Bowfishing Newbie Question

[Roverrich]

So I have perhaps a silly question, forgive me if it is.

What do you guys do with the carp you shoot?

I've been a long time angler and practice catch are release 99% of the time. It seems like a waste to shoot carp and not put the meat to use.

I'm wondering if you guys (gasp) eat the carp?

[DawgDoc]

My grandad used to say that the way to cook carp is to tie the carp to a board and place it on your roof for 3 days. Then you take the carp down and throw it away and eat the board. So far for me I've found alot of truth in this even though he was always kidding. I'm interested to see if someone on here might have some good tips for you - I'm sure somebody knows how to cook it well.

[macbow]

Grass carp and buffalo are good eating. More white meat.
The common carp has a lot of dark meat. Still edible, but there are,so many better eating fish.

If bow fishing in an area with,a lot of people keep them to,dispose of later.

There are rapture places that accept fish even frozen. Also turtle farms,welcome,fish.

[Bow man]

They can be eaten They also make great fertilizer for the flower garden

[Shedrock]

Pickled, canned, smoked, and I save some in the freezer for bear bait.

[Pete McMiller]

I saved about a 3-4 lb buffalo last year to try it as they are supposed to be much better eating than carp.  Fileted and pan fried like I would any other fish.  It had a lot of bones, tasted vaguely like Tilapia I thought and the flesh was slightly soft.  Mind you, this was in the spring when the water was still cold.  I wouldn't be afraid to eat one again but with all the other fish species to pick from, a buffalo is way down the list.  I think pickled or smoked it would be pretty good.

I've eaten carp that someone had smoked and it wasn't bad.  My Grandma used to make fish soup with carp - I won't ever forget that experience and I never asked for the recipe.    :(

[Shawn Leonard]

They never go to waste, turtles and other species like a free meal. I have also planted a few in the garden for fertilizer. Never shot a ton of them but anyones out of the Hudson river I would not even attempt to eat. Shawn

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Like Shawn, I have used them for fertilizer.  I have eaten them but so far have not favored them over other fish.  Make sure the body of water is clean before you eat a species, there are a few rivers here I wouldn't even eat the walleyes out of.

some people grid them up and make fish patties out of them, they're supposed to be good.

when I lived in WI I found some people begged me for them, they loved them.  I also gave them to a Mink Farmer who said they were good for the coats of his mink.

[Fletcher]

Turtles and raccoons think they taste great

[Greg Clark]

I "slit and sink" mine as I don't have a good place to dispose of them on terra firma.  This is the disposal method recommended to me by the KY DNR when I first went to KY Lake a few years ago.

[KOOK68]

I wouldn't consider shooting them and not utilizing them a waste. They are an invasive species, and compete with native species.

[tuscarawasbowman]

Definetly check out the EPA Sport fish advisory for your state before eating them. Some bodies of water they reccomend eating only once a month and some you should never eat. Looks like yours can be located here:  http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/fishadvisory/index.htm

[Kamm1004]

cutbait for channel cats. They hold to the hook good because of the thick skin

[LC]

Quote "Definetly check out the EPA Sport fish advisory for your state before eating them"

The are invasive species and to boot they are bottom feeders where most pollutants are. I USE to save some for fertilizing my garden till I realized I was fertilizing with mercury. Just a thought.

[ishoot4thrills]

Originally posted by KOOK68:
I wouldn't consider shooting them and not utilizing them a waste. They are an invasive species, and compete with native species.

X2  

[Stone Knife]

Originally posted by KOOK68:
I wouldn't consider shooting them and not utilizing them a waste. They are an invasive species, and compete with native species.

I agree. In NY you must take them with you to dispose of properly, I bury some in a manure pile for an additional additive to my mulch. I am going to salt preserve some for this falls coon bait,  to be used during trapping season. In any event they will not go to waste per say.

[COOCH]

I know a guy who has a chinese restaurant that loves carp,and I love general Tso,s chicken.Lets just say we have an agreement.