I want to get into bowfishing but...

[catman529]

First off, I have a cheap rig and have taken a few shots at buffalo but none dead yet.

Also I want to apologize for bashing anyone's threads on their bowfishing excursions. I know we all have our ways of doing things and they're legal... I just have to rant in my own thread and this is not directed at any one person here.

So I want to get into bowfishing, but I also don't like what I see sometimes. It gives me mixed feelings about bowfishing.

What doesn't bother me is bowfishing for population control. Exotic fish like carp could almost always use thinning. I wouldn't personally want to shoot a gar, because they're native and I consider them a sport fish, but from what I hear, they could use some thinning (or could they?). Buffalo seem to overrun places too, at least they overrun a lot of my fishing holes. It's exciting to sight-cast and catch one, but other than that, they don't fight hard and don't make the best sport fish to me or to most people. I hear they are good eating but have a lot of bones. Not worth it to most.... If they're mudding up your fishing spot, and there are way too many of them, then I don't care how many you shoot, I'd like to come help shoot them.

Now as some of you know I got worked up about shooting big catfish. If you're going to use the fish, I see no problem with it, but if you're going to dispose of it like the carp, gar, and buffalo, then what's the point? Do big catfish need population thinning? Yes it's legal, but is it ethical? A lot of people fish for big cats... I don't know what their numbers are like for your average lake, but I can take a guess that they are nowhere near those of carp or buffs.

I hope those who waste good fish don't put up a fuss about people shooting a deer and leaving it to rot... at least, that's the way I see it.

If you're gonna go with something cause it's legal, then I hope everybody is OK with me going to Dale Hollow, catching my daily limit of big smallmouth bass for a week, and leaving them in the woods to rot... I don't see any rule against that in the fishing guide, so I guess I can do that and it's perfectly fine...

 

[SilverFox]

You sure are way out there man... take your meds or something.

 

[showmehorns]

Your reading into it a little too much. Don't worry about what I, or any other bowfisherman does. Worry about YOU and leave it at that. If you don't want to shoot a "trophy catfish", then don't. Don't make things difficult, grasshopper. Worry about what YOU can control, and not WHO you want to control.

I can assure you we don't worry about what you WANT us to be doing.

 

[catman529]

I'm just questioning ethics, is there something wrong with that?

 

[Str8Shooter]

I agree that you shouldn't kill an animal just to be killing it but if I see someone that does it then I'm not gonna get worked up over it. I couldn't careless about what everybody else does. I just say congrats and go on about my business.

 

[showmehorns]

I'm just questioning ethics, is there something wrong with that?

Who are you to question my ethics? And yes, there is something wrong with that.

 

[catman529]

I agree that you shouldn't kill an animal just to be killing it but if I see someone that does it then I'm not gonna get worked up over it. I couldn't careless about what everybody else does. I just say congrats and go on about my business.

I guess you are right, I should not get too worked up about it, after all there are much worse things that people do... But I do wonder why people consider legal the same thing as ethical? whatever... I am probably just going to step out of this and go about my own business treating fish the way I want to treat them and letting others do the same without saying anything...

 

[SilverFox]

catman... don't take this the wrong way.

I too hate seeing people waste our natural resources but fussing about it on a forum board is not going to fix anything... it'll just end up pissing people off. Step outside the forum if you want to make a difference.

I learned long ago that not everyone has the same respect for God's creatures as I do. I don't believe in taking an animal you're not going to eat or that someone is not going to eat. While I'm glad they do take out some of the fish they shoot since they are over populated, it's not my cup of tea when they leave them laying around. Same goes with people who shoot geese or doves and let them go to waste. Find someone to eat them or eat them yourself.

I know a lot of people will not eat these types of fish but at least give them to someone with cats or put them out for the coons to eat. Leaving them laying at the ramp only adds fuel to the fire for the PETA and other crazy groups.

And I'm not saying anyone here does that... I hope none of you do. I do not know any of you personally. While I have seen it done, I can't group all bowfishers in the same boat.

 

[rukiddin]

Catman, its not whether or not we are questioning your ethics. What we are questioning is your ability to know when to let something go!

Big catfish have won a lot of bowfishermen a lot of money in tourneys. Some do not even allow catfish to be shot (although legal) in tourneys and those that do require that all catfish brought in must be on ice.

You are mulling over this catfish thing way to much!!Bowfishing is a blast and I hope you connect on one soon!

 

[showmehorns]

Leaving them laying at the ramp only adds fuel to the fire for the PETA and other crazy groups.

Oh yes, It does. Even though I do keep a cat or two every now and then, that last 110 dead fish went to a kind fellow who was out on the Hiwassee River that night, by himself, at 3:30am trying to make a few extra bucks for his family by netting fish.

He took them all to a processing plant and got paid for the nights "catch".

 

[catman529]

Leaving them laying at the ramp only adds fuel to the fire for the PETA and other crazy groups.

Oh yes, It does. Even though I do keep a cat or two every now and then, that last 110 dead fish went to a kind fellow who was out on the Hiwassee River that night, by himself, at 3:30am trying to make a few extra bucks for his family by netting fish.

He took them all to a processing plant and got paid for the nights "catch".

that's a good use for them right there... I wouldn't bother trying to eat a carp but there are people there who will, especially foreign people.

Sorry to cause such an argument over the catfish, it just didn't sit well with me at first.

As for bowfishing myself, I may not go again till the spring, since I dont see any throughout the winter so I got to wait till it warms up again.

 

[showmehorns]

Leaving them laying at the ramp only adds fuel to the fire for the PETA and other crazy groups.

Oh yes, It does. Even though I do keep a cat or two every now and then, that last 110 dead fish went to a kind fellow who was out on the Hiwassee River that night, by himself, at 3:30am trying to make a few extra bucks for his family by netting fish.

He took them all to a processing plant and got paid for the nights "catch".

that's a good use for them right there... I wouldn't bother trying to eat a carp but there are people there who will, especially foreign people.

Sorry to cause such an argument over the catfish, it just didn't sit well with me at first.

As for bowfishing myself, I may not go again till the spring, since I dont see any throughout the winter so I got to wait till it warms up again.

No need to apologize. When it warms up your more then welcome on my boat at anytime. You can even use my equipment....all you have to do is bring a killing attitude. :D

 

[B.D.]

I hope those who waste good fish don't put up a fuss about people shooting a deer and leaving it to rot... at least, that's the way I see it.

Yeah, clearly that rubs some people the wrong way, but that's the way I see it too.

If someone wants to shoot a bunch of fish, take them home, and eat them, I can live with that. But killing more than you can use, whether it's by arrow, hook and line, or whatever - well, that's different.

It just sours my day when I pull up to a spot where I want to fish, and someone has come in and shot it up overnight and left half a dozen or more carp and buffalo dead in the water like they're just trash. It's perfectly legal, but I'd still rather not see it.

bd

 

[showmehorns]

I hope those who waste good fish don't put up a fuss about people shooting a deer and leaving it to rot... at least, that's the way I see it.

Yeah, clearly that rubs some people the wrong way, but that's the way I see it too.

If someone wants to shoot a bunch of fish, take them home, and eat them, I can live with that. But killing more than you can use, whether it's by arrow, hook and line, or whatever - well, that's different.

It just sours my day when I pull up to a spot where I want to fish, and someone has come in and shot it up overnight and left half a dozen or more carp and buffalo dead in the water like they're just trash. It's perfectly legal, but I'd still rather not see it.

bd

We stack carp, buffalo and gar like cordwood, but you won't pull in a cove we have been and be able to tell it.

 

[spitndrum]

OK Spits take on it lol

#1 Don't matter if there is one fish in Watts Bar or 1000, I WILL search out that one fish and kill it forever from population or I'll kill all 1000 if able forever from population. Nothing against carp yes there nasty and mess up bass population for some degree but KILLIN em is my sport don't matter if your sport is catching em on ultra lite tackle or fly rods, thats your sport there not gonna become extinct.

#2 I would eat a carp unless I was dying in the middle of the mohave desert, litterally minutes from meeting the lord.

#3 I have never stuck a catfish, simply because I have never seen one lol, catfish are including in the legally harvest in bowfishing. Sorta like telling ppl you can't kill hens in fall turkey season because thats what carries the poults. Kill the mallard drakes cause the suzies has us more mallard ducks, well there again its legal SPITS KILLIN IT.

#4 TIM PAULY AND BRANDON ELMORE will get ruff on some in east tn 2012 you can bank on that, we are open for a cameraman if anyone would like to do that.

#5 I'm not gonna hammer jonathan about worry about you I will worry about me, everyone is entitled to an opinion and this is a forum, so as far as I am concerned it open for discussion, I loose my cool when ppl start really getting with it actin like you stepped in front of me at the pencil sharpener in kindergarten :D

#6 CARP WILL DIE!

 

[spitndrum]

I hope those who waste good fish don't put up a fuss about people shooting a deer and leaving it to rot... at least, that's the way I see it.

Yeah, clearly that rubs some people the wrong way, but that's the way I see it too.

If someone wants to shoot a bunch of fish, take them home, and eat them, I can live with that. But killing more than you can use, whether it's by arrow, hook and line, or whatever - well, that's different.

It just sours my day when I pull up to a spot where I want to fish, and someone has come in and shot it up overnight and left half a dozen or more carp and buffalo dead in the water like they're just trash. It's perfectly legal, but I'd still rather not see it.

bd

Sometimes when you stick a fish and work him to the boat he gets off at the boat due to struggle etc etc, and I don't care how many times you see him swim off he is gonna die most likely, and yes I have had several in a row get off. And yes I don't take em home and eat em but I dont put em at the ramps etc etc I sink em turtles LOVE ME!

 

[spitndrum]

Leaving them laying at the ramp only adds fuel to the fire for the PETA and other crazy groups.

Oh yes, It does. Even though I do keep a cat or two every now and then, that last 110 dead fish went to a kind fellow who was out on the Hiwassee River that night, by himself, at 3:30am trying to make a few extra bucks for his family by netting fish.

He took them all to a processing plant and got paid for the nights "catch".

that's a good use for them right there... I wouldn't bother trying to eat a carp but there are people there who will, especially foreign people.

Sorry to cause such an argument over the catfish, it just didn't sit well with me at first.

As for bowfishing myself, I may not go again till the spring, since I dont see any throughout the winter so I got to wait till it warms up again.

No need to apologize. When it warms up your more then welcome on my boat at anytime. You can even use my equipment....all you have to do is bring a killing attitude. :D

And some COLD BEER

 

[Gray Ghost]

catman... don't take this the wrong way.

I too hate seeing people waste our natural resources but fussing about it on a forum board is not going to fix anything... it'll just end up pissing people off. Step outside the forum if you want to make a difference.

I learned long ago that not everyone has the same respect for God's creatures as I do. I don't believe in taking an animal you're not going to eat or that someone is not going to eat. While I'm glad they do take out some of the fish they shoot since they are over populated, it's not my cup of tea when they leave them laying around. Same goes with people who shoot geese or doves and let them go to waste. Find someone to eat them or eat them yourself.

I know a lot of people will not eat these types of fish but at least give them to someone with cats or put them out for the coons to eat. Leaving them laying at the ramp only adds fuel to the fire for the PETA and other crazy groups.

And I'm not saying anyone here does that... I hope none of you do. I do not know any of you personally. While I have seen it done, I can't group all bowfishers in the same boat.

Fox, whats the difference in letting a cat and a catfish eat a dead carp?

Do you get pizzed about coyotes getting shot and not eaten? Is that ethical, catman??

 

[SilverFox]

The difference is the public doesn't see the cat eating it... if it's left floating on the lake people are gonna put 2 and 2 together and realize what's going on when there are numbers of them in an area. If you can sink them, sink them. Still would prefer you find someone or something to eat them than to leave them laying.

Coyotes... wish you could kill all of them. Too many farm animals, pets, deer, turkeys and even children getting the short end of the stick with coyotes. Again, don't stack them up for the public to see. No one is gonna eat a coyote except maybe a possum or buzzard.

The PETA and other crazys feed on this kind of stuff.

Just my opinion. I don't throw trash out the window of the truck... I don't throw trash in water... I don't throw fishing line in the water. It's just me. I can't live your life for you, you have to make the choice if you want to bring heat to the sport you like or not, not me.

 

[Gray Ghost]

Im not worried about PETA or crazies.

And dont equate this to littering, or make assumptions about me. Good for you on being an environmentalist, which is different from the current subject matter. I'm with you on litter, line etc. But the fact of the matter, Catfish gotta eat too.

Just like buzzards and possums....

 

[SilverFox]

If you would get your head out your butt and read what I wrote, I said I don't know any of you guys and was not saying any of you guys did this.

Please man.... read what I wrote it's right in front of you!

I can copy and paste it if you can't find it.

 

[Gray Ghost]

um..you read what you wrote. It's obvious you were relating bowfishing to littering, even a kindergartener could discern. No need to cut n paste. Thanks for the offer.

 

[SilverFox]

And I'm not saying anyone here does that... I hope none of you do. I do not know any of you personally. While I have seen it done, I can't group all bowfishers in the same boat.

 

[SilverFox]

Let me break it down for you since you want to change your post after I've responded...

I fish... I don't bowfish. I drive a truck with a big fishing business decal in my back glass. My boat has those same decals down the sides of it. If people see me throwing stuff in the water, out the window where ever they see it, they relate what I have done to fishermen. We don't need that.

You bowfish... people see carp and other fish laying around the water and they relate that to you if they see you bowfishing and doing this. Do you get the point? People's first impression of a bowfisherman needs to be a good one, not one of someone who leaves dead fish laying around or floating.

That's all I'm trying to say. I never said you or anyone on here does that. I don't know any of you... and of course since I am not a bowfisherman, what you do doesn't affect me in the same ways it affects the sport you love.

So while you're thinking I'm relating what you do to litter, it's only and example I am using.

 

[catman529]

Yall should really bury your dead fish, I don't think anyone wants a happy healthy turtle population to ruin their catfishing trips... I for one am against feeding turtles.. ;)

I wonder if there are any fertilizer companies that will take carp, buffalo, etc to use them for fish emulsion. I can see profit in that... most fish emulsion fertilizer is made from the leftover scraps of fish that are processed for food. If you use the whole fish, you get more nutrients. A big and smelly operation could turn into some kind of profit perhaps... I'd use fish emulsion on my garden, that's for sure. Organic fertilizer that helps reduce exotic fish populations. I tried making a fish emulsion once, but left no lid on the container, and it rained, and you can guess how bad the smell got once the rainwater sat in there... :sick: :sick:

 

[TNTomtaker01]

Maybe after bowfishing trips i can call you and you will take care of them as you see fit?

 

[B.D.]

We stack carp, buffalo and gar like cordwood, but you won't pull in a cove we have been and be able to tell it.

Well, good. Then you're not the type of bowfisher I'm talking about. If the rest of the bowfishers took the same care, maybe I wouldn't have posted what I did. Unfortunately, you share your sport with some folks who don't have the same consideration about what they leave behind. I've pulled in to flats more than once and found them "trashed" with dead carp. To me it's no different than walking up to a spot on the bank where I want to fish and finding it littered with empty worm boxes and beer cans.

bd

 

[showmehorns]

We stack carp, buffalo and gar like cordwood, but you won't pull in a cove we have been and be able to tell it.

Unfortunately, you share your sport with some folks who don't have the same consideration about what they leave behind. bd

Unfortunately, no matter what you do in life, you will see folks who don't have the same consideration for the things you enjoy and love. It's not just bowfishing, it's everything.

 

[B.D.]

True. But how many times has someone come on here and complained about a fly fisherman decked out in Orvis gear straight out of the catalog who's acting like a jerk on the river? That's not me by a long shot - but people like that are a cause for concern to me because my sport gets judged by visible, inconsiderate participants. Bowfishing is no different.

bd

 

[catman529]

showmehorns and B.D. I totally see your point... one can generalize too much I guess.