Read the Corp Parks regulations on using any type of shooting device in these parks. There are two things which can get you a ticket. If you waste the fish just be killing them and not using the meat you come under the Park and Wildlife regulations. By shooting in the Corp parks you come under the Federal Regulations. Stop and get the regulations at the check in stations. It can cost you lots of money and may get your boat taken for not knowing the law. Federal courts can cost you a big fine as these Corp parks ticket must go to a Federal Court which may be a hundred miles away. Think before acting with your bows.

Two years ago while in a Corp Park these young guys were shooting sling shots at birds. Their rocks were falling all over the place. One rock hit the bench where I was sitting and I ask them to stop shooting. They let me know that it is ok to kill grackles in Texas. Yes it is only on private land, but the Federal law prevents killing any bird or animal within a Federal Corp park with a bow or sling shot. They said they would stop, but instead they got their air rifles out and kept on shooting. The park ranger came by and stopped this activity with a ticket. These same peoples friends had their house dogs. Two trailers with 3 pit bulls and a bull masktic. These same people had their kids out shooting carp and they had about 25 dead fish. They were not going to keep the fish, but would leave these on the banks for others to see how great they could shoot their bows.
`CALL THE TEXAS PARK AND WILDLIFE LOCAL GAME WARDEN IF YOU SEE PEOPLE SHOOTING and CAUSING PROBLEMS IN THE CORP PARKS. CALL THE SHERIF DEPT. FOR OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE COUNTY WHERE YOU ARE SEEING THE PROBLEM.

These parks are not an open place to have under age kids shooting and drink all the beer that they can hold.

good info

Unfortunately, this info is NOT good. Mr. catchum seems to have assumed that bowfishing Corps of Engineers waters is not legal, when in fact it is.

I have bowfished some of these areas before, and just to verify I gave them a call today. 817 865-2600. Quote, "as long as you're doing it legally, we do not have a problem with it."

As far as the wanton waste comments, that is true on any lake, river or pond in the State of Texas.

Don't take my word for the law, but go read the documents. It is legal to shoot on Corp Lakes, BUT NOT WITHIN A CONTROLLED PARK FOR CAMPING!!! That info is correct and Immortal 13 should read the law on Corp Parks.

Are you changing your story now? Now you say it is legal? You were specifically talking about bowfishing being prohibited in Corps of Engineers waters in the original post. Quote: "(you) may get your boat taken for not knowing the law."

One would logically assume you were referencing bowfishing from a boat, and that is not a prohibited act on Corps of Engineers property. HUNTING in any state or federal park has always been illegal, and I think most people are very aware of that.

I checked with the Corps of Engineers TODAY, and was told exactly what I posted. If that offends you, well then I'm sorry. Your post was misleading at best, whether intentional or not.

From TPW booklet illegal to: hunt in state or federal parks or refuges except as may be provided by special state or federal policies The original post was for shooting inside the camping areas from the land. Stop by the office at the Corp Parks and ask for the pamplet on park use. I know I am right on this because the Park Ranger had a long talk with me on the site and we both read the Regulations. If you get a Federal Ticket they can take any property and hold it in storage until the Federal Judge makes his ruling and the fine paid. When you have people in the parks and someone is shooting a bow and arrow I assume you would be ok to kill any animal or fish. Don't get caught!!!

'i ain't goin back'

Well, not to disagree with you and I'm with ya. Shooting a bow in a federal park would be illegal. In fact to back up your boat statement, usual Corps regulation reads no bowfishing within 600 feet of a developed park, etc. So just being in a boat could still be illegal if within 200 yards of the park. Now I should point out your quote for "hunt" would not apply. Bowfishing is regulated under the Texas Administrative Code under fishing regulations. It is why one needs a fishing license and fresh water fishing stamp rather than a hunting license to bowfish.


BTW, for trivia that most may not know. the Lower Colorado River Authority which for the longest did not allow any bowfishing on any of their lakes, now does. With some restrictions of course. But less restrictive on the distance. Wow, I just noticed you only have to be 75 feet from a designated swimming area. I would have expected it to be more, but then they only allow bowfishing at night.
http://www.lcra.org/community/bowfishing.html

I've been the subject of some of the lcra bowfishers before and I've noticed that if you dont snap pictures they shoot in and around your lines but, if you start snapping pics, they'll move to the other side of the lake.

That is sad. To be inconsiderate of the bank fishers and especially if it is to taunt. There are some bad apples in every tree arent there.

Several years ago I was bank fishing on Texoma for Buffalo. I was targeting IGFA records on 2 and 4 pound line. I had a fish on that was all the way across the cove. I had a boat come in that saw me and stopped to ask about the big fish I had on. Told him it was a Buffalo. He gave me the look, waved me off, started his motor and commenced to cross my line without a care that he might cut it. After fighting that fish for over 30 minutes you better believe I was not a happy camper. I must have looked like I meant it when I started yelling at the guy to kill his motor or I would swim out and do it for him. He did and drifted over without touching my line fortunately. That Buffalo is still the standing IGFA 4 lb line class record.

Bowfishing and bowhunting are two totally different things. Bowfishing is not regulated by hunting laws. Maybe you need to educate yourself before posting on a subject you don't know anything about, catchum.

I guess you're just trying to stir the pot, and I took the bait.

Bow fisherman should be exiled to a far away place where there are no fish.

Leave the real fisherman alone all of you bow people, I can't tell you how many times some toolbag with a chattery boat and cowboy stadium's worth of lighting has come by and ruined the fishing on entire lakesides. What's the point.

For me, it's been twice and I hate it. That, combined with other things I've seen makes me think that 99% of all bowfishers are out for one thing... blood.

You dont see us complaining about "the time" bank carp fishers got in the way of us nailing our trophy fish so stop your whining. Your doing like peta and playing off emotions. Plus your getting off subject by trolling with those comments.