Reptile & Amphibian Forums

it seems as though motivation for passing this new law has yet to be determined. if not money, conservation, or safety, then why? what are the chances that a stipulation would be interjected allowing collecting from the roadway with the purchase of a new/specialized license? this may have been breached already, but if its about money then this would generate money. and if it is about safety, i wonder if tx. game would add a safety class on "how to road hunt safely" (i.e. glow vest, speed, pulling over properly, etc.). i would not be happy with paying a large sum for a special license, but it seems as though there are few alternatives as of now.

i see lbenton spoke of that on a thread below, sorry to sound redundant.

If they have that in mind they should HURRY UP and say so. They could save a lot of time, effort, and maybe a Political career or two if they would make public their plans.

That is another bone of contention with us. We never knew it was coming. They blindsided us. They have collaborated with Herp Societies about other matters yet this was never mentioned.

Even when Isett introduced the first bill with the WRONG Language they tried to pass it off as ISETT's bill, yet Hilderbran had to amend the language to cover Reptiles and Amphibians. Incidentally they tried to say all along that it was never intended to be aimed at Herpetologists.

Then of course we get Tracy King to introduce the amended Bill which passes the House unanimously, and then sent to the Senate Committee where Hilderbran's buddy Estes (who worked closely with Hilderbran on HB 12) sits on the bill in committee until it's ultimate death.

So you can see a History of lies and deception throughout this course.

Still want a permit and access to public hunting land. That is what we should all get out of this, there are no entry fees on wma's, you park in designated areas, walk the property, hunt in designated areas, the permit should allow for all this and we gain access to previously unhunted land (for herps). It doesn't have to coincide with any other season, i.e. duck,dove,quail,deer,etc. It doesn't have to be in immediate spring. Flipping around the coast is best in late winter, full summer for west Texas, etc. The only reason I said I would not purchase a license was because I do not intend to hunt, it was all I used the license for, I don't bird hunt or fish anymore so...wtp? I don't want to subsidize hunting in Texas if I am not allowed to hunt my preferred animal anymore along the only places that were available to me, the ROWs. I am the poster child for this, I own no land, and certainly will not lease a property because now it will become lucrative for someone else to lease it to me! This is about a right of passion being stripped away, and for what? No data supports it, there are millions of animals, billions, the public has no idea how many they kill in their cars on there way to save the environment, lol! I will instead be doing road research, documenting dor's and compiling the data in my area to keep me in my fix of herps, hoping this data can be used to show how we were helping by moving them off roads. Getting data that can be used to fight this law, somehow. Take one for the team? Not this inning buddies, but I will lay one down and then attempt to steal second if I see a chance.......
Todd Hughes