Chris, I too thank you for the clarification.

***A quick note: There is no negative undertone or attitude in this message.

My opinion of public perception is pretty low. If referring to my friends, fellow herpers and family, well that's a different story. Their perception means a lot to me. But if some Joe Shmuck (not you forky LOL) wishes to think inappropriately of what I'm doing based on their emotions, or think that what I am doing is "bad", again based on an emotional response, then they can kiss it. I am not going to base my joy of this hobby on what public perception is. Now I know someone or even you might want to say it will only hurt us in the long run, we need the public on our side. Well, it just doesn't work that way. If you're not in the hobby then you don't understand the passion (for the most part). So, the general public is never going to understand regardless, and to many of them, any snake taken at all is a crime.

Where do we draw the line? It seems to me that the law is a pretty good place to draw it (though they do make it tough in some areas). I'm not saying that your point is not worthy of mentioning. I just don't want my love of herping to be dictated by public perception. And even if it isn’t, I don't want to feel like it has to be.

It’s really none of our business what another person does with their legal take. I know I wouldn’t want to have someone making me feel guilty for my legal take. And yes, I do realize that it was not your goal to do so. You were just making a point. I’m not saying there is anything right or wrong about what you have said in this thread or the other. Like I said before, just flipping the coin.

Would I take 10 from one road? Extremely unlikely, but that’s you and I.

Best regards,

Brad Alexander

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