Endangered species act

[Mike Soukup]

As an example, I know a man who collected dead birds on the road and used them
to practice taxidermy.  Well, of course he had some "songbirds".  A man from
USF&W heard of him, befriended him for 6 months (never telling him he was USF&W
- actually had dinner with him and his wife), then had him arrested (by dozens
of armed USFW folks pointing guns at them).  He was eventually exonerated - but
it cost him about $20,000 in legal fees.

Power corrupts.  Period.

Now, I have no problem with the law preventing the killing of songbirds.  But,
this is just one example of what "good intentions" can lead to.  Our government
was set up to be a representative democracy.  Unfortnately, our gutless
politicians have pushed thier responsibilities onto un-elected and
un-accountable "agencies" (BATF, USFW, DEA) - who do what they want with no
repurcussions or reprisals.  Like the folks who planted the Lynx hair out west.
They weren't fired.  They were reprimanded.  In reality, they should be spending
about 10 years each in jail to ponder thier lies.  Sure, they say they were just
"testing the system".  I'll try that excuse if I get pulled over for drunk
driving. (even though I don't drink!!).  "Uh, yes officer,. I only did this to
test you guys"..... yeah, right.

Mark Walker wrote:

> David,
>
> These are great questions.  I'll be interested to hear what other responses
> you get.
>
> Technically speaking, killing a listed insect is illegal regardless of
> ignorance.  According to the prevailing attitudes, this would make you a
> felon (although I don't know if this is legally accurate).  I would guess
> that if you were "collecting", and accidentally killed a listed insect, then
> you could be in serious trouble.  Again, you would most certainly be
> referred to as a felon and publicly smeared by some on this listserve.  Jail
> would probably not be required, but stiff fines probably would.  You might
> also get a thank you from the law enforcement officers for being the one to
> tell them that you broke the law in the first place.
>
> Most would probably agree that such treatment would not apply if you were
> smooshing pesky bugs at your campground site.  An interesting double
> standard, to be sure.
>
> Mark Walker.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: David Smith [mailto:idleweed at tusco.net]
> > Sent: Friday, February 08, 2002 4:25 AM
> > To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu
> > Subject: Endangered species act
> >
> > Hello all,
> >     I am interested in moths, especially micros. I frequently catch and
> > kill
> > moths that I do not know what species they are. What if one is an
> > endangered
> > species? What do I do with it? Should I destroy it so as not to be
> > prosecuted? Could I turn it over to a museum?
> >     What about people who use insect traps of various kinds? Are they
> > liable
> > if they kill an endangered species?
> >     Maybe these examples would be considered accidental. If someone who
> > doesn't know an ant from a butterfly stomps an endangered species on
> > purpose
> > because they don't like bugs can they go to jail?
> >     Just curious as I truly do not know.
> >         David Smith
> >
> >
> >
> >
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