HH,

I have been trying to start an org. that supports the rights of ALL herpers but I have had little to no help. I was hoping PIJAC would step up with a sub-org. that works on state and local herp issues as well as the national ones but I don't think it is going to happen. Andrew Wyatt of NCARK is about to launch USARK. Which is a group concerned with safety and possession issues mainly. They are not going to address, so I have been told, the commercialization of wild caught, collecting and other important issues. Other recently formed groups are firmly in line with the banning agenda of many academics, agency biologists and AR groups. As my friend John pointed out recently at least one group appears to be a glorified snake hunting club disguised as a herp group.

We need to form a national org. that protects the rights (or priviledges) of all herpers - both commercial and recreational. This group should be made up of importers, supply companies, collectors, breeders, stores and the single pet owner and its focus should be strictly on protecting the right (or priviledge) of individuals (qualified in some cases) to collect, keep, buy, sell and transport both venomous and non-venomous herps. We can do this and still conserve herps. We do need a positive counter offensive as well as a well funded defense. We are about 30 plus years behind at the moment. The attacks against us have been relentless and it is only going to get worse.

If we can get a website going with an agenda we can start to build a membership base to fund the fight. We can't do anything w/o funds and people willing to put in the time.

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX

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