John, evidently you were not around back in 2007 to see what led up to all this-otherwise you wouldn't be saying we did not try to include everyone. But unfortunately, as Mike stated in his post above-"It's Mike's way or the highway". Is there ANY organization you know of which would change their Constitution at the behest of a single (Now two, I guess) non-member? Surely that is the very definition of unreasonable.

Bringing up HCU's alleged record of "failure" is disingenuous-you are of course aware that last session was cut short by the id card controversy, and our bill was not the only one to get timed out-not HCU's fault, correct? At least we were doing something, not sitting around on the sidelines complaining and throwing rocks.

Both of you should drop the "Play the game my way or I'm taking my ball home" attitude and get an open mind. Face it-a LOT of herpers have seen firsthand the abuses of commercial collectors and are not comfortable with unreservedly supporting same. I know I have. HCU is a CONSERVATION organization as well as advocate for herp hobbyists' right to enjoy wild herps in the way they see fit, consistent with the well-being of the resource. I believe there is a way to go forward consistent with both goals.

The way to go is with science-based endangered/threatened lists and reasonable (conservatively low) bag limits for the rest. Surely most folks concerned with herps can accept that-at least as a middle ground(It does not surprise me that the few commercial collectors still around might have trouble with that. Animal rights/protectionist folks will be equally unsuportive. To me it's a good sign when the extremes on both sides are disgruntled.). If not, then yes, you probably don't belong in HCU. But if you do believe both in our rights AND conservation of the resource, then you belong in HCU, because that indeed is what the organization is about.

Just my opinion-telling it like I see it. Let the stoning begin.
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

Breeder of:
Green Tree Pythons
Pastel, Pinstripe, FIRE, Piebald, Clown, Lavender Albino, Leucistic, and Spider Ball Pythons
Striped Colombian Boa Constrictors
Kenyan, Rufescens, and Conicus Sand Boas
Red Phase Western Hognose Snakes
Spider Western Hognose Snakes
Albino Western Hognose Snakes
Locality Trans-Pecos Mexican Hognose Snakes
Southern Hognose Snakes
Eastern Hognose Snakes
Tricolor Hognose Snakes
Hypo Checkered Garter Snakes
Eastern Blackneck Garter Snakes
Stillwater Hypo Bullsnakes
Patternless Bullsnakes
S. GA Eastern Kingsnakes
Locality Desert Kingsnakes
Albino Desert Kingsnakes
Hypo Desert Kingsnakes
Mexican Black Kingsnakes
Desert Phase and Striped Desert California Kingsnakes
Locality Mexican Milksnakes
Spotted Mexican Milksnakes
Tangerine Mexican Milksnakes
Locality Alterna
Abbott Okeetee Cornsnakes
Mexican Baird's Ratsnakes
Cape Housesnakes
Tangerine Albino African Fat -Tailed Geckos
Locality Spotted Turtles

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