Here’s a comparison of key factors in a few states:



California

1. Public land to private land ratio: 42.63%

2. Population density per sq. mi: 234.4

3. Road cruising: Yes

4. Walking right of way: Yes

5. Bag/possession limits: Yes

6. Spotlighting: No

7. Native commercialization: Yes



Arizona

1. Public land to private land ratio: 71.50%

2. Population density per sq. mi: 55.8

3. Road cruising: Yes

4. Walking right of way: Yes

5. Bag/possession limits: Yes

6. Spotlighting: No

7. Native commercialization: No



Nevada

1. Public land to private land ratio: 83.26%

2. Population density per sq. mi: 23.4

3. Road cruising: Yes

4. Walking right of way: Yes

5. Bag/possession limits: No

6. Spotlighting: Unknown

7. Native commercialization: Unknown



Texas

1. Public land to private land ratio: 1.12%

2. Population density: 91.3

3. Population density per square mile WEST TEXAS: under 10!!!

4. Road cruising: No

5. Walking right of way: No

6. Bag/possession limits: No

7. Spotlighting: No

8. Native commercialization: Yes



Here’s my take from all this.



California has 2.5 times the population density of Texas. That translates into many more vehicles on the roads. Yet, residents are free (and safe) to hunt reptiles on California roads and right of ways even at night in densely populated suburban areas. The state has 26 times the population of West Texas, so the safety issue, as most of us already know, is a red herring. Note the public land ratios of states like California, Arizona and Nevada compared to Texas. In these states, national forests provide access to vastly greater proportions of “commercially viable” reptile and amphibian populations than Texas. In Texas, the vast majority of reptile and amphibian populations are protected behind the fences of private land, so the idea that recreational take can affect a statewide, regional or local populations is also a red herring. So, how has TPWD managed to pull the wool over the eyes of reasonably intelligent members of the Texas legislature who should be working to provide the maximum amount of freedoms to its residents (especially now when government intrusion into our lives is at an all time high)? By referring to roads as wildlife sanctuaries…LOL.

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