Illinois Bowfishing laws..

[tazman7]

My dad and I are going to start bowfishing in Illinois. He talked to a DNR guy about the laws on it and he told him he wasnt sure if it was legal or not to shoot them from a boat or not... Can you guys give me a run down on the state laws so I dont break them. Is there a bow hunting season? Do you have to have a hunting or fishing license to do it? Or both?

Thanks!

[robow7]

Never Mind

[HNI_Christine]

As Robow said, yes you can bowfish from a boat. Bow does not need to be in a case when the motor is on because you are covered by the fishing code, not the wildlife code. We have copies of the 'bowfishing under power'letter from the state to clarify this. Let me know if you need a copy. (we keep one on the boat just in case)

A caveat about seasons... some bodies of water have a 'bowfishing season'. (some lakes don't allow bowfishing at all) You'll need to check the site specific regulations in the fishing booklet.

A hunting license will not work for bowfishing. You need a fishing license.

[HNI_Christine]

Here's the actual code:


FISH
(515 ILCS 5/Art. 10 heading)

Article 10 Limits; seasons; Methods of taking

Sec. 10-110. Taking carp, buffalo, suckers, gar and bowfin. Carp, buffalo, suckers, gar and bowfin may be taken by means of a pitchfork, underwater speargun, bow and arrow or bow and arrowdevice, spear, or gig. Each person taking fish by these means shall possess a valid sport fishing license. Fish taken by these means shall not be sold or bartered. No other fish may be taken by these means.
(Source; P.A. 89-66, eff. 1-1-96.)

[tazman7]

Oh wow, thats awesome- If you could send me a copy of one of those papers that would be great. I dont know if you want to email them or what but let me know- Thanks everybody!

[robow7]

I'm glad that Christine corrected me on the license, since for years you could use either a hunting or fishing license for bowfishing. And yes, definitely check each body of water for site specific regulations found in the fishing booklet made available by the DNR each year as sometimes the site specifics can change.

[carpsniper]

ORIGINAL: tazman7

Oh wow, thats awesome- If you could send me a copy of one of those papers that would be great. Thanks everybody!

No problem. Just pm me your snail mail address and I'll get a copy out to you. I got two copies laminated and keep them on the boat. I haven't needed to use one yet, but just in case.

[Bulzeye]

That letter has made the rounds with the CPO ranks, but there may be a few officers who have not heard of it, or who might not remember it when theydo an inspection. Best to keepa copy handy, just in case.