I am sure their are some on here that are tired of reading what I write concerning the need of y'alls help.
Right now me and my fellow turtle trappers are in a struggle with animal rights and environmental activists who have very deep pockets and are very organized. They are going after an easy victory, one that would give them momentum to mount further attacks on private property owner rights and the heritage of many outdoor enthusiasts here in the great state of Texas.
Yes I am what they call a "comercial turtle trapper" I hold a full time job at a power plant as an electrician. I have two kids in college and a third still in seventh grade. I hunt and fish but I also trap turtles between hunting seasons. It keeps me outdoors doing what I enjoy. Plus I get to make a small amount of money doing it.
When a rancher or private property owner digs and stocks a lake or tank on thier property they do not stock it with turtles but within a small amount of time virtually hundreds may take up residence. All we are asking is that private property owner rights are not taken away to have thier private waters trapped for turtles. Turtles are a valuable renewable resource and it is a waste to just shoot them and let them decompose at the bottom of a lake or pond. There are millions of acres of public water in the state of Texas that will act as a buffer zone and a nursery to maintain a healthy population of wild turltes in Texas.
Any assistance y'all are willing to give would be greatly appreciated. Time is growing very short so if you are willing to help me with this fight please follow this link. It is a link to TPWD public comment.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment/proposals/200705_nongame.phtml
You may dis-agree with me and that is your right also.

what should i put on there? agree or disagree?

If you agree with me then put dis-agree confused yet? :0

I just put dis-agree which disagrees with there proposed ban on comercial trutle trapping. It also dis agrees with their proposed "white list" they have to much stuff under one umbrella. Fricken politicians. nothin like lobby money to turn a person wanting to change the world for the better into an a-hole.

Birthday Boy?
Happy birthday man

GOTCHA....under this law you cant catch copperheads? this makes no sense really....you can kill em and leave em layin but not catch em? i dont know i am really confused but i put disagree!

yup ...thanks

yeah you can still posses up to six without a non game collectors permit. Up to 25 specimens total off the white list but only up to six of any 1 of the species listed.
They really state their case on turtles and it sounds just like what the activists had to say at the commisioners meeting in April. But they fail to tell it was thousands of people collecting in all waters in Asia. All we want is for it to remain legal to trap in private waters.

Ok guys here is some more of my rant.
If you followed the link I supplied you saw the new "white list" for non game collectors.
Out of all those specie how many do you see on a daily basis? how many on a weekly, monthly or even yearly basis?
Now the turtles which the animal rights activists want removed from the non game collectors list. How many do you see of them on a regular basis?

If you havent supplied public comment to TPWD please do so. Remember the main reason animal rights activist ever win anything is because the people fighting them don't have the same deep pockets or resources they do.
This is an easy victory for them if the only ones that stand up to them are the trappers. There are very few of us. But we have lots of friends and family that enjoy the outdoors as much as we do that is who we have to rely on to help us speak up and be heard.
Thanks y'all
Sam

is there any chance for feedback here? I was sure CHC would have had somthing to say. (that was not meant in a negative or sarcastic way)

Thanks for keeping us posted ...this is one of those back door issues that can sneak up on us and all of a sudden its a done deal in the negative for the sportsmen...no matter what our outdoor intrest are ...we need to support one another... ..I have made my calls to the TP&W....HAVE YOU??

I disagreed for ya

Thanks y'all. Coyote you have no idea how right you are.
I have written so many letters and made so many phone calls. I have landowners and some foremen from some large ranches calling TPWD lodging complaints against the proposed rule change. This is not about the turtles to them it is just a way to get 1 up in thier fight for animal rights. Look at their facts and figures look at the rest of the rule change it makes absolutley no sense.
Now dont get me wrong I love animals too.


I think they taste good

Since my name was tossed out for the bus to run over, I will give some feedback. I am not sure if it will be the feedback anyone expected but here goes.

I don't think any type of legislation such as this should be passed or even considered until after TP&W establishes fields teams of their biologists and has them conduct an in the field population survey on the specie/species in question.

In fact the animal rights activists and treehuggers, should be forced to have to bring in research backed proof, that was gathered here in the state, before anything they bring up would even be considered. Also, only information and data pertaining to animals in Texas should be allowed during the hearings process.

Species with highly restricted ranges and low populations could be protected, but "Blanket Policies" are totally counter productive. The highly specialized species that require a very finite set of conditions to exist will never recover, or will go extinct, a natural process, while the more adaptive species will over populate all areas, putting further pressure on the less adaptive species.

There are many examples where the dollar power and ability to attract publicity, by the preservationist activists in this country, have gotten legislation passed that has ended up creating problems that were not in existance, until after the legislation was passed.

It is the way our system is set up and it isn't going to change, except to get worse. JMO.

How right you are Mr.CHC...thats exactly why we need to call TP&W and tell 'em what we think...its a backdoor issue and we need to stick together as outdoorsmen ....the hunting and fishing public can make a difference ...its just sad how some don't realize that our outcry can make a difference ...if we all shout about the same bottom line!!

Thanks CHC. Your knowledge is always appreciated. But sometimes its funner to kick back and watch someone get thier a$$ ragged on by you for making stupid comments.

Glad that I am able to provide some entertainment.

In reality, I don't really think that people actually make stupid statements. I feel that about 95% of the time, or more, their comments come from a lack of actual or factual knowledge on a subject.

That can be the result of just not enough experience on a big scale of an issue, or taking everything people tell them as the gospel without checking into stuff, or not taking the time to check resource material that is available on a subject.

One of the earliest "Run Ins" I ever had with someone over something was back in the early 70's. My first wife and I were living up in Archer county, and one Sunday, in the Wichita Falls paper a woman wrote in complaining about seeing dead coyotes hung on fences, and that coyotes were not that numerous and should be given more protection.

I wrote back and said "If people that think that, will get out and drive the rural roads at times other than from 8 a.m. till 4 p.m., or start trying to raise poultry or sheep or goats, they will very quickly find out that there are more than enough coyotes running around out there to keep the population going."

Too many folks just are not observant on a lot of things.