response to Neil Jones re: permits

[Pavulaan at aol.com]

In a message reply to Daniel Glaeske dated 98-02-11, Neil Jones writes:

Daniel Glaeske wrote: 

<< I thought the reason we *had* parks was for the public's use. You can get a
hunting license, a fishing license and even though I think it's unnecessary, I
wouldn't be against a butterfly catching license. >> 

Neil Jones responded: 
 
<< Actually you can. Permits have been diascussed many times here. >>

You overlooked one thing, Neil:  The problem here is, when you hunt fish,
birds and mammals, you get to kill them and keep them and do with them
whatever you want (usually eat them, but they can be stuffed for mounting on
walls as well).  When you apply for butterfly-collecting permits, there are
numerous bureaucratic hoops to jump through, and all sorts of stipulations,
and you are required to give everything up to the authorities within a
specified time.  Can you imagine applying and paying for a hunting or fishing
permit, then having to give everything to the authorities?  Applying for a
vertebrate hunting license is EASY compared to what one has to go through to
obtain an invertebrate collecting permit.

Which is precisely why I avoid collecting on public land (aside from legal
considerations, or when I am compelled to apply to conduct studies in habitats
entirely protected as public land) to obtain a series of butterfly specimens
for my very own use.  That way, nobody stipulates what I do with my specimens.

The bottom line, get yourself good topographic maps (USGS quads are best, but
getting expensive), find out where you can and can't collect (block those
areas out) study the maps carefully to get the feel of the land, then go out
and explore.  If the park authorities want butterfly inventories done, they
spend taxpayer money to do it.  Next time you feel compelled to apply for
permit, consider asking them to reimburse some of your expenses, to PAY for
your report, or to allow you to keep some specimens for yourself (in writing).

Harry Pavulaan