Bowfishing Ban in Austin?
 

I am copying this from another Texas Fsihing site but it is important enough. Please take note and if you like bowfishing and ever want to try it then please send these people your thoughts. If we let them keep us off this one lake next it will be ALL lakes and ALL waters.
Robert

Dear sportsman and conservationist.

I am calling on you today to help fight for our sporting and conservation rights.

In June of 2004 supporters of Carp Conservation via catch and release specifically the groups American Carp Society
http://www.americancarpsociety.com and The Carp Anglers Group http://www.carpanglersgroup.com proposed to make Town Lake and Lake Austin catch and release only carp angling lakes. In spite of a long and well documented history of aquatic destruction by the common carp and his cousins this proposal found support in two city council members. Jeb Boyt Chairman of the downtown committee and Vice Chairman of Austin Parks committee. His e-mail is jeboyt@hotmail.com. Also Cid Galindo from the Austin Planning commission support this measure. His e-mail is cid.galindo@ci.austin.tx.us . This proposal now has a reasonable chance of passing.

Carp are listed by Petersons Field Guide to North American Native Fishes as an invasive exotic. Texas itself lists them as an invasive exotic species. Millions and millions of dollars are invested each year in fish screens and poisons to remove this aquatic pest. Carp are prolific breeders and muddy up a lake while feeding on plants, insects, the eggs of other fishes and fish themselves. They alter a lake so much that it it makes it uninhabitable for native species thus allowing carp to be the dominate species. As a food fish their flesh is boney and taste is unpleasant , so few if any Carp are used as a fish food. The only reasonable approach to Carp control is either chemical or mechanical. Chemical control involves poisons that effect the entire eco system not just the Carp. It is also expensive.

Mechanical removal includes commercial fishing techniques and bow fishing. This amendment being considered by the Austin City Council seeks to remove this most reasonable and least expensive of options. In all states Carp are listed as an invasive exotic and should be treated as such. To propose protective legislation for Carp is unreasonable. This well documented Paper shows the impact of Carp on a water shed http://www.hort.agri.umn.edu/h5015/00papers/baldry.htm . There are literally 100's of similar papers all across the world documenting the path of destruction of the carp.Why are The Authorities in Austin are working to preserve Carp when in fact we should be discussing better ways to preserve our native fish is beyond reason. What next a Fire Ant Conservation amendment !

If you need any further information on the impact of Carp please by all means contact curt@bowfishusa.com or president@nativefish.org

If you are concerned about the impact of Carp and our Aquatic enviroment please send an e-mail to all city council members and the Mayor of Austin by sending e-mail to http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/default.htm

The LSBA President, Gary Dick, has been informed about this and is getting with the LSBA Legislative Chairman to determine course of action.

Rotag, (Steve Slevin), has generated an on-line petition for bowhunters/bowfishermen to sign. Go to the below link, read the petition, and if you agree, please sign. Let's put a stop to this attack on bowhunting/bowfishing.

http://www.petitiononline.com/TL62004/

Signature on the way, once again great job Beleg!!

Thanks Rotag and Beleg. Signature and comments on the way.

Thanks for the Heads-Up!!

Bboswell

I'm number 317. Keep it up!

I'm 442. Maybe someone will pay attention..

I copied this to Archery Talk.....I was very surprised at the lack of interest over there!

Bboswell

The austin committee voted yesterday and it ended in a 2-2 tie so they are going to review the information for a month and then make a recommendation on Aug 17th. Typical city, they are thinking more about the foreign revenues they think they can get rather than bowfishermen's rights, despite the fact that the TPW says they cannot do this.

There were only 8 or 9 guys that showed up to support bowfishing yesterday so we need more there in August. Do not forget about this issue and let them slide it under the radar. You know that if those carp anglers do it at one lake they will do it in others!

What is the date of the city council meeting in August?

August 17, 2004
Parks and Recreation Complex
200 South Lamar
Austin
Noon (subject to change)

Just signed, there are currently 554 signatures. keep spreading the word.

Signed in & Signed up! The person that runs Peacock Archery in Belton told em of this site back in the spring when I was buying yet another batch of glass arrows, Computer was down last 6 months and I just remembered it when I was taking the Fish rig off my bow and setting it back up for Deer Season.

I'm #561. Anybody Hear the final outcome? I Haven't Bowfished Austin Lakes but I do in the Colorado River around Bend, TX where they migrate to the rapids to spawn. (Carp & Gar at the same time)

If they are pressuring the L.C.R.A., where will it stop?