Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In New Mexico collection from road surfaces is written into the law as a legal means of take.

Why was it again that TX H.B. No. 2414 was introduced?
What concern that they expressed did TX H.B. No. 2414 address?
Is TX H.B. No. 2414 the result of personal vendetta, and then a personal favor?

We have a right to demand justification for new legislation. Those of you who have yet to address a letter to Mr. Hilderbran should ask him those questions

Joe this is the email that TPWD sent to Gallego's office. I am suspect that this is just one person, or a small group of persons within TPWD. This was posted below and I can provide a link if you want to view the whole post. Or I can copy the post here since I have it saved.

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Currently, it is a violation to hunt game animals, game birds, furbearers, exotic animals, or exotic fowl on a public roadway. “Hunt” is defined as capture, trap, take or kill, or the attempt to capture, trap, take or kill. Additionally, it is a Penal Code violation to discharge a firearm on or across a public road. Currently, it is not illegal to hunt nongame animals from a public road or rights of way, as long as a person is not hunting from a vehicle. Any hunting from a public road may create a potential traffic hazard and safety concern. House Bill 2414 HCS, prohibits the hunting of a wild animal or wild bird from the public road or rights of way. The bill does not apply to the trapping of a raptor for educational or sporting purposes as provided by Chapter 49, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. An offense will be a Parks and Wildlife Code Class C misdemeanor. If enacted, the bill will provide game wardens with an enforcement tool that will enable them to clearly distinguish lawful activities on roadways from unlawful activities. A person hunting nongame on a public road or rights of way would be clearly in violation if they do not have a Texas Parks and Wildlife permit authorizing collection on a public road or rights of way. Much of nongame wildlife collection on public roads and rights of way is for commercial purposes. This bill would stop this aspect of nongame collection on public roads and rights of way. This bill would create a wildlife sanctuary where collection would be prohibited. The bill also provides an alternative enforcement tool for game wardens. Hunting from a vehicle on a public road is currently a Parks and Wildlife Code Class A misdemeanor. This bill makes the offense for hunting any wild animal or wild bird on a public road or rights of way a Parks and Wildlife Code Class C misdemeanor. Game wardens would have the discretion to file a lesser charge, if conditions warranted (e.g., juvenile or first time offender.) This bill will not prohibit entities such as schools from obtaining a collection permit for zoological collections, scientific research or educational display.
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"This bill would create a wildlife sanctuary "
Every time I read that, it irritates me more and more. Who in the heck would be ignorant enough to call the side of a highway, roadway, etc. where pretty much everything ends up as a speed bump a "wildlife sanctuary"? Sounds to me like very weak attempt to BS somebody with empathetic language. Everybody loves a wildlife sanctuary...some peoples kids...
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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

Polished turd... And I think we are making progress in showing it for what it is with diligent honest effort to contact other reps to inform them of the true ramifications of this legislation as well as the "needs" already being addressed elsewhere..

Traffic Safety issues, not TP&Ws bag, handled under traffic codes.

Wildlife Sanctuary, not if the animals at high risk of collision with a vehicle, such as on the a public roadway.

Addressing commercial take, that is what the permit and white list system is all about.

Did I miss anything?

Lance

Ya and I don't see how this "tool" is any better than tools wardens already have. All the same illegal excuses can still be used, ie 1)Just photographing 2)Looking for bugs 3)Possesion and transport of non-protected species is still not illegal. Bottom line they will still need to see you pick up an animal to be certain of a conviction. Caveat - I do not advocate any of those behaviors. Only pointing out this law is not going to make the wardens' jobs any easier.

1) I'm hunting for DOMESTICATED animals. Seen any?

2) I'm fishing for Game Wardens - Oh look, I got a bite!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! What didja use for bait? LOFL!!!!
Todd Hughes

and my favorite "I'm just looking for a good place to spraypaint 'Jesus Saves'".

looking for crinoids!
Todd Hughes

Ya know, I wish my memory was better but a "few years ago" one of the southwestern states went as far as to declare any wildlife that wandered upon a public roadway to be deemed salvaged....meaning that if it got on the roadway it was probably going to be killed by traffic and people could could "salvage" critters found upon the roadway. Not sure because it has been a number of years ago...possible it was AZ. And now we here in Texas consider roadways to be wildlife sanctuaries. Makes no sense!
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Gerald Keown
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
www.southwesternherp.com

I just saw 10 slaughtered rattlesnakes, including the biggest I've seen in 20 years, all slaughtered in their WILDLIFE SANCTUARY!

everytime I see a kid touch a lizard in violation of H.B. 2414 and demand they investigate. (hope it's not my kid!)