Section 65.358 - Alligator Egg Collection(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.31 Tex. Admin. Code § 65.358
The provisions of this §65.358 adopted to be effective August 26, 1997, 22 TexReg 7898; amended to be effective September 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 5362; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 45, Number 34, August 21, 2020, TexReg 5923, eff. 8/24/2020