bowfishing safety - input needed for new AK regulation

[homerdave]

i have a proposal in to AK F&G to allow bowfishing in salt water for salmon in areas where it is open to snagging by regulation. my proposal is specifically written to exclude the "fishing hole" on the homer spit.
i just talked to the bio who is writing the department position, and he says that the dept may oppose my proposal based on safety concerns.
i am looking for input  and arguments that will bolster my position. i plan on attending the meeting where this will be addressed.
i would especially like any examples of archery fisheries that are heavily utilized or fairly crowded (if there is such a thing), and also any bowfishing accidents you are aware of and how they happened.
thanks.
dave

[gudspelr]

Don't have any good input for you, but good luck with your endeavors.  We're really limited in Idaho for what species of fish can be taken with a bow.  Kudos to you for trying to expand opportunities for bow hunters.


Jeremy

[Looper]

You need to do some footwork and find out specifically what the safety concerns may be. There should be someone else in the f&g department that you can discuss the whole process with.  Specifically, the decision maker(s).  They should let you know in advance what the issues are, then you can answer them specifically.

Good luck.

[homerdave]

the way it works here is anyone can make any proposal and the board of fish will address it in a meeting that is open to the public. that is where the decision will be reached.
F&G 's initial input is simply a statement of support or oppose, they don't really go into much detail until the meeting.
it will be up to me and any other supporters i can muster to present/defend my idea and see it pass.

[Bonebuster]

I remember when snagging for salmon was legal here in Michigan.

I have no way to prove that bowfishing is safer, but I can tell you it is.

I wonder what safety issues they are concerned with? How safe are huge, weighted hooks lobbed into the water, and yanked back repeatedly?

Back when snagging WAS legal, it was not uncommon to stand shoulder to shoulder, and have hooks land beside, in front, or even BEHIND you, from across the river.

Here in Michigan snagging was banned for a number of reasons, INCLUDING safety. Bowfishing thrives.

Maybe you could contact the Michigan DNR. There are several big bowfishing tournaments here in Michigan, with tons of participants. I have never heard of any injuries. (michigan.gov/dnr)

[homerdave]

bonebuster...
my points exactly...

[Bill Sant]

Dave, when is your meeting.  Is it local or is it in Anch?  Might be able to attend and add support if you think it will help.

In my humble opinion.  Bowfishing using an aimed,accurate projectile is much safer than a cast hook with a chunk of lead attached.  Maybe we should require our fisherman to do a qualification to see if they can throw a hook accurately like we have to do with our bowhunter ed course.

[Lucas K]

Check out the Bowfishing Association of America ( bowfishingassociation.com ) they may have some ideas for combating the Dept.'s bias. they worked hard to keep the bowfishing of Redfish legal in Louisiana.

[homerdave]

the meeting is in homer at the KB research reserve offices,.november 15-18.

thanks lucas, i sent them an e-mail.

[razorback]

As Lucas said, checkout other states who have had similar isues and use their arguments and experiences to support your position. I would advise against using the safety of snagging as part of your argument. It is somewhat irrelavant and could cause the fight to go against all "projectile" fishing.

Good luck.

[KentuckyTJ]

Dave, LoweBow on here lives to bowfish and has been on many boards of our local wildlife groups. He has a lot of experience dealing with regulations at our states capital. You should send him a p.m.

T.J.