Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I wrote most of this late last night, but I need to add this today. I believe that we are not getting the honesty we deserve. 100% of us are PO’d about this and I would bet that 99.9% of us do not go around threatening people no matter how PO’s we are. I spoke to a person in Hilderbran’s office Friday and that person said that he had been threatened for the last 6 months on this issue. Well it (2414) was filed on March 5, so I don’t think they are being straight with us about the threats or maybe they’re mistaken as to who was threatening them and about what.
Last night:
I have been following this since April. I have talked with numerous people in the legislative offices, and with Texas Parks and Wildlife employees (they were staying here while on a training exercise). I have had at least 4 people in different areas make similar statements. “Why don’t you just lease land and hunt on a ranch like the deer hunters do?”
Well, I know this is not possible and you all know it, (talk about a safety issue) but they DO NOT. I would bet most politicians and the Parks and Wildlife guys don’t go out and look for reptiles and/or amphibians or insects on purpose at least not at night. It is much safer to hunt roadways than to be out in the real wilderness on a ranch at night. The road sides are mowed and fairly cactus free and usually without mountain lions or illegals. Not to mention the fact that the ranchers really don’t want us on their land not just because of a liability factor, they tolerate the deer hunters only because they pay big bucks to hunt. Well I know a few snake hunters and they have to be the most frugal if not down right cheap people I know. I married one.
SO if you think about this it makes sense that CERTAIN people, that have exotic hunting ranches and gets money from hunters who come hunt on HIS land, I bet they gets a real burr in their side seeing people looking for reptiles on the side of the road for FREE.
Somewhere when we get down to it I think we will find this IS about MONEY.
Thanks for listening sorry it is so long......had to get it out.
Ruth

Ruth,
We need to get the names of the folks making the threats. If indeed it is true then they should have no problem supplying that information. But as you know Todd is merely pushing an agenda and using that as an excuse not to open a dialogue with us regarding it.

In my persoanl opinion a dialogue with Kercheval is a monumental waste of time. They have already proven that they will lie, and cheat to get what they want.

Other than voicing a complaint in a civil manner there is no reason to contact Hilderbran or Kercheval

All,

One night I was shining the cuts on 349 and I got stopped by Mike Turk, a rancher, and he asked what I was doing. I told him I was looking for snakes. He said that the ranchers around here didn't like that and said why don't you come on my ranch and hunt it is only $15 a day. I was looking for Pics and I asked him if his ranch ran along Independence Creek? He said no but it runs along Dry Independence Creek so I said I will try it sometime. There ya go. Maybe it is the ranchers.

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX

did you get his name?

Joe,

Mike Turk of the Turk Ranch. His contact info is 432-753-2335 home, 432-425-7947 cell, email mike@turkranch.com, and website www.turkranch.com. I was thinking of checking it out myself.

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX

The Ranch looks nice!

If these ranchers wanted bussiness they would get plenty if they paid $50 or whatever it is to put a link up on some of the forums.

Joe How have you been doing. Whats going on with all this law stuff. Send me a email. Would be nice to hear from you....eddy

Ruth,

I still think this is all about ignorance and a dumbass, knee-jerk reaction to mitigate species of concern problems. I just wish someone could find out who's spurring Hildebeast & Co. into action. For now, my money has to be on TPWD, and that's not a promising thing for Texas in this case, because it looks like the blind leading the blind.

R