As some probably know the Corps of Engineers has now put up a season for bowfishing so that it starts June 15th and ends Sept. 15. My buddies and I were pretty pis**d of course, considering we'd already been 4-5 times in the old river channel this year, so we went and talked to the corps of engineers and they said that people were scared that we were going to shoot them with the arrows? bogus right? and then he said you guys, IBC, were trying to get it lifted and that you did it last year. and i just wanted to say thanks and i hope you can do it again, me and my buddies really apprieciate it!

-Stevo

Steve,

Thanks. If all goes well, we'll have it open next year.

Here's how you can help; After the spillway opens, take pictures of the bigheads you shoot there. Keep track of how many times you go and how many fish you take. Some of the shore fishermen are willing to take the fish to eat, if you give them away, take a picture of folks taking them. Be sure to dispose of your fish properly. Email or send us the pictures and your numbers after season closes.

The Army Corps officials think there are very few people who bowfish the spillway. (which goes to show how unobtrusive we are... they hardly even notice us) We need to show that #1 we really do use this resource and #2 we use it responsibly.
They are willing to work with us, they just want to be sure they're not creating a big conflict.

Will you be at the Carlyle tournament on May 16th? Hope to see you there.

Steve also I might add that try to stay as much in the middle of the river as you can. I shoot that section quite a bit and know how narrow it is. People do get upset when we go down the edges. Makes everyone nervous. People just do not realize that with only 30 yds of line we could not shoot any one if we tried. As christine said this is a trial year. If we keep our act clean the powers at the Corp said that they are willing to lift the season next year. So until then we have to keep our nose's clean. Thanks for your help. Most likely we met last year down there. see ya the 15th.

Thanks for the intel. So Christine you said your hopefully gonna get it open next year. Does that mean it's for sure not gona get changed for this year? Either way my friends and I appreciate ur help with trying to get it back open.

Johnny B, i'm guessing you've fished the spillway before and i dont quite understand why some people scan the banks while people are fishing there (of course we're all perfect shots haha) but i can see how the bankdwellers would get spooked. Their probably the reason that their is a season now.

I forgot to ask the Corps guy if it ment a season for the spillway and the old river channel or just the spillway. Would either of yall happen to know?

I wish i could be but i'll be in Florida. Might take my bow down and try and get me an alligator gar haha. But yea i wish i could make it this year, is their another one later in the year or just that one? Or is their one ever at the big muddy or rend lake? But best of luck to yall in the tournement, if you kill a big gar tell em stevo sent ya.

Stevo, I've been told that if you stay down by the old river channel and out in the main river just by the Boat launch that they will not bother you. But i have also been told that there is a lady CPO Who will give any one a ticket for anything, very hard to deal with. So,I'm leary of fishing there. I do know anything below the suspension bridge is ok. In answer to your first question,the ball is in their court and they are going to make the decision at the end of the year as to if they open it or not. Safety and fish disposal is a constant issue. We can police our selves, just let any one else know if you see them...