Reptile & Amphibian Forums

right now we need to recruit Texas Representatives and Senators to publicly and Personally request a veto of HB 12 and a special session. If we succeed in that we will get what we want.

Please remain very calm and respectful, it is paramount in order to gain support and get what we want.

Heres the thing,

Tes you all have valid points but the trouble is, If the senate sends people to the streets to every daycare, food market, school and so on and the ask mothers, fathers and teachers the following,

Do you want you kids playing in a nieghborhood were Joe Blow 2 houses down have Cobras, Mambas and Rattlers?

90% of the people are going to say "NO WAY".

This issue is now in the spotlight and the Representitives, Senators and the Govenor will bend to the masses. The calls are great but I called Hiderbrans office and was told that they are getting threats and cussed out (not smart).

Making a threat to Todd K. (forgot last name) will only hurt the cause. Remember that they can still change this to a complete ban. Digging up dirt is not going to help. Try working with them and tell them (nicely) where the trouble lays with the bill.

Remember is you stir sh!t the worse it smells.

Do as we did in Florida, form a deligation of upstanding Texas herpers. Like The Barkers, Cole, Baringer and Earl Turner. These people must live in Texas because they do not want to hear from a person living out of state.

Also, your lawmakers have being reading this site and others so they do know the lies that have been told about this bill not passing and what not.

"Also, your lawmakers have being reading this site and others so they do know the lies that have been told about this bill not passing and what not."

Grammar aside; what lies specifically are you referring to?

I don't think anyone has made any threats. Threats, even by phone are a criminal offense in Texas. I'm sure some folks have been a bit emotional but that is to be expected. They have effectively shut down 95% of the herping activity in Texas assuming everyone obeys this silly law. Guess what would happen if a law was made shutting down 95% of the fishing (that would make me mad too) or hunting? They'd have riots in the streets. I don't condone being an ass either and would hope everyone that calls keeps it on a cordial level.

For those folks in Austin and the TP&WL folks reading this; please remember, there are nuts in every group (ours included). Most folks here however just enjoy the Texas outdoors in a different way than most. The difference is; we don't kill our quarry, we move it off the road, shoot its picture off the road and in some cases take a couple home. It's not a cost effective hobby in any way shape or form. There's no get rich scheme. This has just been a MAJOR slap in the face to herpers, photographers, etc. We pay taxes and we would like SOME representation. We are willing to work on the commercial collecting issue with anyone willing to work as the majority of us despise commercial collecting. If you don't believe me, just look through the posts on this site prior to any of HB 2414 rearing its ugly head. Commercial collectors are publicly berated here regularly and chastised accordingly.

JP

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Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

as a matter of fact, Hilderbran and Kercheval are the ones that told the lies directly to our faces over and over again.

The dirt is laying on surface as I have documented it.

The question now is not only about the issues, but if the citizens of this great state will allow the back-handed manipulation by unethical Politicians.

If other Politicians want to align themselves with these tactics displayed by Hilderbran and his cronies they risk their own credibility in the eyes of the voters.

I've told everyone not to be disrespectful, many times.

At this point there is no reason to enter a debate with Hilderbran or Kercheval. I still think it is fine to voice your displeasure in a civil manner. If you are unhappy they should be aware of it.

I'm sure they got some rude calls. I am sure every politician in America where we have the freedom to express ourselves has gotten rude calls throughout thier careers. It is thier job to be objective. I doubt it was as many as they want you to think. IMO they are using that as an excuse as to why they wouldn't dialog with us and to cover up that this was a sneaky end run around. Many people posted thier letters here as models of what you should say and they were polite. I am sure there were enough polite callers that they could have listened to if they had cared. Politeness has been stressed from the beginning and continuously.

Who should an out of stater call?

Not much different than Texans.

Start with the Governor. Then the reps and senators for any areas that you herp or spend herp dollars. After that, move on to the reps and senators that were on the various committees that handled HB 12, HB 2414, and HB 1309. Next, focus on reps and senators from other herp and round-up hot spots. After that, just go down the list. As a tourist to Texas, you have an absolute right to be heard by any and all Texas politicians.

Thanks, I've called the governer, rep Gallego and Senator Uresti. I will start on the others.