Good Night Hunting

[guidofatherof5]

Well, The frost must be out of the ground because I hit paydirt tonight. 8 dozen of the beauties. I had some competition out there. This young one was in a battle and didn't care if I watched or not. Pretty cool. I love my backyard! Radix Heaven:D
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/good_night.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/good_night_1.jpg

[dashnu]

Wow, thats a good pile of worms!

[Jeff B]

Good to know the garters are out already, I was thinking it was still early to be looking, thanks for sharing

[Sid]

Nice haul, Steve.

[guidofatherof5]

They're half gone, already:eek: All my kids(snakes) are sleeping. Bellies full and nothing to do but snooze. During the winter months, when I have to buy worms I limit their intake. Today, I let them have as much as they wanted and they wanted a lot.
My back might be sore from last nights hunt but I'll be back at it again tonight. I slept better last night knowing I had plenty of worms for the crew.

[ssssnakeluvr]

awesome! wish I had garters in my back yard....

[Snake lover 3-25]

wow that's alot of worms!!!

[guidofatherof5]

This is where 60 worms went. I pulled their hide off and they all could have cared less. They just want to sleep. This is one family. Children of our Charlott. 1 year old. I will have a mess to cleanup over the next couple of days.


http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/full_of_it.jpg

[ssssnakeluvr]

yes you will....worms will pass thru fast...and make a big mess!!!!!

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol good luck with that!!!!

[crzy_kevo]

the other night i gout about 5 dozen worms or more
they were everywhere it rained a decent amount that day

my Gf was yelling at me because i was plucking them out of the front yard and i replied "what its free snake food"

[anji1971]

I spend so much time running around the yard pulling up worms that nobody even bats an eye anymore. :D
It's a great time of year, wet but cool. The worms are everywhere!

[drache]

something is wrong with my yard
I've not been able to find any yet

[guidofatherof5]

I spend so much time running around the yard pulling up worms that nobody even bats an eye anymore. :D
It's a great time of year, wet but cool. The worms are everywhere!

I'm out in my backyard so much after dark, the neighbors dogs don't even bark at me. I have become the go-to-guy for emergency fishing trip worms. They come to the door and ask if I got a dozen to spare. Works out well since they give me a call when they have a snake on there property. Before, they would just kill it. Now, I can relocate it to my place. That, of course doesn't mean they will stay but at least they didn't get killed by a shovel that time.
My wonderful neighbor(Grandma Jo) who used to kill them on sight, actually touched one of mine the other day. I'm hoping she'll hold one before the years out.:) That would be great!

[Hornets23]

Awesome. If you have garters out then I probably have garters out. Although i'm still waiting to see them.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I just made myself a big ol' styrofoam box worm house! I collected about 10 dozen out of my yard the other night.. My yard is CHOCK FREAKING FULL of night crawlers.It's INSANE! For every 1 worm that I collected, I spared 10-20 others. I only collect the biggest most mature nightcrawlers, and never disturb any that are mating. I gotta keep the future generations of worms in mind haha!

[Stefan-A]

I only collect the biggest most mature nightcrawlers, and never disturb any that are mating. I gotta keep the future generations of worms in mind haha!
Well, in that case you should probably collect worms of all sizes, with a slight bias towards the smaller ones. ;)

[reptile3]

Wow!!! Steve that is awesome!!! you have radix's just hanging out in your backyard? that is just too cool!

I bet your scrubs had a lovely dinner!!!

[guidofatherof5]

Wow!!! Steve that is awesome!!! you have radix's just hanging out in your backyard? that is just too cool!

I bet your scrubs had a lovely dinner!!!

Stephanie,

I have them coming to the door asking "Please sir, may I have some more?".
Radixes everywhere. Neighbors calling. Brown paper bags being left on my front steps.
Major changes coming to my backyard this spring. I will be setting up dedicated shelter areas. Until now, they have only had what came naturally. Since this will hopefully make a change in the numbers in my backyard, I've also decided to change my mowing habits. Less riding mower and more walk behind. I'm going to employee one of my kids as a scout in front of the mower. Getting the little beggers out of the way.

[Sid]

Stephanie,

I have them coming to the door asking "Please sir, may I have some more?".
Radixes everywhere. Neighbors calling. Brown paper bags being left on my front steps.
Major changes coming to my backyard this spring. I will be setting up dedicated shelter areas. Until now, they have only had what came naturally. Since this will hopefully make a change in the numbers in my backyard, I've also decided to change my mowing habits. Less riding mower and more walk behind. I'm going to employee one of my kids as a scout in front of the mower. Getting the little beggers out of the way.
Good idea, Steve.:)

[Snake lover 3-25]

lol you've got such a neat life steve!!!

[guidofatherof5]

lol you've got such a neat life steve!!!

Thanks you. I think so too. I am a blessed man. Everyday is another adventure.

[guidofatherof5]

It's been raining all day(Sunday) long, sometimes heavy. I went out to catch a few dozen nightcrawler to replace the ones used in feeding today. 45 minutes and a sore back later I came in only because my container was full and they were escaping. I think I caught about 200. I plan on raising my own in the basement so Walmart won't get so much of my money this coming Winter. This is a good time to get them since the mosquitoes aren't out, yet. This Summer it will be like giving blood at the Red Cross everytime I go out for worms.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/good_night_2.jpg

[prattypus]

. This is a good time to get them since the mosquitoes aren't out, yet. This Summer it will be like giving blood at the Red Cross everytime I go out for worms.

That's quite a haul. Yea, those 'skeeters aren't nearly as strict on their blood supply as the Red Cross is- It's weird being on the perma DQ'd list.

[drache]

what's the perma DQ'd list?

still no worms in my yard - very weird

[prattypus]

If you've been in Iraq, you are ineligible to donate blood for life. They don't know-----scratch all that. I just went to double check- The guidlines have changed. I have to wait three years after being over there- malaria and leishmanisas- and all that jazz- now I can belly up to the needle in 2010- unless I get more tattoos, then it's another 12 months on that.

[guidofatherof5]

Went out and caught a bunch of worms but also found this male radix. I guess he too was looking for worms or maybe a girlfriend. Seems to be in very good shape. No musking and very calm. Did a check-over and couldn't find any concerns. Offered a worm but he refused. Out he went, to continue his journey.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/found_male_radix1.jpg
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/found_male_radix.jpg

[gregmonsta]

Lovely :) a nice size too.

[guidofatherof5]

I started this thread at the beginning of the worm season. Now, that the season is about over I thought I better do an update.
It's about 38 degrees, raining here and headed to freezing. The worms are slower but so am I in this cold weather.
A few dozen worms and about 20 slugs was a good night. I've got another shipment of worms due in on Thursday but some little scrubs still need fed.
I'm fortunate to be able to purchase worms at wholesale. It will make my Winter a lot less costly.
http://www.thamnophis.com/thamphotos/data//500/medium/worms1.jpg