is it wrong to "steal" plants

[MonsterMinis]

I don't see a problem with it. Nature isn't going to miss a few plants, and they will grow back the following spring. It's not like you're going out and clear-cutting miles of riverbed and poisoning the water so nothing else will grow.

All the better too if you happen to target an invasive species like eurasian watermilfoil or something. Just don't do it if it's against the law. Some aquatic plants fall under wildflower protection regulations that some states have in place.

Well said.. know what your taking before you take it.. personal friend of mine did wetland restoration for many years in WI.. it's amazing the number of native plant species endangered or on the brink. I target milfoil everytime I go fishing... It's not pretty..

 

[ar0wan]

This conversation is really happening
I thought I just dreamed it

 

[bigbadfish711]

This is more of a philosophical question more than anything. If everyone picks all the apples out of the apple trees what would happen? Mother nature has a way of replenishes natural resources, apples would grow back next year. Only when the resources are limited is there a concern. Unless the plants you plan on taking are on the brink of extinction, I say go for it.

You can't "steal" from mother nature since she has nothing to sell.

"Only when the resources are limited is there a concern".

Now I have an opinion on the statment. This has been a huge issue for many many years. People and governments have only been concerned when a population for a certin animal is at a critical level. I belive the problem is that in general people like to think they can do what ever and take what ever form where they want, and there be no repercussions.

"Large River Fish State Status Federal Status (Listed) Shovelnose Sturgeon
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus Threatened Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula Threatened Minnows State Status Federal Status (Listed) Mexican Stoneroller
Campostoma ornatum Threatened Devils River Minnow
Devils River Minnow

(PDF 67.2 KB)
Dionda diaboli ThreatenedThreatenedRio Grande Chub
Gila pandora Threatened Rio Grande Silvery Minnow
Hybognathus amarus EndangeredEndangeredArkansas River Shiner
Notropis girardi ThreatenedThreatenedBluehead Shiner
Pteronotropis hubbsi Threatened Chihuahua Shiner
Notropis chihuahua Threatened Bluntnose Shiner*
Notropis simus Threatened Proserpine Shiner
Cyprinella proserpina Threatened Suckers State Status Federal Status (Listed) Blue Sucker
Cycleptus elongatus Threatened Creek Chubsucker
Erimyzon oblongus Threatened Catfishes State Status Federal Status (Listed) Toothless Blindcat
Trogloglanis pattersoni Threatened Widemouth Blindcat
Satan eurystomus Threatened Killifishes State Status Federal Status (Listed) Comanche Springs Pupfish
Comanche Springs Pupfish

(PDF 354.4 KB)
Cyprinodon elegans EndangeredEndangeredLeon Springs Pupfish
Leon Springs Pupfish

(PDF 354.4 KB)
Cyprinodon bovinus EndangeredEndangeredConchos Pupfish
Cyprinodon eximius Threatened Pecos Pupfish
Cyprinodon pecosensis Threatened Livebearers State Status Federal Status (Listed) Big Bend Gambusia
Gambusia gaigei EndangeredEndangeredSan Marcos Gambusia *
San Marcos Gambusia

(PDF 468.3 KB)
Edwards Aquifer Species Management

(PDF 81.8 KB)
Gambusia georgei EndangeredEndangeredClear Creek Gambusia
Clear Creek Gambusia

(PDF 172.2 KB)
Gambusia heterochir EndangeredEndangeredPecos Gambusia
Pecos Gambusia

(PDF 354.4 KB)
Gambusia nobilis EndangeredEndangeredBlotched Gambusia**
Gambusia senilis Threatened San Felipe Gambusia
Gambusia clarkhubbsi Threatened Perches State Status Federal Status (Listed) Fountain Darter
Fountain Darter

(PDF 468.3 KB)
Edwards Aquifer Species Management

(PDF 81.8 KB)
Etheostoma fonticola EndangeredEndangeredRio Grande Darter
Etheostoma grahami Threatened Blackside Darter
Percina maculata Threatened Coastal Fishes State Status Federal Status (Listed) Smalltooth Sawfish
Pristis pectinata EndangeredEndangeredOpossum Pipefish
Microphis brachyurus Threatened River Goby
Awaous banana Threatened Mexican Goby
Ctenogobius claytonii "

credits to: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/endang/animals/fish/



I belive not having a "concern" untill there is limited supply is ignorant.
This is just my opinion.

 

[jimmie d wad]

i will be collecting sand, plants ,and drift wood from my dads lake this spring.perviding my 300 holds water.ive had many pirahnas over the years.fed them many things frogs cropie minnows.never had problems.ive released albino channel cats into the river.released alot of frogs and turttles into the same river.this was all generally when i was very young and way back in the 70s.while im aginst the taking of species out of the wild if theres captive propigated ones.i will none the less be collecting products from the lakes this summer.i might for go the pirahnas in my 300.and i will order some pan fish and i will most likley collect some wild ones also.possesing any sturgeon in my state is illegal.id still like one.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

as long as its not invasive species or endangered/protected species, its just fine- I don't see anything wrong with it. Its no different than taking a fish home to eat it.

if its invasive plants, do everyone a favor and destroy it before putting it in the tank. Theres hitchhikers waiting to be moved to a new waterway so do your QTs and you would be just fine.


Milfoils suck.

 

[GolemGolem]

Nope, as others said it's no different from taking anything else from nature, with all of the same risks. I might email the FS to make sure they wont arrest me, or if there is any permits they would like me to have.
I wouldn't take anything unless I had a pretty good idea what it was, and If it was in danger, or a danger to me, or my fish even after the bleaching.

 

[Otolith]

There really aren't many water plants around here at the easily assessable rivers, all crushed by 4 wheelers and drunken redneckery. There are lots of beer cans and charcoal briquettes tho.

 

[NCStateFisher]

gee i'm so glad this thread got dug up from october.