Bow Fishing.... Is It Ethical?

[MAD]

Why is bowfishing for carp when they are not to be eaten wrong? I hope noone is naive enough to believe that all the bass you caught and released survived. This is really not to make anyone mad, but to realize that fighting within the sporting ranks is just what they want. If you don't know who "they" are then we are in real trouble.

Mike

[K_Mac]

Why is bowfishing for carp when they are not to be eaten wrong? I hope noone is naive enough to believe that all the bass you caught and released survived. This is really not to make anyone mad, but to realize that fighting within the sporting ranks is just what they want. If you don't know who "they" are then we are in real trouble.

Mike

There are many different ideologies and world views represented here. It is naive to think we are all going to agree on much of anything other than bass fishing is fun. One of the great things about this forum is the ability to discuss issues related to fishing. Yes, we all know who "they" are, and intelligent conversation about fishing ethics only makes "us" stronger in my opinion. You are entitled to yours.

[MAD]

I think the point I was making was missed. People said they don't believe that killing fish is ethical if they are not going to be eaten. I was bringing up the fact that not all bass released survive either. So what then is the difference in shooting a carp that isn't going to be eaten or catching and releasing 50 bass in a day, knowing that a certain number of those bass will die.

Mike

[K_Mac]

I think the point I was making was missed. People said they don't believe that killing fish is ethical if they are not going to be eaten. I was bringing up the fact that not all bass released survive either. So what then is the difference in shooting a carp that isn't going to be eaten or catching and releasing 50 bass in a day, knowing that a certain number of those bass will die.

Mike

Mike a person stating that killing fish just for the sport is unethical is simply giving their opinion. That opinion is what the OP asked for. Whether you or I agree with that opinion makes no difference at all.

The difference between shooting a carp and knowing statistically that a certain number of released fish will not survive is this; a fish that is shot, whether it is eaten or not, has zero chance of surviving the encounter; a fish handled properly and returned to the water has a very good chance of surviving most the time. Catch and release has made a huge difference in fisheries across the country, making fishing better for all of us. Selective harvest in many situations is also a good thing. I think bow fishing falls into the later category. Just my opinion.

[BassinB]

Im all for it. The damage carp cause to spawning areas of soft bottom lakes for other fish is enough reason for me to remove as many as possible. The Asian carp are at the top of my list of carp that need to be controlled through whatever means possible and if that includes killing them with bows, bats, or heck even shotguns I'm fine with it. All of the carp shooting tournys around here donate their catches to local farmers for fertilizer.

[trevor]

I'm conflicted on this subject, as far as with the common carp. Carp are invasive, but as stated I know plenty of places where bass and carp coexist. I have bowfished for carp when I was around 12 and loved it, but now that I catch and release carp, I would feel bad about it. It's like if a bass fisherman went bow fishing for bass... just weird. I definitely won't say it's wrong to do, but I don't do it. I find it much more satisfying to try to fool them with artificials, and the good fight they put up is great. I do however not like to see the guys just chuck them up on the bank to die. Seems disrespectful, and it gives sportsmen a bad name.

[SirSnookalot]

We aren't talking survival, that's entirely separate issue. Ethical to bow hunt a fish, IMO no, but if it's legal I can't get bent out of shape about it. I see little or no difference in shooting a carp, bass or any other species. Some people classify fishing as a sport, others call it an activity, I can't be convinced that bow hunting fish is a sport.

[joshholmes]

i see no real problem with bowfishing for carp as long as it doesn't go to waste. i've tried it and it is fun. but one thing that really urks me is people who bowfish for alligator gar, which are practically extinct in america because of unethical fishing practices and ignorant people.