An all-inclusive group would not only be difficult, but actually counterproductive. For example, take the fishing analogy. In actual fact, many if not most states now ban commercial freshwater fishing (or limit same to rough, non-sport species). If you were to form a group to promote recreational fishing that also pledged to fight for the promotion of commercial fishing-well, as an avid fisherman myself I can assure you you would not attract many members from the sport fishing crowd, since commercial fishing has ruined many a great sport fishery! EVERY recreational fishing organization I know of opposes commercial freshwater fishing.



The same holds true for herping-a large and growing number of states now ban commercial exploitation of their native herpetofauna. That's just a fact. If we want to lose recreational herping as well, then the best way to do it would be to lose credibility with decision-makers by promoting commercial take. I'm not saying we should fight against commercial interests, just that they should have their own lobbying groups.
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Brad Chambers

WWW.HCU-TX.ORG



The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

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