Proposed “Gassing” Regulation Postponed

Consideration of a proposed regulation dealing with the use of noxious substances to capture non-game wildlife has been pulled from Thursday’s agenda of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. A revised proposed regulation will be posted on the Texas Register for public comment and will be considered at the March 27 commission meeting at TPWD Headquarters, 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin. TPWD had proposed an amendment to the Parks and Wildlife Code that would make it illegal to use noxious or toxic substances to disturb or collect non-game wildlife as well as prohibiting the possession of non game wildlife collected using these substances. The technique, often used to collect rattlesnakes, is commonly referred to as “gassing.” Persons engaged in structural or agricultural pest control activities would be exempted from the rule, according to the original proposal. This technique has come under increasing scientific scrutiny as questions arise concerning negative ecological impacts to associated ecosystems, populations, and non-target species. If the amendment is approved, Texas would become the 30th state in which the practice is partially or completely prohibited, including the four states sharing a border with Texas — Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.