Pointless Salamander Laws

[john]

While investigating the regulations for acquiring and keeping reptiles and amphibians here in the state of Maryland, I came across a little paragraph that just doesn't seem to fulfill the spirit of conservation to me. I'm allowed to keep up to 4 animals from "List A" (common reps and amphibs native to the state), be they wild caught or captive bred. However, I can possess up to 25 of them if i'm using them as bait and I have a valid fishing license!!!!!

 

[russ]

Lots of states have that exception for fishing bait. It's basically an economic determination; herpers don't create revenue, sport fishing does.

 

[ester]

So how much is that license?

 

[john]

Not sure how much the fishing license is, but a captive reptile and amphibian permit is $25. I printed out the form today.

That exempts me from the 4 max limitation

 

[jeff]

Laws like this disturb me a little. They also make me question the laws in regards to what is truly right and wrong.

 

[Jan]

the land of the free...

 

[russ]

Actually a few basic archaic laws are better than the micro-management that most other developed countries operate under.

 

[ralf]

What exactly do you refer to as "micro-management" and where are "most other developed countries"?

 

[russ]

Not a thing, just being facetious.

 

[ira]

well, there is a law on the books in ohio which states it is ileagle to own a tasmanian tiger. This law was made sometime in the late 90's.

go figure.

 

[mindy]

Um...do people actually get in trouble for owning too many herps? I think law enforcement is more concerned with alligators and large snakes, I don't think that they'd care how many frogs or newts one has. I could be wrong, has anyone ever been busted for such a thing?

 

[john]

Mindy

I don't know how vigorously the laws here in MD are enforced in this respect. I do know that several pet stores in the DC area were raided last year for selling native herps without the proper license and they were fined $1000/offense. As a permit holder I have to submit yearly reports showing the number of native species I keep and any gains and losses I've had over the year as well as the source of the gain/loss. So yes, I think my state is concerned about how many WC frogs and salamanders I keep.