Shooting broomsticks (gar)

[ksbowman]

I was driving down south yesterday to check on some cattle and decided to stop at a lake about 15 miles south and see if the carp were moving. I stopped and pulled out the binoculars and saw quite abit of action going on with several tails waving at me. Just my luck as I am fighting some tendonitis and decided it was best not to shoot for awhile, so I left my bow at home. There is a wildlife management area another 12 miles on my way  so I thought I should check out the water discharge on one of the pools there.It had rain alot the night before and the water was roaring. As I got out of the truck and looked next to the discharge tube I could believe my eyes. The gar were stacked up like cord wood on both sides of the tube, taking turns darting out and catching small fish and then returning to the staging area. It was then decided I'd forgo the pain and come back tomorrow.

[EricW]

Good luck. gonna try my luck this weekend.

[ksbowman]

I had alot to do and one of my grandaughters was visiting. I only had a short time after lunch to rundown and see if they were still there. My wife and Haley said they'd like to go with me and see the gar.    Looks like a log jamb doesn't it! There weren't the big ones there like yesterday, but there were enough to shoot at.

[stevemfwills]

ya id have to forgo the pain and stick some gators

[ksbowman]

The discharge tube is about eight foot in diameter and was running about 1/4 full so the water had slowed down,but it was still running good.       There was plenty of activity, here's more right beside the tube.

[ksbowman]

There was lots of shooting to do and a short time to do it. I only had about 30 minutes today, so I better make the best of it.               There's the first little guy, the arrow almost dwarfs him. I hit several that weren't dead center and the arrow would just take scales and slide off the side of them. It would make them take off and skip across the water.Some shots were almost straight down.           My buddy Haley watched papa and really got a kick out of the gar when I'd bring them in. "Papa" she said "they almost look like snakes with big teeth. Could you put a fishing reel on my bow?"      

[ksbowman]

In the 30 minutes we were there I shot seven gar, but dropped two back in the water on the way up the steep bank. Should have taken a stringer with me. I just don't normally put gar on a stringer. Here's the five I did get back up top.Little targets, huh?        

[Al Natural]

Nice post Ben.  Looks like everyone had fun.
Al

[Cyclic-Rivers]

   

[vermonster13]

Put the reel on her bow!

looks like fun for sure.

[ksbowman]

Here's a couple more pictures.  Some didn't have much fight left in em'     Unloading station  

[JoeArizona]

Wow.  Judging by that first picture did you have to aim...or just point and shoot?
Looks like fun, and always nice to share those times with the youngsters too!
Thanks for posting...

[Shinken]

GREAT ACTION right there!

Thank you for sharing!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[stevemfwills]

ya put a reel on her bow

[ksbowman]

I'm going to put a reel on her bow today. She won't be able to go fishing with me til next week though.  Ben

[rastaman]

[cobbow]

"It's Like Shooting Fish in a Barrel"

They must have been useing a bow and not a gun to shoot them fish. That looks like alot of fun.

   

Cobbow

[toddster]

The gar are starting to spawn here in central illinois, will try and get some pics loaded on here for  you all.

[rushlush]

Looks like a fun 1/2 hour!

[Gatekeeper]

Cool Ben!

Congratulations