Mark,
 
Nice colors!!!
 
I agree on the need for sensible regulation.  Without it you get
impossible laws written by well meaning but ignorant people or fanatics
with an agenda.  The laws come eventually, like it or not.  As to your
concern about my collecting lizards, actually, I only have one lizard at
the time and she is captive bred and born, as were her parents.  The
same can be said of all  but two of my snakes (out of 13) and both of
those were rescues.  Most of the rescued types get returned to their
habitat after the wounds heal but these two have stayed around.
 
On the shell collecting side of things we have quite a few laws that are
not very well thought out or are, at best, unenforceable.  We have
fairly well funded folks out to enact all kinds of legislation to
protect something -- which almost always means limiting someone else's
freedom.  I have talked to them locally; got nowhere but it was a try.
We have all talked to folks who admired our collection but were aghast
when they hear the shells were live collected.  I know not all
collectors do this but lets be real, it is the norm.  Often the same
person who was appalled at your collecting a few live specimens will
thoroughly enjoy scallops or conch fritters or whatever.
 
I don't mean to jump on a soap box here but the laws limiting collecting
will come whether we like it or not.  Our best bet is to stay informed
and make sure when your community attempts to legislate shell collecting
(or whatever) you speak up and keep things sensible and in perspective.
As one who has worked to do this in other areas, let me tell you it is
not easy.  Busy legislators listen to whom ever they believe has the
answer.  Even though that answer may come from a heavy-handed, limit or
restrict everything, agenda.
 
I must have been a preacher in another life, sure felt good,
 
Tom Eichhorst in New Mexico, USA