Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there currently any such legislation? Is there anything being proposed? There's a band wagon I could jump onto!

Oh ya, almost forgot,...thanks to O.H. for his wisdom and patients. You are a pretty knowledgable guy. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Later,
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

>>Is there currently any such legislation? Is there anything being proposed? There's a band wagon I could jump onto!
>>
>>Oh ya, almost forgot,...thanks to O.H. for his wisdom and patients. You are a pretty knowledgable guy. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Later,
>>T.
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>>"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

I quit having birthdays after the 50th one...I'm in my early 50-somethings.

As far as the legislation to stop Rattlesnake Roundups, I can only speak for Georgia. Not sure about the other states where these "festivities" occur. In Georgia, Gopher Tortoises are protected. The law says you cannot capture, kill, possess, harrass or otherwise molest a Gopher Tortoise or it's burrow. So, it is illegal to gas Gopher Tortoise burrows. However, rattlesnakes are not protected. No venomous snakes are protected in Georgia. All non-venomous ones are. The only reason that venomous snakes aren't protected is because that would spell the end of the roundups. It is a political thing. The communities that host them are rural communities and they depend on the revenue from them. No politician in his right mind is going to vote for a law that would ban the roundups because if he did he would be out of office on his butt before he knew what happened. I know that gassing happens even though it is illegal. That is how they catch the snakes for the roundups. I've never heard of anyone being prosecuted for it. But...don't get caught with a Corn Snake.
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We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanks. But I'm not totaly clear on this,...Did you mean that gassing of tortoise burrows is against the law in all states? Or just in Georgia? I understand the political ramifacations involved in trying to get {state} governments to outlaw the round- ups. But couldn't the feds step in and put a stop to it since it has such a negative effect on so many animals and especialy federaly listed animals? And what course of action would you suggest for us, to get the powers that be, to move in the right direction. It's just so hard to know that this kind of thing is happening, and that it has such a devistating effect on the Indigos, that it makes me want to do SOMETHING to stop it. I just can't do nothing. Then maybe re-intruductory efforts might have a better chance of success. Thanks,
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

You should start at the state level. First get the agenda of board meetings from someone with your Wildlife and Parks, (not hard). Sit in on a meeting and see if anyone (with pull) shares your passion, there will be someone. Next present the facts (gassing destroys the ecosystem i.e. gas contaminates the burrow displacing (all wildlife)for MANY years, which translates to dead endangered wildlife.Burrows support most native wildlife in the winter,and most use burrows as routine. Stay with the facts because emotion confuzes the issue. Good luck.

Thanks for your helpful advice. However, I'm not sure how much of a problem it is here in Missouri, since we do not have gopher tortoise burrows, and as O.H. mentioned, the local authorities are to afraid of local politics. They don't want to step on the toes of local constituants who rely on these events for income. I think a more effective direction would be to tackle this problem at the federal level. But I will most definately check into it. Thanks again,
T.
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"No tree would have branches foolish enough to argue amongst themseleves".

Using gasoline to collect reptiles in Florida has been illegal for several years now. It used to be a standard practice for rounding up EDB's. I even recall some old pics of Ross Allen demonstrating the technique. I believe the practice was outlawed soon after Gopher tortoises received full protection. Unfortunately, bulldozers have taken out many more herps than the practice of gassing ever did.