someone else's characterization of us, rather than what HCU actually stands for. I say this because I don't believe anyone with a real familiarity with the leadership of HCU, their goals and mores included, would ever suggest that PETA and we have ANYTHING in common! I myself am a lifelong hunter and fisherman, and became one of the charter members of HCU because I saw a need for herps to be treated more like game animals and less like a category of species that are considered "endangered until proven otherwise".



That said, we are all realists. We are working in a milieu that includes many professionals who are highly suspicious of commercial exploitation of ANY wildlife. These same people have NO problem with sustainable take of game animals. This is where our hobby can find a space to remain viable in the long term, if that is possible at all (I have to honestly say that if any out there do not recognize that we are in a fight for the very existence of our hobby, then they need to open their eyes!). If we dig in our heels and refuse to negotiate, we will quite certainly lose everything.



As for turtles specifically, many they have several life history characteristics that make many of their species MUCH more vulnerable to exploitation than most other herps. Many turtles are extreme examples of what ecologists call "K-Selected" species. This simply means that each individual lives a very long time, produces relatively few offspring per year, and few of these survive to adulthood to replace the parents. With many species, removal of even a relatively few adults (especially females) can actually drive a population to extinction. Box turtles are one example of such a vulnerable turtle species. They are in trouble in much of Texas, for whatever reason(s). As for the Asian turtle market, exports from Texas won't take ANY pressure off endangered asian turtle-those will continue to be expoited to the last individual to feed the protein-starved masses. They will just be fodder for a limitless appetite.



HCU wants protection for those herps that need it, and regulations on other herps (and herpers) that are minimally restrictive and based on science. I think most reasonable herpers can come to support such an agenda.
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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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