Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't know if anyone below has suggested this since I haven't had time to read all the messages, but..

Why not take the proactive approach that the falconry proponents have. Why not appeal to have an exemption put in for reptiles and amphibians?

If that isn't possible, what about having an exemption put in for rattlesnakes? The Jaycees and certain Chambers of Commerce would want to support such an exemption. The beauty of that exemption is that we could then hunt roads and roadsides and if confronted simply claim to be looking for rattlesnakes (which some of you are, anyway). Sure, it would make colubrid collecting illegal, but how many LE are going to bother playing the game of establishing that you REALLY weren't looking for rattlesnakes. It would certainly give us a chance to enjoy our hobby, and get some more powerful proponents in our corner.

I, for one, hope the stupid bill won't see the light of day, but a rattlesnake exemption seems achievable when other options aren't.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

In case it isn't clear, the point of my argument is that if you can't stop the law from being passed, insert enough loopholes to make it unenforceable. Then LE will largely generally choose to ignore it.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

They do not care about convictions, they date back to more of a good old boy system. They may never convict anybody, but who here believes that will stop them from arresting or writing citations at every half chance they get to a herper.

We have a long running feud with them, and it is basically herpers want to be left alone, but they do not want to leave us alone.

Sad, but it is part of what has us here now with HB 2414

Lance

We have a long running feud with them, and it is basically herpers want to be left alone, but they do not want to leave us alone.

Lance,

I have to respectfully disgree with this statement. I don't have a long running feud with TPWD and FWS. I understand why you do but I think a lot of people here don't.

I really don't want "to be left alone". I want TPWD to protect our wildlife resources from overcollecting and other threats. I understand that may mean some inconveniences for me, such as requiring me to buy a hunting licenses and having bag limits. I accept that. In this case, they are proposing such a broad ranging regulation that it will prevent most of us from participating in the hobby.

I think many of the credibility problems we have with TPWD stem from the perception this "leave us the hell alone" approach creates. They disregard our input because generally we are simply giving them the broken record "quit trying to regulate our hobby". The problem is they are legally bound to do so.

I think if we took a less agonistic approach, we would get more accomplished with TPWD.

Chris
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

It is an effort to shut it down. They have been much better since the road cruising thing was put to bed and the permit system for commercial collecting was set up.

But I think that this legislation if it passes to law is going way to far. We are not going to get an exception put in right now because this has already passed committee to the house floor. Next step they will vote on it, hopefully it will fail and maybe make it back to a committee where it will need revision or just be dropped altogether.

We have a mix of responses from neutral (on the fence, looking into it), to support as is or oppose as is. We need to work all of our state reps so they know what this bill really means, do not let a single one be blind sided by this. If the support it, then they should know for a fact that we do not and why.

And the feud I am referring to is largely the selective enforcement in a handful of our Western Counties that was an issue.

That was attempted by the office of Pete Gallego because they simply could not support it in its present form. But the office of Carl Isett and the committee that approved this would not hear of any changes after their talks with TP&W.

I think we need to do a request for copies of any emails or correspondence between the offices of Carl Isett, The committee and TP&W. I believe that is all public record... as long as they used the State email system.

If we can find that paper trail then we can bring it to light and show how dirty this thing is. After all TP&W should not be lobbying for any legislation.

Lance

Chris,
In my letters that I have written, I have suggested (and pled) to have the bill put back to it's original wording or include an exemption for reptiles and amphibians. I have a friend in Austin that works for the state, that said he would go by today and plead our case to some folks that he knows. Hopefully he follows through. Either way he said he'd call me and let me know. Glad to see everyone doing their part..JP
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

However, if it were to pass the house, then perhaps that could be amended in the Senate version.

Troy

Let them know I oppose and to look into this regarding data to back up the implied claims and that I do not want my daughter arrested at a rest stop for chasing a lizard.

I think that angle alone will at least make them think about how broad this is..

Lance