Hello to all...I'm new at this... - Experts Forum at VenomousReptiles.org

Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by twilliamsherp on June 30, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Hello everyone. I'm new to this site and keeping venomous snakes. I had a rattlesnake at one time and a copperhead after that. I never handled them, I just liked watching them. I currently live in Tennessee where it is illegal to have them. I will not live here long (here just for the job) and then I'll be in South Carolina where it is legal. I want to learn as much as I can until then. One thing I have learned this week is that it is illegal in Tennessee. It has been all over the news that the state game and fish just arrested alot of people and seized a lot of snakes. I got re-directed to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency where the laws stated the penalties and fines for the people the state arrested. They called it Operation Striking Distance. My question is does anyone here know if these people who were arrested belong to this site?

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by Cro on June 30, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Tom, welcome to the site. From the lists of names that I have seen so far, the folks arrested in the Tennassee reptile sting were not members of this site. The site managers here try to remove classified adds that are offering animals that are known to be illegal animals or from restricted states. The Game and Fish Wildlife Officers of many States monitor the classified adds on this site, as well as most other reptile related sites on the internet. They also attend reptile shows. They set up stings to catch folks who traffic in illegal wildlife. They are doing the job they were hired to do, and following their State Laws. It is important that folks know the Reptile Laws in their State, and follow them. That way they will stay out of trouble. Just remember though that Laws change. I just re-read sections of the GA Reptile Laws today, and have found several changes and additions that have been made to the wording in those Laws. It has been my experience that most Wildlife Biologists in the State Fish and Game Divisions are very professional, and very willing to help folks with information, or in applying for permits for animals that are regulated in those States. Best Regards JohnZ

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by twilliamsherp on July 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks John...and thanks for the info. I'm going to keep up with the laws. What kind of research should I do to get ready for venomous? Is there a good book out there?

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by Cro on July 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Tom, yes, there are books that will help you get ready to keep venomous snakes. A very good one is by B.W.Smith, and is titled "Venomous Snakes in Captivity - Safety and Husbandry." It is available at: http://www.lulu.com/content/120635 Also, try to find a Mentor if at all possible before you you start trying to keep snakes other than Copperheads and Rattlesnakes. Some of the exotic venomous snakes are in a whole different league, and their behavior is just not very well explained in print. Try to attend the Reptile Shows like the Columbia Show in November in SC. That way you can meet many other keepers and see many animals. Also, post any questions to the site here. We have a great many members here who have vast experience keeping venomous critters, and most folks here are very willing to help. Best Regards JohnZ

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by richardduckworth on July 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
1) it says the thread starter has kept venomous off and on but is asking questions like he's new to it AND the focus of the original post was more on "were the people who got busted in TN members here". 2) most undercover fish and game employees use yahoo accounts (i know of 9 accounts that use yahoo and are fish and game guys looking to make busts on here) 3) when the fish and game guys make busts, they don't care so much about one person, but they want to bust "underground snake rings" which really don't exist in most places, but TN is an exception to that rule.

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by twilliamsherp on July 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
I appreciate the advice John...I'll look for some of those books. I didn't mean to make anyone mad or paranoid.

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by Cro on July 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Tom, do not worry about making anyone mad or paranoid. We have a lot of members here, and some are abpt to dissagree or find fault with almost any post. Some here do not think that anyone but themselves should be keeping venomous animals, LOL. That is the great thing about living in a free country. Don't let folks who dissagree keep you from posting. Best Regards JohnZ

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by twilliamsherp on July 1, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
Thanks John...I'm going to start going through old questions here on "ask the experts". I should be able to find a lot of information there. Thanks again. Tom

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by richardduckworth on July 5, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
for the record, i was mostly referring to his question: "My question is does anyone here know if these people who were arrested belong to this site?" that doesn't sound like someone seeking snake keeping knowledge and most people acquire said knowledge before or at least while keeping, which he's said he's done..... along with the recent TN busts, it's just odd, and the yahoo mail address is odd, and the submissiveness is odd, ....... AND I'VE BEEN WRONG ONCE OR TWICE lol...... no harm intended, but it's only fair to point certain things out because a lot of entrapment is allowed to happen nowadays between law enforcement and easily swayed people who'd otherwise minded their own business......people will do more for "friends" than anyone else and even the best lawmen will cut their friends slack compared to average joes....... but anyways, i think we all still read through the archived info....a lot of good stuff here....

RE: Hello to all...I'm new at this...	Reply
by xvenomx on July 6, 2007	Mail this to a friend!
You would think FISH and GAME agencies would have better things to do than set up sting operations on people selling freaking EXOTIC reptiles. Shouldn't they be more concerned with poachers ? Well they aren't. I live in AZ and I have strayed from the law, and I payed for it(I had many EXOTIC venomous snakes). However, I have reported many people breaking the laws when it comes to taking snakes from the wild . (dead or otherwise) I was told there was nothing they could do. What a load of crap !!. If there isn't a big cash reward for it they WON"T act . Believe me there is plenty they COULD do . I also personally know many many people that go out & kill coyotes,deer,rabbits & whatever else they come across, going way over their limits, damaging populations, & wasting meat. Oh, not to mention POACHING !!!!! But don't worry, the guy with the snakes he kept as pets were taken care of before.......... they sat in their cage and ate rats, not doing any harm to anything (except the rats).

Page 1 of 2 Next

Next Topic: Renewing venomous reptile license in Florida prob?
Previous Topic: What are the top 4 HOT EXPOS?

Email Subscription
You are not subscribed to this topic.

Check our help page for help using , or send questions, comments, or suggestions to the Manager.