The recreational crowd has argued that there are so few commercial folks that they are not worth supporting because of their perceived negative actions. These negative actions include, among other things, that they harvest a great deal more herps then recreational folks. In some cases this is probably true but in others probably not. Let’s look at an example.



Let’s say we are talking about species X. Species X is a nocturnal colubrid snake that inhabits the desert southwest. It is not uncommon but because of its secretive nature it is not easy to find.



Let’s say there are 10 commercial folks who collect 10 individuals of species X per year. This would be a total of 100 individuals of species X harvested by commercial folks.



Let’s also say that there are 100 recreational collectors who only harvest 2 individuals of species X per year. This would be a total of 200 individuals of species X harvested by recreational folks.



This example shows that recreational collectors harvest twice as many of species X then do the commercial collectors.



The recreational folks also believe that they spend more money in local economies then do commercial folks. Let’s examine an example using our desert southwest model.



Let’s assume that both commercial and recreational collectors spend $100 a day on collecting trips. Let’s also assume that recreational collectors make one trip per year for about 10 days. This means that a recreational collector will spend about $1000 dollars on a 10 day trip. With 100 recreational collectors spending $1000 on each trip, the total comes to $100,000 spent in local economies for the year by recreational collectors.



Now, the commercial collector spends probably about 20 days a month in the field. Collectors hunt from March until October, which is 8 months out of the year. So 8 months times 20 days equal a total of 160 days. At $100 a day this would be $16,000 dollars a year spent by each commercial collector. Our 10 commercial collectors would spend $160,000 dollars in local economies each year. This is $60,000 more than the recreational collectors.



Since commercial collectors use their earnings to pay their living expenses this means that 10 families will have food and a place to live. This stimulates and contributes to the economy where they live.



Let’s review. In this scenario, recreational herpers collect twice as many animals as do the commercial folks. The commercial folks contribute $60,000 more then do the recreational folks into local economies each year.



I realize that this is a hypothetical scenario with many possibilities. However, much of the data used is gleaned from 20 years of being a professional, recreational and commercial herper.



The point being is that recreational folks try to justify and minimize their role in the harvest of herps. While at the same time they try to discredit or provide mis-information concerning commercial folks. Why do they do this? One reason could be that they want more snakes for themselves and/or they want to protect their interests, ONLY. The herp industry is under attack from AR groups, academics and other folks who want to end collecting, possession and sales. It is a slippery slope for all of us. Since recreational folks do not participate in some of the activities that the commercial folks do they could careless whether these activities continue. And to appease the AR groups, academics and others they support this current agenda in hopes of not losing the activities they enjoy.



Mike Welker

El Paso, TX

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