Brad,

The ability to capture and sell wild caught is the foundation of this industry without it this industry is done as we know it. It will also negatively affect the zoo, museum, research, education and venom industries. The herp industry is a job creator and we need to keep it that way. Making access to wild caught animals and commerce in these animals illegal is the wrong way to go regardless of the tired old and radical thinking of regulators, animal rights folks, academics and now idealistic hobbyists. Yes, the selling of some wildlife has been frowned upon in the past but there are exceptions. Further, in general, it is acceptable to sell natural resources. It all depends what they are used for, how they are used and the nature of the resource. The bans in selling wildlife in the past were related mostly to use as a food source. Those commercial hunters of the late 1800's and early 1900's were not capturing beaver, elk, deer, turkey and quail to take them home and breed them they were shooting and trapping them for food and fur. This is why it is a tired old arguement that needs new thinking not cowering to ignorant old thinking as some hobbyists are doing now. Herps are captured alive, propagated, bred and sold across state and federal lines for many reasons and the approach to this reality needs fresh new thinking.

Yes, some collectors may have damaged populations and over-collected. But they are few in number and all of us should not lose our privileges for the sins of a few. That is radical and extreme. And it is why those hobbyists who think in these terms hold wrong and damaging views. It is the new alliances and this vocal support agenda by idealistic hobbyists, that are supportive of these out-dated ideals, that are bad for the industry. Now, I agree with cooperation and partnerships but not at the expense of the industry or civil rights. There is a difference. And you have absolutely no right to give away the rights of others for your selfish agenda.

Now, I can understand why those who don't sell wild caught want to be sure that the powers-that-be know they are not selling wild caught. But it is this total disregard, the selling out of and the lack of concern about other industry folks by these ignorant, idealistic hobbyists and their vocal support of the wrong approach that makes them the enemy of the industry. Not to mention that they are selfish and the way the handle opposing views is appalling.

And finally, as has been discussed in this post and many others by me and others, there are other solutions then the radical old approach pushed by the old thinkers and idealists. These approaches address the majority of stakeholders, they are fair and they conserve wild herp populations. By far a better solution for the industry, the herps, the economy and preserving folks civil rights.

Welkerii

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