Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Pond Boss A Weekend Well Spent

Thought some of you guys would enjoy these pics.
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/tksimmons/Bowfishin%202008/Keith176.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg186/tksimmons/Bowfishin%202008/Keith188.jpg

Now what do you do with them?

We give them away. One guy took everything we shot, 77 buffalo carp in two days. We also donate them to the raptor recovery organization in the area. They're easy to get rid of.

Wow. That's pretty cool. I bet that makes for a fun day. What a good way to transition to the fall bow hunting season. You could hone your bow hunting skills on the water while managing your lake.

Is there a reason that you kill all those fish? Are they overpopulated or is it just good fun?

Organic fertilizer

Brett295
Asian carp are an invasive species that spreading like crazy in the mid-west rivers and lakes. They are displacing native game fish and are a danger to boaters due to the fact they leap in the air when scared by the boat motor. I heard in areas of the Illinois river that 90% on the fish population are Asian carp. Every month in the paper I see another article about the DNR hiring a commercial fisherman to remove TONS of carp from bodies of water where the have ruined the fishery. During a recent seminar in Chicago I toured a chemical plant that sits next to man made canal that connects Lake Michigan to the Illinois river. There is a spot in the canal they run electric current through the water to keep the carp from getting into the great lakes. It may only be a matter of time though before they get in. We need an army of bow-fisherman like fishtech.

DJT

I know about the Asian Carp Invasion. I Live in Belleville IL and and I have seen a few fisheries ruined by the ugly fish. I have even had a friend get hit with a carp while we were out fishing for LMB.

Even if we had an army of Bow-fishermen like Fishtech we would not be able to rid some of these fisheries of Silver Carp. As far as I can tell the Kaskaskia will always have these fish unless someone comes up with an ingenious way of getting rid of them.

I know I wasn't clear in my first response but I was realy just asking if Fishtech Had a big problem with them in his private water. I was in no way questioning whether or not he should have been killing those fish. The more you kill the better.

I just wanted to clear that up so that noone thinks i'm a fish hugger. I understand the damage these fish can do to public waters and I would hate to see what they do to private waters especially my own.

I often hug fish, before I eat them.

It's not to my liking but I guess it's ok to hug your fish, and I've seen on fishing shows where some folks even kiss their fish prior to releasing them. I guess that's ok too as long as no tongue is involved.

But Sunil is gonna call you a freak.

Be carefull. Don't hug the fish you plan on releasing you may remove some of their protective slime leaving them succeptible to diseases.

Those were buffalo carp, but we do get into the bigheads and silvers when we shoot the Missouri River. We shoot them because they are over populated, plus its a great time.

How much does it cost to get all the gear needed to bowfish? I already have a good bow.

Also What state are you in? Is there a season for bowfishing? Do you need a special permit?

A good AMS reel is $75 and an arrow runs $13.

I shoot in Iowa and Nebraska. There isn't a season on rough fish (gar and carp). As far as permits, all you need is a fishing license.

Thanks,

I'll have to get a reel and an arrow. That looks like a lot of fun.

I think its my favorite passed time. Make sure you get a couple of arrows with the safety slides. Muzzy makes some good ones. Good luck. If you have any questions just PM me.