It's not about how many bowfishers you see or don't see.

That's exactly the problem!

It's when one small group can make enough noise to change a law after years of TPWD trying to work with anglers in a conservation program, to ensure we have a fishery for the future generations to enjoy.

Instead we take steps backward in this, and open the door to other small groups such as spear fishermen and why stop there?

Next would be a practical step and allow all game fish, after all there wouldn't be that many people sticking arrows in them would there?

Gill netting could very well be allowed next, and the argument there would be trotliners and jug fishermen already do it, so since we already allow that along with bowfishing and spear gunners why not!

Where does it stop?

Think about it, and educate yourself on the subject and vote!

Ok just a quick education session for those who don't know why the above quote is based on no facts at all. THE REASON BOTTOM SUCKING FISH ARE BOWFISHED IS BECAUSE THEY SUCK ON THE BOTTOM. THEY GO SHALLOW BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE SMALL MARINE AND VEGITATIVE LIFE, WHICH THEY FEED ON, LIVE IN A LAKE. THERE IS A REASON WHY STRIPERS, SAND BASS AND OTHER GAME FISH ARE NOT USUALLY OBSERVED IN 8 INCHES OF WATER. THEY FEED ON SHAD WHICH ARE IN DEEPER WATER. THUS BOWFISHING FOR GAME FISH WOULD BE VERY HARD TO DO. I guess a person could shoot spawning largemouth bass if they wanted to but they are so stupid there would be no sport in at all. This whole idea of people who bowfish wanting to shoot gamefish is just a way that folks are trying to rationalize their uneducated opinion that is based on emotion rather than any fact. I would love for the facts to be published about who is damaging the catfish population.

I have to get my .02 in. on this subject. I used to bow fish back in the 80's and I fish on a regular basis now. Bowfishing was way fun. But being in my boat and regular fishing is funner now. (older) I have to say that in 30+ years of being on the water, I have NEVER seen a catfish that I could have got an arrow in. EVER. I do not recall any time that Cats are close to the surface. SO to me, this is a mute issue and I personally could care less as to how many were shot with a bow.

good read lawman lol

hey wait lawman you shot 12 catfish last year with a bow. that must be a record ive never seen 12 i could shoot in my life nice job got any links to a decent starter bow?

Thought we kind of decided to let the bowfishers alone? They know the opinions on both sides of the argument.

As far as sticking arrows in catfish, the requirement ought to be you have to keep what you hit, even the undersized ones. I would get downright upset if I came upon a big pile of carp and catfish laying stinking and rotting on the bank with arrow holes through them.

I am all for protecting our resource, and I love and will fight for the rights of all fishing guides to operate and make a living. But keep in mind you are making a living of a state owned resource and nothing bugs me more than guides trying to limit or restrict the rest of the public from enjoying the same state owned resource.

I understand your worried this may in some way infringe on your income but really go back and read your first post, I think it is a bit overboard...no bowhunter or group of bowhunters, would ever scratch the surface on the numbers of fish in any decent size body of water.

And also in case you haven't noticed bowhunters are typically some of your best and most active conservationist. And yes I am a bowhunter, although I have never bowfished, I think maybe we need to worry about something else...

sorry I'll get off my soap box now...

Now if bowfishers could figure out how to shoot and release - alive, well then I am on board.

Sounds like Fun

I've spent countless hours bowfishing. I've built special bowfishing boats with auxillary airmotors, generators and halogen lights. I organized the first Lone Star Bowhunters state bowfishing tournament on Lake Conroe when I was on the board of that organization and ran it the first two years. My bowfishing partner and I have won the central Tx. championship on Lake Belton and the East Tx championship on Lake Palestine. We placed second in the state championship two years running. That said, I am against the legalization of catfishing with a bow. Most of the people that say that they have never seen a catfish in the water that they could have killed with a bow have not spent a lot of time bowfishing at night. There are times of the year, especially during the spawn when many large catfish are in the shallows at night and are easy targets. There are two main reasons why I am against catfishing with a bow, First of all, when bowfishing a number fish (especially large fish)are hit and pull off and are not recovered. I believe a large percentage of these fish will die. Second I am against shooting any fish that has a state imposed size limit. Obviously undersized fish cannot be measured and released. I understand both sides of this issue so I'm just voicing my personal opinion.

Great post lawman!!