US Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Visit

[Taceas]

Courtesy of an "anonymous tip" which I'm deducing originated from this site, I received a delightful visit from the US Fish & Wildlife and our local Conservation Officer yesterday concerning certain postings I've made in my forum.

Nothing makes you feel more like a criminal than being questioned for an hour in your own home and having to show them all your critters that they want to inspect for legality. Thankfully I don't make a habit of breaking the law and they didn't have anything to find.

So if you notice anything missing or my lack of off-topic posting around here from now on, this might be just why.

[Cam5]

How creepy...I don't know what else to say.
I am glad in the end it was all for naught.

I recently heard too that it was not to be mentioned to insurance folks that there are snakes in the home? What are they like the pit bulls of the herp world?

I know, don't answer that...

[galenwbritt]

Sorry to hear that Misty........I have always enjoyed your "off-topic" animal stories, always a good read. I know you have been slacking in your postings of late already.....would hate to see how much more scarce you could make it.

At first, I questioned on why you would think the "tip" came from this site.....then I answered my own question as this may be the only reptile/animal site you frequent anymore anyway. I would sure hope that this is not the case with the quality of people we have here, then again anybody can show up as a Guest and take a look around if they want.

Hope you still participate here.........your advice on different situations is always welcome in my book.

G

[Javen]

They can find out where you live etc from just a forum?? O.o Or did Anonymous supply that info?
I'm worried now... I've gotten hate mails about my Artemis dying by refusing food and my Xerxes dying during the Christmas trip and threats to call such people. I don't think I've been around long enough to see why they may come after you, I should look up some of your past posts to get an example.
That's so crazy! I'm sorry that happened to you.

[Mysterry]

Im very sorry you had that experience but im very happy the visit went well.
Some people just like to be stinkers i guess. I sure hope we see even more of you around here.

[Mysterry]

Javin she has a web site and her addy is on there. She would be easy to find from that info especially officals. Perhaps a buyer had her home addy from a shipping label?

[Javen]

Originally Posted by Mysterry

Javin she has a web site and her addy is on there. She would be easy to find from that info especially officals. Perhaps a buyer had her home addy from a shipping label?

Oh yeah... that could be it... I kinda posted without doing any in depth research...

[Taceas]

Originally Posted by Galen

At first, I questioned on why you would think the "tip" came from this site.....then I answered my own question as this may be the only reptile/animal site you frequent anymore anyway.

I'm on a couple of other forums for animals as well, but the things they wanted to look over were all posted here on this forum, only one other topic was discussed on another forum. Plus they seemed to know intimate details of a couple of my spider specimens, of which was also only discussed here.

The address on my website is my PO Box, which if they're government I'm sure they could get my physical address from the USPS. We aren't in the phone book, but they could find me out considering I sign my name to my posts and we're the only Lundbergs in the area of the state.

They primarily wanted to know about the hawks that found their ways into my live-traps baited with partially eaten pigeons. When I caught the first one I was not intending to catch a hawk, I honestly thought it was an opossum or raccoon that got it, as the pigeon was on the ground and partially eaten through the wire. So I baited the live-trap on the ground with the carrion and the next day caught a hawk.

I spent a few hours on the phone with the state trying to get some help on whether I could legally release it at a state park miles away. I was then told it was illegal to trap them, well thanks, I'll put a "No Hawks Allowed!" sign on the live-trap. On top of that, they kept telling me it was a raccoon that was doing the damage, well then why did I catch a hawk? They don't normally eat carrion, but will return to their kills.

Then they wanted to know about some duck eggs I incubated for a neighbor lady which I posted about on here with cute little duck pictures. Wanting to know if they were a native species whose nest was raided. When I told them her duck flock was mostly rouen, pekin, and other mix breeds they seemed disappointed.

Then they wanted to know about the gravid black rat snake that I found last summer and before I could release her she laid her eggs. It was a drought so I incubated them alongside my corn snake eggs and released the offspring shortly after hatching. I don't want a bunch of nippy, musking snakes...I've got enough mouths to feed as it is.

Then they wanted to look at my snakes, I guess to make sure I was telling the truth and didn't have any native species snakes in my collection. Again, I got the sense of disappointment especially when they apparently had looked up corn snakes and were surprised to learn they weren't native to Indiana.

Then they wanted to look at my turkey that was given to me. She had quite a reputation in the area of making a nuisance of herself and they wanted to see if she was indeed a wild turkey hen or not. Well she doesn't look quite like the wild turkeys here and the fact she is domesticated didn't help, so they told me to basically continue on as I was, allowing her to come and go as she pleases. I'm really not quite sure what it matters, you can purchase wild turkey chicks legally in Indiana, so that whole thing thoroughly confuses me.

They wouldn't tell me where the tip came from, but the fact all 4 of those things were posted here seems to narrow it down. It may not have been any of the members; I've heard in the past week they've been doing crackdowns on various other forums as well.

I am thankful they didn't have anything to get sticky with me on. But I still feel violated to a degree considering I strive to be a law abiding citizen who prides herself on minding her own business and keeping her nose clean.

[Javen]

So silly and superficial.... there are more important things they can be doing other than snooping around forums... Sure I can understand sometimes but one hint from one person... eh...

[Serpwidgets]

It's a good thing they didn't see the meth lab or those stuffed bald eagles on your mantle.