while all that you have listed undoubtedly have some truth to them, some are better arguments to use than others:



The strongest argument against this bill remains - this legislation would limit the ability of Biologists to monitor the distribution and changes in distribution of Texas Herpetofauna, and in turn to better manage this wildlife resource. Although it has been stated that professional herpetologists may be able to get permits, hobbyists contribute significantly to our knowledge base by contributing specimens, most of which are collected from the public right of ways.



These are your better arguments:



• Professional herpetologists can’t collect from roads.

• DOR specimens can’t be picked up for museums.

• It would be prevent the acquisition of certain species used in venom/medical research.

• This bill would prevent people from picking up herps in the roadway that would get run over.

• Hinder citizens from participating in TPWD horned lizard study, and Texas Amphibian Watch, Texas Box Turtle Monitoring Program

• This will prevent a time-honored tradition of “road cruising” for reptiles recalling Kaufield, Conant and Stebbins.

• Loss of income for West Texas business.

• Interested land purchasers into road cruising may not buy land here. Effects new income for land sellers.

• Prevents hobbyists from pursuing their hobby.

• Because the language of this bill is so “loose,” it will prevent birders and other wildlife watches from pursuing their roadside activities.



While this is undoubtedly true, they make so much more on regular hunting license purchases that this would not be a factor

• TWPD would lose hunting license revenue.



doubtful

• Creation of black market with inflated prices.



What businesses? The bill is purportedly aimed at stopping commercial trade and if so, then how is this a argument against the bill?

• Prevents businesses from accessing specimens.





these arguments are likely to be perceived as coming from selfish motivations and therefore would carry less weight:

• This bill may prevent people from keeping herps because part of the enjoyment is the catching of the herps. This would be a blow against the captive “safety net” herp populations.

• We cannot afford to purchase land or pay for leases.

• Those of us that could afford to buy land would not be spending dollars in West Texas towns as before.

• We have no other place to hunt.

• A family will be unable to catch a lizard at a roadside picnic area.

• There are no open public areas to collect herps in West Texas besides roads and right-of-ways.

• People and their families have specifically moved to Texas to enjoy road cruising more.

• It will leave voids in people’s lives.

• Out-of-state people who have already purchased airline tickets would lose their money if this passes.



These seem to contradict other arguments - when you already argue that "we can't hunt anywhere besides the roadways" on one hand, then argue "we'd have to hunt private land" on the other, that's a contradiction:

• This law would put us closer to the private property of others, including disturbing cattle and ranchers with our lights.

• This would push people into hunting open country, which is more dangerous.

• This bill would force people to concentrate on populations in the field which until now have remained virtually untouched.





Please don't anyone use this as an argument! Law Enforcement folks are generally the sort that take the law very literal-minded - "the law's the law and I just enforce the law". The fact that you suggest people will hunt illegally only brands us as "outlaws" in their eyes.

• This may force some people to hunt illegally.



I know that you're likely to perceive this post as "herpers fighting amongst themselves" when we should be "presenting a united front", but I'll continue to call it like I see it in terms of focusing this fight in a direction that I think will make it successful.



Sincerely

Troy Hibbitts

Camp Wood, TX

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