Yeah Lawmann, you're right - I read my way through without re-reading the original post. I guess I combined the different points in my head, sorry. Yes, its downright rude to wake up the neighbors with loud noisy contraptions (boats, motorcycles, stereos, or what have you), but as the supervisors at the airline I work at (lets call it Aggravated Assault airlines) are so fond of saying, its not illegal to be rude. (Unfortunately)

I picked up on someone elses comment about being in the potential line of fire - wasn't trying to imply that I was attacked or deliberately shot at in my particular incident. Just scared me senseless to realize that these guys had no clue who (me) or what was in their line of fire before casting loose.

Not ranting at all about bowfishing in general, just the minority who endanger other people.

First, as many of you know, I am a large critic of bow fishermen. But saturday night I say a boat on Fork, if you're on here speak up. He was very cautious, running at a reasonable, safe speed while moving between spots with the big lights off. When they were on, his lights were kept where they belonged, in the water, and he seemed to be intentionally avoiding populated areas of the lake. His motor/generator was loud enough to wake the dead, but thats the only complaint I would have. Just thought I'd give credit to those that are safe and considerate of others.

I and many others have gotten rid of the fans and use trolling motors for this very reason. I also use a Honda EU2000 generator which is has a db level of about 68, which is the same level as normal conversation. I doubt my boat can even be heard past 150 yards much less be a bother. It is bright, but all the lights shine down into the water. There is some light that gets reflected off the surface but there is not much I can do about it. Others are converting to this same type setup but the fans were very expensive so I can't blame them for using them. SSF, I'm glad you got to see how "most" bowfisherman conduct themselves on a heavily populated lake. Please have patience with us as a sport. Like Texas Two Guns said in an ealier post, plenty of these folks are from way way back in the woods and may not know any better. They think the sound of a fan motor is music and they will never read this, as they think the internet is what you catch inters with.

IMO, this is just part of what comes with living on or near a lake. Do homeowners that live near railroad tracks complain every time a train goes by? If they do they shouldn't have bought a house near a train track.

"I'm glad you got to see how "most" bow fisherman conduct themselves on a heavily populated lake"

Hate to disagree but I've seen bow fisherman for years now and this is the first, and I mean first I've ever seen that seemed to have a drop of sense. Given I do not see that many in a month but I have to challenge your "most" I think those that are considerate like you and Tony are a very small minority. And you guys could change the perception we all have by talking to your sports brethren and trying to help make things better. Stop the noise, stop the waste and stop disturbing people who pay to live and fish on the lake. This would go a long way to making people accept your sport. I think there is a new breed of bow fisherman that I would be happy to share the lake with. Problem is they don't seem to visit any lakes I am ever on so we don't see it. Except here and this is all talk.

So we wont bring up the subject of bank fishers that leave their line in the water after they break off and/or leave used fishing line and their trash on the bank (boat owners get it wrapped up in trolling motors, big motors, and crankbaits, plus the turtles and ducks get hung up with it), and all the darn jugs I see laying in many lakes with no names cuz cat fishers left them behind. Then you have the hybid stripers that clean their fish and leave the carcass on the ramp (go to photo section). Everyone has their problem child and you have yours!

Almunacraft makes a good point about the similarities of living next to a RR track. It all comes with the territory. But obviously a person like yourself will never be satisfied. I bet a common phrase you make is "I dont like this and I dont like that, and I especially dont like it when this person does this, or when he stands this way, or walks this way, or eats this way...and blah blah blah." Its time for a diaper change.

I am not an avid bowfisher. But I will continue to take carp and gar. I will respect those around me, and wont shoot a carp that you are trying to catch. YOu wont even see me cuz I only do it when folks are not around. I just dont want to bother folks. So, there are more bowfishers that respect others than you think.

You know there was a bowfishing tournament on Lake Fork last Sat. that night. There were 12 boats entered and most guys trailered to different areas of the lake. You seen one (that you spoke of anyway). But there were 11 others that you didn't see, including 3 airboats and a fanboat or two. That's not bad odds, and there were alot of other boats out that night. I couldn't believe all the boats out, I seen a bass boat launch at 1:30, what's that about.