Senate Bill No. 573 Louisiana - A letter I sent

BayouStateHunter · Tue Apr 13, 2010 5:40 am

Yeah, It's oozing with blah blah, but I had to stoop to their level. :roll:

And not to mention, sucking up to Bob Marshall. I know it's corny but I had to do my part. and I just found several grammatical mistakes, but F'em and it's late. Everyone of us needs to step up before this $hit passes. I've never sent a letter to any politicians until now but I felt that they backed me into a corner.

Dear Honorable Senators,

I currently reside in Covington, Louisiana, and am writing this correspondence to voice my displeasure with Senate Bill No. 573 Louisiana. If passed the bill will prohibit bowfishing for red drum (redfish). I would first like to say that I am not a bowfishing guide or do I have ties to any companies mentioned below. I am in the XXXXXXX profession and just an average citizen of Louisiana that is taking time out of my personal life to compose this letter. This is time that could have been spent with my family instead of arguing against a bill that is backed and lobbied for by big money organizations such as the Coastal Conservation Association. They support this bill purely for selfish reasons and have no scientific data to argue the contrary.

Last August, I invested a large amount of money for the purchase of a Gator-Tail boat and motor ($24,000), which are made in Loreauville, Louisiana. I have also invested money to outfit my boat for bowfishing. I enjoy bowfishing as I do rod and reel fishing in this great state of ours. I have heard all the arguments against bowfishing for redfish and they do not hold water. Some of the more popular arguments against bowfishing for redfish are as follows:

1) Bowfishing for reds depletes the redfish stock.

As you know, the coast of Louisiana is a estuary that produces some of the best fishing in the world. Since commercial fishing of redfish has been banned, they have rebounded and are very abundant. There is also no evidence from any biologist to show that bowfishing is hurting the supply of redfish. In fact, redfish populations are on the rise.

2) Bowfishing for redfish is unsportsman like and is like shooting fish in a barrel.

Contrary to this belief, bowfishing is a very difficult challenge. If you have not tried it, I urge you to do so. Try shooting at a fish, with the refraction of the water distorting your aim and the fish moving, along with the boat, as you try and snap shoot at the fish with a bow with no sights. It is very difficult. There are many nights where we do not harvest any fish or just a few fish, well short of any limits. As with rod and reel fishing, the creel limits are the same with a bow, 5 fish per fisherman.

3) Bowfishermen shoot undersized fish and throw them back with holes in them.

You must go bowfishing to understand that it is a very rare occasion that you shoot an undersized fish. Believe it or not but you can tell when a fish is too small and most of the fish in areas conducive to bowfishing are well above the minimum creel size. Anyone who has bowfished more then once can tell you this.

There are over 600,000 rod and reel anglers in this state with thousands of fishing guides. These guides have much more success fishing for redfish then bowfishermen do. The conditions have to be ideal to bowfish, ie. clear water, a tide not to low or too high, low winds, etc., whereas rod and reel anglers can catch fish in a variety of conditions. And as you know, fishing guides have a high success ratio and usually fill their customers limits. How many bowfishermen does this state have? There is no way to ascertain the numbers, but I would venture to say that there are no more than several hundred of bowfishermen statewide.

To bowfish, you must have highly specialized boats and equipment. This costs a considerable amount of money. The average person cannot outfit a regular fishing boat to bowfish, you need specialized equipment. In addition, I would like to inform you that Louisiana boating companies such as Gator-Tail outboards and boats (Loreauville, LA), Go-Devil Industries outboards and boats (Baton Rouge, LA), Pro-Drive outboards and boats (Loreauville, LA), Gator-Trax boats (Springfield, LA) and Cajun Archery are some of the few Louisiana companies that sell this uniquely Louisiana inspired equipment to bowfishermen. This bill would also essentially kill the bowfishing guide services that are based in Louisiana, which will hurt peoples lively hoods in this trying economic times.

The legendary outdoor columnist and conservationist from Louisiana, Bob Marshall, wrote an article published in the Times Picayune on April 11, 2010, concerning this topic. Mr. Marshall's column debunked the myths surrounding bowfishing for redfish and allows people to make an informed decision about this bill without brining emotions into the foray. I believe this two time, Pulitzer Prize winning recipient's opinion carries a substantial amount of weight. In addition, Mr. Marshall has bowfished and speaks from experience.

In closing, bowfishing for edible fish, such as redfish, are unique to Louisiana. Tourist from all over come to Louisiana not only to rod and reel fish for reds, but also to bowfish. In fact, I used the services of two bowfishing guides for my bachelor party several years ago. All that went had a great time, even though no limits were obtained and some guys would not list fishing as their favorite past time. I know that the Saints Superbowl MVP, Drew Brees enjoys bowfishing and takes prominent people on bowfishing charter trips here in Louisiana. You cannot guarantee a boat full of fish, but one thing I can tell you is that people who are introduced to bowfishing always seem to have a great time.

I urge you to vote against this bill and keep a unique method of bringing home some gourmet Louisiana table fare alive and well. Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.

Sincerely,

XXXXXX

Senate Bill No. 573 Louisiana - A letter I sent

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