BAA News
Gear Reviews
How to’s
Volume 2
COME MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD THE OFF SEASON & THE KIDS Bowfishing and Conservation
www.Bowfishingassociation.com
Destination’s
January 2012
Bowfishing
Editorial
Volume 2
Happy New Year
The
Association
January 2012
Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Jeff Sagehorn
Managing Editor Mike McCombie
contributing Editors Joe Nichols Jason Greer Amanda Nichols Justin Harris Richard Vance
Josh Watson Mark Lee Robert Rice Bob Beneteau Brady Miller
contributing Companies Bowfishingcountry.com American Eagle Bows Gulf Coast Archery 5150 Bows CarpBusters.com
BAA Board Members Mark Lee President Alan Yedor Vice President Lisa Dunkle Sec/Treasurer Charles Kupfer Marketing Dir. Jason Greer State Rep Mgr Amanda Nichols Points Chairman Jeff Sagehorn Editor in chief Joe Nichols Record Keeper Chase Simmons Social Media D.
Cover Photo by Brady Miller
Bowfishingassociation.com
Welcome to 2012!! Hopefully everyone had a happy safe new year. Hopefully the mayanʼs didnʼt have it right and we have more than 12 months left to the end of civilization as we know it. ;-( Iʼve got too much left to do ( and fish to shoot ) and I donʼt think I can get it all done in 12 months ;-) Itʼs that time of year when Bow season is winding down, duck hunting is in full swing and bowfishermen are dreaming about new gear, boat builds, and what craziness LoganCrane is starting online, in Short itʼs the off season. Some will be spending every waking moment trying to rebuild their bowfishing rig before spring arrives. For others itʼs about getting that new bow set up and shooting straight while they are waiting for the ice to melt on there favorite fishing hole. And for guys like me, that already have plenty of bows, a boat ready to fish, we spend our time on-line shooting the breeze and trying to help newcomers into our sport(when we arenʼt building magazines). Whatever your doing, make sure you stop every so often, take a break, spend a few minutes with the wife and kids. Because if you donʼt stop every so often, before you know it youʼll be old( like me ) wondering where the time went! Before you know it, your oldest kid is moving out and your youngest is starting to notice boys(there goes the rest of my hair) and you wonder where the hell the time went! After all itʼs not about the end game, itʼs about the journey and it goes fast! So make it a good one and donʼt let time slip through your fingers. Stay safe, shoot straight, and weʼll see you on the water ;-)
The
Bowfishing Association
Volume 2
06 14 16 24 26 28 33 48 50
January 2011
Letter From The President By Mark Lee
Braggin Board By Jeff Sagehorn
CarpBusters By Robert Rice
State Rep Profiles By Jason Greer
BAA News By Mike McCombie
10 30 36 44
Yankee’s, Gators, Catfish.... By Dixiedeerslaya
Summer Vacation..Florida By Ken Wheeler
572 Redneck Monster By Garrett Gollom
A Dove hunt to remember By Mark Lee
Under the Lights By Bowfishing Association
Recipes By Bowfishingcountry
Members Boats
By Bowfishingcountry
Gargod Strings By Josh Watson
Photo by Holly Jackson
Cover Photo Contest To submit photos for cover photo contest send your photos to : jeffs@bowcountry.com by submitting photos you authorize the BAA to reproduce these photos
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Letter From The Pres By Mark Lee
Well, it’s getting that time of the year again with hunting season winding down, and the thoughts of rough fish up In the shallows…..breaking out the bowfishing bows and going thru all the equipment repairing and replacing things to get ready for the 2012 season! We have placed a great group of guys and gals in the Board of Directors, and within only a span of a year! Any ideas and improvements you guys have, please feel free to contact the board with them. I am pretty confident in the new board and their desire to help improve the flow with the different aspects we have going now, including the fish citations, points, and now with our newest addition, Michael who will be our Social Media Director! This year we will be hosting the 2012 Annual Spring meeting on-‐line through www.bowfishingcountry.com in the BAA section. Mike at BFC will set us up a section for the spring meeting and there will be different threads made on topics for members to go in and discuss their ideas and opinions on those topics… The meeting will start on Tuesday, February 7th, and the voting on the topics will be listed in another thread built for voting only on Tuesday, February 14th, ending on
Letter From the President Bowfishingassociation.com
www.southernstylebowfishing.com
February 20th, allowing people time to go in and vote at their leisure….This will be the first time we have tried this, so please be patient, and help us make this work! The threads will be for BAA members only, although all will be able to see, and voting will be by BAA members only so you will have to place your real name on a post along with your vote so lisa can check to verify…. The reasoning of the dates posted above is for the 30 day notification I must do of any meetings, therefore we will not be able to start before the 5th of feb.
Now is the time to start thinking about the 2012 BAA World Championship hosted out of Guntersville on the 4th weekend of July, (July 28-‐29th), and start planning on your accommodations, as well as other expenses and equipment you may need to get ready! Once Muzzy hits, they all start rolling by from Month to Month, next thing you know….it’s hunting season again! Have a great 2012, and hopefully this year will be a banner year for bowfishing, and for meeting others as passionate in the sport as you!
Letter From the President
Bowfishingassociation.com
Bowfishingassociation.com
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
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“Darkness finally fell and we were on the hunt. First set of eyes we see was an 8.5 footer that let us get to within 3 feet of him before he slowly sank under….” By Dixiedeerslaya
a guy (dthomas913 on here) from Michigan from this website. He wanted to kill a gator and was looking for someone to take him out
I tried to explain the best I could what it was going to be like and how we would kill the gator, etc. We left my house to head to the southern coastal region at about 4:30 so we could be down there during day light
if he drew a tag. I told him I would take him if he drew. Well first year went by and him and his buddy both got preference points. We kept in touch through out the year and both he and his buddy got drawn this year. Neither of the two had ever even seen a gator in the wild, so needless to say he was excited. Well we talked more and more during the weeks leading up to his hunt and every time I talked to him I could tell he was getting more and more excited. They finally left yankee land Wednesday afternoon and arrived in south Carolina Thursday around lunch time. We met up at my house around 2pm and ate some fried flounder than I cooked up and started talking about the nights hunt.
hours and let them have a chance to see the coastal marsh. It wasn’t long after and we spotted a beautiful bald eagle in a dead tree on the bank of the river. This must be a good sign I thought. Darkness finally fell and we were on the hunt. First set of eyes we see was an 8.5 footer that let us get to within 3 feet of him before he slowly sank under…. They were really excited then. Well the night went on and we passed up 7 to 9 footers until 12:30 that night…. That’s when we finally spot a shooter… huge gator just sitting there,12 footer, head above water. We ease up to him, I tell jeff to draw his bow, he does and we drift a little closer. SHOOT. The arrow flew out of that bow and the
Two years ago, I was contacted by
water erupted. “ I GOT HIM!” he says. That panic when you first stick a huge gator and he’s pullin out line just cant be described, but this time it didn’t feel right…… I get then line in my hand and pull, quickly to realize that he had missed. O man we were all crushed. We looked around in that area for a while, hoping to get another chance, but it just didn’t come. We finally gave up on that one and went to look for another one. I tried to reassure him that he would get another chance, but I could tell he was losing faith. We had hunted for 6 hours and only got one shot at a big gator…… Well an hour or so goes by and we stop seeing gators. So we head back towards the landing. I knew time
was running out because the tide was getting high and pushing the gators up in the grass. We ease up to the mouth of a small creek and there is a set of eyes. Looked like another 8 footer, but we eased in to make sure… we get a little closer, it was getting hard to tell how big he was because of the angle he was sitting. Then all of a sudden he turned and I said, “shooter get ready”. Jeff drew his bow and as soon as he got settled in the gator started to sink. “shoot low, shoot low, shoot low” is what I rattled off and he slung the arrow at the last second. This time I see the arrow smack him and it looked like a good shot. That panic starts again as he starts ripping the line out of the bow and jerks the five gallon bucket that I use as a float right off the boat. I grabbed the tail end of the line and hold on. I start barking orders on things to do “pull of the big motor”, “raise the troller”, “get the harpoon ready”. As soon as we got everything in order I start to pull up the gator…. For the 15 minutes that i’m trying to bring the gator up i’m constantly trying to coach them on what to do when he comes up, where to stick the harpoon, how hard he needs to hit him, etc. I look down on the deck and see a huge pile of line so I know the gator is getting close to the surface. Just as I let them
know he was real close, about 6 inchs of his tail comes out the water. And that’s when the second disaster of the night happened. THE LINE WENT SLACK! Words cant describe that feeling. But it was no time to be sad. I started hollering, “get the snatch hook, he is gonna come up, get the spot lights and start scanning. He is going to come up fast”. Two minutes later and that big fella pops up 40 yards from the boat, but goes right back down as soon as we started towards him. “Dang it. That was our chance fellas.” I said. But we keep scanning with the spot lights hoping a miracle would happen. 10 minutes go by and he pops back up again. This time within casting distance. As soon as I stood up to cast the hook, he went down again and I made a hail mary cast that was WAY off the mark. This is when the depression set in. This time I felt awful. It’s one thing if the hunter misses a gator. But it’s another if my equipment fails. We tried not to give up hope as we scanned the waters for the next 15 minutes or so. But no sign of the gator. We had decided that we would just have to give up and come back tomorrow. As I turned around to get off the deck, jeff spots him yet again, and this time he was closer, about 30 yards. I grab the rod one
more time and we turn towards him. Just like he had done the previous times he went right back down, and I chunked the snatch hook again. Damn it! I made an awful cast. I start reeling it back in and all of a sudden the line got tight. “HOLY CRAP, I have the gator” I said, followed by, “never mind, I think i’m hooked on the bottom”. I went back and forth three or four more times. I couldn’t tell if I had the gator or a log because it wasn’t moving at all, just felt like dead weight, but I was pulling it in so I knew I had something. Then, just like the first time, all of a sudden this gators tail comes out of the water. I had him hooked THREE INCHES from the tip of his tail with one hook, just barely into his skin, not even past the barb. O MY GOD. That’s when the gator made his first move of the fight. He slings his tail and back down into the water he went. But I still have him on the rod. Jeff and Dave get the harpoon ready for round two, and I quickly pulled him back up and they jab the harpoon, BUT MISSED. Dang it! I pull him up once more and they stick another one in him. And back down to the bottom he goes. So now we have a hook barely in his skin, and a harpoon line that’s in his tail, but we don’t know how solid it’s in.
Another 15 minutes goes by and Im quickly loosing strength, so I pass the rod over to Dave while I rig up another arrow in the bow. Then we get the harpoon line and I pull on it and Dave pulls him up with the rod at the same time. Jeff ready’s the bow and we lift him as far out of the water as possible and Jeff buries an arrow deep into the base of his tale with the bow. Now for the first time of the night it looks like we have an upper hand on this gator. We rest for a second and start pullin him back up, but all the lines we have are hooked in his tail and we cant get his head up for the shot. Finally we take the hook out of his tail and use it to reach down and snag his head. Then I grabbed it with the gaff and pull him up into position for the shot. Jeff fires three rounds as fast as he could pull the trigger into the gators neck. Im in a better position so he hands me the gun and I finish him off with two more rounds into that “quarter sized kill spot” That’s when the celebration started. We finally got him. We drag him up over the side of the boat, sever his spine just to be safe, and roll him into the boat. Man what a hunt….
So in conclusion, we shot him first with the bow, arrow went in between his two jaws in that little flap of cheek meat. Half inch up or down and it would have bounced off the bone. Then he pops the line. We are almost going to give up when he surfaced again for the third time and we got lottery winning lucky and hooked him three inches from the end of the tail…and somehow still got him…. Pictures and story to come for the next nights gator. Dave is up to bat and brings in a huge headed 11’8” gator… story isn’t near as exciting as this one tho…. Here are the pics of Jeff and his gator….. measured 11’ even…
So the next night we head back to the same area, hoping to get another crack at the first one we missed Thursday night. We put the boat in a little later this time, about 8:30. We went straight to the spot where we had the encounter the night before and didn’t see the big boy. So we decided to ease out of there and head farther up river to check out
some other gators and hopefully work our way back to this one later in the night. Well we passed up a bunch of smaller gators for the next two hours or so, when all of a sudden I spot three sets of eyes by a big cypress tree. We ease closer and one starts to head out to the big water. It only took a split second to realize he was a big one and I whispered to Dave “that’s a big M***** F*****.” He hadn’t got 30 feet off of the bank and he went down. Dang it. However, seconds later he reappeared about 40 yards out in the river. We motioned for jeff to drive us towards him and as we did he was steadily swimming away from us and down river. The next 5 minutes seemed like 5 hours as we slowly kept creeping towards him, gaining what seemed to me inches at a time. Finally we got almost within range and I told Dave to draw his bow. He came to full draw and I could hear him breathing from the other side of the boat…… haha I think he was a little bit excited. Well he had to hold at full draw for maybe two minutes until he stopped swimming and I knew it was now or never. He let the arrow fly and made a great shot right behind the head and the gator exploded and took off upstream, quickly pulling the float off the deck. We quickly got the harpoon ready and I got on the line and started pulling. He came up extremely fast and we got another harpoon in him. Then to be on the safe side I rigged another arrow up for the bow, we eased him up once more and stuck an arrow right in the soft meat on the side of his neck. We got him now! Next time he comes up we are gonna shoot him. Well that’s easier said than done. He went to the bottom and started rolling and got the line all tangled up around him. So what do you know, the next time we got him to the top, it was tail first and we couldn’t
get his head to come up for nothing. I grabbed the end of his tail and pulled as much of it in the boat as I could and sat on it. I was not comfortable with that at all, but the gator was worn out and I we didn’t have another option. We kept reaching in with the gaff and finally hooked his head, and Dave put three im him quick with his 9mm, and I followed up with two from the 44mag. Then we got his head in the boat, and taped shut. The size of his head was incredible. I told Dave that I thought we had a 13 footer judging by the size of his head. It was HUGE. So after we rested a second, and cleared the boat out we pulled him in, only to find out his head didn’t match his body at all. He ended up measuring out at 11’8”, with a head that belonged on a 13 footer.........
So then Saturday night I took these fellas out to Santee and finished their trip off with some bowfishing… this is the first time they had ever shot catfish and the first time they had ever seen a blue cat. Ended up with 23 (gave 5 away at the gas station so pic only shows 18)…. One hell of a weekend. Met two great new friends. Killed two really nice gators. And killed some good catfish. Im just glad its over with because I REALLY need some rest! haha
Aquatic Undert aker Grass Carp
B-Rad Grassy
Her First Common Carp
Logan Crane Gar
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One Shot Gar
WestTXboy Buffalo
Mark Gator Gar
Dave Gator
Braggin始 Board Submissions Send Photos to: jeff@adventureskies.com Mike@adventureskies.com
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CARPBUSTERS.COM Aerial photo provided by Google Earth
CARPBUSTERS 1/2012 BY Robert Rice
Well since my last gig sent their entire semi paid columnist crew packing we at Carpbusters were kind of in limbo. Yeah we have a great Facebook page with like four thousand likes. We have the whole ear of the biological community, we have the truth, we have the plan, the only thing we donʼt have is the undivided ear of the sportsmen. So this year we are jumping into the pool instead of dipping our toes in. Some of you old school folks know there was some “sparks” back in the day between the BAA and Carpbusters. Some harsh things said by the usual suspects, but now a few years later the wounds have healed and the problem remains. Conservation is done by sportsmen. Conservation needs sportsmen and sportsmen are the most cost effective way to help save the planet. Youʼre like, dude, no way hunters are helping to save the planet. WRONG, sportsmen do more for conservation of wildlife than any other group period. We pay the bills, since 1937 via the Pittman-Robinson Act in which over $21 billion has been collected from these Hunters for habitat improvement and other projects, which in turn have led to the remarkable resurgence of many native species of wildlife. Yep we did that. PETA and Greenpeace not so much, or actually not at all. So quit acting like conservation and
bowfishing are mutually exclusive. Good bowfishing is good conservation. Now let us tackle the main problem with Carpbusters and the BAA during those mysterious times where we did not get along oh so long ago. A few people erroneously said that Carpbusters was anti bowfishing of native species. This of course will piss off like 90% of the bowfishing community and it of course caused a fuss. Such claims sound good on the internet and this one was reposted by the trolls in cyber world, especially trolls who were members of organizations that hate bowfishing like C@R carpers and animal rights folks, or worst of all, in my opinion, people that have an agenda that was not pro BAA or Carpbusters. Here is the bottom
line, surprise this nasty story it ainʼt true. We at Carpbusterʼs fish for native species, we hunt for native species, so why would we be against native fish harvest? We harvest native fish. What we maintain is that we prefer bowfishermen take invasive species every chance they get. We prefer that native species be harvested thoughtfully. Some bodies of water there are too many stingrays, some too many gar, some to many buffalo, some bodies of water have many trophy fish, whatever your local situation harvest thoughtfully, enjoy thoroughly. Itʼs our creed we believe sportsmen can make a huge difference by the choices they make. Thatʼs it, thatʼs all. Itʼs a choice follow Carpbusters, donʼt follow Carpbusters, or donʼt care and just bowfish. No matter what you choose you are a conservationist. Your license fees pay the conservation bill for countless non game species. We at Carpbusters applaud and thank you. So when you see a Ducks unlimited stamp on a truck, wave at em you are both on the same side, a Rocky mountain Elk sticker same nod, even groups like Audubon and the Nature conservancy owe their success to you. They are your partners in the fight. The Greenpeace, PETA environmental activist types not so much. So when the formerly hot PETA chick at work invites you to some lame PETA Hate in, let her know youʼre a conservationist and only work with groups that are saving the planet like bowfisher's. As her heads spins around smile knowing that you make a difference and them well not so much. Until next time good luck and good fishing.
Crafty and Crew puttin the smack down on some invasive carp
CARPBUSTERS.COM
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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
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50 Watt LED Floodlights
Specifications: 50 Watt LED Flood Light Bean Angle 120° Color Temperature Available in Neutral White & Cool White Dimensions 290 x 230 x 160mm Dust/Moisture Rating IP65 Input Voltage 100 - 240 Volts 50-60Hz LED's 50 Watt Integrated LED Lifespan 50,000 Hours Lumens 4000 - 4500 Lumens Power Consumption 50 Watts Warranty 2 Year Manufacturers Warranty Weight 2Kg Working Temperature -40℃ to 55℃
HawgLite Ghost Specifications: 200 lumen Cree led Lumens: 200 Lumens Removable pressure switch and stabilizer mount. Power supply: 3 AAA Batteries
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American Eagle Bows American Eagle Bows is a new manufacturer in the Lever Bow market., but not new to lever action bows. Joseph Ciampa, owner of American Eagle Bows was one of Oneida Eagle bows largest dealers for years, but has spent the better part of these last two developing his very own lever bow line. Although we did not have the specs at the time of this release going to print, we do know this. The bows are 100% fully machined aluminum(other than the limbs) incorporates a modular draw length and let-off system and enclosed limb pockets. Projected release dates are spring of 2012. Look for a more in depth review in issues to follow.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Photo By Cpl.Ryan Carpenter
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Protecting the rights of Bowfishermen since 1990
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State Rep Bio’s BAA W.Virginia State Rep Rob Law Hello all, my name is Rob Law and I am the BAA state rep for western West Virginia. I am 37 years old, born and raised in West Virginia on the banks of the Ohio River. I have been married to my wife, Linda for 14 years. I have two daughters, Megan (13), and Lindsey (6). I work at a chemical plant as an operator, and volunteer at the local Fire Department. I enjoy everything outdoors including hunting, fishing, and trapping. But since I began bowfishing, I have noticed my interest in everything else slipping. Bowfishing has become my addiction! It all started bank shooting for floating gar with a free bow, and quickly evolved into upgrading bows, buying a boat, upgrading to a bigger boat, buying more bows‌.well as most of you know this story never ends! I have been working with the WVDNR for the past few years on possible changes to WV bowfishing regulations that will benefit WV and OH bowfishermen alike. In early 2011 myself and my team mates began the formation of a local bowfishing club, Ohio Valley Bowfishing Association, for the purpose of uniting bowfishermen across the states of Ohio and WV. We are still growing as a club, and held our first event in September 2011 at WV National Hunting and Fishing Days where approximately 1000 kids and their parents got to try their hand at shooting floating gar targets and view our boats and equipment. In 2012 we will continue events like this, and plan on hosting a few tournaments. As the sport continues to grow in WV, I am proud to be a part of it, learning from some, teaching others, and making many good friends along the way. Anyone interested in bowfishing WV, joining the BAA, or just wanting to talk bowfishing feel free to contact me. Email: wvroblaw@gmail.com Cell: 304-588-3160
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BAA
Bowfishing Association of America
State Rep Bio’s BAA Eastern WV State Rep Derek Stiefel
Hello all,
My name is Derek Stiefel (aka Team River Rat on BFC). I work as a Project Manager for a Steel Fabrication & Erection company in the Northern VA / DC area. I've been the Eastern WV State Representative for about a year now and have been bowfishing for about 6 years. I began bowfishing after seeing a few big Commons spawning in a shallow cove of a river & thought it would be a blast to shoot one of them. So I bought a bow w/ Spinner and started bank shooting them. I then convinced a buddy to hold a spotlight for me in a small Jon Boat & then progressed into building my first boat w/ lights & generator. Over the past years, I've built (5) different boats for either myself or friends. And every winter, I tend to take on another project as I am this winter. As the Eastern WV State Rep, I've helped promote / organize a few tournaments and have also helped teach youngsters and adults the great sport of bowfishing at the West Virginia Celebration of National Hunting & Fishing Day. At that event, we had approximately 1,000 people come by our set-up to check out some pictures, boats and even try their luck at shooting a few targets. Rob Law (Western West Virginia State Rep) and I are working to convince the WV Department of Natural Resources to lower the cost for Non-residents to bowfish in our state. Currently it costs non-residents about $125 to bowfish in WV & detours a bunch of my friends from joining me out on the water. That's when we travel to VA, PA or MD to bowfish. In the past 6 years, I've been fortunate enough to have bowfished in numerous states for various species of fish such as the Northern Snakeheads on the Potomac River in Maryland, Cownose Stingrays on the Chesapeake Bay, some nice Catfish on the Susquehanna River in PA & of course our usual Common Carp in VA. Here in eastern WV we have Common Carp, Koi, Grass Carp & a few other trash fish to shoot. Me & my other team members do a few tournaments each year & enjoy meeting new people at them. Last year we only did (2) tournaments; Stingray Tournament on the Chesapeake Bay & the Snakehead Tournament on the Potomac River, which we were lucky enough to win. Thanks & feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the great sport of bowfishing in West Virginia or if you just want to shoot some fish! Derek Stiefel Team River Rat Bowfishing BAA Eastern WV State Rep. Ohio Valley Bowfishing Assoc. Member d.stiefel@hotmail.com
Bowfishingassociation.com
This year has brought many new and exciting changes to the BAA. The Board reconfiguration, the new E-Journal, new website, and new relationships with many dealers and manufacturers.........What? What do you mean relationships with manufacturers? I hear this statement from more and more bowfishermen and it still amazes me to think there are bowfishermen out there(some BAA members) that donʼt realize that BAA Members receive discounts on bowfishing.......and hunting gear through various dealers and manufacturers. In many cases bowfishermen could more than pay for their annual BAA Membership with just one or two purchases. To answer a question commonly heard from many bowfishermen: “why should I join the BAA” “Whatʼs in it for me” Let me give you a quick answer to that question. As a BAA member you get to be a part of a group of bowfishermen dedicated to helping educate and preserve your rights to bowfish( yes itʼs a right) and there is strength in numbers! You also receive Discounts from these fine Dealers and manufacturers ;-) East Texas Archery: 10% discount of all Bowfishing and Bowhunting related gear(except bows) including there world famous Gardgod Strings http://www.easttexasarchery.com Hawglite Products: 10% discount on al hawglite products http://www.hawglite.com/ American Airboats: 10% discount on parts and accessories. http://www.americanairboats.com/ Redneck Airboats: 10% discount on hulls, trailers, and custom aluminum work. 7% discount to regular members. http://www.redneckairboats.com/ Muzzy Products: 10% when ordering directly from Muzzy Products www.muzzy.com Gulf Coast Archery: 10% off on bow builds and film dips. http://www.5150bows.com/ American Eagle bows: 5% discount http://www.oneidabows.net Gar Guys: 10% off all DVDʼs http://www.garguys.com/ And the list is constantly growing :-) I would to personally thank all the great sponsors for there generosity and support. You make this sport great!
Bowfishingassociation.com
The 2012 Bowfishing Association Annual Spring Meeting will take place the week of February 7th “online” Due to the tough economic times and the increased popularity of the internet we have decided to try something new this year. By holding an online meeting we will hopefully increase member participation(allowing more members voices to be heard) and save the time and cost involved with traveling (great distances in some cases) across the country. We fully expect there to be a few bumps in the road as we move forward but hopefully with your participation and patience we can make the BAA a more streamline and efficient organization. And just like previous meetings in the past, all BAA members are welcome attend and voice their opinions. After all this organization was started by, run by, and led by it’s members with the goal of protecting, growing, and educating people on the sport of bowfishing. Please check here for So come out and show your support, voice your opinions and help us determine the direction of the oldest Bowfishing Organization in the country. Follow the link for updates http://bow.fishingcountry.com/ forums/showthread.php?15471Spring-meeting-2012%28members-please-read%29
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UNDER TH 2011 BAA TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS OF THE YEAR Congratulations to all the Teams and Individual Bowfishermen of the year. 3 man team of year 1st place- Jason Cathey Marty Marett Keith Roberts 2840 points 2nd place- John Martin Ben Frank Josh Neely 2570 points 3rd place- Glen Brown Justin Talley Josh Talley 2470 points
2 man team of year
Individual of the year
1st place- Jason Gibson Josh Dunkle 2160 points
1st place- Josh Dunkle 2540 points
2nd place- Jason Greer Matt McGuyer 2110 points 3rd place- Dustin Houston Tim Escott 1230 points
UNDER THE LIGHTS Bowfishingassociation.com
2nd place- Jason Gibson 2520 points 3rd place- Joe Nichols 1860 points
E LIGHTS HUGE VICTORY FOR COLORADO BOWFISHERMEN!! DOW approves citizen issue paper to permit bowfishing for Kokanee Salmon during the snagging season. At the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission’s latest meeting on November 10th-11th the commission voted to approve the proposed citizen issue paper to permit the harvest of Kokanee Salmon with archery equipment (bowfishing) during the snagging season. This regulation will go into effect April 1st 2012. That means that beginning April 1, 2012 archery take of salmon is lawful during times and in places otherwise open to snagging of salmon. Please be sure to read the new 2012 regulations as they are made available. This is a big win for fisheries in our great State as it will help maximize the harvest of prized editable fish before they expire. Secondly it opens up an additional method of take for sportsmen in the state of Colorado, further expanding the opportunities for people to experience the great outdoors through bowfishing and archery. A special thanks to Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission, DOW staff and all individuals out there who sent in their comments of support on this issue to the Commission over the past few months.
U N D E R T H E L I G H T Bowfishingassociation.com S
By Ken Wheeler(father)
When one thinks of a summer vacation to Florida, it’s sun, sand, and waves!...when Kenny thinks
of Florida, he’s thinking BOWFISHING ADVENTURE! Twelve year old Kenny Wheeler, from Kingston, Ok. has been Bowfishing for about one year and has shot many common carp, big head carp, drum, buffalo, spoonbill catfish, long nose gar and spotted gar on lakes in Oklahoma. In June 2010, he shot a 125 lb. gator gar while Bowfishing with Garzilla Guide service on the Trinity River in Texas. In his first completion at the youth world at Fort Gibson Lake in Oklahoma, he placed 5th.in his age division and shot the 2nd biggest carp. In February his dad Ken Wheeler found a stingray Bowfishing trip advertised on EBay that looked like fun. The trip was purchased and both couldn’t wait for school to end and the trip to begin. On Monday May 16, 2011 Kenny Wheeler and his dad Ken Wheeler flew out of Dallas, Tx. to Orlando, Fl. For a 5 day Bowfishing adventure. Upon arrival at the hotel in Orlando, we did a quick Bowfishingassociation.com
change of clothes and guide Ed McCormick of Florida Bowfishing met us in front of the hotel. We made a quick stop at Wal-‐Mart to get license and traveled North of Orlando to the St. Johns River for a night of fresh water Bowfishing. Kenny shot several bowfin, talipa, gar, blue cats and carp. We also saw about 50 alligators from one foot long to 10 feet long, all within 15 feet of the boat. It was a great experience for us whom had never been around gators. Tuesday was a day of rest, enjoying Orlando’s restaurants and shopping for souvenirs. On Wednesday Ed picked us up at the hotel at 1AM to head to The Tampa Bay area for Bowfishing stingrays and salt water fish. We arrived on the water at 3a.m., that was when the tide and wind was right. There were cow-‐ nose and southern stingrays everywhere in t h e s h a l l o w sand flats. In less than 2 hours, we had our limit (barrel full) of stingrays. We shot 35 rays up to 35 pounds each in weight. Kenny shot most of them while his dad filmed the adventure. We went out again Thursday night at Tampa Bay and this time we shot 31 stingrays, several drum, sheepshead and other salt water fish in about 2 hours. It was the thrill of a lifetime to shoot at the cow-‐ nose stingrays as they fly by the boat or the southerns as they lay on the bottom. The guide was amazed at how Kenny was able to hit the rays in his first time to ever shoot at rays. On Friday afternoon about 1PM, Ed picked us up for a drive to the Ft. Meyers area to a large private plantation for an alligator hunt for Kenny. We made a quick stop for the gator license at a bait shop. Upon arrival at the plantation guide’s home, Kenny was instructed in the use of his crossbow and bang stick. Kenny practiced a couple of shots with the crossbow and was ready to go. The plan was to find a gator up to 9 feet long and shoot him with the crossbow with a float on the arrow line and then shoot him with Kenny’s Barracuda bow. Kenny uses an AMS retriever and Muzzy arrows for all his Bowfishing. The gator would be pulled up close to the bank and then killed with the bang stick with a shot to the back of his head.
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After a couple of hours hunting, we saw a nice gator in a canal ditch, but he hurried into his underground den before Kenny could get a shot. We then saw a couple of smaller gators, but Kenny passed on them. Then we found a nice gator that swam into a large pipe culvert under a road between two canals. The guide asked Kenny if he would get into the water and look into the pipe for the gator and try to get a shot. Kenny jumped in and the water was above his waist. He was so excited to get a chance at the gator that he wasn’t afraid to be in the water with a big gator. He was unable to get a shot in the dark pipe. The gator finally swam out the other end of the pipe and disappeared in the weeds and moss. We drove on down by the canal another mile or so and found another big gator. The guide and Kenny sneaked up to the edge of the canal but all they could see was the gators head above the water. The rest of his body was covered in weeds and moss. Kenny took a shot with the crossbow, Bowfishingassociation.com
but the guide thought he missed because the gator just slowly sank and didn’t take off. Kenny began to retrieve the line and arrow for another shot, but to their surprise the gator was hit and stuck good in the neck. Kenny then grabbed his Barracuda bow and sank a Muzzy arrow into the gators neck. The gator then went wild, rolling and fighting the arrows. Not knowing how good he was hit, Kenny then threw a rope with a weighted treble hook pass the gator and then brought it back and snagged the gator at the base of his left front leg. After a big fight by the rolling gator, he was eased up to the bank and Kenny used the bang stick to the back of the head to dispatch the gator. He then was pulled up the steep bank to the dirt road. Both arrows were still stuck deep in the gator. The gator was 8’ 3” long, part of his tail had been bitten off when he was young. This gave him a little character. Kenny loved it, it was a dream come true. After several pictures, we loaded the gator in Ed’s Bowfishing Florida truck and headed back to Orlando. The gator was dropped off for processing and taxidermy work. Kenny will have the head, neck and feet mounted on a plaque. For a great Bowfishing adventure in Florida, contact Ed McCormick at Florida Bowfishing. Com.
Bighead Carp
http://www.youtube.com/watch? feature=player_embedded&v=W_Wc y-xILSQ
Kentucky Tuna
http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=8SNtJo958BM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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Go Big Or Go Home!!!
Redneck 20x8 w/30� sides with plenty of bow storage
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11 full length T Bars
3/8” Polymer 3 Blade Super Wide Whisper Prop Aluminum Rigging 5ʼ Rudders 3 Up Seating Built In Enclosed Light Rail Front Stick Steer
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This heavy hitter is such a light weight… We thought it just might float! We knew bettering the original Hydro-Strike™ was going to be no easy task. So we started from the ground up when designing the all new Hydro-Strike Pro™. Our primary goal was to shed weight and gain comfort and mobility. The result is impressive. You will know from the first time you hold one, you will be able to shoot it all night without tiring. A new "water-friendly" checkered rubber grip will fit just right in your hand. Next, you will notice the light weight and balance of the new riser and limbs. It aims right where you look every time. And we kept all of the great features of the original: Rapid-Fire™ fish cams, 36" finger friendly axel to axel, stainless hardware, integrated dovetail on riser front for optional pin sight, included line pull and quiver stands, limb bolt pivots, lifetime warranty and a striking blue camo finish. You will be thinking bowfishing bow perfection the first time you shoot the new Hydro-Strike Pro™. Dovetail for CNC Sight - Stainless Limb Bolt Inserts CNC Accessories Included - Axel to Axel: 36” Brace height: 7 1/8” - Let Off: Zero or 70% Draw Lengths: 21 to 30 - 15 Lbs. Draw Weight Adj. 25-40, 40-55, 55-70 - Weight: 3.55 Lbs.
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AT RED NECK AIRBOATS WE STRIVE TO PROVIDE THE BEST BOAT POSSIBLE TO THE CUSTOMER. What we build -Airboats-Flats Boats-John Boats-Fan boats-Any custom aluminum boat hull you can design
We offer boats built to the customers specs. We can provide bare hulls or fully rigged boats to meet your needs. Custom options include
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THOSE WHO KNOW BOWFISHING
KNOW CAJUN!
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TO By: Mark Lee
As summer starts to fade into August, the bowfishing although still going strong, makes way for the beginnings of the hunting season! One starts to scout a little more, work on deer properties, and as a favorite of mine growing up, Labor Day Weekend! This is usually the beginning of dove season!
returning home from the Military, the fields got harder and harder to find, and also dad was getting older and it was not as easy to get on fields like when I was young.
I grew up in North Louisiana where dove season always opened at noon on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, and dad always had a field for us to hunt through one of his friends. I have done this since I was old enough to go fetch the downed birds, until I went into the Military at age 19. We have dove hunted with some great people in some really good fields over the years, with people dad was acquainted with including Governor Buddy Roemer, but we always had friends like Sargent Boyce who helped us find a good field. He was retired Military who worked for dad at the school systems, along with some others like Andy Labor, and Jeff LaCaze, who took me hunting when dad was unable to. After
In the 90ʼs, I started fishing with Jim Bebee Jr., whoʼs ex-father –in-law hosted fields every opening weekend, and I was back in the dove business again. It reminded me of how much I enjoyed it, and there were some years I could make it, and some I had to work that weekend. I ended up in a lease a few years back out of Des Arc, Arkansas, and the first year I was in it, they had a great dove field. Over the last two years or so, the fields were just never that great after that. I ended up taking my son Monty last year out to the field, and he shot his first 4 doves, and fell into the same passion I had for wing shooting!
This year, 2011, we were invited to go dove hunting in Missouri with Tim Hunter. He puts on dove fields on his property, and gets adjoining properties he can hunt also if needed. We drove down on Friday night, September 2, and got a hotel room so we could be ready for Saturday morning! Dove season started on September 1st in Missouri, but Tim had a few fields that he left unhunted until Saturday so we could have a place to hunt! We got out there and tim dropped us off under a dead tree along the side of the field, towards the middle with undergrowth around it, a perfect place to lure in doves wanting to check out a field before flying down! As shooting hours approached, Monty was ready with his trusty single shot 20 ga. The first shot dropped his first dove of the season! The next three shots the firing pin was not hitting the primer hard enough, so his gun did not go off. I immediately walked back to our car, and got out the Remington 1100 20 ga., (I
carry two for spares), and we had a quick lesson on how automatics work. From the first dove that flew over after that, I swear he did not shoot less than 3 times at each pass! Yes, a monster was created, going from only 1 shot to having 3 at your disposal! By the end of the morning I had him taking aim, and trying to drop the bird on the first shot, hey, we all like to pull the trigger, and I had two cases of shells, so why not get him comfortable with it! He ended up with a limit for the day, with 6 pigeons included in his bag. Tim also had a mojo dove set up in front of monty that morning, and the birds would gravitate straight to it within range as they passed. This was one of the most memorable hunts for Monty, and myself thanks to Tim, for it acclimated Monty to what a dove field can be, and it brought back memories of how I grew up dove hunting. He is asking when we can go back, and already knows that we are planning on going next Labor Day Weekend, this time hopefully if everything goes right we will have sunflowers to hunt over! I want to give Tim Hunter a special thank you for the invitation to go dove hunting with him, and also to let Monty sit with him some that afternoon, and for allowing us the opportunity to share a great dove field like I had when I was growing up!
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BAA
Bowfishing Association of America
Dragginbottom
Charles Ezell
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Jinx
Ranger F
Slimer
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Pimp My Bow… With A GarGod String! By Josh Watson
Whether it is a new bow or a fixer-upper, a GarGod string can turn your bow from ordinary to extraordinary! Hand made to order by the owner of East Texas Archery, Jeff Beall, also known as GarGod. He can create anything you can imagine! With tons of colors to choose from, your bow string can be the perfect accent to set off your new or old bow. I was impressed with the quality of the product right away. The servings were well done and the craftsmanship was apparent over the factory string on my Osprey. I couldn’t wait to change out the plain old black string for the green, silver, and black that perfectly matched the Swamp Assassin. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better quality string for a more reasonable price, much less a custom made string to match your bow. Durable and sexy should be the slogan for the GarGod bow string, as this beauty can handle the abuse. With top notch customer service East Texas Archery can fulfill all of your archery needs. They carry a wide variety of merchandise that is sure to satisfy your addiction regardless of the time of year. I’ve personally ordered several items, all of which were shipped promptly and reasonably. It’s a pleasure doing business with them. So if you’re looking for bowfishing, 3D, or archery related hunting supplies, or just want to pimp your bow out, Jeff and the folks at ETA are sure to fix you up at one of their two locations. You can find them online at www.easttexasarchery.com or check out Bowfishingcountry.com and look for the sponsors. You’ll find East Texas Archery there supporting the BAA and sport of bowfishing we all love! Thanks for reading and good luck on the water,
Josh Watson
Videos Of the Month BACKWATER BOWFISHING AND DRAKETOWN PRODUCTIONS http://youtu.be/p3tpivSLeqg
SHOOT TO THRILL BOWFISHING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
KEEPING IT REEL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
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