Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello as some of you may know there is a rumor going around about making the field collection of Gila Monsters legal, with a permit. Is there any validity to various user groups and their talk of removing the protected status of Gilas and making it legal to feild collect them with a permit.

Thanks

but I think there is a permit available to collect Gilas...I would suspect it is VERY difficult to obtain and very restrictive in it's own right, but hey, the captive gilas available today had to come from wild caught ancestors at one point, right? Also, wild caught animals do need to be brought in from time to time to vary the gene pool. Again, I'm not positive on this, but I am inclined to think there is a permit. Just not something your average herper (or even above average, lol) can get.

ITS $80.00 you can collect 1 specimen per permit.
They will dillute the over priced market thus lowering the prices so not too many delers will talk about it.
There is no restrictions pay and play.
but check to see if it is in effect yet!
later
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Bud

There have been some proposals floating around, but it is not going to happen. There are many Gilas being displaced by development, but there is no chance any of the wildlife departments will release them to the private sector. They would rather see them dead before they would let anyone have one. Facts do not matter. Check out Dan Beck's new book for information on Heloderma.

http://www.ucpress.edu/books/pages/10325.html

Not sure which states this rumor is floating around in, but I can assure you that private collection of Heloderms will continue to be a big no-no in Az for the foreseeable future....Yes, with a valid permit issued from Az G&F one can collect and keep Heloderms in Az, but this is definitely not something that the average private keeper has much chance of getting in Az. Permits are usually only issued for educational or scientific purposes, and even at that are incredibly difficult to get....Those that regulate these animals are so set in their ways that thoughtful debate on the issue is out of the question....

Will it ever change? It may, eventually when new blood gets into the system and can look at the issue from a different perspective....Long overdue in my opinion, but not likely to happen for awhile....

-AzAtrox