Full of fact errors

No easy time to be 'reptile of concern'
By Ed Killer
Published Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Monday, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced it is a bad time to be one of several species of nonnative snakes and lizards living in South Florida.

A new hunting season was created especially for the purpose of exterminating Indian pythons, reticulated pythons, northern and southern African rock pythons, amethystine or scrub pythons, green anacondas and Nile monitor lizards. These animals, collectively identified by the FWC as “reptiles of concern,” already require a special permit in order to own one as a pet, pet seller or for educational purposes. But their spread and establishment throughout the Florida landscape in recent decades has drawn negative attention to their impact on native species of wildlife.

"We are once again engaging our stakeholders, in this case, the hunting community, to help us reduce the number of reptiles of concern in the Everglades," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. "Our hunters are on the front lines, and we hope, by tapping into their knowledge of the Everglades, we can make significant progress in this effort."

Monday, under rainy gray skies, a group of hunters received training on the proper techniques to identify, stalk, capture and remove reptiles of concern. The FWC and experts from the reptile industry provided the training, which included lessons in biology and behavior.

"In order to increase the numbers of reptiles of concern taken, we believe it is important to give the hunting community the tools for success, and that means the knowledge they need to apply their skills," Barreto said.

Last July, the FWC and the National Park Service opened experimental hunting programs for the sneaky snakes, at first employing the skills of experienced and permitted reptile handlers. Then, in late August, during the alligator hunting season, sate officials allowed all licensed hunters the permission to remove reptiles as they hunted for other game.

The program only resulted in the taking of 39 snakes, mostly Burmese pythons.

Last month, the state received a helping hand from the federal government when Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar classified nine species of nonnative constrictor snakes as “injurious wildlife” and banned them from importation under the Lacey Act. South Florida Water Management District Deputy Executive Director of Operations and Maintenance George Horne applauded the decision.

“In January alone, SFWMD personnel removed 25 Burmese pythons and five African rock pythons,” Horne said. “Salazar’s decision should help stem the flow of these exotic snakes into the Everglades ecosystem and will reduce the long term costs associated with managing these species.”

Monday’s FWC ruling created by an executive order will allow hunting on three state-managed lands: Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land and Rotenberger wildlife management areas (WMAs). Hunters with a valid hunting license and a $26 WMA permit are eligible to pursue the snakes.

The state does allow the take of these snakes through March 7 as part of the small game hunting season on these lands. The order creates a snake hunting season that will run from March 8 through April 17. State biologists estimate that this period of springtime weather will be a time when more of the reptiles may be encountered. During the cooler months, cold-blooded reptiles sun themselves on levees, canal banks and roadways to warm up making them easier to spot, capture and remove.

Reptiles of concern may be taken by all legal methods (including shotguns, rimfire rifles and pistols) used in the taking of game animals and taking alligators on the water; however, the use of centerfire rifles is prohibited. Reptiles of concern may not be taken out of the wildlife management areas alive and must be reported to the FWC within 36 hours by calling, toll-free, 866-392-4286, or by completing the online form via MyFWC.com/ROC.

why do they always make things harder then what they should be. As non-native animals they should be able to be taken any time of the year.

Quote :

Last month, the state received a helping hand from the federal government when Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar classified nine species of nonnative constrictor snakes as “injurious wildlife” and banned them from importation under the Lacey Act

I think someone might want to let them know that the ban hasn't passed yet.

That is the error the title refers to

I figured as much, but then again I'm doped to the gills on cold medicine so I have the attention span of a gnat. My chest HURTS.

What the news makes mistakes. Or should I say "makes things up"