Banned from frog freaks

chuckpowell · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 18 Location: San Jose, Ca

I don't have any problems with people making a living from breeding frogs, but those people are few and far between. And I don't know of anyone making much of a living exclusively on frogs. The vast majority of keepers keep frogs because they like them, love them. I may have come on a bit hard, but its because I worry about the long term in this hobby. The quality of frogs has gone down over the years - frogs have gotten small, less colorful, and produce fewer offspring, in general. I know of only a handfull of people that produce frogs comparable to wc frogs. People try to save every frog instead of letting the weak die. In the long term it isn't good for the hobby.

porkchop48 it comes from previous posts on other forums. I've been around for a while and if you'd like to know more about me check out www.frogday.org, or www.frogday.org/adg, or look up some of the old ISSD Newsletters.

Best,

Chuck

porkchop48 · Joined: 09 Jul 2008 Posts: 19

I personally am not in this for money at all. I do this as a hobby and have given away many many frogs.

I thought in that past you were bashing me and I was just curious as to why. Up until a few days ago I was not even sure who you were.

chuckpowell · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 18 Location: San Jose, Ca

No problems on my part. I love this hobby and i want to see it around for the long term. I guess that's what i'm about and spreading good information.

Best,

Chuck

aaronsfrogfarm · Joined: 14 Feb 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Akron, N.Y.

Read my post on DB of"why is it inherently wrong to make money off breeding dart frogs'.
I`m in it to make a meager living and progress the knowledge in the hobby. There will always be people in it just for the money. To make a walmart out of the frog hobby. THEY are the people who will cut corners AND prices to eventually drive out the money behind conservation(as the most donations I have seen are from people in the business, whether hobbyist or true businessman selling frogs and donating or donating frogs for auction to donate to conservation). It`s a GREEN job as I only drive to ship frogs every 2 weeks or so. I produce very little waste. The tax writoffs of being a legit business has it`s perks. And on top of all that I`m reducing the demand for frogs from the wild. I`m sure there are many more good things about breeding frogs for a living.
But there are also tons of hardships like working 40+ hour DAYS to go to a show and the risk of never knowing where your next paychech is coming from. I think a job w/ such dedication and risk and 70+ hour weeks deserve more than I make but I`d rather be happy than rich. No offense Rich, lol

RichFrye · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1718 Location: Chicago

I think it really comes down to this , to the vast majority of the people's opinions we care about. If you are making money on dart frogs in an ethical , responsible manor and are breeding top quality frogs that are getting out into the hobby, there is little for others to complain about.
If you are only in it to pay the bills , sell anything to anybody, and are hurting the hobby due to your actions, you suck.
The arguments come in when we disagree as to how ethical or responsible some actions are. I know a lot of "really responsible, highly respected" froggers/breeders I'd like to kick in the nuts at times. Many , many of them never, ever post on dart forums to 'protect' themselves...

chuckpowell · Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 18 Location: San Jose, Ca

Well said gentlemen and its good to hear from both of you. Any chance I can talk either or both of you into coming out for Frog Day this May? It should be fun.

Best,

Chuck

RichFrye · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 1718 Location: Chicago

I would really love to Chuck, but unfortunately my schedule really starts getting busy then, and it would be a huge luxury for my to fly out. My frogs would probably suffer .

Rich