I am not comfortable with fish and game knocking on my door either, so I don't know if I will do any CA Kingsnake breeding in the years to come. There are plenty of Kings on the CB market already!

As for garters, I think we should stick with the ones that are legal for every person's state. Pushing the limit or breeding illegally will only further add fuel to the fire that is consuming the hobby - continued passing of ever stricter laws! If you tempt the authorities in California, our laws could get worse. It's enough that we have extremists like PETA trying to shut the trade down. But the fuel for their fire is partially valid due to so much of the ignorance and apathy abroad!

Regarding non-commercial breeding: It is rather pointless; what do you do with excess snakes you are not allowed to sell?

Now this may seem extreme to some, and perhaps impossible to carry out, but I think all herp possessions should be licensed just like a dog. With the license would come mandatory caging and care requirements for the species in mind. My reason for supporting this is simple and perhaps a bit harsh: A lot of people want to have a herp as a pet (this goes for any pet actually). Every time I visit my pet store of choice (to buy feeders or sell them; I breed rats and mice...) I can't count how many customers I see, who really, REALLY should not be allowed to own a pet. I am not attacking those who take the time and money to invest in the proper upkeep and education regarding their acquired pet. I am referring to the ignorant and cheap individuals who want to shut their kid up, buy them an animal, and spend the bare bare minimum on a set-up, only to offer them up for adoption or set them loose when they get too big, eat too much, or just aren't cute anymore. If you really have the passion for the hobby, you would make the investment. Those with the superficial approach probably wouldn't get the license, and therefore the animal, and that animal would then be spared a possibly horrible life! Some people should not have animals as pets... For that matter, some people shouldn't have kids. Most everyone can breed; not everyone is a good parent. The same applies to keeping animals.

Plus... and I may be slightly suspect myself, many herp-keepers I know have just a bit of obsessive compulsiveness. Talk to Kathy Love (cornutopia.com) and tell her you have a couple of corn snakes, and she will tell you that's not enough! I know a lot of reptile hoarders, and I am beginning to see a problem here as well. We humans sometimes just want it all!
In the long run, our obsession to have or multiply our pets may be a detriment. Count how many of us chat on this forum on a regular basis; I am sure most of us care about our animals. Now how many other herp keepers are out there that don't even consider all the outcomes of their actions.... Do all of us combined have that many fingers and toes???

I am currently downsizing my corn population because of a plethora of corns in the trade (goldfish of the snake trade). Corns are approaching a dead end in popularity (despite all the beautiful morphs and phases). Start this madness with garters (It has begun!), and we are going to have an oversaturation of garters! We may not see this now, but can anybody say bearded dragon birth control?
I am instead focusing on photography, and learning how to frame the best pics! I'm also out in the field a lot with the GPS taking notes for my website.
As our economy is heading further into the dumps, I am cutting down on lighting, heating, and food costs. I no longer want to see myself as an obsessive snake collector! It's not healthy, for me or the snake. The few I decide to keep will be single natives studied in tandem with my wildlife major. This is not to say I won't breed in the future; I intend to do hybrid research, but not for the industry.

Okay, I've been rambling again.... I must always remember... that in this twisted world people are going to do what they want anyways.

Steve