I'm new to this site.

[Cazador]

Hi Joseph,
Keep an eye out for black (melanistic) garters as you're out herping near the Great Lakes. They're highly prized and very useful in breeding programs. Ohio is sort of well known for their melanistic garters, but you might find them in Michigan as well. Congrats on the success with the pinkie.
Rick

[ssssnakeluvr]

Scott Felzer keeps and breeds eastern blackneck garters..... check out his site...

Scott Felzer's Garter Snakes, specializing in aberrant garters

[KITKAT]

Gotta be careful where and how you collect in Ohio! T. sirtalis and T. sirtalis butleri, require a license and have a limit of four WC herps total... and T. radix MAY NOT BE KEPT IN OHIO, as it is considered endangered here. Under this license, you may own as many CB natives as you wish, but again, T. radix is illegal to own.

http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/PDF/pub03.pdf

Check with your Fish and Wildlife office for regulations in other states!

Hi Joseph,
Keep an eye out for black (melanistic) garters as you're out herping near the Great Lakes. They're highly prized and very useful in breeding programs. Ohio is sort of well known for their melanistic garters, but you might find them in Michigan as well. Congrats on the success with the pinkie.
Rick