Posted by:
Ryan Hoyer
at Sat Mar 6 13:52:11 2004 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Ryan Hoyer ]
Forgive be if I repeat some items already covered. I have very little time to keep up with all the psots, but felt it important enough to respond to some of the ideas coming from the anonymous BB since Op Slither took place.
The ideas expressed by “Bubba” appear well intentioned, but are inherently flawed. I have heard similar arguments from only one person. That individual turned on innocent acquaintances for no apparent reason – except perhaps emotional instability. And that individual’s cohort has been ‘big brothers’ right hand man in collecting protected species, transporting them across state lines, and pushing them upon unsuspecting individuals who had NO intentions of breaking the law.
The idea that the herp community is responsible to police itself is ludicrous at best. To expand upon such logic would assume that corporate America should police itself. Or that drivers on the freeway should make sure that every passing motorist is operating within the speed limits.
I abhor the idea, as I believe most people do, that there would be countless untrained, unprofessional, ‘enforcers’ out there. (Some whose stability is questionable) Who would want their neighbors scrutinizing every move, hoping to find something that they have done wrong? And what if your neighbor has a bone to pick with you? I have enough to worry about keeping my own nose clean with the complicated rules regarding herps, let alone worry about what someone else is doing, or what someone else is thinking about me.
I submit that the herp community policing itself is the EXACT thing that wildlife enforcement divisions do NOT want to happen. Why would they want to be subjecting themselves to partial extinction? No, I propose that LE pumps up the charges to create work, and prove to financial decision makers how critical their role is. Just observe the trumped up charges and fanfare that occurred from Operations King Rosy, Rock Cut, and Slither. And where is result of those operations? Pathetic at best.
It is not that the herp community is unwilling to turn in poachers any more than hunters or fisherman. Just the opposite. There are a number of instances I am aware of where individuals were turned in. I am also aware of a time when an undercover officer was in the presence of a notorious poacher as he tried to sell wild caught animals. The sad fact of the stories above are that NOTHING was done by law enforcement in any of the circumstances. Why even bother to turn in a poacher if LE will do nothing about it? – Not even look into it further? It’s no wonder that when Operation Slither comes along, and LE is tooting their horn about how much effort they are putting forth to ‘save’ species, that informed individuals have reason to roll their eyes and feel resignation that LE does not really care about the herps. They are willing to ignore enforcing major violations, but go ballistic on some individuals for class C misdemeanors?
In fact, the severe mistreatment of the herp community by LE is the primary reason in my opinion that they don’t ‘police themselves’ more. Who would want an individual to be virtually raped for an infraction that may have been an innocent mistake. That is what is has come down to in so many of these operations. Then, to heap on the injury, often many of the confiscated animals (that are legal, and should be returned) are killed. The same crap happened in Operation Falcon. If the herp community could feel that the punishments fit the crime, there would not be so much hesitation to inform LE of wrongdoing. It’s not only that LE are testosterone Jocks, they don’t have ANY clue what they are enforcing. Its not about being able to determine a Ratsnake from a Kingsnake, it gets down to not even being able to interpret rules, and trying to enforce possession limits based on annual take limits rules!
Does it really take 6 armed LE, and two supervisors to serve a search warrant on a housewife and two kids? (yes, they knew that was the situation they would find) Does it really take five hours to review what is in the house and take loads of info that is unrelated? Wouldn’t it be beneficial if LE informed themselves of the laws BEFORE going through with the above, so they could have some clue as to whether or not a law was broken? And that was what occurred at only one house for Operation Slither. Many other atrocities occurred at other locations of enforcement.
On top of all that, you’re dealing with laws that are discriminatory, unfounded, and emotionally determined. You would be hard pressed to find a consumptive use group (and that term is used loosely, as most herpers I know are most interested in catch and release, something else that LE fails to grasp) who has to put up with what herpers have to.
What this all leads to in my opinion:
“Bubba” cannot be trusted in the least bit. I propose that his/hers/its interaction on this forum is simply a fishing expedition. By acting as a friend, preaching about the herp communities responsibility to police itself, they are hoping to receive leads. I sure hope no one has fallen into this trap. If someone is doing wrong, they should be turned in, but I sure wouldn’t want them to be subjected to discriminatory wrath of LE against herpers. I do not believe “Bubba” has the herp communities best interests in mind. Rather, only its own interest to score kudos for hooking more through its innovate and deceptive fishing technique.
If LE wants a change to be made, take a look in the mirror. Reach out in honest efforts, not just in ways to learn, then turn, and burn those that helped you.
Ryan
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 Regarding Big Brothers posts (sorry, more ) - Ryan Hoyer, Sat Mar 6 13:52:11 2004
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