Texas Administrative Code › Title 31 - NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION › Part 2 - TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT › Chapter 65 - WILDLIFE › Subchapter P - ALLIGATOR PROCLAMATION › Section 65.358 - Alligator Egg Collection

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) A landowner
				  may apply for alligator nest stamps by submitting a completed application for
				  nest stamp issuance to the department on a form supplied or approved by the
				  department. The application must contain the GPS coordinates of each known
				  alligator nest and a map showing the location and dimensions of the property
				  where the nests are located.
(b)
				  The department may make a conditional partial issuance of nest stamps to egg
				  collectors on properties that have historically received nest stamps, based on
				  biological factors and compliance history; however, no further issuance of nest
				  stamps shall take place until the egg collector who has received partial
				  issuance has submitted complete nest location data for the property, including
				  nests disturbed under the partial issuance.
(c) The department may, at its discretion,
				  verify reported nest locations to confirm the accuracy of application
				  materials.
(d) It is unlawful for a
				  landowner to utilize a nest stamp for a tract of land or water other than the
				  tract for which the stamp was originally issued.
(e) An alligator egg collector shall conduct
				  egg collection activities only on the tracts of land or water designated for
				  the stamps in their possession.
(f)
				  Alligator eggs shall be collected from the wild only by hand.
(g) No person may possess alligator eggs
				  without possessing an egg collection permit or a valid alligator farmer
				  permit.
(h) No person may engage in
				  egg collection activities between sunset and one half-hour before
				  sunrise.
(i) When engaged in egg
				  collection activities, an alligator egg collector must possess on his or her
				  person one or more current nest stamps and an Alligator Nest Stamp
				  Authorization on a form supplied or approved by the department. At least one
				  person in possession of a current nest stamp and nest stamp authorization must
				  be present during all collection activities.
(j) No person may collect alligator eggs
				  without possessing a valid hunting license.
(k) Immediately upon collection and
				  throughout transportation and incubation each clutch of eggs must be
				  accompanied by a completed nest stamp.
(l) No person to whom the department has
				  issued a nest stamp may engage in egg collection without having completed and
				  submitted to the department's Law Enforcement Communication Center by fax or
				  email an egg collection activity notification on a form supplied or approved by
				  the department. The notification required by this subsection shall be submitted
				  not less than 24 hours nor more than 48 hours prior to beginning egg collection
				  activities. If for any reason egg collection activities cannot take place after
				  the department has been notified under this subsection, the department's Law
				  Enforcement Communications Center shall be contacted by fax or email to cancel
				  the notification. The cancellation notice must be received by the department
				  prior to the initiation time indicated on the egg collection activity
				  notification.
(m) An alligator egg
				  collector may sell alligator eggs only to a farmer designated by
				  permit.