I was wandering if it would be o.k. to catch a garter unstead of buy one.Thanks.
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WILD?????
um
Mar 03, 2005 08:21 AM
Replies (3)
chris_mcmartin
Mar 03, 2005 09:38 AM
>>I was wandering if it would be o.k. to catch a garter unstead of buy one.Thanks.
Chances are, if you're buying from a pet store, it's a wild-caught specimen anyway. You'd just be eliminating the middle man.
GENERALLY SPEAKING, captive-bred (such as from one of the breeders who posts here) are going to turn out to be better pets. Less chance of disease/parasites, known to feed readily in captivity, etc.
Also, depending on your location it may be illegal to collect wild snakes. If it IS legal, you often need a license (hunting, or in some states, fishing--I can explain why you'd need a fishing license for a land animal if you're interested).
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet
jasonw
Mar 11, 2005 11:58 AM
I am extreamly interested. I never quite understood why the requiered this in California. Thanks in advance.
My reptile research and collection
chris_mcmartin
Mar 11, 2005 07:41 PM
>>I am extreamly interested. I never quite understood why the requiered this in California. Thanks in advance.
It's actually of benefit to those of use who tend to hunt more herps than game animals.
To get a hunting license in most states, if you're born after a certain date (I think it's 1973), you have to show proof of having attended Hunter Education. The class is primarily designed to teach folks how to safely handle firearms (under the assumption that if you're "hunting," you must be after something like deer, turkey, quail, etc).
By requiring a mere fishing license in CA, a herper doesn't have to worry about taking the useless-for-herping-purposes hunter education course first.
Although in other states (like TX) where a hunting license is required for herps, you can purchase said licenses at fine establishments like Wal-Mart where the clerk may not be familiar with such requirements, you are still required to show both your hunting license and your hunter education card if requested to do so by a game warden. If you don't have it, well, it could get expensive real quick. 
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Chris McMartin
www.mcmartinville.com
I'm Not a Herpetologist, but I Play One on the Internet
