Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As I am one of the individuals that has been a part of this evolutionary process over the past 30 years I have never been so disillusioned with some of our group of herp enthusiasts as I am over this issue. I have witnessed the process that TPW has used in the past and present. I have seen over the years how "we" have reacted and then how TPW has countered. For the most part everything "they" have tried to do has been thwarted and/or changed. Changes did not come from "civil disobedience", total disregard of authority, or threats and acusations. The changes came from hard work by several of our ranks (and with a little help from the Feds). Changes came after facts and circumstances were taken forward to the policy and rule makers in a forum that "they" could not only understand but were oblibgated to listen and act upon. All the rhetoric that is bouncing around this forum is more than likely doing nothing more than providing grounds for "them" to want to continue on and make a hardline stance with this issue. I will admit that some good stuff has come from some of our ranks. The research of the rules is invaluable to those who either do not have access to them or the ability to interpet them. To continue discussion on ways to "beat" law enforcement will only give "them" an up front opportunity to counter any excuse or reasoning we have and "they" will have already figured a way to pre-empt our arguments.

Bottom line is, most of you could learn a valuable lesson from watching, listening, evaluating how those of us that have been around for the long haul are dealing with this issue. There are probably no more than a dozen that have lived through the 70 and 80 tribulations that are still actively collecting. I bet you none of them have actually been cited and convicted of a "game" violation. I predict that some of you may find out the hard way that you "may beat the rap but, you will not beat the ride".

I personally would not like to see you guys continue to feed this "fire" with a bunch of "non essential toro caca". If you do so, you will more than likely be contributing to your own fate.

ECT

Eric,

Can you provide a timeline, and detail the various attempts by TPWD to mismanage the resource - and the herping community's effective response? A little history lesson might be a good thing.

Robert

NO, I will not. You STILL do not get the intent of my message. For me to fall into your "trap", I would be doing exactly what I am advising you not to do. For you to keep up your ways would not even warrant a "good luck" from me. I am a fairly articulate person but I will be damned if I can explain it any better, and at this point I do not intend to take more time to try. So for all of you out there, take it for whatever or however you want to.

ECT

Eric,

Well, that's too bad. I don't need luck (I try to take the luck out of everything I do). I need information. Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Robert

He only asked for that background history you hinted at. If you would like to share your insight and experience it would be appreciated.

Lance

So, it WASN'T a confusing request!

R

So you claim all this past knowledge of how to rectify this situation, but when asked a simple question about specific events, you refuse to talk anymore for fear of falling into a trap? Am I the only one to think this person forgot to take their meds this morning??
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-David

1.0 ball python (Pandora - don't ask)
1.0 argentine boa (Prometheus)
0.1 hogg island boa (Andromeda)
0.0.1 brazilian rainbow boa (Inara)
1.0 kenyan sand boa (Diablo)
1.0 normal corn snake(Cypress)
0.1 amery. corn snake (Morgan LaFay)
0.0.1 banded cali. kingsnake (Cain)
1.0 tangerine honduran milksnake (Narcissus)
0.0.1 snow corn snake (Valkyrie)
1.0 amazon tree boa (Pegasus)
0.0.1 sandfish skink (Slick)
0.0.1 fire skink (Phoenix)
1.0 dog (Luke)

the wife's pets:
1.1 ferrets (Ares, Enyo)
0.0.1 betta fish (Captain Morgan)
1.2 cats (Galahad, Ripley and Sassy)

>>So you claim all this past knowledge of how to rectify this situation, but when asked a simple question about specific events, you refuse to talk anymore for fear of falling into a trap? Am I the only one to think this person forgot to take their meds this morning??
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>>-David

In short what I think Eric is saying (Eric, if I'm wrong please correct me on this.)is that many people who have been collecting in texas and fighting to change the unfavorable laws over the years are about fed up with the yahoo attitudes of the newbie's who are openly stating how they're still going to do as they please and break the law as it is now written. Joe Forks asked in another post to cool it because he has been in contact with Hilderbran's people and is trying to see this through. But many of you guys who have only been making the trip to texas as of the last ten years or so seem to think you have the answers to the problems. As an out of stater who's been making the trip just about every year for the last 20 years I can say that everyone needs to watch their @sses and not make waves. Anyone else who is an out of stater will GET A Ticket before anyone else. Why? Because it's less likely to be fought in court. I'm not saying to break the law or not to break the law. But don't cry when the tickets start to fly. The wardens are onto all the I'm looking for bugs, rocks and picking up garbage excuses. They will just write you up and say to tell it to the judge. If you're truly just photographing wildlife then they expect you not to have any hooks, tongs, bags or containers in your vehicle. I don't like the new law either but the dumbest thing anyone can do is to go on an open forum and state you're going to break it. Give them the excuse and they can close down ALL collecting all together. Public and private land. Think I'm kidding?
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Steve W.