Search found 1586 matches

by gbin
August 9th, 2014, 7:33 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130897

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

intrsting Kelly, remind me its a no for dinner unless im makin it :p In my kitchen you're OK so long as you stay away from the garlic press. And the coffee grinder. And one each of the ice cube trays and muffin pans. And the food vacuum pump and any of its associated resealable zipper bags and jell...
by gbin
August 9th, 2014, 7:08 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

The lady takes the ticket and smiles and says "OK, just so you know. I will be charging you with attempted rape when I get to town at the police station." The Wildlife officer says indignantly, "I didn’t rape you. I didn’t even touch you!" The woman replies "but you have th...
by gbin
August 9th, 2014, 6:45 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

... gbin is on the other side of this conversation, and I doubt that there is anyone of the forum that I've been involved in more hostile arguments with. (In fact, I've also complained to gbin that he never posts about field herping.)... Just to clarify (as I believe I have before), jonathan, I fee...
by gbin
August 8th, 2014, 6:11 am
Forum: Image Lab
Topic: Tripod Suggestion Request
Replies: 5
Views: 4047

Re: Tripod Suggestion Request

I can't recommend a specific device from personal experience because I haven't shopped for one in a long, long time. You probably already have this in mind, but what you'll benefit most from, of course, is a tripod that does a good job of balancing small size/weight with sturdy balance. Go too much ...
by gbin
August 8th, 2014, 6:03 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

Not to derail this thread if it turns out to have some genuinely meaningful purpose (beyond Ernie telling us all what corrupt dolts wildlife academics/scientists/managers are, that is), but... I agree that's a great Voltaire quote, and I appreciate you inserting it, narrowf. ( Candide has always bee...
by gbin
August 7th, 2014, 2:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Thanks for concluding the pointless debate (I sure as heck hope it's finally concluded, anyway... :? ) on a fun note! :thumb: I'm all about fun, and I enjoy that cartoon as well (and had that feeling come over me numerous times throughout this discussion), but I emphatically do not find this debate...
by gbin
August 7th, 2014, 4:46 am
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Salt water rednecks.
Replies: 7
Views: 15284

Re: Salt water rednecks.

The poor kid's tired of the saltwater stuff and wants me to buy him a Stetson for his birthday next month so he can pitch baits at bass and scream "Yeehaw!!" when he get's bit... That sounds like a fine boy you've got, Tim, and with a fine sense of humor! I've no doubt his upbringing cont...
by gbin
August 6th, 2014, 3:22 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

infidel wrote:Image
:lol:

That's long been my favorite, infidel! Thanks for concluding the pointless debate (I sure as heck hope it's finally concluded, anyway... :? ) on a fun note! :thumb:

Gerry
by gbin
August 6th, 2014, 6:16 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

You just keep churning the same nonsense back to the surface, Chris. :roll: You think everyone should pay something to help manage/conserve nature/wildlife. To a large extent, they do. You think everyone who has any interaction with nature/wildlife should pay something extra . This is where our disa...
by gbin
August 4th, 2014, 8:30 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: My close call with a venomous snake (let's hear your stories
Replies: 28
Views: 15472

Re: My close call with a venomous snake (let's hear your sto

Other than bleeding quite freely from various garter and water snake bites... ;) I once reacted to a bite on my hand from a false fer-de-lance, Xenodon rabdocephalus , in Guatemala, specifically with numbness to my elbow for some hours. I knew what it was and that it was rear-fanged when I quite cav...
by gbin
August 4th, 2014, 4:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Defensive? Of my time, yeah, I suppose so. I've never liked it being wasted on nonsense, and I reckon I never will. Not that you haven't made some pretty blatant attempts to provoke more personal defensiveness from me, but I don't really care much about the personal aspect of what you've been doing....
by gbin
August 4th, 2014, 3:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Replies: 23
Views: 8219

Re: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?

"Different strokes..." :beer:

Gerry
by gbin
August 4th, 2014, 12:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Parks have defined boundaries... There's nothing magical about boundaries, and "hunt," "pursue," "take," etc. are pretty much always defined for regulatory purposes, too. So far as I can see, you're just seizing on the geographical thing because you think maybe it help...
by gbin
August 3rd, 2014, 4:52 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Replies: 23
Views: 8219

Re: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?

I think a lot of this probably has to do with how long you have been herping... I bet you're right, Chris. I think in my own case, though, I got an early start on preferring the hunt more than the find because I was an early lover of solitude (I've actually become more social about my outings as I'...
by gbin
August 2nd, 2014, 2:23 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Replies: 23
Views: 8219

Re: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?

I guess you're saving the arguments that others are wrong for MY thread. :lol: (Ignoring your denigrating oversimplification of what I've written in your thread,) the idea here was to hopefully get an at least somewhat independent response to my question (suspecting plenty of folks dropped out of t...
by gbin
August 2nd, 2014, 1:47 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

You claim they are more relevant to your point. I don't agree... Where did you previously say that you don't agree? Where did you previously say why? I guess I missed those posts... :? National parks (401 NPS units and growing) are geographic entities. This adds an entire new dimension (actually, t...
by gbin
August 2nd, 2014, 11:46 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Wow. This little cluster of baseless assumptions and fogey-ist grumbling makes my head hurt... Grumbling? I don't personally care whether students work to pay (at least partly) for college, but that doesn't mean I'm ignorant of how things have changed. And I'm afraid you're the one talking without ...
by gbin
August 2nd, 2014, 9:53 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?
Replies: 23
Views: 8219

The thrill of the hunt, or the prize at the end?

Another thread currently active on the message board got me to wondering about a related matter, and I thought I'd start this thread to see what people here think: If you herp hunt (or field herp, or just herp, or whatever else you prefer to call it) and you had to choose, which of these would you s...
by gbin
August 2nd, 2014, 8:29 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

Hi Gerry, I cannot speak for Ernie, only myself. I don't have any anti-science agenda. I used to regularly hang out with several people who do research on snakes and found many of them quite a bit of fun to get into the field with and learn from. However, some of the python research was of high sch...
by gbin
August 2nd, 2014, 5:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Gerry, the example I just cannot get past are some college biology students struggling to buy books having to buy licenses or a 17 year old kid who can barely afford gas to go road cruising. How do you suppose deterring those kids from getting out in the field will help wildlife and foster an inter...
by gbin
August 1st, 2014, 3:40 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

Jake, if you don't see the venom and personal attacks there, then I'm guessing you just don't know the history on the python issue. Ernie is making not-the-least-bit-veiled references to specific people with those statements. But surely you can at least see the clear attacks on the research communi...
by gbin
August 1st, 2014, 3:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

While Gerry and others may not see a distinction between a hunter, a catch-and-release fisherman, and a photographer who does not handle their subjects, I still categorically do. Perhaps I'm alone in this. Agree 110% and no, you're not alone. There's a HUGE difference in catch and release fishing.....
by gbin
July 31st, 2014, 6:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

... just because we havent come up with any really effective answers yet does not mean further research is wasted or pointless. My own background is in cane toad research in Australia, where colossal amounts of money, research and effort go into attempting to slow or stop the spread of this animal ...
by gbin
July 31st, 2014, 6:30 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

... I can go and smell all the flowers in national parks I want, however, I cannot pick them. And in many national parks you can't smell them, either, without first paying the entrance (= a user , not a consumer ) fee. Why isn't there a single, clear, logical and consistent set of rules that applie...
by gbin
July 30th, 2014, 7:41 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

I started this thread by sharing an interesting night of field Herping centered around the capture of Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus). Typically the thread became side tracked at times by the usual suspect with nothing of substance to add. I have no problem at all with personal attacks against ...
by gbin
July 30th, 2014, 7:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

My scenario, worded differently... Sorry, Chris, but I'm not up for responding to an endless presentation of what ifs, and even less for indulging an insistence on focusing on the end result of a hunt rather than the hunt itself. LE might not always have an easy time determining it in all situation...
by gbin
July 30th, 2014, 1:45 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Gerry, one of my central pts. was that any license purchase is a contribution to conservation, when i used to patrol the colo river, i'd see nevada, mostly calif, a few az ... heck i'd even see ut w/ powell stamps once in awhile; they all were good by me w/ w/o a "colo river stamp" if you...
by gbin
July 30th, 2014, 11:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

But hunting deer and hunting snakes (even if you don't end up bagging a deer or a snake) is not. Focus on the end point of the exercise rather than the exercise itself all you want, but that's not what the law does with respect to hunting licenses, and I wholeheartedly agree with them. If I'm under...
by gbin
July 30th, 2014, 7:35 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Hunting deer and moving a snake off the road is a very different scenario... I reckon you're right about that. But hunting deer and hunting snakes (even if you don't end up bagging a deer or a snake) is not. Focus on the end point of the exercise rather than the exercise itself all you want, but th...
by gbin
July 29th, 2014, 8:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

... lots of us buy our own state licenses annually, so the idea that we're freeloading when we are photographing wildlife in another state (often while on federal land or a public road) is absurd... I'm not following your argument, John. If a person buys a hunting license in one state, s/he shouldn...
by gbin
July 29th, 2014, 2:18 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

I was there for more than five days... Fair enough. That's not at all how you made it sound, though; you emphasized how little, if at all, you were planning to get out. You didn't need to buy a license to cover the entire time of your TX visit, you know, you could have just bought a license that co...
by gbin
July 29th, 2014, 11:48 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

A couple of years ago I went to Texas... An out of state hunting license was going to cost me over $100 ... From TPWD's website : Non-resident 5-Day Special Hunting Type 157: $48 Legal for any period of 5 consecutive days (valid hunting dates will be printed on the license when issued). Valid to hu...
by gbin
July 29th, 2014, 8:49 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

Getting back to the "catch-and-release" analogy: it's not quite an apples-to-apples comparison--unless you are handling the herps. In situ photography is growing in popularity, so handling is not necessary and, among some purists, is even strongly discouraged. In this example, herp photog...
by gbin
July 29th, 2014, 3:42 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

I have to admit that I've no sympathy whatsoever for folks who complain that all they want to do is take photographs (so they shouldn't have to have a license...). If one is pointedly making use of a resource and it's a resource that is or should be managed (and in my opinion that includes all wild...
by gbin
July 28th, 2014, 8:20 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)
Replies: 130
Views: 535015

Re: Game Warden Feedback (TX Specifically)

I have to admit that I've no sympathy whatsoever for folks who complain that all they want to do is take photographs (so they shouldn't have to have a license...). If one is pointedly making use of a resource and it's a resource that is or should be managed (and in my opinion that includes all wildl...
by gbin
July 28th, 2014, 8:01 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Who keeps venomous on here, and what do you keep?
Replies: 51
Views: 35080

Re: Who keeps venomous on here, and what do you keep?

Mean population size at this site was 67 snakes, and there was no evidence of a population decline over the course of the study. However, age class structure was skewed toward younger snakes at the site, probably due to illegal collection of snakes for the pet trade. Sounds like exactly the kind of...
by gbin
July 28th, 2014, 2:11 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: Who keeps venomous on here, and what do you keep?
Replies: 51
Views: 35080

Re: Who keeps venomous on here, and what do you keep?

... I'm just pointing out that poaching certainly does occur... Ok, but... so far as I'm aware, everyone knows this and no one is arguing otherwise. The issues we debated for a bit above are how prevalent live herp poaching is and whether it's harming any wild populations. And as I amply pointed ou...
by gbin
July 27th, 2014, 10:04 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

That said, what I say below could just as easily be applied to Gerry's point. I disagree that one's language necessarily defines one's prejudices, and figures of speech are figures of speech. Applying broad prejudicial labels like misogyny to a comparatively minor comment like "panties in a wa...
by gbin
July 26th, 2014, 12:10 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.
Replies: 135
Views: 36579

Re: Everglades monster constrictor hunt. Doing my part.

... With billions of dollars in " restoration " funding on deck many people can't keep their panties on just imagining the career possibilities. Just a total aside, a question for no one in particular: Why are characters such as Ernie so often misogynistic in addition to their other obvio...
by gbin
July 21st, 2014, 8:07 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Need a Quick ID in Guatemala!
Replies: 7
Views: 2369

Re: Need a Quick ID in Guatemala!

Oh, and BTW - Tretarhinus is a VERY cool find. I've been in their range on numerous occasions and never seen a hint of one. Agreed, in turn! I never saw the species where I was in Tikal National Park, either, but then there's not really much natural water (and none year-round) there; the Maya dug t...
by gbin
July 21st, 2014, 8:01 am
Forum: News
Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
Replies: 24
Views: 14773

Re: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...

...An example of the hysteria that can ensue was in the '50s, when a python escaped the Bronx Zoo in NYC. My Grandmother was living in mortal fear, and kept my cousin and me in the living room, wouldn't let us play outside, until the "beast" was found. She lived 30+ miles away in Paterson...
by gbin
July 21st, 2014, 7:04 am
Forum: News
Topic: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...
Replies: 24
Views: 14773

Re: Giant boa "terrorizing" NJ lake...

. The reptile “expert” is also an “expert” fund raiser for a no-kill shelter, and seems to be creative. ( http://www.commonsenseforanimals.org/doggie_paddle_1200.html ) That "expert" is trying to organize a lengthy coastal kayak trip "planned to raise awareness and funds" for an...
by gbin
July 20th, 2014, 3:53 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Need a Quick ID in Guatemala!
Replies: 7
Views: 2369

Re: Need a Quick ID in Guatemala!

Yeah, I understand the situation, Travis. Too bad... I doubt you'll have much luck educating them away from such behavior, though. I lived in Guatemala for three years and even those Guatemalans who were closest to me, my field assistants who grew up going into the forest and worked with me in the f...
by gbin
July 20th, 2014, 1:34 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Need a Quick ID in Guatemala!
Replies: 7
Views: 2369

Re: Need a Quick ID in Guatemala!

Sorry about the delay; I've been offline most of the day, preparing the house for overnight guests. I hope no one killed that snake!

It looks to be a swamp snake, Tretanorhinus nigroluteus. It's definitely not a pit viper.

Gerry
by gbin
July 15th, 2014, 7:21 am
Forum: Mammal Forum
Topic: What was your last lifer?
Replies: 121
Views: 191327

Re: What was your last lifer?

I agree wholeheartedly with pete, Owen! I've seen quite a few mink in my life, but I don't know that I've ever gotten as good a look at one as that - and I certainly don't have a photograph of one anywhere near as good as that. There are a number of people here at FHF that I'd love to spend some tim...
by gbin
July 13th, 2014, 8:33 pm
Forum: Fish Forum
Topic: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?
Replies: 13
Views: 20493

Re: Anyone Know what species this Jellyfish is...?

The above study is against Obama’s agenda to skyrocket energy costs and suck more money out of the pockets of ordinary Americans. He would send these scientists to the Gas Chamber if he could. But since he can’t, he’ll financially audit them instead. You are correct; the admitted liar Al Gore is th...
by gbin
July 8th, 2014, 8:18 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Maine Made
Replies: 24
Views: 8376

Re: Maine Made

What a great report on a little-reported area! Very nicely done, Jake! :thumb:

Gerry
by gbin
June 30th, 2014, 1:15 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best product to use as a field journal?
Replies: 16
Views: 4830

Re: Best product to use as a field journal?

... With modern speech recognition software being as good as it is, I suspect you could get a computer to transcribe a recording if you take a few seconds to make sure you speak clearly. That would be a huge time saver and give you an electronic written copy of your notes. You might have to clean i...
by gbin
June 29th, 2014, 12:17 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Best product to use as a field journal?
Replies: 16
Views: 4830

Re: Best product to use as a field journal?

I used to use these or something very similar to them: http://www.officeworld.com/Worlds-Biggest-Selection/RED56231/14Q1/ There are a few different manufacturers of notebooks of this quality and in this size and style (e.g. this link is for a National Brand notebook; Boorum & Pease make another ...