Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Personally, I would be able to donate $1000.00 up front to this cause. However, if we are going to pay someone to lobby this thing, we will need an ongoing source of funds. For this, it would be ideal for people to make some sort of weekly or monthly investment to this, even as little as 20 bucks a month. Every little bit would help. With that in mind, beyond the 1000 up front, I would be willing to contribute 200 per month to help deal with this problem. My family and I have spent a fair amount of money visiting West Texas over the years. There is no monetary value we can place on the enjoyment we have in chasing herps. And, there is no way I could ever recoup my costs by supposed commercial collection, nor would I want to.

I have no doubt that a very large percentage of herpers visiting the Transpecos feel the same way. I also think that commercial collecting is something we are seeing less and less of.

The sad part is that once this is dealt with, somewhere down the road there will be more attacks on our hobby (not just in Texas but throughout the US). What we as herpers desperately need is a single voice. This has been talked about many times but nothing ever comes of it. It would be a big job, but putting together a non-profit organization to combat such bills as 2414 would do us a lot of good. Of course, it takes time and money, both of which are hard to come by. The hardest part would be the setting up of such an organization. After that, a paid representative can actively go after grants and work to unite herpers and gain financial backing from them. If we had 500 herpers throughout the US donating a little something here and there, it would add up quickly. If even we had enough funds to retain lawyers and lobbyist as needed it would be a step in the right direction. Another thing to keep in mind is that donations are not the only way a non-profit can make money. Anyway, it's fun to dream about but tough to implement.

Brad Alexander

They all have an interest in this. The bad thing is the clock not only is ticking, but has a huge head start.. So a formal election process is not even a real option for this HB 2414. But somebody that knows what is happening, what needs to be done, and how to do it needs to be knocking on their door right now.

The two names that jump at me are Troy and Ken to be a single representative in the short term... Down the road something formal can be put together.

Are any existing herp societies on file and recognized as a Non-Profit Organization? If so, they can provide the title, handle the funds and in short get us started taking real action... As a plus any funds we donate into this would also be a tax write off.

My suggestion regarding a non-profit organization working for the hobby of herping is a long term one. I don't mean for it to be something to jump on right now for 2414. My thought is in regard to future issues throughout the US like 2414.

I don't have a firm understanding of politics. But maybe giving up some cash now to aide in securing a paid lobbyist might be beneficial as recommended by others. The problem is to whom do you trust the funds to go to? This is why it would be nice to have an organization in place to combat such problems as 2414. That way, it's set up, ready to go into action and you know what your money is going to (provided a good system of checks and balances are in place). But yeah, right now there is a problem to deal with and we need to take immediate action.

Where do we send our donations?

I haven't removed a reptile from the wild (other than for photographing and releasing at the site of capture within 24 hours) for about ten years. I no longer keep any reptiles and haven't sold any (captive or wild stock) in over a decade. However, as a resident of west Texas, I LOVE to go out "hunting". It's all about the experience.

I'd hate to have some beaurocrat decide that I no longer have the right to "hunt" herps along the roads and right-of-ways. Perhaps I'd have an easier time challenging a ticket from this law than most (since I don't keep, sell, or remove any herps). But, I'd rather not have to plead my case to a game warden, judge, or jury.

I buy a hunting license every year, exclusively for the purpose of driving roads, walking cuts and photographing a few herps. This is the only type of "hunting" that I do. If this passes, I lose my freedom, TPWD loses my money, and the herps gain nothing.

To make more hunting violations a Class A or B misdemeanor and in some cases a felony, not the good old Class C like a parking ticket.

Such a conviction would leave a long term blemish on any background check. Plus I am pretty sure it opens new possibilities for higher fines and jail time or probation.

I have not seen what a conviction on this proposed legislation would earn a person, but I bet it is more than they expect.

Said it before, but we need to make sure this either does not pass at all, or we get an exclusion.

Why we do not need this law at all:
1 No data to support claims of species decline
2 It is already illegal to discharge a firearm on a public right of way
3 No data to support the claim of a safety hazard to individual hunters or the general public
4 There is not a viable alternative to collect on private land (economic and social limitations)
5 It is singling out a group of outdoor sportsmen and enthusiast

I am really trying but cannot thing any good reasons for this law myself, but I am willing to hear what anybody thinks...

That was short and sweet, to the point, mentions loss of money and great feeling, hope you send that one as well. I think most of us are in that boat.
Todd Hughes