As far as I know there are already laws on the books which prohibit hunting from a roadway or right-of-way. Given this, why does the representative from Wichita Falls feel it necessary to pass a similar law? True, the intent of the existing law was to stop people from using firearms from public roads. It was this law which the TXFWD re-interpreted years ago in an attempt to stop herpers from collecting; they eventually relented.
I fully agree that there are species which need to be protected from commercial exploitation, such as turtles, tortoises and collared lizards, which have been collected in massive quantities and sold into both the pet market and food market.
The inclusion of the word "wildlife" will, of course, pretty well shut down herping but won't do much to stop the commercial rapists. Because of this I am assuming that TPWD has had a hand in all this as way to stop the herpers. I can think of no other reason such a law would be passed, particularly since it exempts raptors, which need protection a lot more than the herps do.
Herping The Trans-Pecos
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I'm a bit confused
Replies (2)
1) there are existing laws that prohibit:
a) hunting game along a public right of way
b) shooting a firearm along a public right of way
2) there is an existing law that prohibits hunting from a vehicle from a public right of way (current not interpreted to apply to herps, but obviously was in the past)
3) there is not an existing law which prohibits hunting or trapping nongame from a public right of way
Why HB 2414 was initially written as to apply solely to game animals (when there was already such a law in place) remains unclear (although many on here have ventured reasons that are purely speculative). It was amended in committee to apply to all wild animals because it would otherwise be duplicative of existing law.
Raptors were omitted (IMHO) for a variety of reasons -
1) falconers have a strong lobby
2) falconers are tightly regulated
3) falconers are expressly non-commercial
By the way, Carl Isett (the one who introduced this bill) is the representative from Lubbock, not Witchita Falls.
Troy
But we know we need to keep this from just slipping through. Glad to have you on board with us on this one John.
Lance
