Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would hope that all of you with website would include notices, links, information, etc. refrencing HB 2414 and make it as easy as possible for your viewers to email, write, etc. I did some on mine tonight and will do more when I get time. I also wrote to 16 state reps. and some other folks that I know in Austin. Troy, I included your well written letter for copy and paste purposes. I wrote my own so they don't see the same letter over and over but yours is well done for those that don't have the time to do their own. Good job catching this one guys...lets go to work!
Jaosn
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

Jason, As a nonresident of Texas what can i do to help stop this Bill 2414 from going through or at the very least get it changed to exclude reptiles? I have been coming to West Texas for years to view the beautiful scenery, visit old friends and to hunt Reptiles. Usually spend at least 1500 to 2000 in gas , food, hunting licenes, lodging while iam there. Take that times all the Reptile enthusiast that visit the area and that adds up to a tidy sum. Someone would notice if that was taken from the yearly income of the local business. If this becomes law we will lose somthing that has been a big part of all of our lives. Clark

Simple-just a slight rewording of your post would be a great letter or email to send to the Texas State Senators (contact info below in Troy's post) who will be voting on this bill! Every out of stater who values their time in West Texas should take the time to make their voices heard! Remember, tourism dollars talk!

Brad Chambers

Your post slightly re-worded would suffice just fine. Many of the Reps have email addresses on their websites so posting emails to many of them is pretty easy. If your so inclined, a hard copy to thier snail mail would help even more IMO. We "in-staters" would greatly appreciate all of your assistance on this one. It's going to effect all of us in the long run. Appreciate the reply.
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

I will be sending as many e-mails as i can. If this goes through it will leave a big void in my life as iam sure it will the rest of us. Thanks Jason for your response. Clark

Brad, Thanks for your response. As i said in the response to Jasons post below, this has the potential to leave alot of us with big voids in our lives. Thanks Clark

A big void in lots of lives! I moved to Texas specifically so I could spend more time running those Trans-Pecos roads. I for one can't imagine not going....So, to arms (I mean, pens and keyboards lol)!

Brad Chambers

I have been saving for about 3 years to buy land in West Texas. Was planning on making a purchase this year, all so i would have somewhere to set up camp while i was out there, and to have a place to hunt reptiles. Road crusing is such a big part of it all, a few friends and away we go. Maby i should wait till this plays out, if it goes bad for us all i think i will just hang on to my money. Clark

Clark,
Thats another exellent point that you should put into any letters you send off.Many of the out of state herpers have purchased land in big T for just that purpose.

Shannon

Do not let these bunch of yahoos prevent you from purchasing land anywhere!!!!! I think the more heprers that own land in Texas would be good for a little more "political clout". Laws are passed, and also taken off the books, as was when Ken Magnusun (pardon the spelling if incorrect)was successful in getting alterna, subocs, milks etc. off the protected species list in Texas. Sure hate to see this hobby go underground.

Wayne H.