Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just got off the phone with Chandler at Isetts office. Chandler said Matt was in a meeting and seemed very familiar with HB 2414. I simply voiced my opposition and explained that I am a hobbyist who has come to TX for 10 years and that I buy my license every year and have only taken 1 or 2 animals per year. I also said that I don't think it's fair to class my activities with those of commercial collecters and that this law is unfair to hobbyists. That was about it and Chandler said they currently support the bill and do not support any changes. I did get the impression that they have been getting enough feedback from herpers that they are well aware this is and issue. Perhaps with continued calls from herpers and added calls from local bussinesses they will see that this is going to be a bigger issue than they thought. Keep up the calls, emails and letters.

Opposing the new laws is the only way to
get anything done. Walking around with camera's "seeking" animals is by definition hunting. If a game warden want's to write a ticket all he needs to do is carry a dictionary with him to make his case. In the past people would pull the "i'm looking for inverts" routine to get around laws and paying for a license. We know that doesn't work too well.

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Steve W.

I know that Steve. I don't want this passed at all and I don't want to have to walk around with a camera and explain myself everytime a warden sees me. I am only saying fight as hard as we can now but if it passes I am not going to stop visiting Texas out of fear of a ticket. I will make them prove I am hunting and yes I would go to court over it.

Good for you Aaron. Glad to hear that if this lunacy passes it will not keep you away from this part of the country or the activity in which you enjoy so responsibly.

Now that I am living here, I can honestly say that should I get a ticket for anything other than a TPW officer's personal observation of me touching a non game animal on the road/right of way, I will be going to court as well. I will not only go to court to fight any potential bogus ticket, should I lose the initial court battle, I will appeal the damn thing again and again. Hell, if possible or necessary, I will appeal it all the way to Austin.

I may be asking for something that I would prefer to not have to do, but if it happens, I will do what I can in court should it become necessary.

DB

Maybe tomorrows phone calls will give a chance to talk to Matt as well.
Hey the first person to get Isett on the phone wins a prize? I will call them the herper activist of the month... A title to be proud of, how is that for a free prize..

Lance