Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've spoken with a couple of people, both of whom have some conection with TPWD, and they both are of the opinion that this small change in wording was, in fact, aimed specifically at getting control of herpers. And when you think about it, it's hard to argue that it has much effect OTHER than that!

This also explains why no one seems to be getting much if any cooperation or even substantive feedback from anyone in authority.....

Brad Chambers

Very few people hunt for any profit at all, most of them that do are in the roundup side of things. If this is true then it is beyond sad that they wish to shut things down. Many people spend a lot of money for the opportunity to hunt for snakes in Texas. They travel, they eat, they buy fuel, and they have to find a place to stay and buy permits. All said it is fair chunk of revenue in some very small places that will feel it.

I for one hope we can be heard and this can be put right.

Lance

Yeah,there is zero profit thats for sure.I have spent many of thousands of dollars herping west texas the last 12 years and I have a handfull of alterna and a couple milks to show for it.I think it has averaged out at about $2000.00 per alterna for me.Man,I could buy a $hit load of alterna with that money huh..LOL...

we may have to go back to looking for spiders.

Shannon

I had a feeling this was aimed at snake hunters all along.
The rift is they want us to approach it like other hunters. We need to obtain a lease or buy our own land, and take it off of the highways and out of cars.

I'm not saying I'm happy about it, but I think I see where they are coming from.

Forky

It just will not work that way... I see people taking this two directions, underground (Hunting for invertebrates) or just not coming at all. And neither one will need a hunting license any more.

Who here will pay for a lease to hunt snakes? Some might hunt on private land they have access to, but the tried and true method is to hunt the roadway. I for one feel that hunting open country is much more dangerous. The chances of getting lost, and I mean lost for good are much higher. At least along the roadways we can look out for each other.

Lance,
You don't have to tell me. Oh by the way, wonder if they realize they'll be creating a demand, and a black market with inflated prices by making roadcruising illegal?

They are also sending us into the field to collect populations that till now have been untouched, rather than collecting animals along the road, many of which will be run over anyway.
TP&W at it's finest.
Later
Rick

Unfortunately, as we all know, leases and buying property will only work for a few if any. Deer hunters can find deer on EVERY tract of land in west TX. There are a few leases and a few tracts of land for sale that will work for us. If we lease them all and buy all that is for sale, that will accommodate about 10% of us. Either way, it will cut out revenue for most of the businesses in the towns around the areas we now frequent.
Later
Rick

It might be worth mentioning that if we did lease land we would be concerned that we would be more disturbing to property owners than if we were hunting on the road where there already is traffic and lights.

I agree this will primarily create a black market. I know a few people who have bought property in Texas but ironically the reason was because of hunting the road. If they had never experienced roadhunting they would never have had the desire to own property out there.
I wonder if the ranchers who don't like us on the road (where there is already lights and noise from vehicles) would like it better if we are walking and driving all over the dirt roads at night even closer to their homes and cattle.

It is now, and will always be cheaper to buy a captive produced animal and raise it than it is to dedicate time and resources to catch maybe catch one. And if you look at the cost to pair it up.... that is beyond nuts.

For the most part people have locality animals that they are careful to breed true now, I do not see that changing. But I do see a reduced demand for captive animals as fewer people collect. Think about how many people got hooked on alterna because they caught one. Now they have to buy ten for every one they catch...

In my mind part of the reason people keep them is because they can catch them too.

You are correct. Black market is not really what I meant. I meant people would be personal, or sport, hunting them illegally.

First off, let's not cry "uncle" until the battle's lost.We have strong arguments to make (particularly economic ones), and we should continue to make them in the strongest possible terms.

But if we fail, how many are truly going to give up road cruising-tickets or no tickets? Not many, I'll guess. Might discourage some out of staters, so really the ones being hurt will be the merchants of Sanderson, Marathon, etc.....

Brad Chambers

I'm not giving up and I'm not in favor of the bill either.

However, I'm not too optimistic about chances. I'm certain they had it in for us. We are simply not powerful enough as a group. Unfortunately.

How do you suppose the Falconers pulled of the amendment to allow trapping falcons from the road?

Response to my email at president AT texashawking DOT org
"Hi Lance-

If you were a member of THA you would know that we are aware of this bill and have been working with the legislature for a while. When we became aware of it we asked for an exemption to it using this language:

(1) Individuals who possess valid permits allowing them to capture nongame species are exempt from the provisions of this section and section 62.0031

Unfortunately, they did not use our language. The bill did pass out of the committee and will go to the House floor for a vote.

Best regards,

Steve"

I will not dwell on the stuck up comment about "If I was a member" and just look at the fact that they as an organization are in the same boat. I was just trying to make sure anybody impacted would know.... I think we need find a way to pool our resources with them and the Jaycees on this. So far no one group is being heard from what I can tell.

BTW, I think the above "Capture exemption" would fit us nicely, maybe we should work that same angle... Join their team so to speak.

I agree, it fits. The license we buy is specifically for non game animals.No word from the Jaycees?
Todd Hughes