Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If we are successful in the present fight or not, I believe the best thing we could do for ourselves is to try to get our licensing removed from the "hunting and fishing" category, and convince TPW to establish some form of "sport herpetology" or "non-game reptile collection" license. One big problem we're having in this struggle is that it's impossible to quote any real solid numbers for ourselves or our financial contribution. Hunters and fishermen have those numbers (and right now they include US).

Brad Chambers

>>If we are successful in the present fight or not, I believe the best thing we could do for ourselves is to try to get our licensing removed from the "hunting and fishing" category, and convince TPW to establish some form of "sport herpetology" or "non-game reptile collection" license. One big problem we're having in this struggle is that it's impossible to quote any real solid numbers for ourselves or our financial contribution. Hunters and fishermen have those numbers (and right now they include US).
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>>Brad Chambers

We ARE hunters and fishermen, so there is really no need to separate our numbers from the others. We need to drive home this point to Hilderbran and get HIM to withdraw the bill from the floor.

Hilderbran is an avid outdoorsmen and hunter. Let him know that

1) HB 2414 will deny us from accessing all currently available land for pursuing a lifelong outdoor recreational activity that involves a sustainable harvest of non-game species on public roads and right of ways.

2) California, New Mexico, and Arizona all allow pursuit of non-game species on state owned land and we should not be denied access to Wildlife Management Areas owned by the State of Texas where it is already legal to pursue fish and game animals with a permit.

Mr. Hilderbran sponsored this bill, he needs to hear more from us. Everyone who reads this post should send a letter today to his desk in Austin. Mine are the mailbox right now.

HB TX No. 2414 is unconstitutional because it discriminates against us as Hunters.

HB TX No. 2414 is a complete waste of time and should not even be on the floor.

For the present battle, I wholeheartedly agree. But I'm skeptical that we'll ever be able to get them to view us as they do other sportsmen unless we can demonstrate with solid figures just how numerous we are-and just how much financial clout we have.

Believe me, I like the fact that right now I dont have to purchase a different license for more standard hunting and fishing pursuits-it's just that I think it would be helpful for those inevitable struggles to come

Brad Chambers

>>For the present battle, I wholeheartedly agree. But I'm skeptical that we'll ever be able to get them to view us as they do other sportsmen unless we can demonstrate with solid figures just how numerous we are-and just how much financial clout we have.

I disagree because TP&W has already acknowledged us as a group of Hunters and Sportsmen by mandating that we obtain hunting licenses to pursue non-game species. What more proof do they need?

>>Believe me, I like the fact that right now I dont have to purchase a different license for more standard hunting and fishing pursuits-it's just that I think it would be helpful for those inevitable struggles to come.

I don't have a problem with this at all.

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>>Brad Chambers