One question about Bow fishing
 

I normally bow hunt Deer in the fall but sort of got hot to bowfish this year.
There is only one thing that kept me from doing it.
What do you do with the carp after you shoot them?

I just can't bring myself to take a creature I'm not going to do something with.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

If you are shooting a species on the decline, I could see your point.

If you are shooting overpopulated carp, like the reservoirs around here, I don't see why killing them and feeding them to the birds is any worse than hooking, torturing, suffocating and almost killing troutjust so you can take their picture and release them.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

I guessif Idid any of the above mentioned, you would have a point.
I'm just saying, I don't see the point of shooting for the sake of shooting.
That's what my target is for.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Sorry, I was trying to befunnyand probably came off too sarcastic.

My statementwas how my buddy decribes fly fishing. Hook and torture the fish just to release them. Nobody seems to have a problem with catch and release.

If the fish are overpopulated, I see nothing wrong with feeding them to birds.

I was trying tobe smart with mylousy humor, but not abrasive.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

no sweat. I normally hang out at a site that requires very thick skin.
It's hard to interpret the written word sometimes.


:D

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Do you shoot prairie dogs, coyotes, foxes, coons, or any other animal without FULLY ultilizing the meat on the animal? If so this is no difference. Also carp make excellent fertilizer for gardens and pastures. Great coyote bait as well if you do in fact shoot them.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

I guess I've been a little unclear....If I don't eat it, I don't shoot it.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Oh for crying out loud. Shoot all the damn carp you want and be proud that you are helping the environment. Each and every species of carp is an exotic invasive. The best thing that could happen to our waters would be for every single carp to be eradicated. Who cares what you do with them just as long as you don't return them alive.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Sling them way behind you so you don't shoot the same one again. At the beginning of season I keep enough to fertilize my garden. Other than that they are my gift to the scavengers of the wild. Believe me, they will be utilized within the day by some other creature. I once shot 128 carp on a 150 yard stretch of bank. Next day I found only one left floating and he was in the process of being consumed.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Then eat em. State of Colorado says I don't have to eat them and that is very acceptable to me as well. I get rid of mine for either fertilizer or coyote bait. I sleep just fine at night, however if it bothers you to shoot something and not eat maybe you should just stick to your target then. I will try to shoot your share also.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Doesn't hurt my feelins whacking em and donating them to the bank for the coons, vultures, or whatever wants em.

Obviously you don't have silvers in your waters. After they beat you up a few times, you want to fight back.[:'(]

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

that made me laugh.....:D

I'm not a tree hugger or some **** like that, I just don't care to "waste"

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Ive asked this question before, and you just have to look at it as a very helpfull means of conservation. There are bountifull amounts of carp species, and it will not be wasted if you leave it on the bank for some creature to have a quick and easy meal, I guarantee it! I shot a couple grass carp over thirty pounds and left them on the bank and came back a few days later and they were picked clean.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

I read what I wrote and realized that may have sounded like a prick. I hope you didn't take it that way as that is not what I intended. I fully understand where you are coming from with the wasting part and was not trying to be condiscending in my attitude at all. I think everyone has different levels of right and wrong in their mind. I was being sincere when I typed about it bothering you and you sticking to shooting your target instead of doing something that bothers you.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

And that's commendable, but if you had rats, you'd shoot 'em, trap 'em, poison them, whatever it took to get rid of them before they do damage. As Fishhunter said; carp are exotic invasives. They damage the ecosystem and are detrimental (bad for) the other native fish and mollusks. Biologist Duane Chapman says it is better to have a carp in the garbage than in the water.
Don't look at removing carp as a waste look at it as doing the envronment a favor.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

Give them away if it bothers you. you are doing our waters a favor by shooting them.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

all good info.
Thanks.

RE: One question about Bow fishing
 

FERTILIZER!!!!!!:)