Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone, I am in the process of submitting some regulation changes to the Department and am looking for assistance/support. I am unfamiliar with the process. Is there a way that I am supposed to formally petition the department? Do I need to gather signatures? Are online petitions worth anything? Should I get a lawyer?

As with any change, there will be opposition. I understand this and accept it. If you do not support what I am proposing, that is fine.

What I am proposing are 2 regulation changes.

I am proposing that there be an open season on the Rock Rattlesnake once every 4 years. Many here can attest to their sizeable population in the state. The season for them is already open in New Mexico as well, and I would not expect any type of gold rush mentality as the species is already freely available on the market......to everyone BUT Arizona residents. I would expect the bag limit to be 1 every 4 years and the possession limit to be 2 (for captive breeding opportunities).

The second proposal that I would like to introduce, is changing the regulations on the disposal of captive produced California Kingsnakes. Currently, all native species that are bred in captivity must be given away and cannot legally be sold in or out of state. While this is a good rule for most of the species in the state, I beleive that California Kingsnakes have a very sizeable population and distribution throughout the state and are successfully breeding throughout their range. Most of their habitat throughout the state is inaccessible. In addition, a market for them already exists through specimens that originate from other states. Other more progressive states already allow for the commercial propagation of common abundant native species of reptiles. Texas, California, and Florida are 3 such examples. I would propose keeping the bag limit of 4 wild caught California Kingsnakes, but remove the bag limit for the captive bred offspring. I am also open to purchasing a breeders license for anyone who wishes to participate in this program, similar to Californias regulations. It should be noted that this program is already successfully in operation in California, although they are much more generous and also allow for the propagation of other commons species: Gopher Snakes, and Rosy Boas. I am not proposing adding Rosy Boas or Gopher Snakes to the Arizona regulations at this time.

I see no valid reasons why either of these proposals should not be accepted as both of these species are already available from other states at this time, although I understand that it is up the a vote from the Commission and that there will always be opposition.

I am also proposing to make it explicit in the regulations that it is indeed legal to keep and commercially propagate reptiles and amphibians that are native to Arizona but did not originate from populations within Arizona (For example, Rosy Boas from California or Mexico, or Arizona Mt Kingsnakes from Mexico or New Mexico.)

Hello Jaren, good for you wanting to wrestle w/ this. I think youve got some good points & some weaker ones. I'd be happy to sit down over a java or brew & go over some of this. If you want to do so email me.

Fundamentally there needs to be a herp stamp or stand alone license w/ special tags-permits for spps of limited distr. Captive produced progeny need to be recognized as private property much as is the case w/out of state herps.

The challenge is to get the Comm to understand:

The densities & reproductive rates of typical herps is far higher than many taxons the Comm are familiar w/ such as deer.

The behavior of typical herps is far more secretive & thus they are harder to find than many taxons the Comm are familiar w/ such as deer.

The numbers of herp hunters are far fewer than hunters such as deer hunters. That this minority of hunters have interests & rights that should be protected too.

That the illegal take can be diminished but never eliminated via sensible regulations.

That the AGFD could raise its revenues & increase Az ecotourism dollars via the implementation of sensible regulations.

Its a pity & so predictable that our AHA/THS are apparently doing their usual nothing in this regard....other than off to another mall to show the critters or sending someone out to the sububurbs to p/u another doomed atrox...

Cheers, John Gunn

There were at least two AHA members there at this meeting. Nothing new except the banning of several speices of "pet" turtles. Full report is on the aHA forums (www.azreptiles.com).
Pretty negative comments about the AHA as well. Do you do relocations? How about education? Two worth while attempts to make herp experiences a little better for people and the animals, I would think.
Little " fuzzy" cerastes