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There was never much doubt that it would pass. More of our rights and freedons taken away.
Some loaws are so bad that they need to be ignored. This seems to be such a law.
How does one go about having a law declared unconstitutional? I'm pretty well over my roadcruising days, but still enjoy getting out there now and then. I don't like that I won't be able to take out my grand-nephews to introduce them to the wonders of the wild. And for you younger folks, what will you do for the next 30-40 years? And what will your kids do?

Ditto my feelings. When opposition to HB2414 and HB 1309 started to look like it was making some progress, I fully expected that these would be slipped into some important bill as riders and then when they were in fact attached to HB 12 and sent to the Governor I never for a minute thought that he would veto the bill. Getting the Governor to veto an important piece of legislation like HB 12 especially after the regular session has ended is highly, highly unlikely.

The dirty deed has been done and we are all going to have to live with it for at least the next two years. By then hopefully the herp community in Texas will be more organized and will have laid the ground work to make a successful attempt to get this mess repealed. To do so we are going to have to build some positive relationships and develop some clout.
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Gerald Keown
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research
www.southwesternherp.com

I'll be on hwy 118 in a red F150 with a campershell. I won't be collecting, just posing herps for photos and moving herps off the pavement.

I had several legislative staffers assure me that TPWD game wardens would excercise descretion and NOT ticket for posing herps for photos or rescuing herps from the pavement. Which one of you game wardens (I know you're lurking) wants to prove them wrong? Don't forget to show up for my jury trial. Various politicians will also be invited.

I wonder if I can subpoena Hilderbran and ask if it was REALLY his legislative intent to prevent citizens from photographing herps or rescuing them from being squashed?

sigh...glad to see how much attention those in power paid to all the letters and phone calls (I know I called and wrote whenever I could). Almost makes me regret the fact I am moving from AZ to TX at the end of the month. At least I'll save money on a hunting license now. So how many are planning on becoming avid "road entomologists" now?

if hunting is illegal, why bother with a hunting license? Posession of such would just indicate an intent to hunt.

I definitely won't be buying one. Thats what I meant by save money.

I will buy a hunting license because I field collect herps. I will also have herps in the car when I am spot lighting for centipedes. They have to see you pick up a herp from the road or ROW. You know how often it is you see a herp in the road you want to pick up so this is a freaken joke.

We need to get our ducks in a row and create a legal fund.
We need to get busy NOW on getting this thing repealed or amended.

Mike Welker
El Paso, TX