Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am planning to head over to Big Bend soon (after 20 years away!) and want to be legal. I will not be collecting anything (I don't keep em' anymore), but I love hunting and photographing, which means restraining animals long enough to get a photo. I assume I need an out-of-state hunting license but I am perplexed by the road hunting and spotlighting rules. I read the regs and they make it sound like any use of spotlights or picking up anything off the roads is illegal. Yet people on the forum are saying it is OK. Can someone who really KNOWS the regs fill me in? Many thanks. I look forward to seeing some of you in Texas. I'll be easy to spot -- the old timer in the silver 4runner.

The warden in Brewster Co. has been cool when he has stopped us the past couple of years and he is OK with us hunting the River Road through the state park.
Here is a link to TP&W licenses and what I think you need.

Non-resident Special Hunting (Type 107): $125
Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting (Type 157): $45

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/general/hunt_licenses/

Later
Rick

What about road cruising? Do you have to be off on shoulder or is hunting from car now illegal? Thanks. --Henry

Hey Henry,
About the only place worth road cruising now is River Rd., Luna Vista and Black Gap, the LE in those areas are Ok with it. Spot lighting is ok but each LE has his own opinion of how you should do it. I was stopped by a deputy in Sanderson Sat. night and was told to get completely off the road and not to cruise and spot. Most people are driving on the sholder as they spot the cuts. I don't know what the law is but it seems to be up to the LE that stops you. I don't know of anyone that has been ticketed for anything this year. Bottom line, get the hunting license and use your head, you will be Ok unless you get stopped by that cop that just lost a fight with his wife.
Later
Rick
P.S. when are you planning to be here? Haven't seen you in 25 years or so.

Thanks again, Rick. I'm trying to get it together to head over this coming weekend but don't know if it will work out. If not then, I'll shoot for the dark of the moon in July. Hope to see you there. --Henry

Henry, Charlie. I've been there every year since the cave days. I've got a hunting license every year. I was stopped in 1979 and in 2002 on the river. Other than that no nothing. I'll be there in july for a almost record for myself 15 nights.[23DAYS IN 1979] HOPE TO SEE YOU THEN. iF NOT THEN GOOD LOUCK IN JUNE. C B p s FOR ANYBODY THAT CARES O FUR IN 1979