On Oct. 5th, Troy Hibbitts, Terry "Tex" Toler (candidate for Terrell County, TX Judge)and I went to the state capitol building in Austin with House of Representatives Rep. Joe Farias, and representatives from Sen. Carlos Uresti and Rep. Pete Gallegos' office. We went to publicly debate and TRY and iron out differences with representatives from TP&WL department Maj. David Sinclair and two wardens from West Texas who came with him. While the debate went well as far as making our points, David Sinclair is dead set on keeping snake hunters out of business in Texas unless you can afford the high price of a lease (or even if you can find a land owner that will allow you to do so). Despite the points made that this road ban law is having a severe economic impact on Trans-Pecos Businesses, our safety record, TP&WL's own revenue loss (hunting license sales) they seemed indifferent.
HCU is in the process of working with the various herp societies, state representatives and senators to change this law but its going to take the effort of EVERY Texas herper (or others nation wide) concerned with this law to make a difference. There will be more updates to follow as the session goes along. I encourage everyone to join and participate in the HCU forums for input.

I HIGHLY encourage EVERYONE to call their respective Reps/Senators or better yet, go in and talk to them about this law. If you sit on your hands and hope someone else will fix it then you have no one to blame but yourself. This is our State, OUR roads that we paid for so go and demand your rights.

One last note, Terry "Tex" Toler is a candidate for County Judge in Terrell County Texas (Sanderson). He is a staunch supporter of herpers and their rights. He went to bat for us on his own dime (drove to Austin from Sanderson, stayed the night, etc.) and fought for us during the meeting. He is a big proponent of creating a "snake day/festival" in Sanderson when we get this law fixed. He is also in well with many land owners in Terrell County and if by some chance we do not get this law fixed again this session, he is going to work with area ranchers (as county judge) to open private lands to herping. Bottom line, he is supporting us and it would be nice if some in the herping community would support him. The below link is to his website where he has a palpal option for donating to his campaign. I hope that all of you will consider donating, he's a good man looking out for Trans-Pecos area businesses and us! Anything you can give would be helpful.
Terry "Tex" Toler for Terrell County Judge


-----
HCU
Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

[ Show Entire Thread ]