First let me say that despite any ethics violations that may have occured by some at TPWD and I say MAY because at this juncture we don't know if any occured, we are stuck with this law until the next legislative session. So how do we get the law changed.
1. It appears from the reponses received to the open records requests that certain high ranking officials in TPWD's law enforcement division have a disdain of reptile hobbyists. Unless requested by their superiors they seem reluctant to even talk to reptile hobbyists. What they don't understand is that just like most hunters, fishermen, falconers, ranchers et. al. we are law abiding citizens from all walks of life from minimum wage workers to professionals including law enforcement officers, academics, teachers, attorneys and everything in between. We need to work to change their institutional mentality. This means, in my view consistent and polite written contacts emphasizing our diversity.
2. We need also to emphasize that we do and will respect bag and possession limits just like deer hunters, fisherman and falconers. TPWD needs to leave behind its mentality that somehow reptile hobbyists are different from hunters, fishermen and falconers. TPWD should enforce reptile bag and posssession limits the same way they do deer, dove, bass, shark, etc. limits.
3. TPWD will argue that they don't have the data to determine reptile hobbyists impact on wild populations. The answer is to set bag and possession limits low enough to insure no impact. While it may seem logical to us to look at the available habitat and say for example that collection from ROW's can't possibly affect the "Alterna" population. We are dealing with an agency that cites anecdotal evidence. For example " wardens see fewer alterna on roads than before". Of course as herpers we know that alterna rarely if ever sit on roadways or even cross them but rather stay in rock cuts yet TPWD seems to dislike herpers so much that it will make such statements to legislators which was in fact done last session. Either that or the elected official I spoke to was lying about what someone at TPWD had told him which I doubt since he had no reason to.
4. Some at TPWD suggested that they get the general public involved if we were to succeed in getting the legislature to permit herp collection on ROW's. What those people at TPWD don't understand is that we are the general public not some bizarre splinter group or cult. The House certainly understood that when it passed the amendment which was later disregarded. We need to professionally seek to eliminate this bias at TPWD. My view is that we should politely explain in writing to the TPWD Commissioners as well as our elected officilas the concerns we have about some at TPWD.
5. WE NEED STOP ARGUING THE DETAILS. The law is what it is. Those who contnue to bicker and use profanity and ill conceived arguments look like idiots and make us all look like idiots. The few can easily hurt the majority. All you are doing is making certain elected officials and TPWD angry which won't help our cause. It is fine express outrage but don't be abusive.
6. We need to understand that we are in for a long uphill battle so consistent involvement is essential. We have two years to work on this and we must keep up our momentum.
7. As angry as you may be don't break the law. TPWD will use lawbreakers against the majority to try and lump all herpers in with a few bad seeds. Yes it is ironic that TPWD would never do the same to deer hunters or fishermen because a small few exceed bag limits or poach.
8. We need to involve all reptile hobbyists not just field herpers. As I have said I don't own any native Texas herps at this time but I am still outraged at what occured. We need to get as many people involved as possible.
9. TPWD exempted falconers as was stated by a TPWD official " because the department licenses falconers and they have no other way to obtain their birds except along ROW's. We need to try and get TPWD to understand that we are no different. Please don't attack the falconers because the exemption was enacted. Just explain our similarities.I notice many inverse arguments about why rattlesnake round-ups are allowed etc. This does not support the "why we should be allowed to road collect." Such arguments really don't work. We need to stick with our issues and why we should be allowed to pursue our avocation.
10. Let the lawyers have time to sort out the issues of possible wrong doing at TPWD. I see many posts saying this was unethical or that was illegal and most are simply wrong. Our goal should be to change attitudes at TPWD. If any improper activity occured it will be sorted out. Please understand that statutes are hard to understand and citing laws out of context does nothing but perhaps lessen the poster's anger. Now in closing let me say that I have been guilty of posting some comments in the past in anger so I certainly understand!!
Thanks for reading
Richard Strieber
