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Legalities

Discussion in 'The Taxidermy Industry' started by DRT Taxidermy, Mar 25, 2023.

  1. I live in Texas i understand timber rattlers are against the law to kill. If someone brings a timber rattlesnake to a taxidermist in Texas do you have to ask where it was killed at? Is it against the law to tan the hide of a timber rattlesnake? What if it was harvested in a state the they are not illegal to kill them? Or is it a situation where its best to just keep away from it? Any insite would be apprecaited.
     
  2. Jerry Huffaker

    Jerry Huffaker Well-Known Member

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    Your best bet is to turn it down and don't touch it. there's no use in taking any chances
     
    rigbobby and msestak like this.

  3. joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    I once had a lawyer in TN contact me about mounting a timber rattler. I asked him why he didn't find a TN taxidermist to mount it. He said it was illegal to mount them in TN. I told him I wasn't interested if it was killed in TN and illegal to mount there. This is where the story gets weird in a way only capable by a lawyer. He said "Did I tell you the snake was killed in MS?" I responded "No". He then said, "The snake was killed in the middle of Pickwick Lake, where MS, AL, and TN all come together". He then said it was slightly over the line in MS, and the only reason he killed it was because it was about to bite a small child! I can't make this up! I told him to send me the snake with full payment. I mounted it, shipped it to him, and never heard from him again!
     
  4. I did exactly that told the fellow he would have to fill out a wildlife drop off form and he decided to keep the snakes and the bobcat hide. Its amazing what people will try to do. I did bot think 125 to tan a bobcat hide was bad price. Guess everybody thinks the taxidermist is free. Glad i did not get that work he prolly would not nnnnbbbb have paid anyways.
     
  5. Dave York

    Dave York Well-Known Member

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    Crazy people.
    Bobcats are no longer allowed to be killed here. Had a young guy try to tell me he picked up a bobcat in Mexico. I told him not to tell that story to anyone else. He could be in more trouble than he could fathom if a warden heard that. State and federal violations could be biting him in the backside.
     
    rigbobby likes this.
  6. I told the man i would have to have a wildlife drop off form completed for each item he left. He then decided to not drop off any snakes or the bobcat hide. Ya know people dont go around lowballing or not paying for food or for oil changes. Never heard someone trying to dicker on the price of fuel. All things that are used up and gone. However if your a taxidermist everyone wants to keep your work for a lifetime but dont want to pay anything for it. What a shame.
     
    qltycapes likes this.
  7. Joe Kish

    Joe Kish Well-Known Member

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    Texas
    I read and re-read your initial post and have a question or two. Where and when did a bobcat enter your posts? Weren't you talking only about timber rattlers? And which Fish and Wildlife office do you operate out of. Or are you with the Texas Parks and Wildlife?
    Any of you Texas taxidermists in or near Lavaca County might see if you can find this guy's shop. If I can see substantial evidence he's bona fide, I'll donate $50 bucks to St. Jude's Childrens Hospital and prove it.
     
  8. Ok hope your ready to spend $50. I did not mention bobcat because in Texas they are legal to kill there was no question there. DRT TAXIDERMY feel free to look it up or yer here is link to a hunting board i started
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/679336710282819/?ref=share_group_link

    Here is a link to my business

    DRT Taxidermy
    (361) 258-1544
    https://g.co/kgs/jE1Wde
    Here is s link to my facebook page

    https://www.facebook.com/drttaxidermy/

    Would you like a copy of my businedd license? My LLC perhaps??

    I want to see proof of the $50 donation how about that partner??
     
  9. You gonna donate it in my name or yours
     
  10. Joe kish
     

    Attached Files:

  11. I am also a member of the Texas Taxidermy association
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2023
  12. Sea Wolf

    Sea Wolf Well-Known Member

    Back to your snake. Answer is no and ask politely that it be removed from your shop if it is brought in. Unless the owner somehow manages to get Texas Fish & Wildlife to somehow tag the thing that it is legal, you have no way of proving whence it came once it is on your property. The owner could tell you anything at all as to where it came from but an officer making a house call to your shop is not going to bother doing a DNA test on it to see if it came from another state. A quick look at neighboring states shows that it is protected all around with the small exception of Oklahoma. Then in New Mexico it is illegal to kill without a license and illegal to transport without one as well. The onus of proving where it came from and that it did not come from Texas falls on you and it will be easier and a lot less hassle to say no.
     
  13. Thank you for the advise. I do appreciate it. I have only begun my journey into taxidermy trained under a fellow in Georgia on how to do deer for 3 weeks now trying to start my own business. Learned how to tan shave and mount deer hides and now taking the rest step by step. Thank tou again for your advise. Currently it has all been resolved by the owner od the items keeping them just not worth the headache. This journey is one that i enjoy and i should not allow anyone or anything to disrupt that.
     
  14. msestak

    msestak Well-Known Member

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    these types of calls could also be part of a sting operation intended to trip up a person that doesnt know the law...think about it.
     
    rigbobby likes this.
  15. joeym

    joeym Old Murphey

    There is no tagging requirement on cervids in my state. Due to CWD, I tell customers if a deer has a tagged set of antlers, it must be caped out. Un-tagged cervids are all assumed to be from my state.
     
    msestak likes this.
  16. The problem is i half ass know the old man well know of him
     
    msestak likes this.
  17. Joe Kish

    Joe Kish Well-Known Member

    1,271
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    Texas
    Well, it appears that I managed to draw you out some. However, I haven't seen enough bona fides yet to allay my suspicion that you are not quite what you want us to think you are. I'm not finished checking but so far you still have my benefit of the doubt that I could be mistaken. I'll stay with this and add progress reports as I check things out. In the meantime I have some more important matters to attend to.
    I'll also find someone on this forum to volunteer to receive and verify my $50.00 MO donation to St. Jude in the chance that you aren't a game cop or a shill for a game cop agency.

    In the meantime, may I suggest a company slogan you might want to consider adding in larger print on you business card? Try this: "You Snuff 'em, I'll Stuff 'em."
     
    msestak likes this.
  18. Joe you cantankerous old legend. Tell me what you need for proof. Would you like my latest reciept from van dykes or my latest reciept from Mckenzies. I started this journey on opening day of deer season this year. I still work my day job as a ranch manager in Edna texas. You tell me what you need to satisfy you. I would hope one day my craft would be as good as yours however not many people get that good. Maybe you could learn me a thing or two after you realize i am who i say i am. We shall see how this plays out. Keep researching maybe i will see you at the convention. Or your more than welcome to make the couple hour drive from your place to mine. 17847 fm 530 Hallettsville Texas. I would love to meet you and put this issue to rest. Hell that would be something meeting a legend like you. I only live in a double wide so you cant spend the night but we can enjoy the day. Let me know
     
    livbucks likes this.
  19. msestak

    msestak Well-Known Member

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    does your double wide have a redwood deck ?

    hey...that sounds like a country song :)
     
    livbucks likes this.
  20. I got a deck thats painted red
    Holes in the boards and funitures bad threw it all out and now i am sad.
    If my friend Joe comes down maybe we can sit around on the drive out front or go to town. The legend of Taxidermy if you have not heard
    Joe has helped us all with his works and words.
    If i am lucky he will learn me some
    For a start up taxidermist he could get me on the run.
    Joe my friend what beer you like i shall make sure i got some on ice.
    Your visit would be honorable the least to say
    A life long friendship is for what i pray.
    To learn from Joe incase you dont know is better than the end of the rainbows pot of gold.

    How's that for the start?
     
    livbucks, EA and msestak like this.