But it says used as bait.....

But it plainly says, "without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait."
Doesn't say or specify what the bait is supposed to attract. Just sayin'

Like I said, your risk to take. If you feel that you have to spend that much fuel, time, and hard work to obtain hundreds of pounds of rough fish for coyote attractant, then I think you need to rethink hunting strategy. We all know the coyote hunting is a byproduct of the bowfishing, not your purpose for it. If it was your purpose, a few fish would work just fine.

We can argue this till we are blue in the face. In the end, it�s an issue of what your morals allow and what risk level you can tolerate. I bet the TPW commissioners will be more likely to take a more conservative approach to wasting game, however.

BTW, I would consider blurring out your TX numbers on your boat if you are going to post pictures. Just some genuinely friendly advice.

Good point.

It will take a judge or an opinion from the state attorney general to settle the debate on the definition of the terms. As noted by "bait" above, it doesn't say what you are baiting. So, in that vein, you can also argue that consumption does not necessarily mean eat. You can consume a resource without eating it. One could make the argument that using a fish for fertilizer (or bait) is consuming that resource, but throwing it in the trash or leaving it at the ramp is waste. I am sure that the person that wrote that part of the law, meant consumption = eat and bait = fish bait, but it is not spelled out so we end up with these semantics debates.

As posted, The Assistant Commander Game Warden interprets fertilizer as waste, so you could get a ticket if that opinion is relayed to the rest of the wardens to enforce. But that is just a ticket and the challenge is for the courts. Granted, someone that high up will hold some weight with the judge, but in the end, it's just a ticket issued because the officer felt you violated a law. You are not instantly guilty and have the right to make your case. Soooooo, who's going first?

I think you're exactly right, and slim is also correct that we could argue all day. As for me, I'm going to keep on keepin on until I have an issue. I haven't in over 20 years so I feel pretty good with the way things stand. Vague is good, and in the off chance I get a ticket I will either a) pay it and move on b) if the ticket is excessive get an attorney and have him easily beat it in court due to the greyness of the law. It's all good here!

I have gotten in on the tail end of all this. I, 62 and disabled, along with my father ,88, can't shoot a bow like we used to for several years now. We used to get carp or buffalo from local commercial fishmen in East Texas. Over the past few years most of them have gotten out of the business. We use cut bait and live perch for catfishing which we enjoy. I now live up near lake Texoma. Have tried to find out when there are bow fishing tournaments so that I could get some carp/buffalo for bait. Contacted Game Wardens here and promised they would contact me when they know of any events. Still waiting for over a year. Father and family live on T-Bend and Sam Rayburn. So if anyone on here knows of any please text me at 979-236-7985. I visit my parents several times a year. We would appreciate it. Thanks

You're ever headed down I35 through Grandview or Burleson, give me a call. I can save anything you want and have it frozen for you to transport. PM me if you're interested.

dang