Michael and All,



Like I said we couldn't find the exact quote. Maybe it was from the Box Turtle petition? None-the-less it was misleading in the way it was written and that was the point. Not that the numbers were false but since I can't find it I can not argue the point. Maybe it wasn't even authored by you but quoted your stuff.



I find the entire Box Turtle Partnership's agenda in regards to shutting down box turtle folks AR like. To push to ban anything and be happy with the regs of the past year to me is ARish. To be proud that TPWD took away the rights of folks who do not over-collect and who take good care of their turtles was uncalled for. There are only two things that a box turtle group who is not AR like should be concerned with when it comes to herpers and that is over-collection and quality of care.



The harvest numbers the BTPT presented did not prove anything. They did not show decline in BT populations in TX. It was assumed by extracting OPINION from other sources throughout the US. Then these assumptions were used to promote an AR like campaign to push an agenda. There are countless assumptions and agenda pushing in the box turtle literature base. The assumption that the removal of one female can decimate a population is totally ridiculous. Box turtles have been harvested by native Americans for centuries and they are still here. Box turtles have been predated since the beginning of time and they are still here. The BTPT uses fear tactics to promote their agenda. You can't take one or the populations will collapse is hogwash. These are the kinds of AR like stances the BTPT promotes.



Apparently you do not even see where you and your colleagues actions are AR like and that is the saddest point of all.



Mike Welker

El Paso, TX

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