I hope I'm not driving you all crazy with all my questions. I really want to do this right!
I was just reading on another website about trapping HOSP in Texas and it said specifically that in TX a trapper's liscence is required, even for non-native birds. Anyone else from Texas who knows what this means for me? Does this sound correct?
I am not able to shoot them legally because I'm in town and even bb guns aren't allowed.
Trapping HOSP in TX -- legal question
-
Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I called a game warden a few years ago and asked about the same question about sparrows, but don't know the trapping rules. He said it was legal to kill 3 kinds of birds in Texas: 1)sparrows 2) starlings 3) pigeons (they have another name but can't think of it).
The trapping laws in my opinion (I am not a lawyer), are that to trap things like racoons, opposums, etc that you need a trappers license. I don't think that it applies to sparrows, domestic cats, etc or other non-native species. I surely would not be concerned about it all. Here is an article that may help:
http://www.sialis.org/mbta.htm
Also, the migratory game act would be the controlling act, not a state law.
I hope that an attorney or judge helps to clarify this question.
First off, I don't believe everything that I read on a website, anybody can post anything, and they simply state their opinions. What is the source of that opinion? Is it from a legal govt agency?
Also, its illegal to kill native sparrows. Be sure that you can identify the house sparrows before you dispose of them. Native sparrows are not a problem, they are not cavity nesters, but you can catch them in a baited trap.
The trapping laws in my opinion (I am not a lawyer), are that to trap things like racoons, opposums, etc that you need a trappers license. I don't think that it applies to sparrows, domestic cats, etc or other non-native species. I surely would not be concerned about it all. Here is an article that may help:
http://www.sialis.org/mbta.htm
Also, the migratory game act would be the controlling act, not a state law.
I hope that an attorney or judge helps to clarify this question.
First off, I don't believe everything that I read on a website, anybody can post anything, and they simply state their opinions. What is the source of that opinion? Is it from a legal govt agency?
Also, its illegal to kill native sparrows. Be sure that you can identify the house sparrows before you dispose of them. Native sparrows are not a problem, they are not cavity nesters, but you can catch them in a baited trap.
Last edited by Emil Pampell-Tx on Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
-
Guest
I have never heard of an ordinance anywhere in Texas that will not allow you to shoot a BB gun. If the gun does not have powder, and you are not reckless in operation, you should be OK. English sparrows are a non native species and is not protected.
Here is an "official" Texas Parks and Wildlife article, on Purple Martins, and Martin management.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... 0_0254.pdf
Here is a quote from the article:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publication ... 0_0254.pdf
Here is a quote from the article:
Texas Parks and Wildlife wrote:Control methods for House Sparrows and European Starlings include nest removal and, better yet, trapping. Trap them as they arrive; continuous trapping will help prevent problems from developing.
-
Veronica G
- Posts: 338
- Joined: Mon Jun 02, 2008 7:36 am
- Location: Texas/Edinburg
I actually had a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden come over to my house a couple of years ago because of some problems I was having with a neighbor. We openly talked to him about trapping and shooting English house sparrows and starlings. He made no indication that it was illegal.
You can never ask too many questions, and I'm so glad to hear that "you want to do this right"!
Good luck!
Veronica
You can never ask too many questions, and I'm so glad to hear that "you want to do this right"!
Good luck!
Veronica
I participate in Project Martin Watch!
My pleasure.
One thing I'd like to add, is giving credit to the PMCA.
As many of you have probably noticed, there are many states, in addition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that have Purple Martin articles, and information, available.
One thing many of you have also probably noticed, is how HUGE a part the PMCA plays, in providing these government agenices with much of the information that is published, in their various Purple Martin articles.
It leaves little doubt, as to how valuable the years of unprecedented research, and studies, of the PMCA are.
One thing I'd like to add, is giving credit to the PMCA.
As many of you have probably noticed, there are many states, in addition to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, that have Purple Martin articles, and information, available.
One thing many of you have also probably noticed, is how HUGE a part the PMCA plays, in providing these government agenices with much of the information that is published, in their various Purple Martin articles.
It leaves little doubt, as to how valuable the years of unprecedented research, and studies, of the PMCA are.
Last edited by Matt F. on Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Louise Chambers
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6208
- Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:07 pm
- Location: Corpus Christi, TX
Matt,
Kind of you to make that statement, and the PMCA says "THANK YOU!" to everyone who is or has been a member, or supported the PMCA's work with a donation. We couldn't accomplish anything without the support of our members.
Jim Ray did a great job with the TX booklet. MO has a really nice new martin booklet too, and MN has a new poster. John Miller had a lot to do with the MO booklet, and Kelly Applegate the MN poster. If I am not including other good pubs, please add on to the list.
Louise
Kind of you to make that statement, and the PMCA says "THANK YOU!" to everyone who is or has been a member, or supported the PMCA's work with a donation. We couldn't accomplish anything without the support of our members.
Jim Ray did a great job with the TX booklet. MO has a really nice new martin booklet too, and MN has a new poster. John Miller had a lot to do with the MO booklet, and Kelly Applegate the MN poster. If I am not including other good pubs, please add on to the list.
Louise
Thanks to everyone. You are all really so helpful! And I can start trapping as soon as my new trap gets here, without fear that someone is going to come ask for my permit!
And the sooner the better, because those sparrows are thick in my yard today and just making me mad.
And the sooner the better, because those sparrows are thick in my yard today and just making me mad.
The deluxe repeating sparrow trap is an absolutely amazing trap. I usually transfer a sparrow that I trap in a gourd over to this trap and, like magnets, their friends come and get caught too. It is not illegal to dispose of House Sparrows and Starlings in Texas. Good luck.
E
E
Elizabeth Witte
-
Guest
Lucyth,
Usually a "trappers" license is for fur bearing animals, coons/bobcats so that you can sell the hides.
Trap away!
Usually a "trappers" license is for fur bearing animals, coons/bobcats so that you can sell the hides.
Trap away!
-
electraglideman
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2003 6:45 pm
- Location: Arkadelphia, AR
How to build a repeating sparrow trap. There are 3 parts to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBPqxLlCgrI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBPqxLlCgrI
-
Guest
I asked the Parks and Wildlife folks two years ago about trapping pigeons (rock doves)where I work as we were having severe problems. I was told it was legal to do so but I needed a hunting licence. Dont ask me why I needed a hunting permit but I had one so it was no big deal. I was also told I was required to pen or destroy all non native birds that I caught. I have a feeling that if you are doing it on your own place that you would not need anything. Be very careful if you do a catch and release. I caught a racoon in a trap and hauled him to a nearby river and turned him loose. The local State warden told me if the Federal warden saw me it was a fine of several hundred dollars if I turned it loose on Federal land. Lots of confusing rules out there.