??is bowfishng a sport??

[fishboy2]

i have read in a lot of places that some anglers think that bow fishing for carp is not only not a sporty practice, but it is flat out wrong. what are your opinions on this matter?
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[Fishdude]

I don't think I have ever met anyone that really objected to killing carp in any manner. I find that most people don't get too excited about the bottom feeders...
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[TubeDude]

[cool][blue][size 1]Now, you don't really care what some other folks think about that, do you? If you wanna shoot some holes in those carp, and YOU think it's sport, then go head on 'til your head hurts.[/size][/blue]

[#0000ff][size 1]Doesn't make much difference what we like to do, there is always somebody else who challenges our right to do it..and enjoy it.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]I know you enjoy fly fishing, but you don't tell other fishermen they shouldn't use bait. Some purist types would have the laws written so that only fly flingers would be allowed on the water. Some bait and lure fishermen wish there was an open season on fly flingers.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]There's room for all of us to have our fun. And, when it comes to carpkind, it is easy to rationalize reducing the population by force feeding them some arrows. They almost always do more harm than good. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 1]So, why should you care about what others consider to be sport? Plenty of others think that carp killin' is great sport. I'm with them.[/size][/#0000ff]
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[Kent]

What is and isn't considered a sport is somewhat relative to one's past and present experiences. I used to enjoy hunting rabbits, and for several years I haven't had any interest in doing that. I used to not sleep the night before the deer hunt, and I haven't gone deer hunting for probably 10 years now. As you get older you will be surprised to see how your interests change. Just because I don't enjoy some of these pursuits any longer, by no means implies that others should feel the same way that I do. A few months ago I invited a man to go fishing with me, and he told me that he was too old to go fishing, and I told him that I hoped that I didn't live to get that old. If spearing carp is a sport to you, and because it is legal, go for it and enjoy it, whether others feel the same way or not.
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[fishboy2]

dont get me wrong with my question, i wasnt saying that i questioned whether or not it was a sport for me. i will probably go out every spring and summer and shoot carp, until it gets too easy or they make a law against it. thats just the type of person i am. i was just wondering what people on the board thought about this. i must say that i am a carp "enthusiast", by that i mean, i like to tackle carp in the cannal, i like to hook them, and i also like to stick em in the back with an arrow every once in a while. I think i hve experienced all that one can with carp(with the exception to fly rod), and i think all three ways are sport. just curious what others thought about bow fishing for carp, and other species like gar.
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[ironworker]

sounds like alot of fun, might have to get hooked up and do some.
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[fishboy2]

you should. it can be a blast.
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[fishluvr]

And fishboy2 is going to show us all how to do it and what we need come ice off and when the carp start rising at Utah Lake!! Right fishboy2????????????
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[fishboy2]

well i dont know about that. that is what i am waiting for, but i have officially killed 2 animals with my bow. one carp and one unlucky robin that flew in the wrong place at the wrong time. but sure, i will show you all how it is done, lol.
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[fishluvr]

I have never been robin hunting before but if you want to go again let me know. It just doesn't seem to me that there would be much meat on them. I don't have much more experience in killing animals than you do but I am getting the spring time itch even though I love ice fishing. I may be picking up a $20 bow from a pawn shop owner that I can use in the muddy, and soon to be bloody, waters of carp infested Utah Lake. Can't wait to get a set up and try out something new.
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[Theekillerbee]

I personally enjoy a little bowfishing in the spring and summer months. I don't know anyone who would object, but if they did, oh well. I sure won't lose any sleep over it.
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[releaseit]

Standing on the shore shooting a fish in the shallows is not much of a sport in my opinion. Maybe from a boat or canoe or something when the fish is moving and so is the boat then I would say it's sporting.

I know guys who " bow fish " along lakes and river shoreline. The bascially walk around see a fish and kablam! hit it with bow. Just doesn't seem sporting.

Now hunting is a whole different story. My friend bow hunts and is damn good. He hit a deer running with one kill shot. Very difficult. His friend got a kill shot on a running bear at distance. Very impressive.
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[TheJensenKid15]

Its fun! there are always na sayers for everything. Last friday in my math class, there was this girl sitting in there saying "Boycott KFC"! She still ate burgers from Mcdonalds. I've only ever speared one carp, too, but I'll still be out on Utah lake this year chaseing them on my new pontoon. Should be pretty fun. Might make a couple of dollars in the process, too. Do what you like. It's your life. Go out and live it.[]
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[fishboy2]

sounds like there are a lot of people here that like to bow fish, or would like to give it a try. i would say a carp "population control" party is in order for this spring. all in favor say AYE. i would say that we should meet and have a non formal contest, but that is only if this happens. tell me what you think.
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[TheJensenKid15]

I'll second that! I'd love to have a get together, and take out a few peskie carp in the process!
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[fishboy2]

well from what i gather from the debate club, is that you only need a second to get things going, lol. when it gets closer to carp season, i will get things rolling, and we can add on after that.
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[fishluvr]

Sounds like fun to me. Keep us posted and I'm sure we can get some people out. Even if people don't want to bow fish they can come hang out and fish for cats or something.

Does anybody have any input on the retriever reels that put the line in a little bottle to reduce drag?? I am looking to get a cheap bow and set up and was wondering if these are good or just hype for the sales.
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[ironworker]

sounds like alot of fun. count me in on it.
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[fishboy2]

from what i have read, they are one of the vest types out there. one thing would stop me from getting one, they are pricey, so if you have 40 to 80 bucks to throw down i would definatley go for it, but if not, i would save you money and buy a different kind.
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[prov17]

If you think sticking fish with a bow and arrow is not sporting, you should try it sometime. Even in a couple inches of water that fish is not where it appears to be. The water bends your line of vision much the way it does when you stick a straw into a glass of water and it appears to be bent. Now add a moving fish to the mix and try to (shoot to miss to hit it). Its a lot more challenging then you would think.
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