Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Assume that the access to reptile populations is LIMITED to public road surfaces and to adjacent right-of-ways, which I believe to be true in w. Texas (I don't know about central or east Texas), AND that the vast, overwelming percentage of habitat and reptile populations are not adjacent to public roads, WHY then does TPW feel that collectors can effect the populations in a biologically signicant way, beyond sustainable yield? I assume this protective measure is for species in w. Texas because hunting public road right-of-ways is a popular method (like I said, I don't know about central and east Texas). We have bag limits in AZ because of all the public land, but in w. Texas, where the land is primarily private-owned or part of a public park sytem, and access to reptile populations is limited by the sparse road network, I would think that TPW would be hands off. Why their concern? Is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

Robert

They have no basis for this, Most if not all reptiles that are taken from the roadways would end up dead with the next vehicle that came along,not to point fingers at anyone but i have seen ranchers purposely swerve into the opposite lane just to run over a snake. This has no scientific basis or reason. Clark

I think Texas is being pressured by other states game departments because the herp hobby is growing and hobbyists are beginning to threaten the status quo. I believe I read somewhere there is a law already between CA, AZ, NM and TX that says if you get your hunting license suspended in any one of those states you can't get one in the others.

And as far as I am concerned not as big of a deal as shutting down access to right of ways by miles...

Lance

That is NOT THE CASE!!!

Wayne

Honestly, I think to a large degree, they see people out hunting snakes and can only rationalize that the only reason we do so is because we can make money off of them. I've had East Texas game wardens tell me about how snake collectors in west Texas can make "$1000s" off of a single snake (obviously, they're not looking closely at the market).

Also, if these guys have a biological background, its all tied up in game animals - and they think "well, if its illegal to catch a deer and sell it, why can these guys catch a snake and sell it". Similarly, they apply the same analogy to hunting from right of ways "you can't hunt deer on a public right of way, so why can these guys hunt snakes there".

I'm not saying that this is at all appropriate or correct, but these are sentiments that I've heard from various TPWD individuals over the years (particularly individual game wardens).

Troy