The Museum of Human Achievement
Legislating Against Boy Scouts
RECEIVED Fri., July 27, 2007
Dear Editor,
I am no fringe-element weirdo who collects snakes but a tax-paying citizen who installs hurricane shutters to provide safety for coastal Texas residents who happens to enjoy the outdoors and all creatures in it. I have been a Scout, scoutmaster, and merit-badge counselor for many, many years. Now it looks like this: Johnny and Sammy are huddled on the right-of-way during a hike, scoutmaster and group walk up, and scoutmaster says, “Whatcha got there?” Sammy says, “I think it's a box turtle!” All the boys crowd in shouting, “Lemme see!” Now I have to tell them, "Don't touch it, boys; that's illegal now [“Reptile Hunters Rattled Over Ban on 'Texas Tradition',” News, July 27]." They say, “But Mr. Hughes, you teach the reptile and amphibian merit badge at summer and winter camp. How can it be illegal?” What am I to say to these boys now? A very famous and respected herpetologist wrote the merit-badge pamphlet! He was a Boy Scout! These boys lose a passion, a mentor, a skill, a possible vocation path, and what should be a right: to hunt (nonlethally) these animals under my purchased hunting license and to learn about these creatures! Sure, not a big thing to some, but this takes away from the boys and takes away part of who I am. This cannot stand; show me the data!
I am no fringe-element weirdo who collects snakes but a tax-paying citizen who installs hurricane shutters to provide safety for coastal Texas residents who happens to enjoy the outdoors and all creatures in it. I have been a Scout, scoutmaster, and merit-badge counselor for many, many years. Now it looks like this: Johnny and Sammy are huddled on the right-of-way during a hike, scoutmaster and group walk up, and scoutmaster says, “Whatcha got there?” Sammy says, “I think it's a box turtle!” All the boys crowd in shouting, “Lemme see!” Now I have to tell them, "Don't touch it, boys; that's illegal now [“Reptile Hunters Rattled Over Ban on 'Texas Tradition',” News, July 27]." They say, “But Mr. Hughes, you teach the reptile and amphibian merit badge at summer and winter camp. How can it be illegal?” What am I to say to these boys now? A very famous and respected herpetologist wrote the merit-badge pamphlet! He was a Boy Scout! These boys lose a passion, a mentor, a skill, a possible vocation path, and what should be a right: to hunt (nonlethally) these animals under my purchased hunting license and to learn about these creatures! Sure, not a big thing to some, but this takes away from the boys and takes away part of who I am. This cannot stand; show me the data!
Todd Hughes
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi
