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Herping in Illinois
- Thread starter King21
- Start date
Lore
Insert Witty Phrase Here
Nelson Lake is a great place to find a variety of wildlife. My brother-in-law actually used to go there quite often and catch snakes and frogs etc (look at them and admire them and put them back of course) Infact when he found one snake while he was holding it, it actually gave birth to baby snakes IN this hands! (I'm not sure as to the kind of snake, but one of the kind that gives birth to live snakes rather than laying eggs) My mother-in-law was there, she said it was quite exciting.
Anyway... look up Nelson Lake.
If this makes any sence, this could get you there:
From the East: Take I-88 West to Route 31. Head North on 31 to Main St. in Batavia. Head West (left) on Main St. to Nelson Lake Road and South about 1/4-mile to preserve entrance. From the North: Take Route 31 or Randall Rd. South to Main St. Head West on Main to Nelson Lake Road, then South to the entrance.
:cheers:
Anyway... look up Nelson Lake.
If this makes any sence, this could get you there:
From the East: Take I-88 West to Route 31. Head North on 31 to Main St. in Batavia. Head West (left) on Main St. to Nelson Lake Road and South about 1/4-mile to preserve entrance. From the North: Take Route 31 or Randall Rd. South to Main St. Head West on Main to Nelson Lake Road, then South to the entrance.
:cheers:
I can't really say much about the Chicago area. I would look into natural areas. I know there are supposed to even be some areas near the burbs. I can't remember the name of it, but we talked about it in one of my classes last semester. This website (Dept. Nat. Resources) might give you some ideas.
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/region2.htm
I've never actually gone herping specifically, since I just got into snakes last April. I have gone mushroom hunting and fishing every year for as long as I can remember. It's pretty common to come across turtles and various snakes.
For me the best option is to go to privately owned woods (with permission!). There is less foot traffic and fewer constraints. Having lived in rural Central Illinois all my life, I/my family knows a handful of people that allow me access to their land.
Still, State Parks are good places to see lots of things. I've been to Eagle Creek State Park, and the associated areas around Lake Shelbyville, many times and it's a nice place.
I guess my best suggestion is to just search around and see what all is available to you. I think I got off topic a bit somewhere so hopefully there is something helpful in there!
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/region2.htm
I've never actually gone herping specifically, since I just got into snakes last April. I have gone mushroom hunting and fishing every year for as long as I can remember. It's pretty common to come across turtles and various snakes.
For me the best option is to go to privately owned woods (with permission!). There is less foot traffic and fewer constraints. Having lived in rural Central Illinois all my life, I/my family knows a handful of people that allow me access to their land.
Still, State Parks are good places to see lots of things. I've been to Eagle Creek State Park, and the associated areas around Lake Shelbyville, many times and it's a nice place.
I guess my best suggestion is to just search around and see what all is available to you. I think I got off topic a bit somewhere so hopefully there is something helpful in there!
I live in the south west suburbs by the La grange area and i go snake huntin once in a while and i catch green snakes,garter snakes,brown snakes,western fox snakes,grahm's crayfish snakes, water snakes at the quarrys i fish at but i used to catch kirkland's snakes at abanded truck company back where they dumped there garbage but now they made it into a movie theater so lately i've been lookin for them but haven't seen any i tried all around here but there are plety of snakes around my area.