad (Maybe)
Carl (Maybe)
Pingleton (Maybe)
Bill McG (Maybe)
Noah (Maybe)
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Daniel D Dye
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

This is going to be a good time!

The campground at Camel Lake is a first come first serve campground. Here's some info: http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/apalcmp.htm

Josh, because it's a National Forest, I don't believe permits are required as long as you collect within the ANF. Of course Florida laws won't allow the collection of venomous snakes unless you have a venomous permit.

I'll be there along with my guitar...be afraid, be very afraid!

DDD
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Daniel D Dye wrote:This is going to be a good time!

The campground at Camel Lake is a first come first serve campground. Here's some info: http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/apalcmp.htm

Josh, because it's a National Forest, I don't believe permits are required as long as you collect within the ANF. Of course Florida laws won't allow the collection of venomous snakes unless you have a venomous permit.

I'll be there along with my guitar...be afraid, be very afraid!

DDD

I think technically all Florida National Forests are also WMA's though, isn't that correct? WMA regulations change site-to-site but I just browsed the area regulations and there's no mention of prohibition of take of nongame wildlife (above and beyond the normal Florida regulations), except for a mention of frogging, which is permitted; So I guess we're good in that respect. Hopefully if someone is lurking who knows better they can speak up, so that we can stay on the up-and-up.

I should mention that by "collecting" this means that we'll be bringing some specimens back to camp for photographs then releasing back where they were found (i.e. "detaining")- as with all NAFHA events, this is a "no collecting" event.

Banjo or Mando - That is the question?
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Banjo...of course!
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by dery »

I'm planning to attend.
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Daniel D Dye wrote:Banjo...of course!


Isn't there an old saying "If you want to play in Apalachicola, you gotta have a fiddle in the band"? I'm trying to rope my wife (and her fiddle) into coming.

Sam - Great!
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I'll be there. I guess I will even camp (whimper).
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Josh Holbrook wrote:
Daniel D Dye wrote:Banjo...of course!

Isn't there an old saying "If you want to play in Apalachicola, you gotta have a fiddle in the band"? I'm trying to rope my wife (and her fiddle) into coming.
I bought Yvonne a fiddle several years ago, but she hasn't learned to play it yet.

Tamara, bring Ray, he'll protect you from the wild beasts that frequent the Camel Lake area. :lol:
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Darkhorse »

I will try my best to be there.
Chris
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Chris, I'll be in Torreya State Park at the end of February for three or four days. I decided not to go to Conecuh this year.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Noah M »

I have every intention of attending, camping or otherwise.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

Tamara, bring Ray, he'll protect you from the wild beasts that frequent the Camel Lake area. :lol:
Certainly I will bring Ray if he can come. We are hoping it will turn out that way. He hates camping possibly even worse than I do, so it will be funny.
It's the enduring feeling of dirtiness that gets to me, with camping. That and the physical misery. But I'm gonna do it. I'm operating on my friend's theory that there are a finite amount of misery rays in the universe, and the more misery rays I suck up now, the less I will have to deal with later in life. This is possibly a very weak theory, but I'm going with it for now.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:
Tamara, bring Ray, he'll protect you from the wild beasts that frequent the Camel Lake area. :lol:
Certainly I will bring Ray if he can come. We are hoping it will turn out that way. He hates camping possibly even worse than I do, so it will be funny.
It's the enduring feeling of dirtiness that gets to me, with camping. That and the physical misery. But I'm gonna do it. I'm operating on my friend's theory that there are a finite amount of misery rays in the universe, and the more misery rays I suck up now, the less I will have to deal with later in life. This is possibly a very weak theory, but I'm going with it for now.
All you need to do is overpower Dan and steal his camper :thumb:
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by BDSkinner »

Josh Holbrook wrote:
Daniel D Dye wrote:Banjo...of course!


Isn't there an old saying "If you want to play in Apalachicola, you gotta have a fiddle in the band"? I'm trying to rope my wife (and her fiddle) into coming.

Sam - Great!

Isn't that an Alabama song??


Hopefully I can formulate a plan for this trip. It's still a while off so there is time. A definite maybe?

-Brad
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:
Tamara, bring Ray, he'll protect you from the wild beasts that frequent the Camel Lake area. :lol:
Certainly I will bring Ray if he can come. We are hoping it will turn out that way. He hates camping possibly even worse than I do, so it will be funny.
It's the enduring feeling of dirtiness that gets to me, with camping. That and the physical misery. But I'm gonna do it. I'm operating on my friend's theory that there are a finite amount of misery rays in the universe, and the more misery rays I suck up now, the less I will have to deal with later in life. This is possibly a very weak theory, but I'm going with it for now.
That sounds reasonable to me, Tamara. They do have hot showers there though. Almost all the comforts of home...Except for the chickens.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Darkhorse »

Tamara alot of herpers stay at the airport motel between btistol and bloutstown if you just cant camp it.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by BillMcGighan »

That sounds reasonable to me, Tamara. They do have hot showers there though. Almost all the comforts of home...Except for the chickens.
Our favorite camp, if not hot, is Wright Lake, less than 30 miles from Camel.

Strangely, there are almost no electric sites (for us wussy campers), but there are showers! Go figure.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

Tamara alot of herpers stay at the airport motel between btistol and bloutstown if you just cant camp it.
Thanks, Chris. That may end up being the plan. I'll consult with Ray and we'll make a decision.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by soulsurvivor »

I think I would like to come. ANF has been on my list for a long time.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Ecto Hunter »

Count me in! -Robb
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Tamara D. McConnell wrote:
Tamara alot of herpers stay at the airport motel between btistol and bloutstown if you just cant camp it.
Thanks, Chris. That may end up being the plan. I'll consult with Ray and we'll make a decision.
We've stayed there many times. It's not a Comfort Inn, but it's not bad.

DDD
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

BillMcGighan wrote:
That sounds reasonable to me, Tamara. They do have hot showers there though. Almost all the comforts of home...Except for the chickens.
Our favorite camp, if not hot, is Wright Lake, less than 30 miles from Camel.

Strangely, there are almost no electric sites (for us wussy campers), but there are showers! Go figure.
I've never camped there, Bill. I'll have to try it sometime. I'll probably be staying in Torreya State Park on this trip.

DDD
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Noah M »

I enjoy camping, but also enjoy the comforts of a hotel. So Tamara, if you guys end up in a motel/hotel somewhere, I may be your neighbor.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by PrimitiveTim »

I'll be there! Not gonna camp as I can stay with my brother in Tallahassee. I think greensnakeman is in too but I'm not sure. I might have to hog tie him... shouldn't be hard at all.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Matt Arnold »

I should be there.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

All right, we're growing in numbers for this trip! From the looks of the herpers coming, it's going to be a fantastic trip!

Awesome idea, Josh! :thumb:
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Josh Holbrook
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Yessir, 12 people confirmed already and a few more maybes. Should be a good time.

How many species of herp are there in the near area? Anybody want to make a guess (or maybe we should just a list going?)
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Joseph Jenkins »

I should be there.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Here's the herps of the area (and within an hour or so of the forest) as far as I'm able to tell. Any additions/subtractions?

99 species by my count... Let's take bets on how many species we'll get - Dare we try for 50?

Southern cricket frog
Flatwoods salamander
Mole salamander
Eastern tiger salamander
Two-toed amphiuma
Oak toad
Southern toad
Southern dusky salamander
Southern two lined salamander
Three lined salamander
Dwarf salamander
Eastern narrowmouthed toad
Green treefrog
Spring peeper
Pinewoods treefrog
Barking treefrog
Squirrel treefrog
Gray treefrog
Little grass frog
Central Newt
Southern chorus frog
Ornate chorus frog
Slender dwarf siren
Florida gopher frog
Bullfrog
Bronze frog
Pig frog
River frog
Southern leopard frog
Eastern spadefoot toad
Lesser siren
Greater siren
Bird-voiced Treefrog
Alabama Waterdog
One-toed Amphiuma
Marbled Salamander
Striped Newt
Apalachicola Dusky Salamander
Slimy Salamander
Mud Salamander
Red Salamander

Mimic Glass Lizard
Mole Kingsnake
Southern Copperhead
American alligator
Florida cottonmouth
Green anole
Scarlet snake
Snapping turtle
Suwannee cooter
Florida cooter
Red bellied turtle
Yellow bellied turtle
Six-lined racerunner
Southern black racer
E. diamondback rattlesnake
Corn snake
Gray rat snake
Southern coal skink
Northern mole skink
Five lined skink
S.E. five lined skink
Broad headed skink
Mud snake
Rainbow snake
Gopher tortoise
Eastern hognose snake
Southern hognose snake
Eastern mud turtle
Apalachicola king snake
Scarlet king snake
Alligator snapping turtle
Eastern coachwhip
Eastern coral snake
Gulf Coast Salt Marsh Snake
Florida green water snake
Florida water snake
Brown water snake
Slender glass lizard
Eastern glass lizard
Florida pine snake
Pine woods snake
Fence lizard
Ground skink
Black swamp snake
Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake
Stinkpot
Loggerhead musk turtle
Brown snake
Red-bellied snake
Florida box turtle
Gulf Coast Box Turtle
Garter snake
Ribbon snake
Florida softshell turtle
Gulf coast spiny softshell
Smooth earth snake
Rough earth snake
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

That's quite a list, Josh. Let me add a few more.

Bird-voiced Treefrog
Mimic Glass Lizard
Mole Kingsnake
Alabama Waterdog
One-toed Amphiuma
Slender Dwarf Siren
Marbled Salamander
Striped Newt
Apalachicola Dusky Salamander
Slimy Salamander
Mud Salamander
Red Salamander

And many more!
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Mike VanValen »

I really want to run away and make this trip, but I doubt that will happen.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Updated. Almost 100 species!

Are brown anoles in ANF or nearby? (Looking for that 100th species)
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by BillMcGighan »

Unfortunately, Browns are in Apalachicola.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

BillMcGighan wrote:Unfortunately, Browns are in Apalachicola.
Agreed. :(
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

BillMcGighan wrote:Unfortunately, Browns are in Apalachicola.

But that makes 100 species within close (hour drive) striking distance. :beer:
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by BillMcGighan »

Barbour's Map Turtle
Brown Chinned Racer
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

BillMcGighan wrote:Barbour's Map Turtle
Brown Chinned Racer
Dang...Forgot about those, Bill.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Adam Cooner »

I've requested this time off work and should be there.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Carl D. May »

I'm going to try and time my spring ANF turtle hunting trip (Chipola River) around that time frame. Might be able to swing by.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Josh Holbrook »

Sweet!

Anybody know how to turn up dem' Necturus?
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Josh Holbrook wrote:Sweet!

Anybody know how to turn up dem' Necturus?
Yup. ;)
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Carl D. May wrote:I'm going to try and time my spring ANF turtle hunting trip (Chipola River) around that time frame. Might be able to swing by.
Awesome. I'll finally get to meet you in person.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Tamara D. McConnell »

I'm going to try and time my spring ANF turtle hunting trip (Chipola River) around that time frame. Might be able to swing by.
I will be so excited to meet the Turtle Master!
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Mike Pingleton »

Put me down for a strong maybe.

-Mike
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

Mike Pingleton wrote:Put me down for a strong maybe.

-Mike
Awesome! :thumb:
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by AsydaBass »

I'll be there. Sounds like a fun trip.
Actually I'll be up in Torreya and ANF this whole next week.

-Don
www.rainforestdon.com
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by JakeScott »

Nerds. :P

Good luck fellers. I'll be up there tomorrow knocking off a species. If Pingleton is going, you can't loose.

-Jake
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Daniel D Dye »

AsydaBass wrote:I'll be there. Sounds like a fun trip.
Actually I'll be up in Torreya and ANF this whole next week.

-Don
http://www.rainforestdon.com
Don, you timing is off. Yvonne and I will be there the 27th through the weekend.

Jake, I just got back from the area...Took photos of Four-toed on eggs.
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by Berkeley Boone »

Josh Holbrook wrote:Sweet!

Anybody know how to turn up dem' Necturus?
Minnow traps is how I have turned them up in the past. Baited or unbaited doesn't seem to matter, but sardine pieces are my bait of choice.
--Berkeley
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Re: 2014 NAFHA Spring trip: ANF!

Post by BillMcGighan »

Sounds like it's shaping up to be a collection of some great folks.
ANF region is a "holy land" to me. I'm expecting a great post to follow.
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