journal
BAA News
Gear Reviews
How to’s Destination’s
Volume 1
April 2011
Ohio River For Bigheads Muzzy XD Review Member Discounts Asian Carp Recipes Brady Miller on Carp Gville’s Hidden Surprises
BAA Photo Story
Under the Lights
Redneck Airboats Fan Build
The Asian Carp Explosion
www.Bowfishingassociation.com
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amsad
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masthead
BAA E-Journal Bowfishing Association April 2011
Volume 1
Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Jeff Sagehorn
Managing Editor Mike McCombie
Contributing editors Jason Greer Amanda Nichols
Richard Vance Justin Harris Bob Beneteau
Joe Nichols Mark Lee Robert Rice Brady Miller Josh Watson
Contributing Companies www.Bowfishingcountry.com American Eagle Bows Gulf Coast Archery Carp Busters
BAA Board Members President................ Mark Lee Vice President......... Alan Yador Secretary/Treasure... Lisa Dunkle State Rep Manager..Jason Greer Point Chairman...... Amanda Nichols Records Keeper....... Aaron Senn Marketing Director.. Charles Kupfer Editor in Chief........Jeff Sagehorn
Spring is upon us and I’ve already heard rumors on Bowfishingcountry that
someone has already seen some fish dumped at there local ramp. Which to me is extremely sad because I haven’t even had a chance to get on the water yet (due to a broken finger) and someone is already working on screwing up bowfishing before I’ve even had a chance to get out on the water! Regardless of how ethical and legal you are, this is a problem that really effects all bowfishermen. The sport of Bowfishing is growing in leaps and bounds and every year brings hundreds of new bowfishermen to our great sport. The only problem with this is most newcomers have no idea the trials and tribulations many of us have been through the past 4 decades and usually end up causing more harm than good. Many times newcomers here about our sport through magazines ( like the Bowfisher) or see Bowfishing on TV and think that looks like fun! And as we all know, bowfishing is a blast! But more times than not they run right out and buy a reel, a couple arrows and head to the water to try there luck at shooting some of those flying fish they’ve seen on TV. And more times than not they find out the hard way they live nowhere near that species of fish, but none the less they manage to stick a few (hopefully legal species). Once they’ve stuck a few and they are feeling pretty good about their new found hobby, they are perplexed with the issue that plagues many of us, fish disposal. Many times they end up dumping these fish back into water only to float up on residences lawns or end up dumping them at the boat ramp for hundreds of other boaters and fishermen to enjoy(sarcasm). Now regardless if you did it, your guilty by association. I know what your thinking......” the heck I am” but in the publics eyes we are. We are those nasty Bowfishermen that are dumping fish at the ramps or those jerks shooting the fish that keep floating up on my lawn. And if you don’t think it will effect you because you didn’t do it, you couldn’t be farther from the truth. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not against newcomers joining our ranks, not at all they are the future of our sport! But if we (the older, hopefully more responsible ones) don’t start taking responsibility to educate as well as police these individuals whenever possible as to the proper way to dispose of their catch, the nonbowfishing public will take action against all bowfishermen. And I guarantee you, responsible or not we will all suffer the consequences :( So heading into this new season let’s all try to make it a point of trying to educate non-bowfishermen as well as newcomers on the correct way, as well as the legal ways to act as bowfishermen. If we all stick together we can guarantee our children will be able to enjoy the same sport we all love. EJ
Good luck this season and please don’t shoot them all before I have a chance to get on the water ;-)
Cover by Photo Mike McCombie
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Bowfishing Association
Table of contents
51 56 6 10 12 18 21 22 26 36 48 50
Something Smells Fishy “Recipes” By BAA Members
Braggin’ Board By BAA Members
Letter From The President By Mark Lee
Carpbusters By Robert Rice
Under The Lights By Editorial Staff
Lever Addiction By Justin Harris
BAA News By Mark Lee
Gear Bag By BFC
State Rep Profiles By Jason Greer
Ohio River For Bigheads By Joe Nichols
14 32
G’villes Hidden Surprises By Mike McCombie
BAA Photo Story
38
By William Hollis III
40 46 52
By Josh Watson
Product Reviews
Not a Good Week To Be A Common By Brady Miller
Carp Anglers Are At It Again By Jason Greer
Why Join the BAA By Mark Lee
Members Boats By BAA Members
Pro Shop By Bob Beneteau “BowBob”
Cover Photo Contest To submit photos for Cover Photo contest send your photos to: jeffs@bowcountry.com All submissions become property of the BAA
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Gargod ad
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letter from the Pres
By Mark Lee As spring is approaching, and the snow is accumulating less and less on the ground, changes are happening for the better for the fish to migrate up in the shallows. Where only less than a month ago, here in Arkansas we were experiencing white pastures and frigid temperatures, now the days and nights are driving us also to migrate towards the shallows to look for rough fish species moving up. I have been chasing the sac-a-lait (crappie) and the bass for the last few weeks, and have been dropping anchor to keep the boat in place, but with the normal depth that I have been fishing, when the anchor hits bottom, I can still see it‌..clearly! Most of the fish that I have been catching on our local lake has been in average of 2 feet or less! I have some flats that I have been concentrating on with the sac –alaits, and bass, but cannot get within 100 yards in some of the back, and others within 500 yards to the back. I started out a few weeks ago checking to see if the game fish had moved up with some haphazard casting here and there, but keeping my eye on the backs of the shallow flats. Oddly enough, I have yet come home empty handed with either bass or crappie, or both, but always fishing within view of those 2 flats!
Now, the reason why I keep referring to the two flats is these are prime locations for our quick bowfishing runs by the house. I live within 10 minutes from driveway to boat launch, and for the last few weeks, there has been A LOT of activity going on within those flats. Only problem is, to access them, you will need an airboat, not a glitter boat. I also use a 12 foot jon boat with a troller for the game fish, but still unable to maneuver within range of the backs of these flats due to the shallowness of them, and the numerous stumps to try to navigate thru to attempt to get within these golden waters! Unless we have high winds that pound flats, or heavy rains within the last 24 hours, these flats stay clear even when the rest of the lake gets dingy from the spring rains, therefore making them an ideal place to make a run for an hour or two. As your idling thru these flats at night with the airboat, you will have quite a few gar and grinnel (dogfish, or Choupique(pronounced shoe pick) , whichever you may call them). There have been nights where we will see as many as 100 in an area, and the choupique will have the neon green fins glowing in the light as you pass. Last year, Monty, my son shot his first one weighing a little over 10 pounds! I have yet to venture out to the backs of these flats with the airboat, but continue to stay in the 2 foot area with the glitter boat, as the crappie and bass will only be up for the next month in these areas in concentration, but spring break will be here for Monty, and we will be cruising the banks of the flats during his break!
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Bowfishing Association
letter from the Pres 2
As spring is bringing about the changes in fishing, it also has brought new changes to the BAA! The result of the spring meeting out of Nashville, Tennessee brought new changes to the functioning of the BAA. The creation of these ideas have been going on since the fall of last year, but for us to better create the ideas to reality, we have been working behind the scenes to recruit people who are energetic with the ideas that the BAA is wanting better ways to serve the members. We created a new Board of Directors to help run the National Organization more efficiently that it was being run due to the sheer number of people needing to be contacted in a decision making process like we ran into with the oil spill on the Coast last year, and the moving of a World Championship which until last year had never come up. We created a few new positions, but for the most part, kept and revitalized old positions to modernize them to be able to compete with the changing times and ways of communication.
The New Board now consists of the President, Vicepresident, Sec/Treasurer, State Rep Manager, Marketing Director, E-Journal Editor and Chief, Points Chairman, Records Keeper, and Social Networking Director. These volunteers will be there to assist members and will be a point of contact with any problems that may arise during the year. The ideas that have been born from these positions will be surfacing over the year with many new and exciting changes for bowfishermen and women to enjoy and have at their disposal! If you have any ideas as members that you would like to contribute, please feel free to contact any of the Board. I hope that your fishing will be coming in bloom with the trees as ours is, and that this year the waters provide you with excellent conditions and great amounts of rough fish! If you’re interested in becoming a member of the BAA, and wanting to help support the sport of Bowfishing through the BAA, again, please contact us. We have forums on www.bowfishingcountry.com, and a new website at www.bowfishingassociation.com. Please feel free to follow the new changes that are coming about within the Bowfishing Association of America this year! Sincerely, Mark w. Lee BAA
President,
I need to get me one of those!!
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Bowfishing Association
backwater
Bowfishing Association
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Oneidaad
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carpbusters
CARPBusters.com CONSERVATIONIST PROTECTING NATIVE FISH
Many of us who are sportsmen do not realize the tremendous impact we have on conservation efforts. I have fished, hunted, and hiked most of my life on public lands that were bought and maintained with sportsmen’s dollars. It is with no small bit of pride that I say that. We pay the bills for park rangers and places to hunt and fish on with our license fees and taxes. We are the first set of eyes for many a park ranger and have helped stop countless poachers, wildfires, and various other crimes, big and small that can cause untold headaches for our field biologist and fellow sportsmen. Simply put- we are the hands and feet of conservation in America. Without us, things would be in a much worse state or even worse than worse; there would be no state of conservation to speak of in this country. So while you enjoy this inaugural issue of bow fisher magazine, grab a cup of coffee and ponder the fact that without you there would be many less meadowlarks, snakes, lizards, wrens, flowers and other creepy crawlies in this world; and take pride in the fact that your hunting and fishing has made a real difference. With that said, let me tell you why we are here. Carpbusters is an organization of sportsmen and biologists who believe that bowfishing is one of the most cost-effective ways to control invasive exotic species there is. Invasive exotic species, as you may know, are animals, plants or fish that came from some other place in the world either by an intentional introduction or by being a stowaway. Upon their arrival they negatively impact local flora and fauna. Examples of invasive exotics in America would be the Norway rat, the house mouse, fire ants, all the carps, hogs, snakeheads, and pythons. Invasive exotics are the ones we all need to be concerned with. Just so you can feel rather pithy around the water cooler this week let me add that Cows, honeybees, and chickens are an exotic brought here by man and for the most part they have a minimal impact on how things run. They are exotic but not an invasive exotic. Thus they don’t really affect people’s day to day lives in a negative way. Also Man is not an exotic species. We dragged our tired old selves here on our own, so we would be a range expansion. Kind of like when armadillos moved from Mexico to Texas and then to Oklahoma. Armadillos like humans are a range extension not an exotic species. That is a mistake commonly made especially by those with an axe to grind about killing invasives or man existing or other such things. With this bit of carpbusters science terminology you are now officially loaded for bear as they say for the next eco rant you may here about the invasive nature of Mankind. You can rightly reply sir Mankind is a range extension and thus cannot be an invasive species just a dominant one. We hope it buys you kudos at your next cocktail party
CARPBusters.com
CONSERVATIONIST PROTECTING NATIVE FISH
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Bowfishing Association
carpbusters 2
In future columns we will talk specifically about the exotic invasives that can and should be taken by the bow and arrow and the folks who do it in a spectacular way. We encourage massive harvest of these species that are destroying watersheds and causing millions of dollars in damage every day. To the surprise of many inside and outside bowfishing, these invasive exotic species are already the bulk of harvest for bowfishermen everyday so it’s not a big change in actions to do mainly invasives harvest It is simply a change in mindset. Think exotics first, that’s all we ask. Want to shoot a big gar? Great we are all for it, follow the local regs and have fun. Want to shoot a ton of fish? Well let me recommend a carp-a-thon to clean up a lake and make yourself a conservation hero. Sick of losing panfish in Potomac? Shoot some snakeheads. Sick of flying carp in Peoria? Dude, start shooting. Bowfishing is the single most effective way to remove invasive fishes without harming native fishes. Simply put, bowfishermen see, then shoot. Shocking, netting and other harsh techniques kill thousands of native species as by catch. Bowfishing is clean, efficient and can have a real impact on a body of water as seen in the Lake Wingra photo. It won’t stop invasives in all bodies of water but it is a great part of a management plan. Bowfishing can and should put a real dent in the bad guys
www.southernstylebowfishing.com
Do we pass on lands managed for feral hogs and lakes managed for Carp? Or do we pass on what was given to us a unique natural heritage that was preserved thru the sweat and dollars of our forefathers the American Sportsmen. What it really comes down to for us sportsmen is what are we will support in our public lands. If we tolerate invasive exotics then Bass suffer, panfish suffer, birds in the everglades suffer, and our unique heritage suffers. I find that unacceptable. I never pass up a shot on an invasive unless my arms are flat broke, but I will pass up a shot on a native gar or buffalo if it’s not a trophy sized fish. I hope you do the same. No matter what though, I want you to be proud of the impact sportsmen have had and continue to have in America’s conservation heritage. It is a great gift to pass on to future generations a healthy environment and a In conclusion I can say with confidence that rarely do sportsmen have such a clear cut and dry choice in what conservation ethic. we pass on to our kids. Do we pass on bodies of water Until next issue good luck and good fishing. filled with carps, snakeheads and zebra mussels?
CARPBusters.com CONSERVATIONIST PROTECTING NATIVE FISH
CARPBusters.com
CONSERVATIONIST PROTECTING NATIVE FISH
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Bowfishing Association
underthelights
the asian push pair of Michigan law makers are drafting legislation that would force the Corps Engineers to complete their Asian Carp study in less than 18 months. If this new legislation passes, the Corp of Engineers will be forced to speed up their study by more than two years. Michigan Law makers feel that the four year study proposed by the Corp of Engineers is just to long to wait with such a dangerous threat knocking on the Great Lakes front door. The new legislation will also call for the Corp of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan to keep the Asian Carp from reaching the Great Lakes in the future. This new legislation would also call for work to begin immediately on a way to physically separate the Chicago canal systems from Lake Michigan. These canals systems are currently used by barges to move goods all over the northeast, and been considered vital to commerce in the area. Until now Illinois officials have been opposed to closing the locks contending that it would be extremely detrimental to economy. Now maybe it’s just my paranoid personality but I have to ask myself why now? Why the sudden change of heart now when there hasn’t been anymore DNA found on the Great Lakes side of the Barrier. If these law makers would only put a fraction of the funds aside that they spend on poisons, rerouting canal systems, electronic barriers etc, into other control methods such as Bowfishing, commercial fishing, dropping the restrictions on the sale these fish etc, not only could they help manage these fish, they could boost their economy at the same time.
A
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removed upon request
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Bowfishing Association
crow creek
Crow Creek - Lake Guntersville
Bowfishing Association
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crow creek 2
Swampthing
By Mike Mccombie
Lake Guntersville is well known for it’s great Bowfishing! With its hundreds of miles of shoreline, dozens of sloughs and backwaters, and it’s ability to produce record size fish, Lake Guntersville is quickly becoming a MUST VISIT destination among serious Bowfishermen. Lake guntersville also has a few surprises that many bowfishermen don’t know about. Stumps! and lots of them!! I’ve fished Guntersville for the past decade and it wasn’t until the summer of 2008 that I understood why so many bass boats over there have different color lower units compared to there motors, they tear them off on a regular basis! The Stump fields over there are everywhere and if the water level is just right, the fishing can be down right treacherous! Now in the winter and spring months the stumps are easily seen but in the mid summer months the Hydrilla can get so thick on the lake you can almost walk on it............. Almost! These areas tend to hold some really good fish, Buffalo and Grass carp especially, but trying to see these monsters is nearly impossible let alone seeing the hidden stumps just below the surface. Once the hydrilla reaches it’s peak in may and june, bowfishing some areas of the lake is nearly impossible with a troller rig or a kicker rig, the weeds are just too thick. But if you have an airboat or fan boat the fishing can be hot and heavy in these areas! One of the best ways to bowfish these areas is to troll (fan) at a rather quick pace pushing the fish up towards surface and into open pockets of water where you can get a clear shot at them. This style of fishing is usually fast pace and a lot of action! The only draw back to this kinda fishing is your usually moving pretty fast, standing really close to the front of the boat, starring down into the water trying to catch a glimpse of your prey. We jokingly called this the “launch position” because after bumping and banging into a couple real good size stumps, we knew it was only a matter of time before someone went swimming!
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crow creek 3
But when your in the heat of the moment chasing 30+ pound Buff’s around, you tend to let your guard down and all you can think about is sticking that fish one way or another. The night was going great, we were on to some big fish and only had a couple of close calls until we made our way up to Crow Creek and that’s when the night got really fun. Those of you that have fished Crow Creek know it’s known for it’s thick grass and it’s big Buff’s and we were onto some good ones. The fish were everywhere but all we could see was there wakes running off ahead of us (typical). The chase was on! We were running the Airboat on plane fishing three of us off the front deck chasing buff’s in and out of the hydrilla when all of a sudden the boat just about came to a complete stop! All three of us ( River Cat, Bowfishing Addiction, and myself) were just about thrown off the front of the boat. We all struggled to hook a foot on anything we could to try to stay onboard but in my case it was no use! I got slung off the front of the boat like I got shot out of a cannon. It was like I was in slow motion headed towards the hydrilla and the only thing I could think of was how deep was it and would I be able to swim in that thick #@* crap! I hit the hydrilla with my bow out in front of me and was
surprised how thick it was. It was like falling in pudding, it actually slowed and cushioned my fall considerably. The water only turned out to be a few feet deep and I managed to keep my upper body from going under water when I landed. Then it hit me..........the boat that is. Yup even though it seemed like the whole thing happened in slow motion, the reality is we were moving at pretty good pace and when the boat hit the stump, I flew off, splashed down and BAM! the airboat ran me over forcing me down into the mud. Thank god it wasn’t a outboard, that wouldn’t have been pretty at all! I popped up thinking what the heck just happened, then I heard “are you alright being screamed from partners”. I responded “That Sucked” and the boat bust out in laughter..........and I gotta admit once I realized I wasn’t hurt I busted out laughing myself. Other than being soaked, covered in hydrilla I was no worse for the wear. The morel of the story fellas is be careful out there because it’s not always the things you can see that will get ya! My situation turned out ok and was comical in the end but it could have turned out much worse ;-) Good luck out there this season and try to stay dry.
Bowfishing Association
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cajunad
THOSE WHO KNOW BOWFISHING
KNOW CAJUN!
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leveraddiction
By: Justin “Anonym” Harris, AREA 5150 Staff “Lever Action” bows have been around since the early inception of the compound bow. From the first patent issued on September 21, 1976 when I was just a little over 8 months old, to John Islas for the Mohawk “Laser”, this design has evolved into what most consider the best bowfishing platform today! We plan to explore the design, both past and present, and discuss tips and tricks for you, the lever-action bowfisher, to best enjoy the benefits of this mechanical marvel. The name “Oneida” is practically synonymous with the lever-action bow, for it was Oneida Labs, Inc., located in upstate New York, which brought this design to the masses back in 1982. Oneida has gone through a handful of ownerships and relocated about as many times, but they have remained true to the original “H-Series” bow concept that was released almost 3 decades ago.
Lazer
Photo By 5150
Since then, only a few other companies have ventured into the lever-bow market, but none have yet been as successful as Oneida. Regardless of the manufacturer, whether it is Oneida Labs, Firebrand Technologies, C.P. Oneida Eagle Bows, Monster Bows, and soon to be AREA 5150 Bows, the fact that the older models are still in the hands of archers and bowfishermen everywhere is a testament to the ingenuity of Mr. Islas so many years ago. Our first column would like to cover one basic function of the lever bow that all owners should be familiar with – draw weight adjustments.
Draw Weight Adjustments: All lever-action bows are capable of a wide range of draw weight adjustment, typically in a 20-pound weight span. The weight range is determined by the thickness of the “power limb”, which is the inner limb attached to the riser of the bow by a pivot and limb bolt assembly. Although actual weights achieved are influenced by a few variable factors, such as cable lengths, limb lengths, age, and amount of use of the limbs, they were produced in weight ranges of 25lbs45lbs, 35lbs-55lbs, 40lbs-60lbs, 50lbs-70lbs, and 60lbs80lbs sets. If the limb sticker which indicates the weight range has been removed, you can still determine the weight range of the limb by identifying limb thickness, shape, and/or by a series of markings Photo By 5150 on the limb boltend of the limb. Charts are available from online sources as well as service shops that can decipher this information if needed. WARNING: Although the bow is
capable of being adjusted below the listed weight range of the limb, it is not recommended to shoot the bow without sufficient tension on the power and yoke cables!
Photo By 5150 Once you know what weight range you’re working within, adjustment within that range is extremely easy to do by yourself!
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Bowfishing Association
leveraddiction 2
There are two acceptable methods to adjust the draw weight of any lever-action bow. I will discuss both methods and the “pros and cons” of each. Slight variations as to the locations of items mentioned may be found between right and left-handed models.
The “cons” to this method is that the loosened timing wheel bolt requires the extra step to verify/set the tiller of the bow. With this method, it is possible to get the cams slightly out of sync, which can affect the bow’s tuning, resulting in inefficiency and increased noise level.
Method 1: This method is what is included in the owner’s manual and recommended by C.P. Oneida and Method 2: This method is used by many veteran lever their factory repair shops. bow technicians with great results, and is the preferred method of Richard “Boar” Vance at AREA Step 1: Loosen the timing wheel bolt located on the 5150 and Gulfcoast Archery. It is essentially identical lower cam assembly. This is a 10-24 socket head bolt to Method 1, except the timing wheel bolt is not that attaches the lower cam to the lower timing wheel loosened. The steps are as follows: through a slot in the timing wheel. On older models, this bolt is inserted from the outside of the timing Step 1: Turn the 5/16-18 limb bolt equal turns per wheel and threaded into the cam. On newer models, limb to the desired weight. Tightening the bolts will this bolt is inserted through a hole in the cam, through increase the draw weight, while loosening the bolts the timing wheel, and threaded into a tensioning hub will decrease the draw weight. It is recommended on the outside of the timing wheel. The head of the that each limb bolt is turned a maximum of 2 turns bolt is sometimes painted orange to help identify it. per limb before alternating to the opposite limb, Without removing the bolt from the threading, always maintaining an equal number of turns per proceed to Step 2 limb. You will achieve an approximate 5 pounds of Step 2: Turn the draw weight adjustment per one full turn of the limb 5/16-18 limb bolt bolt. (This is identical to Step 2 from Method 1). equal turns per limb to the desired Step 2: Check tiller for each limb, adjust as necessary weight. Tightening by loosening the limb bolt of the side measured to the bolts will increase length or tightening to decrease length. increase the draw (This is identical to Step 3 from Method 1). weight, while Photo By 5150 loosening the bolts Step 3: Check draw weight to verify correct will decrease the draw weight. It is recommended that adjustment and proceed to stick fish! each limb bolt is turned a maximum of 2 turns per limb before alternating to the opposite limb, always maintaining an equal number of turns per limb. You will achieve an approximate 5 pounds of draw weight adjustment per one full turn of the limb bolt. Step 3: Check tiller for each limb, adjust as necessary by loosening the limb bolt of the side measured to increase length or tightening to decrease length.
Justin Teaching the next generation
Step 4: Once tiller is set, tighten the timing wheel bolt, check draw weight to verify correct adjustment, and proceed to stick fish! The “pros” to this method is that you never risk damage to the timing system of the bow. The loose timing wheel bolt allows the timing system to equalize tension while adjustments are being made.
Lever Addiction
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Bowfishing Association
leveraddiction 3
Step 3: Check draw weight to verify correct adjustment and proceed to stick fish!
Photo By: “DEADEYE”
The “pros” of this method is that you will never risk your bow getting out of tune by keeping the cam systems locked in sync with the timing system. Once the tiller is verified, all components of the system automatically equalize and your bow is back to the original tuning. The “cons” of this method is that there is potential to damage the timing system if adjustments are not made per the manufacturer’s 2-turns per limb recommendation. Damage may be a stretched timing cable, requiring additional adjustment, or a broken timing cable, requiring replacement. The timing cable is capable of withstanding much more tension than what can be generated following these recommendations, so the likelihood of damage is extremely minimal.
All BAA Members receive a 10% Discount when ordering from the GarGuy’s
Summary: The best part of the lever-action bow is that the design allows for the owner to adjust and maintain the bow with some basic knowledge and without requiring any special tools. We hope you have enjoyed sharing in our “lever addiction” and will join us again in the next episode of the Bowfishing Association of America’s E-Journal! You can follow more of Anonym’s exploits at www.BowfishingCountry.com
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Bowfishing Association
BAA News
The Bowfishing Association of America Annual Spring Meeting brought several changes to the BAA, but one of the biggest changes the BAA has seen in years was made to the structure of the Board of Directors. At this years spring meeting, it was voted on and passed that there would be an amendment to the By-Laws regarding the BAA Board of Directors. Originally, the Board consisted of the officers and the state reps, but with the change of how bowfishing is done today vs. when the organization was created, and with the internet, it was decided that having a board with less to contact would be more effective to help with decision making on issues. The members and state reps will still have say in everything, but this will be laid out by in our monthly meetings of any issues, and we will have more people to contact with any issues. The Worlds being moved last year was a prime example of how a smaller board would have been more effective, contacting 9 people to decide whether to move it vs. 40. There will still be discussions on such issues before going in front of the board, but the overall board will vote according to the members and state reps input. Here is the 2011 BAA Board of Directors and their titles: President - Mark Lee Vice President - Alan Yedor Treasure/Secretary - Lisa Dunkle BAA State Rep Manger - Jason Greer BAA Marketing Director - Charles Kupfer BAA E Journal Editor & Chief - Jeff Sagehorn BAA Points Chairman - Amanda Nichols BAA Record Keeper - Aaron Senn BAA Social Networking Director - Needs to be filled. All positions were voted on at the meeting, and we only need one to be filled as of now, so if your interested in one of these positions, the Social Networking Director position, which will include the facebook page. please contact one of the Board if interested. Thanks, Mark
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gear bag
Yellow Jacket Carbon-Fiberglass Fishing Shaft • A revolutionary Cajun Archery product! • Stonger, straighter & stiffer (65% greater spine) than regular bowfishing shafts • Allows use of higher draw weight bows; also works exceptionally well w/ lighter bows • Shaft weight 1190 grains
New Muzzy Xtreme Duty Bowfishing Reel.
Featuring a stainless steel foot, all steel and brass drive system, over sized stainless steel roller pick up pin, extra large spool, increased line capacity, stainless steel hood and push button cap. Built and designed for bowfishing. Recommended line of either 200# Brownell Fast Flight (item 1070) reel capacity of 100 ft or 150# Braided Spectra (item 1073) reel capacity of 150 ft. Also features dual spool shaft bearings, automotive disc type drag, convertible RH or LH retrieve. Fits anchor reel seat item # 1063. For Warranty info please click on the More Details button below.
The company’s new “ Pro-Point ™” represents an important advancement in wire-barbed fish point design. The point features patent pending improvements that include a removable/replaceable wire barb and a vibration dampening friction O-ring and alignment pin that keeps the tip from vibrating loose during a jarring day of boating. In addition, the newly designed wire barbs are “contour-bent” to lay closer to the point’s streamlined body for better penetration and improved holding power. Fast, pivot release requires only 1 1/2 turns of the tip.
Bowfishing Association
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gear up 2
Oneida Eagle Osprey Backwater Bowfishing Edition . Bow has a lightweight, durable casting and offers a wide range of poundage and let-off selections. Super light bow weighs only 3 1/2 pounds mass weight, unbelievably lightweight. The Osprey comes with an assortment of interchangeable modules that make draw-weight and let-off adjustment an easy, do-it-yourself project. This incredibly light, fast drawing, quick-pointing bow is designed with the shooting capabilities suited to make the 'snap-shot' that most bow-fishers are presented with. The Osprey also features the ESC carbon limbs. These carbon limbs are perfectly suited for use around water, and are made to withstand extreme temperatures and moisture without warping. To further enhance the Osprey's durability in a wet environment, the stainless model components are made exclusively of stainless steel prevent rusting and corroding. Reel and accessories not included. Check out our new exclusive color "Swamp Assassin"! The hottest new bow of 2011! The Backwater Swamp Assassin limited edition will be available in stock and ready to ship to your door from Backwater Outdoors soon. At this time it is running about a couple of weeks. The Swamp Assassin bow will be offered with a free set of matching finger slicks installed on the string, just let us know upon purchase if you would like them!
The AMS Retriever Pro is more efficient than any other bowfishing reel available. No buttons to push before the shot. Just Draw, Aim and Shoot!
New for 2011! - Hi Vis Orange 200# Braided Dacron Line
and the AMS Trigger Guard that ensures excess line will not catch on the trigger.
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ychampionship 2
The fourth annual Jarrod Ashmore kids bowfishing tournament,JUNE THE 19 BARKLEY DAM PAVILLION,LAKECITY KY. This tournament is totally free to all kids under the age of 18,this is not a target shooting event this is a fish shooting event!!!!!!We try to hold this shoot at the best possible time to take advantage of the asian carp,every year these young men and ladies shoot several thousands of pounds of fish,and gain memories for a lifetime!!!!! We break this shoot up into age groups *** - 8 9-12 13-17....... All children who attend this tournament walk away winners! I would like to thank all the sponsors of this tournament without them there is noway we could host this tournament,and the men and women who step up and help us out, thank you........The Bowfishing association of America is a major sponsor of this tournament. Any qustions please contact.......Andy Cardwell 270-836-8550
Bowfishing Association
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stingray
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bio's
Protecting the rights of Bowfishermen since 1990
BAA Bowfishing Association of America
Nebraska BAA representative Rich Porter I have been bowfishing for over 20 years in the Midwest. I live in Omaha, NE and have been a member for 10 years. Bowfishing is my passion and I would rather be doing this then anything else I can think of. I’m fortunate to work as a manufacturer’s sales rep in the hunting and shooting world. I enjoy introducing new people to our sport as well as meeting the folks who have been doing this for longer than I. I also host the largest bowfishing tournament in the middle of the country. The Carp-O-Rama has been a running tourney for 24 years and has about 130 contestants which shoot it each year. With a Missouri River division and the traditional Desoto Bend Lake division it offers a wide variety of shooting situations for any level of a bowfisherman. Highlights in my life include shooting rays in Virginia, shooting in many tourneys in several states, helping in forming the Bowfishers of Nebraska. Hunting in Africa, Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Texas and Minnesota. Please feel free to contact me at any time via e-mail or cell phone and yes text messages are very welcome. I look forward to continuing to help the BAA grow and prosper.
e-mail: bwfsh@yahoo.com cell: 402-321-3176 Sincerely Rich Porter aka Force Feed
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bio's 2
BAA Bowfishing Association of America
BAA Central Alabama State Rep Butch Samson
Hey Everybody ,Butch Samson here to tell ya a little about myself and my 40 year + passion for bowfishing. I started out doing a little bowfishing in the small town of Duncan Falls , Ohio on the Muskingdom River shooting floating gar in the local lock walls while I was waiting for the catfish to bite my pole ! I moved to the South in 1975 with my mother and father ( Both are now in the hands of the Lord ) and took up the art of bank fishing with a local friend to pass the long summer days while helping my wife of 33 years this June raise 3 beautiful daughters. I knew of the BAA as soon as it was founded in 1990 but did not shoot my first sanctioned tourney until 1992. It was the Alabama State shoot @ Guntersville and I won a Certificate of Achievement Award for the biggest Buffalo (31lb.) of the tourney and it was on like Donkey Kong from then on. With 70+ CAA's since then and no telling how many tourney's shot since then I'm most proud of the three 3-Man Team of the year awards that I've been involved with , back to back with Allen Yedor Sr. and Allen Yedor Jr.,those were the good old days. Skip a couple of years and the third came with Allen Yedor Jr. and Harold Speed. Tho I've never won a W.C. , With Mike and Jason Cathy and 725 fish we finished 3rd in the last W.C. in Lafitte La. Winning every sanctioned tourney in Alabama for 3 straight years ( 9 total ) will always be a highlight in my bowfishing life. Having a 4-peat is tough with the crosshairs on your butt. LoL . it never happened !!! After winning 14 bows over the years from big fish or raffle tickets ( 9 from the Muzzy ) you'd think I'd have a house full , but I usually end up giving them to local youngsters to help promote the BAA and bowfishing in general. The 1 I'll remember the most was given to a special little girl who had lost her mother unexpectantly . This was @ a W.C. @ Siebold Campground on G'ville . Her father run the place and they always welcomed us bowfishermen like you'd never believe. She tried to win 1 with the raffle tickets so she could give it to Morris for his fathers day gift and when she didn't I gave her mine. The smile on her face is what makes all the fishing trips worth while. It was also 2 weeks after losing my Dad !!! Promoting the BAA has been a pleasure that will always be fun to me cause I'll talk bowfishing with all who call or who will listen !!! Now that I'm getting up in age and not quite as competitive as I used to be I'll be doing more promoting then fishing and trying to help out at the youth shoots across the southern states and at my local Boy Scout outing every April. The last one me and my wife had 461 scouts come thru our area. It was a long day but you get a good filling helping get these kids to thinking about the outdoors instead of the trials of their lifes at that early age. I hope to see and speak to all of you at the dwindling tourney's or functions that I'll be participating in the years to come so please come by and say Hi !!!!!!! , or look me up under BowfisherButch on the greatest bowfishing site out there ( Bowfishing Country ) and you'll get a new friend!! Proud to be part of the BAA and your friend , Butch Samson
Bowfishing Association
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bio's 3
Protecting the rights of Bowfishermen since 1990
BAA Bowfishing Association of America
Eastern Kentucky BAA representative Joe Nichols My name is Joe Nichols. I am 36 years old and live in Vine Grove Kentucky with my wife Amanda and my two children Joseph which is 9 years old and Cynthia which is 6 years of age. I am the current President for the Down River Bowfishing Association. I spend most of my time bowfishing the waters around Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. Amanda and Joseph are involved in bowfishing also and love it as much as I do. I am a Road maintenance coordinator for Louisville Public Works. The road department keeps me very busy in the winter months with snow but it opens up to only forty hour weeks in the spring and summer so its perfect for my bowfishing events. I also shoot tournaments with two of my best friends Adam Burton and Josh Cole. We shoot 10-16 shoots a year and love what we do. Shooting from Louisiana to Indiana keeps us on our toes and we see how bowfishing is growing across the states. I am also on the board with Archery Camps USA. This was part in helping out another good friend Jason Greer with younger kids in some archery events and camps during the summer. This is great getting younger kids involved with archery and showing them a hobby to keep them out of trouble in life. I have met many friends through bowfishing and love the sport. I want to do what I can in bowfishing for it to grow and keep it as a right to bowfish. Down River Bowfishing Association President Bowfishing Association of America Kentucky State Representative.
Bowfishing Association
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mathews
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kidscorner
Kid’s Corner
This doesn’t look Good!!
To submit your kids pics to Mark Lee at mwl5025@yahoo.com
Bowfishing Association
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events
Upcoming events 2011 BAA Sanctioned Events March 26—Down River Bowfishing Association (DRBA) 4 th Annual Tough Man Patoka Lake, IN April 9—Randy Morder Memorial Tournament April 9th Georgia State Shoot April 16—Possum Kingdom Shootout April 16—Illinois Bowfishers Billy Davis Memorial Tournament Rend Lake, IL April 30-May 1st 12 Annual Muzzy Classic April 30—Illinois Bowfishers Carlyle Lake Tournament May 14—Down River Bowfishing Association (DRBA) Lakes/Tailwaters Tournament May 21—Down River Bowfishing Association (DRBA) 1 st Annual Chic Shoot Lakes/Tailwaters May 21—Illinois Bowfishers Carlyle Lake Tournament June 4—Illinois Bowfishers Wolf Creek Access Tournament June 19th—4th Jarrod Ashmore Kids Tournament Barkley Dam Pavillion, Lake City KY June 25—7th Annual Youth Bowfishing Championship Wagoner Oklahoma July 9—Down River Bowfishing Association (DRBA) Hovey Lake Tournament August 13-14 AMS Big 30 August 27-- Down River Bowfishing Association (DRBA) Lakes Only Tournament
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boatbuild
20’x 72” Redneck Hull
Photos-William Hollis III
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9-150 Watt HPS Lights
Bowfishing Association
boatbuild 2
32 HP!! Two Stroke Kawasaki 330 with Reduction and 3 Blade 57� Ultra Prop Photos-William Hollis III
Bowfishing Association
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boatbuild 3
Lots Of Floor Space
Photos-William Hollis III
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Bowfishing Association
boatbuild 4
It’s All About The Kids ;-) Bowfishing Association
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Ohio River
By: Joe Nichols
Destination: Ohio River The buffet of bowfishing is located in Northern Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The area is so special it’s known as “THE LAND OF THE GIANTS”. This stretch of the river runs from Louisville Kentucky to Hawesville Kentucky with over 200 miles of shoreline to shoot between two dams. The snake like Ohio River is 981 miles long and runs from Pittsburg to Cairo Illinois. Bouncing off of six states and approximately 150 species of fish makes this a smorgasbord of bowfishing. With over 13 known ramps in Kentucky and Indiana you can launch in a variety of areas. Many rock quarries and factories dot the banks with lights, barges, hot water discharge and structure that fish love. This pool which starts at the McAlpine Dam in Louisville Kentucky to the Cannelton Dam in Hawesville Kentucky is fed by many creeks that provide nice fishing around the mouths of the outlets. The Photo By Joe Nichols
structure will change from sand, rocks, mud, grass patches and stumps which will keep you very busy with the boat.
Whats So Special: “Even I Can Do It” I really like this pool do to the fact we have taken many bigheads over 60 pounds and one FREAK over 70 pounds. The Bigheads are bigger on average in this pool of water. Most Bowfishermen would have a chance at a trophy fish with nothing more than a small Jon boat, troller and spotlight. Kill the fan motor or kicker motor and let the fiberglass do its job. On a midsummer night you can fill a tub with anything from commons to catfish. Spoonbill can be found throughout the summer as well and provide great table fare for a fish fry for you and the family.
Longnose, shortnose and spotted gar litter the
river and can give you non-stop action. Common carp call the river home and they stake claim on the muddy banks. Buffs are the bullies of the shallows and you can hear them ruling the banks ahead of you on a night with the spotlight and troller. Then you have the line ripping grass carp hanging on the ledges munching on the scum and grass on the banks.
Photo By Joe Nichols
Destination
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Ohio River 2
The sheer number of fish you can take, and the number of species you can take in one night can make for an all time for some bowfishermen.
Tips and Tricks When looking for the GIANTS (Bigheads) look in the curves of the river. Eddys or a change in the current is also a great start. A rise in the river from rain North of Louisville would be your winning lottery ticket to some possible spawning whoppers. The use of spotlight is a must; do to the fact bigheads are very light shy. The sweep of the light in June can put you on another trophy fish known as the “Spoonbill”. Since bigheads, big mouth buffs and spoonbill are plankton feeders you can find them from bank to bank and most times in the middle of the river. Longnose Gar lurk the depths in search of bait fish to assault for dinner. On those hot days you can work on that tan and shoot porpoising longnose until your fingers bleed. Small town buffs line Photo By Joe Nichols the banks almost all year but you can find some hogs in September thru November. You hit some of the creeks and you can land some very nice grass carp in April. Thirty pound grassies become an often sight throughout the year. On the banks you can shoot a boat load of fish with the genny running. We like running the fan and shooting the buffs and grassies which we blow them up from the deep with the genny and fan noise. By far this area is known for the large bigheads. The amount of silvers are on the rise here so you will have some good shooting on both species. July thru August are the best times over the years that produce large bigheads in high numbers. You only need a license for Kentucky or Indiana to shoot Photo By Cal the river. If you want to shoot spoonbill you should get a Kentucky license so you can shoot two per person a night in Kentucky and none at night in Indiana. You need to have the state license in which what state creek you want to go shoot. You will need Kentucky State license for Kentucky creeks and Indiana State license for Indiana creeks. So let’s get our boats and bows and have some fun.
Destination
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muzzyxd
A “REEL” Bowfishing Experience With The Muzzy XD!! By Josh Watson The Equipment… Muzzy XD Reel, F&D Pro Reel Seat, Strait Shooter Rod The debate over which is better, a retriever or a spinner, has been an ongoing feud in the forums for years!! Neither of which ever being a clear winner. However, since the introduction of the Muzzy XD the gap may have become narrower! Since my introduction into bowfishing I’ve been an avid AMS Retriever fan. The simplicity paired with the durability and overall ease of use made it an easy choice for a newcomer. Yet I wondered what all the fuss was about when folks talked about these funny looking oversized fish’n reels?? So what else was there to do… Buy one!! After scouring the internet forums, reading reviews, and wading through countless arguments on what brand was best, along with the infamous “just buy a retriever” posts, I finally decided on the Muzzy XD!! And boy was I pleased when it showed up!! As I opened the box I had flashbacks to Christmas morning as a kid and the excitement and anticipation of playing with a new toy! But the Muzzy XD wasn’t all that I had ordered!! Alongside in the little box was a F&D Pro Reel Seat and Strait Shooter Rod. As I examined my new toys I couldn't help but feel as though I had made the right decision. The quality appeared excellent and the ridged pro reel seat seemed almost bulletproof! As I mounted my Muzzy XD into the Pro Reel Seat the fit was perfect. The Strait Shooter Rod threaded into the seat with zero problems and when tightened, I could tell this setup wasn’t going to move!! I was one happy camper!! So there was only one thing left to do and that was shoot it!! Mother Nature must not have gotten the memo. Between the rain, muddy water and the freezing temperatures it seemed I may never get to tryout my new gear. So in the boat it sat. When the chance finally presented itself we hit the water and the Muzzy XD, Pro Reel Seat and Strait Shooter Rod were ready for the job. The carp were elusive but the shad weren’t!! Those quick little fellers were giving the Muzzy XD a workout. After my first shot I knew I had the right tool for the job. The Muzzy performed flawlessly, it was buttery smooth and oh so fast. The F&D Pro Reel Seat held the reel firm in place with NO movement or slop. The Strait Shooter Rod was perfect for pulling the arrow out of the mud and brush with just a few raps of the line around the end. My line fed easily and shot straight and true.
Bowfishing Association
Gear Review
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muzzyhd 2
The Muzzy XD, Pro Reel Seat and Strait Shooter Rod were meant to be together! The adjustable drag on the Muzzy wasn’t needed that night, but with the spawn fast approaching and the itch to have an Ohio River Bighead on the line, it will be soon!! In truth I don’t really have anything bad to say about the setup. It did seem a bit heavier than what I’m use to with a retriever but that was made up for in smooth effortless speed. At a cost of $47.95 the Muzzy XD reel is slightly more expensive than other options on the market, however, the quality speaks for itself. Dual bearing support for spool shaft and gear shaft; stainless steel and Brass gears; oversized pick-up pin; automotive disc drag system; convertible (right or left hand)- high retriever ratio; large line capacity; oversized hole in the cover and comes with a limited manufacturer warranty. The F&D Pro Reel Seat can be had for $29.95 and weighs about 7 oz and in my opinion is WELL worth it! It’s rugged and doesn’t let your reel move. There are no jamb nuts to worry about and you can put the reel on in any position. Coupled with the 5” stainless steel Strait Shooter Rod for $16.95 you have a “reel” winning combination. The Strait Shooter Rod will fit all reel seats and doesn’t get in the way. The line comes straight out of the reel and won’t tangle on the rod. It doubles as an arrow puller and allows for a more accurate shot. It’s a must have in my opinion!!
As bowfishermen we abuse and neglect our equipment and often find a failure at the most inopportune time. However, with the Muzzy XD reel, F&D Pro Reel Seat and Strait Shooter Rod, you might just have fewer bad experiences. To help with that, here are a few tips from your fellow bowfishermen to further minimize problems with your Muzzy XD:
Gargod, from TX… Loctite the handle screw so it doesn’t fall off when you least expect it!
WBG444, from TX… When you take the cap/hood off turn your drag all the way down.. The friction disks kinda swell the housing when the drag is maxed out so it’s hard to remove and install.
Low89chevy, from KY… Use some reel magic or even non stick cooking spray to help the line come out smoother.
Saven, from KY… Keep the spool full, if you break line off try to re-spool, spinners seem to do much better when full. There still isn’t a clear winner in my mind for the spinner vs. retriever debate. They both have their place, their advantages and their draw backs. I can certainly say from my experience, the Muzzy XD, F&D Pro Reel Seat and the Strait Shooter Rod, together or alone, are valuable tools to have in the arsenal for any bowfisherman! Oh, and don’t forget to push the button!!! Thanks for reading, Josh Watson
Gear Review
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deadeye
Not a good Week to be a Common Carp! By: Brady Miller
Not a great week if you were a common carp There is just something about a huge bowfishing trip that gets the blood flowing in a different way than heading to your local body of water. This trip was no different in that aspect. For starters, I have been trying to take my friend Tim on a bowfishing trip of a larger magnitude for some time now, three years actually, and this year we were finally able to make it happen. It’s still winter in the north country where Tim and I call home, so as the trip got closer, I had hoped the weather would warm up enough for us to get my boat running in top shape, and to make it a bit easier on our bodies as we bowfished all night.
I tuned up the boat and fan the week prior to our trip, and made preparations for the long haul. We had four nights to shoot, and I was going to make sure we made the most of it. I spent the night before we were supposed to leave working on my arrows, checking out maps, just to ensure that all the time on the water, would be spent shooting. Tim
After fueling up my truck, multiple, multiple times, and numerous coffee breaks at the gas stations…we made it to our first shooting location. The weather looked like it
was going to hold out for us, so we threw on a bunch of layers and got the boat ready for what we hoped was a decent night. Little did we know that we were on to something in the area that we selected to shoot…and after a short boat ride to one of my honey holes, drove straight from work after his we were into the fish thick!! After night shift to my house, and got shooting a few average sized fish, I to my place at 5:45am. So after started to work the boat a little some quick shut eye we threw his harder, and we moved and shot at a gear into my truck and headed quicker pace. out the door.
Deadeye
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deadeye 2
While fanning around some areas, I kept noticing the water really muddied up from carp, and I thought it was just a bunch of big
fish taking off. But soon we started noticed small carp swimming around creating the mud boils. I finally located a grass bed that the small fish were using as cover, and we worked that area over hard! Most of the time we were taking shots at singles, but every now and then a school would work their way through, and we couldn’t help drawing our Oneidas all the way back and seeing how many we could get on at one time. It was INSANE!!!! The adult fish must have had great spawning conditions the past two years, as these might have been two year old fish roughly, based solely on their size.
The best shot of the night, was when I was shooting in tournament mode trying to get shots off, on as many fish as I could, and pulling the fish in fast to get to the next shot….well….in this process I just shot a small carp, and I yanked the fish out of the water, and as I did, Tim shot at another fish, and ended up shooting the same fish that I had on…while it was out of the water!! I guess that is as close to shooting flying common carp as it gets!! In the end, we shot 227
found the money spot again. Another rather cold night, with temps right at 33 degrees most of the time while we were shooting. But the wind calmed down, making great filming opportunities. The fish were everywhere this night, and we did all we could do to stay in the fish as long as we could. We jumped from shooting hole, to shooting hole, and had a lot of great laughs at some of the shots we had just taken. We shot fish for 8.5 hours the second night, and decided to call it good. I knew it had to be a decent night, but we would count fish after some well deserved shut eye the next day. We started by stacking the small fish on the front deck to take pictures, and we soon realized we really got into them the night before and were running out of room fast.
common carp this night in six hours.
Night Two!
Night two brought us bowfishing the same location. Things were a bit slow for starters, but soon we
Tim with a nice Common
3/15/2011~ Muzzy, Muzzy, Muzzy!!! My arrow collection that I made sure was in top condition before the shoot.
Deadeye
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BFC ad
Bowfishing Association
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deadeye 3
In total we shot 366 small fish, and our nightly total came to 451 fish. We noticed a few times while shooting the night before, that some of the small fish looked really different, and it wasn’t until the fish count the next morning that we realized that we had shot five goldfish!!! This made the trip even better!! These were the first goldfish that Tim and I have ever shot. So we soaked up the moment, and took a few more pictures. Stepping back a little, the morning after the first night, we were having breakfast in a town nearby, and our waiter asked if that was my boat outside. After a short conversation about what we do, he began to tell us of a few more lakes that are loaded with carp. So my ears perked up and I took in all I could. He
couldn’t remember the name of the lakes, just the general area. So after all the conversation and a good meal, I began to dissect some maps trying to figure out which lake it might be, and we decided to try to shoot one the third night The afternoon of the third day, we made our way to try and find that new area that we heard about. But as luck would have it, we couldn’t find a way onto the lake, and a few other places were closed this time of year. So we moved on to plan C, and fished a near-by lake. This night we were late getting on the water, so there was no driving around the lake during the daytime to get a feel for the lake. So I had to navigate in the dark, on a foreign lake. I gave it my best, and we soon arrived at a location that I wanted to fish. If arriving at new lake in the dark wasn’t enough, it soon began to downpour on us, and the wind soon followed, and continued well into our night of bowfishing. We probably only got 2 hours of clear weather, but when it was all said and done, we shot 67 fish this night on a new lake. And I think Tim really appreciated my night driving skills, avoiding trees and other obstacles.
Deadeye
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deadeye 4
The last night we decided to go on a big fish search, since we already had great success with numbers. So I headed to the closest area I knew of that had potential for big fish, and we gave it a go. This night got close to freezing temperatures, but we gave it a go for 5 hours, and shot 88 big carp.
The biggest being 26 pounds. I have to explain here, that Tim missed a fish that went well over 30 pounds, I had just shot a fish myself, and drove Tim right up on the fish. I guess big fish fever got the best of him!! Sorry Tim!! Some fish from night four.
BAA Bowfishing Association of America
Overall it was an amazing trip, with a great friend. Hopefully spring is on its way, as we can’t wait to get back out on the water, and light up the night!!!
Deadeye
Bowfishing Association
file:///Users/mikemccombie/Desktop/journal/Site/Site/Site/deadeye_4.html[4/3/11 1:21:14 PM]
ychampionship
On Saturday June 25th. 2011 the Seventh Annual Youth World Bowfishing Championship will be held at Toppers Boat Ramp just outside Wagoner, Oklahoma. Ages 1 thru 18 allowed for this event however kids that were 18 years of age on Jan. 1st 2011 will be allowed to shoot this tournament so you can be 19 and shoot this tournament. We have 3D targets for the youth just to small to bowfish but remember its a bowfishing championship so if a division lets say 4 thru 6 a youth takes a fish but no others in that division takes a fish the youth that took a fish is first place the other places will come off the 3D range. Our age groups are 1 thru 3 , 4 thru 6, 7 thru 9, 10 thru 12, 13 thru 15, 16 thru 18 years of age. Then we have divisions champs with all the girls together then division champs with all the boys together, We also have 4 species of big fish with 3 places in each for Gar, Drum, Carp and Buffalo. Then we have the big part overall World Champs this is all the youth shooters together we give away 1st thru 5th. places. Time is from 7:00 am till 4:00 pm then shooter have till 4:30 pm to check-in. Last year we had 8 states shoot this tournament with 379 shooters we fed over 1200 people. The cost is FREE!!!!!!!! Thats right it cost nothing to enter and nothing to eat come on down this year and join the largest youth bowfishing tournament in the nation.
For better outdoors take a kid hunting & fishing it's our future. Randy
Bowfishing Association
file:///Users/mikemccombie/Desktop/journal/Site/Site/Site/ychampionship.html[4/2/11 11:46:13 PM]
CarpAngler
Carp Anglers Ready to Revisit Petition in Indiana By Jason Greer If you haven’t seen the petition running rampant around the internet, here is what CAG and the Hoosier Carpers are wanting to pass: We the undersigned request that action be taken by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Department to recognise and classify Cyprinus carpio (the Common carp) , Cyprinus carpio specularis (the Mirror carp), Cyprinus carpio nudis (the Leather carp), Cyprinus carpio regularis (the Linear carp), and Cyprinus carpio macrospecularis (the fully scaled Mirror carp) as a Sport Fish in Indiana and consider the following proposals. Proposals pursuant and relative to A Petition to Recognise Cyprinus carpio ( The Common Carp) and its Subspecies as a Sport Fish in Indiana. 1. Impose a size limit and bag limit on any fishes mentioned in the above proposal number one for rod and reel only, The size and bag limit would be as follows. (a.) Any and all fish 30 inches or longer must be returned to the water alive, however you may keep one fish per day of this size. (Except for methods mentioned in proposal number three). (b.) There will be no daily bag limit for any and all fish 29 inches long and under or having a weight of 15 pounds and zero ounces or under. (Except for methods mentioned in proposal number three.) 2. If and only if bow fishing, spearing, netting, snaring, gigging, or snagging is still allowed after the mentioned fish in proposal number one is classified as a sport fish then rules and regulations need to be set for the taking of carp with the aforementioned methods.. Proposals as follows (a) Impose a season that prohibits bow fishing, netting, gigging, snaring or spearing during the carps spawning season but legal any other time. The spawn is when the larger fish are most vulnerable to these methods. (b.) Impose a fee for an additional license or stamp to use archery equipment, gigs, snares, spears or nets in addition to a regular Indiana fishing license to take carp by these methods. (c.) Impose a set daily bag limit of five fish per person per day in accordance with proposal 2(a) and 2(b). One fish over 30 inches and four fish under 30 inches, or five fish under 30 inches may be taken by the methods mentioned in proposal three. This would help curb wanton waste but still help manage carp populations. 3. Wanton Waste must be enforced concerning the harvesting of carp using any of the methods mentioned for taking carp . Proposals are as follows (a) Impose stricter fines and penalties for taking more than the daily bag limit in proposal 3(c) using archery equipment, spears, net, giggs, or snagging. Also the same applies for using a rod and reel and the bag and size limit for it in proposal 2(a) and 2(b) (b) Impose stricter fines and penalties concerning Indiana statute 312 IAC 9-6-3 (Fish sorting and the prohibition of waste.)
Bowfishing Association
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CarpAngler 2
In 2009, CAG presented a petition to the state to re-classify Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) as a game fish. When I heard that petition was going to the state, I contacted Bill James. Mr. James is Chief Biologist of Fisheries in Indiana and has a proven track record of recognizing bowfishing as a viable option of controlling the invasive species that troll Indiana waterways. Fast forward to March 2011. It appears CAG couldn’t take NO for an answer so now they want to re-classify, add bag limits, add slot limits and enforce a wanton waste law on bowfishers. Once again, I called our good friend in Indianapolis, Mr. Bill James. I broke down each section of their petition and asked for his answers. Here are a few of his comments.. Regarding the re-classification of common carp as a game fish, Mr. James said that Common Carp are so plentiful, hardy and diversified in every water shed and the fact that they are non-native, there is no reason whatsoever to grant them game fish status. Bill James also adds that they are pure fun to catch on rod and reel. I told him the same with bow and arrow and we will be planning a summer outing so he can try it out. Bag Limits and Slot Limits- No reason , he says, not for invasive species. Mr. James replied that the more carp that are removed from waterways, he has found that the species actually fairs better with more food resources for the remaining fish. He adds that Common Carp have negative effects on every water source that they have tested and it is absolutely unnecessary for any protection to be granted to the common carp. Wanton Waste- #1 complaint that he receives from the public concerning bowfishing! We are working on a few ideas to help with this problem, but if you leave fish on the bank, ramp, ditch or any public property you can be charged with Wanton Waste and WILL receive a citation. PERIOD. I expressed my concern with this also, and he is willing to keep an open line of conversation with me as to where these problems are happening. So everyone, we must police our own sport and if you see a problem….REPORT IT! There are a lot of new folks coming into this sport that do not know how hard we all worked to keep bowfishing legal and may not know the legal methods of disposal. Please…it is up to us to educate them! In closing, Mr. James stated that if a carp angler wants to be able to catch a carp on waters that no bowfishing is allowed he says Indiana has several. They are called Pay Lakes and they stock TROPHY Carp to catch on rod and reel. He will keep me informed as CAG proceeds with this mission so we can work together! Until next issue… See Ya on the water, Jason Greer BAA State Rep Director BAA Southern Indiana State Rep Please take a moment and sign our petition http://bow.fishingcountry.com/forums/showthread.php?3863
Bowfishing Association file:///Users/mikemccombie/Desktop/journal/Site/Site/Site/CarpAngler_2.html[4/2/11 11:31:43 PM]
members boats 2
MEMBERS
BOATS
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members boats
MEMBERS
BOATS
If you’d like to share pics of your Rig with Fellow BAA Members? Please post them here. http://bow.fishingcountry.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?62-Bowfishing-Association-ofAmerica Bowfishing Association
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proshop
PUTTING WHEELS ON THE BOWFISHING WORLD By: Bob Beneteau “Bowbob”
W hen Mike McCombie asked me to do articles on
Riser types, materials used, strength, balance and acceptance of after market products. String types, transfer of energy and the ability to withstand the abuse needed to last in a wet, pounding environment.
So what are we going to take apart in these articles? The answer is everything. Risers, limbs, cams and cables. Materials used to produce the parts and the reasons why some are better than others. Design practices and the virtues and limitations of the systems used. Production methods to get those materials to a high standard of performance and durability. Assembly methods, testing and the user feedback that tell manufacturers the direction to go. Finally a break down of the specifications of each offering so we can see by the numbers if the product fits the need.
In my opinion the bow manufacturers have to step up their game to the level that the aftermarket in bow fishing has. A few bow builders have but most have just pulled old riser systems add blue paint and called them Bow fishing specific or used one size fits all mentality with less performance than a traditional bow. Why would anyone use compound technology without benefits? Last time I checked a traditional bow, one size fits all.
Yes we will do some basics first. Archery needs a better education system. We need to have informed consumers that put demands on the industry to develop better products. So we will look at the nomenclature of the systems offered today. Cam types, two cam, solo cam, cam and a half and the others that are only different in names. We will look at force draw curves and how they relate to the need for power to drive heavy arrows systems like we use in bow fishing. Limb types, solid glass, laminated glass and a few of the newer offerings that the future may offer.
So, this is the road map for the articles to follow. My hope to get input from companies that produce the products and also most important to get input from all of you on what you think would be the information you will find important an relevant.
compound bows I did not want this to be just a practical look at how to tune them and which one is the best, bow fishing is deeper than that. We need to look at the designs that are out there and the ones that could be done that fit the needs of bow fishers. The industry owes the bow fishing community just that, research and design to start upping the bar on design, function and performance. They do it for Target and Bow hunting archery, time to give some due to a very fast growing sport.....Bow fishing.
I have a passion for all archery. Bow fishing has a sacred place in that passion most will agree can not be filled by anything except being on the water ready to draw on a huge gar or carp. My job here is to help those who want to understand equipment in more detail and maybe take a side trip into what the future holds for the bow fishing industry.
The next article will be on Cam Systems. Again many Thanks to the BAA and Mike McCombie for this opportunity. You can follow ,more of BowBob’s exploits on www.BowfishingCountry.com
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recipe
Fried Asian Carp
Fried Asian Carp
2 pounds Asian carp fillets, cut into strips Commercial deep-fry fish coating (dry) Deep fryer with oil heated to 375°–400° F
2 pounds of scored fillets Salt Fresh ground pepper Deep fryer with oil heated to 375° F to 400° F Commercial frying coating (dry)
Place fish coating in a medium bowl. Dredge fish strips in the coating, covering each side completely. Lay the fish in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 5–7 minutes. Remove bones (exposed when strip is broken about 1/3 of the way along its length) and serve in a sandwich or serve as strips being careful to remove bones prior to eating.
Smaller fish have fine bones that dissolve when exposed to hot oil. Do not use large fish as they have much thicker bones that do not break down as easily. Most fish markets will sell the fish prescored for your convenience. If using your own shot fish, you will need to Score them. Use light coatings, and avoid heavy batters that smother the scoring and which may leave the bones intact. Salt and pepper the fillets, and let them rest in the refrigerator for an hour. Dredge the fillets in the commercial frying coating, and place in hot oil. Remove when golden brown, and serve with lemon wedges as a finger food or as a fish sandwich.
Bowfishing Association
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whybaa
That question is heard so often by both officers and members of the organization today,that from
time to time you may want to question why join an organization out there that only does tournaments and promotes the bowfishermen and women who are not just the “Average” bowfisher person. Well, I took it upon myself to start researching and finding out how and why the organization was formed. The Oldest Bowfishing tournament I could find was the Carp-o-ree which was started back in 1962 at Lake Seminole on the Florida/Georgia Border. This was the biggest and most organized event for years! Fast forward up a decade or two and you will find the LSBA (Lone Star Bowfishing Association), they held one tournament a year in texas with the largest being on Lake Sam Rayburn with 112 boats participating. The TBA (Texas Bowfishing Association) was formed during that period with Tim Mckee at the helm. This was the oldest bowfishing organization that was formed at the time according to my records and sources. There were other groups out there bowfishing, and holding events, but not with any real organization as today, some here and there with people getting more and more into the sport, and many local tournament events from people within their area. In the 80’s the BOA (Bowfishers of Arkansas ) was formed to organize their local bowfishermen to help organize the sport within their state as well along with the Oklahoma fish stickers. This was the direction most were doing at the time from what all I can gather. With time, the different state and local organizations would mingle on tournaments and the idea formed to create an Organization to help promote the sport of bowfishing Nationally. In 1990, the Bowfishing Association of America was formed to help organize the state and local clubs throughout the United States. It’s goal was to provide an organization to foster, expand, and perpetuate bowfishing and the spirit of fellowship among all archers and sportsmen, to encourage the use of the bow and arrow in hunting all legal fish, and to conduct bowfishing tournaments. Since 1990, the organization has grown and was supported by all local and state clubs to generate what is now considered standard practice in bowfishing.
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Here is a list of things that have been accomplished since the beginning to now….. 1.1995 at a spring meeting was brought up having affiliated clubs within different states to promote bowfishing. This was done to help people with forming their own state or local clubs with help from other bowfishermen who have already formed up in their perspective states, and was guidelines for others to help start their clubs. Help them with weekly or monthly shoots as well as end of year trophies and awards. 2.John Williams of Wisconsin worked with North Carolina representatives in state legislature to allow non-residents to bowfish on short-term license. John also worked with Virginia Representatives and Virginia bowfishermen to get allowed night time bowfishing. 3.BAA members along with the Bowfishers of Arkansas members got night time bowfishing legalized in the early 90’s. 4.In 1992, Alligator Gar were banned in Alabama, and in 1992 the BAA regained Alligator Gar as legal species in Alabama with a limit. 5.BAA members have made legal through different states the ability to harvest catfish, with states such as Arkansas in the late 90’s and with Mississippi as of last year. 6.Mark Land with Muzzy Products offers a 10% discount of muzzy products to members of the BAA. 7.1999 BAA member Scott Newland of Texas, line tangled on his bowstring and his arrow came back impaling his left eye. In 2000, BAA member Johnny Lutrick of Louisiana was killed while practicing for an upcoming bowfishing tournament. As he practiced in his yard, he shot at his target and his line became tangled on his bowstring bringing the arrow back to him, impaling his eye, and into his brain, killing him instantly. These incidents although extremely tragic to both the families and bowfishing community, helped prompt the safety slides used commonly today. Before then, the use of cables were the main stable and well as the use of tying to the back of the arrow. Luckily we still have scott with us, and he still bowfishes. 8. BAA members helped with the 1st annual Muzzy Classic on Allatoona Lake with 19 teams. It was a numbers event, but grew into being one of the most fished Big 20 events to date minus the Cassville shoot up in Saginaw Bay in Michigan which is the Great Lakes Bowfishing Championship which has also been sanctioned over the years. 9. Started the Champion of Champions Tournaments back in 2000. 1999, the top 3 teams from different states and clubs could compete for the top spot to see who was the best of the different states that qualified to be at this event on Lake Pickwick, Mississippi. The states and clubs that entered their top 3 teams from the season in their perspective states were: Arkansas with 2 different clubs representing, Heart of Dixie bowfishermen, North Alabama bowfishermen, and Oklahoma Fish Stickers. Arkansas team won with Now 3 time World Champion Shawn Hoelzeman bringing home this title, and it was before he had won a World Championship.
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whybaa 3
10. In 2006, The BAA started getting more involved with Youth events in different regions of the country mainly in part with the help of Randy Woodward from the Youth Bowfishing Association. 11. BAA World Championship Rules and Regulations were and still are widely used to this day as guidelines for local and state events. 12. 2008-2009 the BAA was there to help support the Texas Bowfishing Association with the Alligator Gar issues. 13. 2009, the BAA was there to help support the Bowfishers of Arkansas with their Alligator Gar efforts. 14. The BAA has helped work with state biologists in rough fish discussions as well as studies for different species of rough fish, i.e., data, equipment, knowledge, and in some cases equipment throughout the years. 15. BAA World Championship Rules and Regulations were and still are widely used to this day as guidelines for local and state events. 16. Illinois Game and Fish bowfishing records are now maintained by bowfishermen from Illinois due to the efforts of a former member of the BAA(Ed Devries) during his tenure as a State rep. 17. 2009-2010 regulations in Nebraska regarding bowfishing have been changed, and there are more changes possibly coming within the year due to the efforts of the Nebraska Bowfishing Association, and members of the BAA. 18. The BAA has helped work with state biologists in rough fish discussions as well as studies for different species of rough fish, i.e., data, equipment, knowledge, and in some cases equipment throughout the years.
In 2011, at the Bowfishing Association of America Spring Meeting held out of Nashville, Tenn., the members of the BAA in attendance sat down and laid out a plan to help revitalize the organization to its fullest potential. We met for 4 hours discussing different ways to streamline the BAA to make it more supportive for the Bowfisherman today. Some of the changes that were made for the year are: 1.The New Board of Directors will be as follows: President - Mark Lee Vice President - Alan Yedor Treasure/Secretary - Lisa Dunkle BAA State Rep Manger - Jason Greer BAA Marketing Director - Charles Kupfer BAA E Journal Editor & Chief - Jeff Sagehorn BAA Points Chairman - Amanda Nichols BAA Record Keeper - Aaron Senn BAA Social Networking Director - Needs to be filled. 2.The State Representatives will have a signed contract to fulfill duties asked of them from the position. 3.We will be re-introducing the BAA Journal, but in a digital form so we will be able to keep the members informed through-out the year. There will be 6 planned issues a year. 4.The forums will be maintained at Bowfishing Country thanks in part to Mike McCombie allowing the BAA to have a section for the National Organization. 5.The Bowfishing Association website has been completely re-worked and is more informative and easier to use, and will be maintained and updated periodically. 6.BAA members will receive discounts from various online stores and manufacturers who have graciously agreed to support the BAA and its members. 7.We will be re-introducing the BAA shirts and stickers again this year.
Bowfishing Association
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whybaa 4
8.We have re-vamped the insurance coverage to include state and local clubs who are BAA affiliated. 9.We now have a Records Keeper who will keep all the citation fish and World Record fish for the new BAA Website. 10. We now offer the Bowfisher Magazine with a one year subscription through one of our membership packets. I have left off so many more accomplishments that have been made by members of the BAA in their perspective states, but to list them all would take up most of this article. Most bowfishing rules and regs are there due to the members of the BAA and their efforts to help other bowfishermen and women be able to enjoy this sport we love! Most bowfishing rigs seen out there today were ideas improved on and honed in to what now is common but then were fabrications with faults and improvements to where now the average bowfisherman can go on-line and see what to do or not to do. For the cost of 2-3 arrows, your supporting men and women who go to the expo events to promote bowfishing, and the ones who put on youth events to get kids into the outdoors and give them avenues to see that life is more than just T.V. and video games., and it also show them the spirit of fellowship that is only gained by getting out there and getting involved with others who enjoy the sport.
So, what do I get if I join the BAA? Well, other than the discounts you receive from various Manufacturers and Dealers that support the Bowfishing Association of America, you get the right to pick up a bow and go bowfishing both day and night in many states with liberal limits ‌. and, if you decide that you do not want to join, you still get the right to do so, but those rights were brought to you courteous of the men and women who formed this great organization back in 1990. Without the dedication those men and women the face of bowfishing as we know it today might be very different. And it’s now up to us to make sure we continue their battle and ensure our children and our grand children can enjoy the sport many of us have come to love so much.
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Bragging board
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Bragging board 2
Braggin’ Board Submission Send photos to: jeffs@bowcountry.com Mike@bowcountry.com
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muzzy
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