Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First to Mr. Vadoni regarding his trip to Big Bend NP. You were not very bright having that hook and the dead snakes in your cooler. I do find it disturbing that LE is back to the fake snake sting. I find it even more disturbing that the ranger was using the old speeding lie to pull you over, and the statement that he could confiscate your camera. Can you imagine the public outrage if rangers starting taking cameras away from all the tourists taking wildlife pics in our National Parks? That was simply an empty threat. That said, it looks like the game is on between all game enforcement and the herping community.

I see emotions are running high about this new law. Some are determined to get confrontational by shoving recorders into the faces of LEO's now carrying out their new orders. This will not bode well for you folks. You have two choices now: Poach or take pics........and I'm not real sure about the legality of the second option.

I will be calling Sinclair at the LE division this coming week. I'll be wanting to know if I need to purchase my usual non-resident hunting license, if I am only taking wildlife pics.

While hindsight is 20-20, you Texas residents should have probably hired a lobbyist to grease the palm of this Hildebrad guy. You know he got some money from some local ranchers, possibly PETA, and lord knows who else to get this new law done. You need to realize that politicians are simply money whores these days!

At any rate, I imagine the citations will be coming fast and furious in the very near future. It will be interesting how the local judiciary rules on these "new infractions".

Steve-
Not very bright? Did you know that it was illegal to have a snake hook in Big Bend national park because it falls under the category of weapon/trap/net? I didn't, it is not written on any of the literature they give you or the websites. As far as the museum specimens - I didn't know that it was illegal to have them in the park - although it is not a surprise.

I only want to get this information out to others in the area, as I was not aware of these laws. If you read my original post I ended with a statement about how cool the LE officer was and that I recommend anyone that runs into a similar situation be polite. I am not complaining about my misfortunes and will pay the fines for the mistakes I made, I just wish I had known they were mistakes before I made them.

Steve gets a little out of control at times. After all, he is from Florida! Don't let Steve o' intimidate you!

Wayne

Talkin' about the pot calling the kettle black......lol!

I apologize if I offended you, but I think most people know that hunting, trapping, and collecting of any fauna/flora is strictly forbidden in any National Park. This includes devices as well.

On another note, National Parks were one of the original NO GUN zones. This has always been a bit of a sticky wicket, as people regularly pass through NP lands while transporting firearms in their vehicles. I've heard that due to high crime in some parks, the rangers have a don't ask/don't tell policy regarding firearms. Technically, it does not matter even if you have a concealed carry permit granted in your state, as you are within Federal property. I'm sure if you had a firearm, that would have been confiscated as well. Another reason to be on your best behaviour while inside a NP.

Thanks for the account of your incident. It looks like the rangers have a hard on for herpers. You may save someone else some aggravation and money.

But not once has he mentioned the LE agents name. I think you were stopped on the River Road since you mentioned Panther Canyon? Was this dudes name Robert Garcia??? If it is he is not a game warden. He is just a park ranger and he does like to put the "scare" into people especically out-of-staters, which I know you are not. Anyway, what was this guys name???

Wayne

Panther JUNCTION< not Panther Canyon... River Road property adjacent is a state park, not a federal park.

I guess anytime I see "panther" I think of that! Yeah, this would be a problem wouldn't it. Still would like to know his name though.

Wayne

Make at least one phone call to a Brewster County attorney and find out what the chances are..

These guys will know the system and people in that system.

If $$$ is a problem some help could be found here.

If you do not at least look into it you are doing everybody else an injustice.

Lance