Illegal to have dead rattlesnake?

[shaggybill]

Rattler in freezer is trouble
Tuesday October 28, 2003
RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) Keeping a dead rattlesnake found on the side of the road has landed a West Rutland man in court.

Timothy Duprey pleaded innocent Monday in Vermont District Court to possession of a species protected under the state's Endangered Species Act.

``Most people aren't even aware we have them in Vermont,'' said Game Warden Robert Sterling. ``They're not on the federal Endangered Species Act, but they are protected under the Vermont Endangered Species Act.''

If convicted, Duprey faces a fine of nearly $600 and could lose his right to hunt and fish for three years in Vermont.

Sterling said an anonymous caller reported that Duprey had the snake. The snake was found in the freezer of Duprey's home in August, according to court records.

He was issued a criminal citation and appeared in court Monday.

Duprey found the snake dead on the road in Fair Haven, Sterling said.

``He said he basically picked up the snake and took it home and kept it in the freezer it was kind of a curiosity kind of thing.'' Sterling said.

The game warden said that it did not matter the snake was dead.

``We're trying to protect the species because they are an endangered species,'' he said. ``Handling them and even having them is a violation. He had it for three weeks so he certainly had enough time to contact authorities.''

The snake is now being stored in an evidence freezer in Pittsford, Sterling said.

West Haven and Fair Haven are believed to be home to the two major areas where timber rattlesnakes are known to exist in Vermont.

The timber rattler is listed on the endangered list in several other states, including New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.

Timber rattlesnakes measure about 3{ to 4{ feet long. Sterling said the snake comes in two colored patterns.

The yellow pattern features dark crossbands on a lighter background of yellow, brown or gray. The black pattern features dark crossbands on a dark background.

``They are a very pretty snake, but very rare,'' Sterling said. ``Your chances of seeing one or stepping on one is slim to none.''


(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


Ok, no offence to Vermonts game warden, but that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

I could understand if he picked it up alive. BUT ITS FREAKIN DEAD! I thought what the Game Warden said was rediculous. If its dead, who cares whats done with it?

[Hamster of Borg]

The main issue is that they can't prove where it came from or how it came to be dead. Whats to stop someone from killing an endangered species and claiming they found it dead and keeping it? Thus, the laws are passed that you cannot have an endangered species, in whole, or in part, alive or dead.

Ham

[shaggybill]

Yeah, I guess you are right. I didnt think it all the way through. But by going on first impressions, it seems way out of whack.

Ummm...I just noticed something. Do you really live in Antarctica? Scientist?

Here in the Southwest folks get in trouble more than necessary for similar things. Native American type art is very common here and artists and even the occassional gallery will get in trouble, in most cases for someone field collecting feathers from road kill birds many of which are raptors or owls and protected and using them in an art project. One man in Texas lost his ranch for possession of 4 pairs of owl wings. He says found road kill, State says poached, jury agreed with State.