I Was Wrong - Alligator Gar
 

I owe everyone an apology. I reported that TPWD Commissioners had forwarded the recommendation that the Alligator Gar would have no bag limit or size limit except for Lake Texoma. I was wrong. The proposal that went to the Texas Register and will be voted on in March is to limit the taking of Alligator Gar to One (1) fish per day on all waters statewide. This has a major impact on bowfishermen. You can check the schedule for the public meetings at: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business...wide_hearings/ . We all need to make as many of the public hearings as possible, comment on the TPW website when it opens for comment, and let our voices be heard yet again.

Again my apologies for misreporting it originally.

Thanks Jack

Thanks again Jack. I'm wondering if there is any basis on their decision. Are the larger gar in jeopardy? Or are they just worried that with out some sort of regulation that they will decline in numbers before they have a chance to preserve them.

I have no problem with them limiting it to one alligator gar per day, you can still shoot all the longnose and spotted gar you want. You should know that historically that the proposals the go to the register are pretty much always adopted, I can't think of any instance they were reversed.

My question then is when all gar are young can you tell the difference. I have never bowfished for gar but was thinking about it but don't want to shoot the wrong thing.

A young alligator gar and an average shortnose are similar, the snout is short and broad.
The alligator gar is the only one that has a double row of teeth in the upper bill.
Now the question is, " how do you get the fish to roll over and open his mouth".
Ron