Say NO to bowfishing for catfish in Texas!

[TxCatfishGuide]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20051107a

Catfish

TPWD will be seeking public input on the possibility of making bowfishing a legal means of take for catfish.

To comment on freshwater fishing proposals, send an e-mail to ken.kurzawski@tpwd.state.tx.us

TAKE THE TIME TO LET THEM KNOW THAT CATFISH ARE A SPORT FISH, IN FACT THE #2 SPORT FISH IN TEXAS AND NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

WE NEED TO BE TAKING STEPS TOWARDS CONSERVATION OF CATFISH AND ESPECIALLY TROPHY FISH NOT INVENTING MEANS TO LET OTHERS CATCH THEM BY BOW AND ARROW WITH LITTLE TO NO CHANCE OF SURVIVAL.

txcatfishguide

[gadzooks]

Just sent my email. Suggested that carp and alligator gar be removed from the list of species bowfishermen can hunt also.

[Aquacat]

I just sent my email too. All catfisherman need to send a email to this website. This is something that just can not happen period. :cursing:

[T-Bone]

My e-mail went out today also !

[Bayoubear]

why the opposition to bowfishing? im not trying to be antagonistic in any way, am simply curious as to the reasons for the obvious disapproval of allowing whiskerfish to be taken via bow.

[three_rivers]

Already sent. The opposition to bow fishing is to keep it classified as a game fish. If they would allow it on the catfish why not allow it on bass. It would essentially classify it as a rough fish when in fact it is one of the most sought after fish in the waters.

[Bayoubear]

thanks for the input

[Aquacat]

Guys and Gals, we need the whole BOC family involved in this one.

[gadzooks]

I posted the information about the propose reg change on texaskayakfisherman.com. Usually, that site is full of people who will fight changes in rules that affect game fish. So far, only got a luke warm response. One fellow who guides on hill country rivers for bass even stated that since there was no longer a shortage of catfish in Texas, it should be permitted. I suggested that if that's the case, then we should open bow fishing up for bass and redfish where plentiful. Can't you just see the uproar if TPWD was to propose bowfishing for redfish, a fish that would be easy pickings for bowfishermen when the reds are tailing in shallow water? I guess it all dependes on who's gamefish is getting gored.

[nathan king]

sent my email in too,days ago but never got a responce anybody else recieve a responce? what i never understood if cats are considered trash fish then why is it in all the restraunts and not bass, and why is it in all the stores and not bass. just curious????????????

[Desperado]

This is funny to me. I'm a bowfisherman and I shoot carp, gar and have shot catfish. In Ky. you can shoot them in the ohio river with a Ky lic. and there is some states that you can shoot northern pike, which is a game fish. I know you guys don't like bowfisherman, but on this site there are quite a few. I have seen this thread on other sites. I believe in bowfishing for catfish as long as you eat them. But I guess to each his own.

[gadzooks]

One of the problems with bow fishing is policing it. Catfish may be one of the most difficult fish to hunt with a bow, rarely find them tailing or rolling like carp or gar. So, the take may be small. But, from what I've seen of bow fishermen, too many of them just leave the carcass of the fish to rot. I suspect it would be the same with cats since its not the most efficient way to take catfish and so many hunters are into the hunt, not the eating. Also, size limits are more easily ignored by bow fishermen. Once an undersized fish is shot with an arrow, the likelyhood of its survival to be released is almost nil, and its ability to survive after release is probably even lower. The day may be coming when carp are no longer allowed to be taken by bow. Carp fishing is growing as a sport, many carpers practice catch and releas, and that's something you can't do if shooting the animal with a bow.

[Aquacat]

Desperado, I never said I hate bowfishermen, heck I like to bowfish. Your point is well taken but catfishing is not in the same boat as trashey gar or carp but like you said we are all different.
Nathan, I have'nt heard anything yet from the state either.

[gadzooks]

You probably won't hear back from the TPWD contact. His role is only to take comments, though it would be nice if the comment was acknowledged. Used to work for cities and often advertised for public comment. Its a collection operation, not an information or response one.

[Catkabobber]

what ever happened? can you bowfish big cats?

Bud

[Catfishmomma]

Just sent my email to them.