Longnose gar are harvested in the US and sold as a food fish, so they are edible. Here is the text of the section of Parks and Wildlife statutes that covers leaving fish to die.
� 66.011. LEAVING FISH TO DIE. A person commits an offense if the person leaves edible fish or bait fish taken from the public waters of this state to die without the intent to retain the fish for consumption or bait.

If you shoot a gar with an arrow, returning that fish to the water is not an option as you would be leaving the fish to die. Harvested carp should not be thrown on the bank or deposited in a trash receptacle. Responsible outdoor users should consider the end uses for any fish that they plan to harvest.

Wow and if any of the bowfishers come on here and post they'll probably get banned for doin what you are doin TROLLING. But hey what the hell I'll bite. Yes JT was wrong about the whole leaving fish on the bank to die comment, everyone knows it but I guess you just felt you had to push the issue and try to bash the bowfishers because you prize your almighty carp. Now you can go ahead and preach about the wanton waste rule too if you wish.... but don't try and sit there and feed me all that BS about carp being edible cause if you have ever tasted one you know that BS, they taste like ****. Now gar on the other hand taste great if you know what you are doing so I don't agree with throwing away any gar. But you can use the carp for fertilizer or better yet coyote/hog/gar bait. Another thing you are wrong about is shooting a gar and releasing it, gar are some mighty tough fish and unless you get em through the gills or through the guts you can turn em loose and they'll be just fine ( of course this really only applies on bigger gar say 25lbs and up). But I don't feel like gettin in a whizzin contest with a bunch of carpers so I'll let this be it.

This wasn't meant as a trolling post, just clarification of rules.

I'm pleased you agree with most people on the original post, dumping on the side of rivers doesn't make any kind of fishing look good.

ps try smoking carp, actually pretty tasty.

I had fried carp before. Tasted pretty good.

Here are some recipes...

http://www.bassonhook.com/fishforfood/carprecipes.html

man you crack me up!! i bet 1 out of 100 bowfishing boats actaully use their fish. I still think that you are wrong on your rules. I will call my gw buddy and see what he says.

Cracks you up? Look it up; the rule number is listed. Also I bet you are correct with your other statement, personally I don't find this funny. Actually rather disgusting!

the gw told me the same thing cubfan posted, i had a post on here about someone leaving 25 gars dead on the side of the bank and one gar was pushing 50lbs and yes they had arrow holes and i took pics and summitted them to the gw who is keeping a look out for who ever did this.

Take those shot carp & gar to an Asian fish market - they'll love 'em!

yea i dont think they want them after being in the sun for a few hours.