>>How many times do you think we should contact them over the next four days?

Mike,
Good question. My assumption is that the more courteous and well reasoned contacts we make, the better. On the other hand, it's possible we could wear out our welcome by being too pushy and annoying. I think we'll just have to remain sensitive and responsive to the reactions from the reps and staffers and adjust our approach accordingly.

Also, despite your personal feeling on commercial collection, it would probably be best (IMO) to avoid that issue when talking to these committee members. It might be different it was the Commerce committee, but the Tourism committee is probably not interested in protecting commercial collecting.

I'm not suggesting that you stop fighting for your cause. I'm just urging a little political consideration and suggesting you focus on the talking points that are most likely to win this battle.

We can't afford to make ANY enemies on this committee. I had one staffer raise the commercial collecting issue. I simply advised her that this ban has little to do with commercial or even private collecting since most herps are simply observed, photographed, and moved off the road (with many more saved than collected). I added that concerns about over collecting would be better addressed by bag limits and by assigning protected status (when justified). I didn't say people should or should not be allowed to collect. Hopefully we can all try to keep that issue out of this fight (and resume our interminable bickering and name calling at a later date -LOL).

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