John, you mention mostly sell out folks in your post! Watch out! This is probably the most important comsideration when choosing folks for a state group. We want to choose people who are 100% herp industry friendly for these state organizations. People that support the right to sustainably harvest ANY species not listed as Endangered & Threatened. People that support the right to sell wild caught. People that support the right to possess: any number (as long as they are taken care of properly) and species of herp (legally acquired). Not people who lie about or hide their activities. Not people that are hypocrites. Not people who brown nose regulatory agencies or sell out the herp industry for some (hopeful) perceived benefit (lifting the road ban or not outlawing their particular herp activities).

The problem with most herp societies, nowadays, is that they are loaded with banning agenda academics, future banning agenda academics, citizen AR supporters, newbie hobbyists who tend believe everything the academics say and brown noser, sell out hobbyists. I know that everyone who are members of these societies are not this way but I will bet a majority are in some way. The only (at least use to be) 100% herp industry friendly herp society I know about is The Central Florida Herp Society.

We have to establish a national herp industry platform that includes and supports ALL aspects of the herp industry. The state organizations should be required to follow this platform.

Welkerii

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