Draylen Mason Studio
Roadway Ban for Reptiles Is Ridiculous
RECEIVED Thu., July 26, 2007
Dear Editor,
Regarding the article: “Reptile Hunters Rattled Over Ban on 'Texas Tradition'” [News, July 27]: What the legislation has not taken into consideration is that there has never been a recorded traffic incident involving animal collection. Reptile collectors almost exclusively frequent roadways with very little human presence. Collectors are often literally miles away from the nearest moving vehicle, as highly traveled roadways lead to so much wildlife death that it becomes pointless.
As far as protecting wildlife, the roadway ban is a ridiculous point. Far more animals are killed on public thoroughfares than could possibly be saved or caught by collectors. I'm not really sure what the real reason was for creating this ban, but the reasons listed are either incompletely reasoned or just plain false.
Regarding the article: “Reptile Hunters Rattled Over Ban on 'Texas Tradition'” [News, July 27]: What the legislation has not taken into consideration is that there has never been a recorded traffic incident involving animal collection. Reptile collectors almost exclusively frequent roadways with very little human presence. Collectors are often literally miles away from the nearest moving vehicle, as highly traveled roadways lead to so much wildlife death that it becomes pointless.
As far as protecting wildlife, the roadway ban is a ridiculous point. Far more animals are killed on public thoroughfares than could possibly be saved or caught by collectors. I'm not really sure what the real reason was for creating this ban, but the reasons listed are either incompletely reasoned or just plain false.
Jack Jeansonne
