A disturbing trend, really disturbing

[dashnu]

I am in contact with a guy from the Maine Gov......

"" As you mentioned below, our state herp laws certainly have some inconsistencies. While it is illegal to posses a live, native reptile, there are no regulations regarding dead ones provided they are not used commercially or are not listed as state endangered or threatened ""

I have been back and forth with this guy a lot lately....

In other words I can kill them dry them out and hang them on my wall legally but not keep them live... Go ****ING figure..

They are in process of rewriting the code however this takes time....

[bkhuff1s]

Just to clarify what I meant was that I would release a few new borns back into the wild for every one I would take out of the wild. Not keep it for 7 years and then reintroduce.

[GartersRock]

That sucks Brett...

[infernalis]

I myself have raised up several litters, released them as yearling's, and encountered several well after the fact.

However all specimens were fed wild caught food items taken from the same property as they would have been born on had I not interfered.

[Garter_Gertie]

I have released ALL but two of my WC snakes into the wild.. Not because I thought it was good or bad but because the native species laws suck up here.. I probably broke the law twice who knows.. I cant even get a possesion permit WTF!

I have seen the snakes I released a few times now and they seem to be doing just fine. I do know there are arguments about health issues being introduced into the wild.

Double sided sword for me really

Well... You've broken the law at *least* three times... the two WC you've not released and at least one WC you did. Any WC in addition to one that you've kept, that's another/more infraction(s).

Why is it you cannot get a permit?

More so, why do you continue to justify breaking the law?

[dashnu]

Well... You've broken the law at *least* three times... the two WC you've not released and at least one WC you did. Any WC in addition to one that you've kept, that's another/more infraction(s).

Why is it you cannot get a permit?

They are not giving them out for personal possesion.

More so, why do you continue to justify breaking the law

nowhere in my post do i "justify" it, again read before you write. Would you prefer I stuck a knife through their heads and hung them to my wall? Thats legal. Maybe just letting them go was the best decision. Or just maybe just maybe the laws are a bit ****ed. ?!

[snakeman]

Most captive snakes when released in the wild will wonder aimlessly in circles until they eventually starve and die.They get lost it is well documented in larger snakes.Not to sure about smaller snakes that have a lot smaller ranges.Disease is the main concern for not releasing captive snakes.I ahve seen almost a entire spotted turtle population wiped out because somebody I knew released captives there.

[infernalis]

Thank you, That is interesting data. Real food for thought.

[Hornets23]

Would this be as relevant if he returned the snakes to where he got them? They should know the territory and unless they were introduced to disease which is probably unlikely, it doesn't seem so bad in this case.

[Garter_Gertie]

They are not giving them out for personal possesion.

Have you thougth about contacting a university herp department or the DNR and asking if there are any studies being done that you could help with? As a volunteer working on a study you'd fall under thier auspices and any permit is usually extended to those helping.

nowhere in my post do i "justify" it, again read before you write. Would you prefer I stuck a knife through their heads and hung them to my wall? Thats legal. Maybe just letting them go was the best decision. Or just maybe just maybe the laws are a bit ****ed. ?!

I used the word "justify" because for some reason even though you know and admit you're breaking the law you continue to. Somehow you're justifying, rationalizing?, this is okay.

No, I would not prefer you kill them. I'm assuming that also would be illegal since there's no specific mention of it in what you wrote, but only the keeping of skins (and hides?).

Have you found out why the law is the way it is? The state is probabaly trying to protect their natural resources - and good for them. Are all snakes 'endangered' or 'threatened'? Ask about their status. And maybe volunteer to do a species survey around your land, say in a square mile, to see what the status is of whatever species you choose.

If you have good records and pertinent information to give to the state I'd think that would get you farther with them than telling them their laws are "****ed."

Also, I'd think it would show them you're a conservationist and wish to help them...

It's worth a try.