Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Did anyone get nailed this past year for roadcruising in TX? If not, why? Just one of those nearly impossible to enforce issues??

Shane
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Lifelist

Did anyone get nailed this past year for roadcruising in TX? If not, why?

No, because "it's illegal."

I had to look at an awful lot of roadside wildflowers.
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet

Shane-actually, in the year and a half this silly law has been in affect, to my knowledge not a single citation has been issued. It is my personal belief that a few at the top in TPW LE just wanted to have a "lever" in place to use against herpers if they received complaints from ranchers. In fact, two Game Wardens I've spoken with were not even aware of it!
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

Thanks for the info all. I didn't do any herping in TX this past year, and didn't see any mention on other forums about problems, so was curious to know what you guys had to deal with. Glad to see that no real harassment happened.

If gas prices stay down, I imagine there will be a lot more traffic in wTX next season.........hopefully they don't get a wild hair and start trying to enforce that ridiculous rider.

Shane
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Lifelist

There was one herper that was cited by one of the newby game wardens in Sanderson this past year for stopping in the middle of the road. He was not cited for "herping" but was cited for stopping in the lane of traffic as it were. He took deferred on it and that was it. He was questioned about the snakes as well that he had with him.

Wayne

I know some people that were out herping and given a warning in Brewster I believe. They were told just looking for herps was in violation of the law.

There were at least two separate groups of folks that I know about that were stopped, One group was actually stopped and escorted. They wish to remain anonymous, and in both cases, i think they could have fought the charges, but am not sure they wanted to for whatever reasons. That's their business.One of the groups was absolutely in the middle of nowhere (without giving specifics), and it seems to me that some sort of set surveillence must have been involved the way they described it. It is the law. And they are at least sometimes trying to enforce it, contrary to what alot of people are saying; and in one case, in a rather intimidating, good ole boy, bs fashion. From what I was told, all groups involved were polite, forthright, honest and completely cooperative with the officials involved and represented wildlife observers and herpers well. Not easy in that situation.

Where were they? In the middle of the Black Gap or something? Did either of these parties have snake bags or hooks or anything considered "non-essential" for observation only?

First I have heard of these incidents...

Thanks,

SXO792

Wow-first I've heard of it as well. We were out west on several occasions this past season-Black Gap, Davis Mnts., River Road, etc.-no problems whatsoever.

I spoke with one warden at the immigration check point on 385, and he was very polite, asked if we'd seen anything down in BG, and whether we were aware of the new law. I told him we were only taking photos (which was true). He seemed mainly concerned if we'd spotted any poachers in our travels!
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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....