The sport of bowfishing has been around for a long time, but out here in Colorado it’s still not widely practiced. It’s our responsibility as ethical sportsmen to act in a professional manner and take the time to educate the public about our sport. Below are some tips on how you can help.
Your individual actions, good & bad, can have an enormous impact on how bowfishing is perceived!
NEVER leave your fish on the shoreline or deposit them in public trash receptacles. First, it’s an utter waste of perfectly usable fish and second it’s simply rude and offensive. Always consider the general public and leave no trace.
Rotate where you bowfish and don’t overfish a body of water. The goal is to help manage carp populations, not to eradicate the species. Have fun but consider future generations’ access to the sport and always be mindful of what you take.
Be aware of others around you. If other people are fishing nearby, don’t encroach on their space. Keep a safe distance and share the water with your fellow fishermen. Don’t get tunnel vision when bowfishing.
Take the time to answer questions. Many people have never seen someone bowfish so it’s pretty common to be asked about the activity. Be courteous and take the time to show off your equipment, the safety mechanisms in place and then demonstrate how it’s done!
Explain to other fisherman why you bowfish. Not only is it fun, but bowfishing helps to keep non-native, invasive fish populations in check. Invasive fish populations, such as carp, often grow wildly out of control and adversely impact the ecosystem of game fish such as catfish, wiper, bass, trout, walleye and pike. Bowfishing can help to balance the populations and thereby help to improve the habitat and water conditions of Colorado fisheries. It is fun, but it’s also beneficial.
As with all hunting and fishing activities, always follow state laws and Division of Wildlife regulations when bowfishing. Always have your fishing license and identification on your person while bowfishing.
Quickly dispatch fish as soon as you reel it in. Knock it on the head with a Billy club or heavy pipe.
Put the fish you shoot to good use. Read the section below for some ideas.
Carp: Put them to good use
Although not well known as a family favorite in the US, carp is a traditional Christmas dish in some European countries. It can definitely be eaten and it’s worth trying at least once! First off, you have to properly clean the carp.
Carp taken by bowfishing make excellent fertilizer and composting material. Try posting an advertisement on CraigsList.com offering free, organic fertilizer & compost material – you’ll be surprised at the amount of responses you’ll get! Gardeners and farmers are often more than happy to take your fish and make good use of them. Create your own local network of individuals interested in taking your carp, this way you’ll always have a place to drop off your fish every time you go out on the water!
Contact local composting and fertilizer companies. Local farmers, community gardens, greenhouses or compost companies, like A1 Organics have taken our tournament carp and recycled it into useful, commercial grade fertilizer and compost that is both organic and environmentally beneficial.
Wildlife organizations. There are many organizations in Colorado that rehabilitate and care for injured, permanently disabled and displaced wildlife. Contact them and see if they would be interested in receiving free food for their animals. Many of these organizations are nonprofits that rely on donations, so they are often excited to receive free food sources. The COBF donates hundreds of pounds of carp, taken during our tournaments, to The Wild Animal Sanctuary to feed lions, tigers and bears. Oh my!
Wildlife organizations. There are many organizations in Colorado that rehabilitate and care for injured, permanently disabled and displaced wildlife. Contact them and see if they would be interested in receiving free food for their animals. Many of these organizations are nonprofits that rely on donations, so they are often excited to receive free food sources. The
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Your individual actions, good & bad, can have an enormous impact on how bowfishing is perceived!
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