Search found 353 matches

by WSTREPS
October 17th, 2017, 6:27 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick
Replies: 16
Views: 20280

Re: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick

A>How does any of this relate to disease transmission of mosquitoes? Answer A> It relates to disease transmission of mosquitoes as it applies to the allegations made in the paper that is the subject of this topic. The papers authors claim humans could be at greater risk of disease transmission from ...
by WSTREPS
October 16th, 2017, 6:19 am
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick
Replies: 16
Views: 20280

Re: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick

Again, only a response that runs from the topic and try's to dissuade peoples attention from the presented facts. I wont get sucked into that kind of nonsense. What ever someone's personal thoughts about me may be is irrelevant. That has nothing to do with the verifiable facts I present. Once again....
by WSTREPS
October 13th, 2017, 2:29 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Pythons, mammals, and mosquitoes
Replies: 3
Views: 12796

Re: Pythons, mammals, and mosquitoes

The authors of this paper claim that their findings indicate deer populations have suffered precipitous declines in relative abundance. That this precipitous decline can be attributed to python predation. You need look no further then that ludicrous analysis to understand how far fetched the work fo...
by WSTREPS
October 12th, 2017, 4:07 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick
Replies: 16
Views: 20280

Re: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick

Dodge what point? You seem to think I have some kind of personal investment in the python work. I don't. Dodge what point? The point is that once again we have scientist presenting work and making irresponsible headline grabbing statements to the press based on a demonstrable untruth. Researcher's ...
by WSTREPS
October 11th, 2017, 2:11 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick
Replies: 16
Views: 20280

Re: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick

The assumption now is that these large predators have major effects on ecosystems. The story is still being written but I find it interesting and compelling. The news media never lets facts get in the way of a good story. Junk science loves and feeds the media just for that reason. Assumption ? The...
by WSTREPS
October 10th, 2017, 3:17 pm
Forum: Reading Room
Topic: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick
Replies: 16
Views: 20280

Re: Pet Snakes Set off Chain of Events: Could make you sick

Opossums, raccoons and deer all but disappeared from Everglades National Park in Florida after the Burmese python invaded. When they vanished, mosquitos turned to feeding on rats that can carry encephalitis. The link provides further proof of the decay of scientific credibility and educational syst...
by WSTREPS
October 10th, 2017, 6:29 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

So the actual point of discussion isn't lost in the typical sea of random minutia. For all the blowing. NDOW supporters comprised of state agency workers and NDOW biologist Jason Jones buddy's completely failed to address any of the blatantly fallacious arguments found in the NDOW and Jason Jones wo...
by WSTREPS
October 8th, 2017, 5:46 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

The one thing that was made very evident by the responses was that the NDOW and biologist Jason Jones are guilty of every negative aspect portrayed of them by those who pointed to their unprofessional and unscientific, manipulative tactics and incompetence. As evidenced this clearly was no act of co...
by WSTREPS
October 7th, 2017, 4:47 pm
Forum: News
Topic: Pythons, mammals, and mosquitoes
Replies: 3
Views: 12796

Re: Pythons, mammals, and mosquitoes

PYTHON RESERCHER FRANK MAZZOTTI: The recent plethora of stories about pythons consuming prey in the Everglades is a prime example. Stories about large snakes feed directly into an archetypal fear that humans have of snakes, and stories about a feeding frenzy of snakes wiping out wildlife fuels a fee...
by WSTREPS
October 7th, 2017, 6:36 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

If I'm following the news correctly, the proposed limits, which seem fairly reasonable as you state, were dismissed in favor of an all-out BAN on commercial collecting, which is what Nevada passed. Or am I mistaken, and these are the new PERSONAL collection limits? Those numbers are what NDOW biolo...
by WSTREPS
October 5th, 2017, 1:32 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Ernie, How on earth did you come across the proposal you say was submitted by Jason Jones to the Nevada Wildlife commission? Are you certain of your information? What you mention is so bizarre, I if find it hard to believe! If the Rubber Boa was on the Jones proposal, what limits did he indicate fo...
by WSTREPS
October 4th, 2017, 2:00 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

So the focus of the thread isn't lost The question is what did NatureServe’s methods or snails or Utah have to do with the travesty involving the NDOW and their mouth piece biologist Jason Jones or his tabloid style science ? In the days prior to the final ruling NDOW biologist Jason Jones submitted...
by WSTREPS
October 4th, 2017, 8:53 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

On the other hand, I continue to be baffled as to why wildlife agencies, and even some individuals in the academic community, do not realize that NatureServe’s methods are not scientific and that all of their ranking results are the produce of subjective judgment (opinion). And as mentioned previou...
by WSTREPS
October 2nd, 2017, 6:38 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Your statement about “information deficiencies” is one of the issues I have emphasized. That is, state wildlife agencies have been listing species in various categories of conservation concern without having any valid evidence for supporting such listings. So agencies have deceitfully implied speci...
by WSTREPS
October 1st, 2017, 5:50 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

The evidence of the latter is glaringly apparent. Removing species from public access by placing species in a hands-off protected status is one example when in fact, the listing of such species was accomplish by unprofessional, unethical and dishonest methods. Such actions by wildlife agencies repr...
by WSTREPS
September 27th, 2017, 2:23 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Pitfall traps became a big NDOW selling point to justify their shambolic actions. Its very easy to see just how small the pitfall traps are even when compared to the very tiny piece of habitat visible in the picture. 5000 (that's 5 times the high end estimate of traps) provides open coverage of abou...
by WSTREPS
September 27th, 2017, 9:22 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles
Replies: 37
Views: 16802

Re: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles

Manipulative Biologist (example NDOW Jason Jones) preach to naïve individuals having no insight into these matters. Who then try to make broad assumptions about a business they know nothing of. In turn they try using their influence, to convince others of their naïve views, provided the listeners ar...
by WSTREPS
September 27th, 2017, 4:17 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles
Replies: 37
Views: 16802

Re: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles

I think you simply misinterpreted what I meant. RenoBart You think wrong. That is it exactly. Placing your " personal opinion " aside, you clearly don't understand the very concepts you refer to as "simple". This confirmed for a forth time via your own explanation and opinion ex...
by WSTREPS
September 26th, 2017, 5:33 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles
Replies: 37
Views: 16802

Re: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles

How does it not make sense? What part of what I said did you not understand? These are pretty simple concepts. The only thing that doesn't make sense is your non-constructive addition to the conversation. Exactly pretty simple concepts. And yet you fail to understand the contradicting nature of you...
by WSTREPS
September 26th, 2017, 6:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles
Replies: 37
Views: 16802

Re: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles

And I think this is the thing about NV and a complete ban. There are thousands of unoccupied acres here in the state, and to patrol this would be nearly impossible. To put a limit on people collecting wouldn't make a difference. So an outright ban that criminalizes commercial collecting is the only...
by WSTREPS
September 26th, 2017, 5:17 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

have now twice taken time to inform myself about NatureServe and their methods. To sum up my position, it amounts to junk science at it finest. l will get right to the point. Once again you are 100% correct. Natureserve is used as if it is a legitimate scientific entity. And that is obscene. The on...
by WSTREPS
September 25th, 2017, 6:37 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

The reason I gave credence to the quotes is two fold. First, the various quotes attributed to Jason Jones are from a several journalist and all such quotes are very similar in content. Secondly, quotes attributed to Jason Jones dovetail with the information contained in his power point document. Ri...
by WSTREPS
September 23rd, 2017, 5:52 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

For those who don't know. This is already looks like a done deal. What is going on now is all for show. I posted the above quote last week. This outcome was never in doubt. The fix was in before the first meeting. Jason Jones and the Chairmen had already been out chumming around together before tha...
by WSTREPS
September 23rd, 2017, 7:45 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

3. Jason Jones is quoted as saying (correctly) "We have no idea what this will do in terms of the lasting effects of a population"-- You do have idea. A very good idea. Looking at the numbers and species trapped and factoring that number out to an extreme, say multiply that number by 10. ...
by WSTREPS
September 22nd, 2017, 3:08 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

However that still leaves lots of trade space- should Chuckwalla bag limit be 0/yr, 100/yr or 500/yr? Should the aggregate for all lizards be 3000 or 4000? Commission is also considering limiting the number of commercial collecting licenses sold per year. Great idea considering only 7 were sold las...
by WSTREPS
September 21st, 2017, 5:40 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Jason Jones first recommendation is a complete ban. If that fails to fly this is his next proposal. A list of rules and proposed quotas as recommended by the NDOW(Jason Jones) . Jones presented absolutely ZERO scientifically sound data or anything of substance on any level to base these proposed reg...
by WSTREPS
September 20th, 2017, 3:59 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Still yapping about pitfall traps? Read my previous post for a true perspective . What NDOW biologist Jason Jones is doing with his pitfall trap language is using an old academic parlor trick. That is when you ascribe a maximum effect to a causative agent of barely detectable intensity you can make ...
by WSTREPS
September 18th, 2017, 1:50 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

“A reptile collector took responsibility for pitfall traps at the August meeting, saying that they are for collecting scorpions, not reptiles, Jennifer Newmark, administrator of wildlife diversity for the Nevada Department of Wildlife, said. Regardless of the intent, the traps are a "huge sour...
by WSTREPS
September 18th, 2017, 10:50 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

You seem really locked in on objectivity? In your eyes is the only objective person in the discussion Richard Hoyer? Everyone else is un-objective and therefore wrong? You must first place objectivity into perspective. Objectivity in everyday conversation is a important quality for a person to expr...
by WSTREPS
September 17th, 2017, 7:05 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles
Replies: 37
Views: 16802

Re: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles

I'm not opposed to regulations which make sense. I support bag limits based on sound management principles. I'm not a commercial collector and don't condone limitless collecting. But the timing and manner of how a complete ban is being considered and promoted in Nevada is cause for concern, at leas...
by WSTREPS
September 17th, 2017, 1:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles
Replies: 37
Views: 16802

Re: Herpetologists - you can help save Nevada's reptiles

At the June Nevada wildlife commissioner's meeting NDOW biologist Jason Jones gave a presentation that was very much inline with what is seen from activist groups. High on tabloid style shock value and nearly devoid of anything that could pass as science. As Jones bumbled and stumbled his was thru t...
by WSTREPS
September 16th, 2017, 7:39 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Richard's long and interesting post went into greater detail discussing some of the key points I previously touched on. A point that should be made clear that has been misused by some posters has been the referencing the use of illegal pitfall trap lines by the collectors. It is legal to use pitfall...
by WSTREPS
September 15th, 2017, 5:22 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

A:Jason Jones provided at least 3 extensive briefs to the Game Commission over the past year – at their request. As the agency expert he remained neutral and simply provided the data. NDOW basically gave up on any sort of management of reptile commercial collectors after they lost the 1999 battle (...
by WSTREPS
September 9th, 2017, 6:06 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

NDOW has an incredibly friendly posture towards field herpers and the data they provide. This is not true. For decades the NDOW has targeted the handful of reptile collectors that reside in the state. The NDOW has proven themselves untrustworthy by relying on an approach that involves more shock va...
by WSTREPS
September 8th, 2017, 6:22 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Predictive modeling may be poor (in your opinion) but relative to what? Not having a model. A range map? Expert opinion? Those are still models, predictive modeling tries to take all the information we know, keep everything transparent and make the most scientificly supported guess possible. I susp...
by WSTREPS
September 7th, 2017, 1:57 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

I don't know what the percent of occupied chuckwalla habitat is in Nevada. Chuckwalla's in Nevada are patchily distributed in extremely rocky habitats, so there is a lot of unoccupied habitat . If only some entity, some management agency could address these gaps in distribution. Perhaps through pre...
by WSTREPS
September 6th, 2017, 4:55 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

That is, an average of 1026 reptiles were harvested per collector in 1995 (31,803 / 31) whereas the same figure for 2016 was nearly the same at 1015 / collector (7102 / 7). I haven’t the foggiest notion why that didn’t resonate with Jason Jones and the NDOW leadership? I suspect they failed to obje...
by WSTREPS
September 5th, 2017, 1:39 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

The following is something for Ernie E. to consider. Bryan is correct when he mentioned “Their biologists are not stupid. They are not scam artists.” I concur so let me explain as at times, I believe you are sometimes too harsh because you may have overlooking some realities. After all, someone in ...
by WSTREPS
September 3rd, 2017, 2:36 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Lets look at some REAL numbers and claims as reported by NDOW Biologist , Jason Jones. Please keep in mind I'm only scratching at the surface of this guys unhinged comments and analysis. Jones claims and highlight's that in a single yr one collector accounted for this number. A total of 5,907 reptil...
by WSTREPS
September 3rd, 2017, 5:36 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

I think there is a genuine need for all animal people to come together and realize that some give and take could go a long way toward making sure the future is bright and that we crank out as many people who want to preserve reptiles and other animals for the future as possible exist. That's a nice...
by WSTREPS
September 2nd, 2017, 8:07 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

you might understand how laughable it is to think that biologists are pulling the strings in the agencies Bryan Hamilton What's laughable is to imply that the impute of state and federal biologist doesn't play a major role in these situations. Why do you think they are called upon in the first plac...
by WSTREPS
September 2nd, 2017, 6:59 am
Forum: News
Topic: The Reptile Black Market Still Around
Replies: 7
Views: 15816

Re: The Reptile Black Market Still Around

Ernie, I agree with you that what their doing isn't doing any good confiscating animals that were likely on deaths doorstep), but ideally China would just allow export so no one needs to risk life searching pringles cans? agree? Ideally that would be great. But its not that simple. In China cobras ...
by WSTREPS
September 1st, 2017, 5:09 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

banning commercial collecting really only prevents 7 people from going out and catching things, so that's why I remain largely uninterested in the result. I completely understand but, This involves only 7 people and a very small number of reptiles (when placed into the proper perspective and factor...
by WSTREPS
September 1st, 2017, 1:09 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

I use the term "domestically produced" to imply produced under human care, not "domestic" in the Constitutional sense ("all enemies, foreign and domestic"). Most people call this "captive bred" and that is what the slideshow implies. Exactly the point I wante...
by WSTREPS
September 1st, 2017, 10:56 am
Forum: News
Topic: The Reptile Black Market Still Around
Replies: 7
Views: 15816

Re: The Reptile Black Market Still Around

36 yrs later Federal Fish and Wildlife are still talking about the time they ran a 7 million dollar sting to bust a bunch of small time collector's and a few dealers that were hanging on by their finger nails. Now 36 yrs later wildlife law enforcement is still spinning their wheels trying to justify...
by WSTREPS
September 1st, 2017, 5:23 am
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

I sure wish I could see the notes associated with each of the slides...Slide 14 implies the US is domestically producing and exporting over a quarter million brown anoles annually...I've never known anyone who breeds them for export. That is true. All the brown anoles exported are produced domestic...
by WSTREPS
August 31st, 2017, 5:23 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Ernie, I sympathize with you that banning it won't do any good as I doubt it has any effect anyway, but do you think it will cause any harm either so long as personal and educational use remains open? If it only effects 7 people, hard to imagine the average joe really worrying too much about it. It...
by WSTREPS
August 31st, 2017, 2:44 pm
Forum: News
Topic: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Nevada
Replies: 235
Views: 377479

Re: State pushes to tighten wild reptile collection rules-Ne

Patrick Donnelly, who runs the Center for Biological Diversity’s regional office in Las Vegas, argued collection can have “huge, cascading effects on overall (reptile) population numbers.” He added that the commission, a nine-member panel appointed by the governor and charged with protecting the st...
by WSTREPS
August 24th, 2017, 1:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: help sought finding an old thread re unethical photogs
Replies: 9
Views: 7084

Re: help sought finding an old thread re unethical photogs

My personal opine is that some airboat jockey came across the snake, decapitated it and the bloated body eventually went boom. I doubt eating that gator caused the mother of all digestive problems. That's possible. As famous and controversial as this photo is. You would think that someone who was a...