Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do the fish and game officers bust you for road hunting?
I keep getting conflicting answers.

>>Do the fish and game officers bust you for road hunting?
>>I keep getting conflicting answers.

It is against the law to trap, capture or kill on the road or right of way in Texas. They will bust you for it. Private property is fair game.

is it possible that this will be changed this spring????

>>is it possible that this will be changed this spring????

It's possible....more to come later
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HCU
Snakes of Hudspeth County, Texas

Don't you need permission to drive on private property? Or is it like Arizona.

You definately need permission.
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Steve W.

Awesome. Do the land owners usually give it?
I have heard some people say they still road hunt and have never been stopped.

I havent heard of anybody breaking the law. People still look for snakes, but they generally just watch them crawl off the road, or assist them off the road so they dont get run over.

we stop traffic to allow the snake cross the road.....sice i believe some LE regard "assist" to mean molestation.....wev wear crossing guard outfits & carry them signs.....and reflective outerwear....yo steve i got your outfit all set

Dude that is to funny. I heard of a guy named Buzz back in the 80's who used to set out spiked snakes for the butt heads who like to run them over. Kinda similar.

Bob, make sure it's bright. lol
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Steve W.

It really depends on what part of the state you are from. It is however enforced most in Grayband country... In fact, if it were not for this site, graybands, and subocs, most people would prolly never have heard of this law.

It is illegal though.
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Chris - TX

2.2 Splendida
1.1 Nigrita
1.1 Ruthveni
1.1 H. nasicus
0.0.3 277 Alterna

Do they ticket you or warn first. Also do you need a license??

There have only been a very few tickets (out of certainly at least hundreds of stops in the last three years). It's definitely NOT illegal to observe or photograph herps on the road and ROW. In some areas the LE will stop you at every opportunity, however, and these stops can last up to 30 minutes. Sometimes you may be asked to consent to a vehicle search-a bit strange since it also is not illegal to carry reptiles in your vehicle.

My experience is that Border Patrol stops are nearly always brief, and you'll be waved along as soon as they determine what you're doing. They don't seem to have much interest in anything beyond their primary concern of human and drug smuggling.

Game wardens seem to be well-versed in the law and in what is allowable and what isn't. In general they in most areas have not asked to search the vehicle and are generally satisfied if you're honest and up front with them about what you're doing (of course there are exceptions to this). Most game wardens are nature lovers as well, and a few are even reptile afficianados themselves.

Sheriffs and sheriff deputies sometimes seem to have no clue as to what the law is all about and what is allowable-they often ask for a vehicle search. I've had to (gently) set a couple straight as to what the law does and does not allow-for example some seem to think we can be ticketed for carrying a snake in a vehicle. They sometimes make you wait while they call in for a warden to come out (this has not happened to me, but did happen to a friend who was carrying a bullsnake he'd collected earlier on private land). My sheriff stops have been the lengthiest and most annoying.

Of course the above is based solely on my own experience and that of a couple of friends. I think I've had worse luck than most as far as getting stopped-probably because I like to look down near the border a lot. It's true that some guys have not even been stopped once since the law was snuck through in '07.

I have heard that out of staters are given MUCH more scrutiny. Your results may vary. My advice is to try to get out there and observe as much as possible while still obeying the law-observe, photograph to your content. The harassment will certainly lessen as LE tires of fruitless stops of herpers.

Above all, be POLITE and cooperative-nobody you meet on the road in Texas had anything to do with writing the road ban law. They are just doing their often very difficult job.

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Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

Boas, Pythons, Colubrids, Tortoises and Turtles

the daytime stops and searches as you leave the motel after packing all your gear are the most irritating ans senseless......just outta state .....prejudice...that practice should be against the law...

Ok, Thank you
It sounds like some areas are worse than others. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I will have at least 2-3 of my juvenile kiddies with me. We have not had any problems in Az. We did have a pretty messed up run in with Border patrol "Nazi's" in Nm. over 200 miles from the border no less. Any and all tips/experiences are appreciated.
Thank you all

Also I have not been to Texas since the 80's where I am 0for 10
LOL

If I were a money spending Man I wouldn't try Texas unless you are able to put up with some hassle from LE (in reference from being out of state) I would choose to spend money in places that work with herpers and have sensible guidelines.

Just understand you can and most likely will be stopped while in West Texas...Due to drug traffic, human traffic, weapons traffic and any other traffic that's illegal and the nature of what we do.

Good Luck, StevenX

I don't mind Border Patrol. I just don't like cops or wardens. I get pulled over almost every night in Az. by B.P. Not a big deal usually. Are you saying that F&G are thick in Tx.?