Effective
January 1, 2007 the Pennsylvania laws governing reptiles and amphibians
native to Pennsylvania have changed. Authority for making the rules for
reptiles and amphibians in Pennsylvania belongs to the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission (PFBC). It is my opinion that the PFBC is moving to
prevent the keeping of native reptiles and amphibians as pets in the state
regardless of the abundance of the species. I regard these actions as social
engineering and over regulation, not conservation or management.
I intend over time
to review these rules in detail giving you my opinions. I plan to lay the
ground work for these opinions first. This will take time. In the mean
time I am providing several links for you.
PFBC
Summary Book Reptiles and Amphibians
Order
Adopting Amendments and Regulations
Summary
of Public Comments
Third
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Second
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
First
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
2006
Pennsylvania Rules
If you disagree
with the new rules in Pennsylvania, there are several things you can do
about it. The most immediate action is at hand - your Pennsylvania tax
return. Do not donate to the Wild Resource Conservation Fund! These funds
support the elite professionals who are out to keep all reptiles and amphibians
to themselves as "specimens to be protected". More on this later.
The other action
you can take is to not support the PFBC via the purchasing of fishing licenses,
boat registrations, and purchases of their merchandise. Or at least delay
such purchases as late into the year as possible. Again more on this later.
This page will be
added to from time to time so check back occasionally.
Thomas R. Schucker
Owner, TurtleTails.com
1/11/2007