1 Topic by OkieHerper

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Topic: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Field Trip Details:

Who? AHS field trips are open to members and nonmembers alike.  If you are interested in finding herps in the wild and meeting with others who like to do the same, you are invited and encouraged to join us.

What? It's a field trip!  AHS field trips are a fun experience if you have never attended one.  Our ranks include newbies, hobbyists, graduate students, science professionals, and even youngsters (our "herpetologists in training").  We share a family-like camaraderie and welcome newcomers with open arms.

When? October 7-9, 2011.  What most people will do is arrive Friday evening and leave Sunday mid-morning.  Most of the field herping will happen on Saturday.

Where? Vic. of Beaver Lake near Rogers, AR.

Facilities include: This Fall we are changing things up a bit. It's going to be an every person for themselves trip. There are hotels in Rogers and Bentonville. Hobbs State Park is nearby. There are several campgrounds on Beaver Lake. I recommend reserving your site/room ASAP. Tobin's "Base Camp" will be located at Hide A Way Campground on Beaver Lake. This is just east of Rogers, AR. Actual site number will be added soon. His campsite will be the meeting point before and after herping as well as the dinner location Saturday night (see below).

Directions:  http://www.beaverlakehideaway.com/location/

Cost? The AHS does not require dues for membership. Again, no "group" camping will be reserved this time. Therefore, your choice of lodging will determine your cost.

Food? Whatever you choose to bring. Tobin's wife will be preparing chili Saturday night. This will be 1st come 1st served. It would be helpful to know how many would like to eat with them, but RSVPs aren't required. It's fine if everyone decides to join them, the chili just won't last long. 

Suggested Provisions and Supplies?
* Blaze orange hunting vest
* Camera
* Camping gear
* Camp chairs
* Cold gear
* Food and drink
* GPS
* Herp collecting equipment
* Rain gear
* Waders

Contacts? Josh: okieherper@yahoo.com Tobin: frogman1975@yahoo.com. This field trip will NOT be canceled due to weather.

Josh Engelbert
Copan, OK

2 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

I have access to ANHC lands in the area, and I have spoken with staff at Hobbs state park about doing some herping there. I am waiting to hear back from them and the Madison county WMA biologist (AGFC land), and some private land will be available as well. If nothing else, we can at least get pics of herps from Hobbs and the WMA, but I hope to get permission to collect, in case we find anything worth documenting. I will provide maps similar to the ones I supplied for the spring trip. Lets hope there is no burn ban like last fall.  big_smile

Tobin

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

3 Reply by mikemike

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Sadly I won't be able to make it. I'll be getting back from two weeks in Arizona and California on the 6th and have burned all my vacation time already for the year, so I'll be back to work on the 7th.

Michael Spencer 
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4 Reply by Eric East

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

frogman wrote:

I have access to ANHC lands in the area, and I have spoken with staff at Hobbs state park about doing some herping there. I am waiting to hear back from them and the Madison county WMA biologist (AGFC land), and some private land will be available as well. If nothing else, we can at least get pics of herps from Hobbs and the WMA, but I hope to get permission to collect, in case we find anything worth documenting. I will provide maps similar to the ones I supplied for the spring trip. Lets hope there is no burn ban like last fall.  big_smile

Tobin

How many tents are you allowed to have per site? Most places allow 2 but, I don't see anything about that on their site. I don't have a big tent anymore, just 2 small ones. That way I don't have to sleep with the kids.  big_smile

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5 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

I did not ask, but I don't see two being a problem. Wayne (the camp manager), is very laid back, and said that we can herp on their land. They have 80 acres, and he said they have seen lots of lizards and turtles and there are lots of flat rocks we can flip. He also told me they have a spring and wet-weather creek and he has seen tons of salamanders. So presuming there is enough water and good temps, we might have success on the campground land. I have reserved a site for Kim and I, but Wayne says we can pick which site we want when we arrive (based on what he told me, the sites are unnumbered). I will select a site by the bathrooms (check the map, its the loop away from the lake). We plan on getting there around 2 or 3 on Friday, and I will set up some sort of sign at our site. We have recently purchased a white Chevy Traverse, so don't look for my old, scratched up Colorado  lol

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

6 Reply by ozarkherp

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

I just got off of the phone with the owners of the property north of Berryville where I found the ground snake.  They have given permission for us to hunt for herps on the property on the morning of October 8th.  It's a great location and I always see collared lizards there.

Marc Morris - Arkansas Valley Reptiles
arkansasvalleyreptiles@yahoo.com
479-787-8590

7 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Sounds good, Marc. I just got a voicemail from the Hobbs state park super, and he says we can come herp on the park. Maybe we can hit up your place on Sunday morning.
The campground does not have a set check out time, so we could head up there either before or after we pack up at camp.

Tobin

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

8 Reply by Eric East

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

I would love to see some collared's  it's been years since I've found them.

Ever wonder why conservatives are called the right and liberals are called the left?

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9 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

I'm in!

I'm about to have an abruptly.

10 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

With the amount of rain I have seen on radar over the past two days, I would guess that we should be able to have a nice big fire this fall trip.  big_smile

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

11 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Yeah I don't really foresee any burn bans soon..lol  I live close enough, I'm trying to decide whether to camp, or just stay at home smile  Really looking forward to it, too.

I'm about to have an abruptly.

12 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Well whichever you decide on, we wil be glad for you to join us. I spoke with the Madison county WMA biologist today, and he said we can herp and collect on that area. He told me about a good wildlife pond on the WMA that is fish-free. Also, the Hobbs state park super said he could show us good spots over there. I think we should have no shortage of good places to herp this trip.

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

13 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

NICE!

I'm about to have an abruptly.

14 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Does anyone on here know their way around Madison county WMA? I want to find the good spots.

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

15 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Here is a map and information for Madison county WMA:

http://www.agfc.com/hunting/Pages/wmaDe … x?show=430

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

16 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Maps?! We don't need no stinking maps!!!!       




Seriously..is there someone I can trounce along behind who'll have a map? lol

I'm about to have an abruptly.

17 Reply by Mystic-B

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

The Chapman clan will not be attending...  much luck and happy herpin' to those in attendance.

18 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

amercnwmn wrote:

Maps?! We don't need no stinking maps!!!!       




Seriously..is there someone I can trounce along behind who'll have a map? lol

Yes, you can follow me. I am the map master...... or something like that.   lol

I will have a backroad map (the atlas that is sold at Wal-mart) and I will have some more WMA and google maps of some potential spots. I hope we will have at least a small convoy of herpers as usual.

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

19 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Nice, I have GPS on my phone, but no idea if I get service out there or not.  hmm  Hoping the afternoons stay in the mid-high 70s through then, and the rain is absent for those few days. It's been great camping and campfire weather.

I'm about to have an abruptly.

20 Reply by Eric East

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

amercnwmn wrote:

Nice, I have GPS on my phone, but no idea if I get service out there or not.  hmm  Hoping the afternoons stay in the mid-high 70s through then, and the rain is absent for those few days. It's been great camping and campfire weather.

You don't need cell service to use the gps.

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21 Reply by Copperheadman309

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Well I hope you crazy kids have a good time and find a ton of cool stuff!! My sorry ass will be working the Meat Wagon every weekend in October, so that screws my herping AND hunting for the month.. Good luck to you all!!

Braithre Thar Gach Ni

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22 Reply by amercnwmn

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Shows how much I use it.... tongue    Sorry you won't be making it! We should do more of these informal get togethers through the year so more people can attend different ones, in addition to the formal trips. smile  I'm all for getting out and just enjoying the outdoors, and I'm happy to see ANY wildlife, herps are just a plus smile

I'm about to have an abruptly.

23 Reply by frogman

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Cell service is kind of hit and miss. I just got the new Arkansas atlas, and its awesome. Lots of detail. Maybe Friday afternoon/evening we can all sit down and make some organized plans for Saturday. The super from Hobbs said he can meet us on Saturday and show us some good spots, including some ponds. We should have plenty of firewood. The manager of the campground says we can have as much downed wood as we want on their property.

"They are just not right in the head. For the record, I wasn't talking about the ostriches!"-Mike Rowe

24 Reply by Eric East

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Just made my reservation at Tobin's base camp.  big_smile

Ever wonder why conservatives are called the right and liberals are called the left?

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25 Reply by jodimc

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Re: AHS Fall Field Trip - Beaver Lake Area, Rogers, AR | Oct 7-9 2011

Hmm.. I'm considering it. Hubby is working so it would either be me and the boys (SCARY and probably not something I want to do) or if I can find a sitter, it's more probable for me to come with the 6 year old.

I'm just wondering how much I can enjoy this trip with a bum foot. I'm horrible on rough terrain and I've had an awful time with pain this week. *sigh* I want to come along so bad though.

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