Is Bowfishing Legal

Before venturing into the details regarding is bowfishing legal, we would first like to discuss what actually or exactly bowfishing is. It is a fast-growing sport for many enthusiasts requiring zero experience. Well, it is a well-known term known to many.

Bowfishing is all about fishing with a bow and arrow to catch fish on any given day. However, our angler friends should remember that bow fishing is not without challenges altogether. If you are not prepared well, you might come across few inroads. But don’t worry as fishingsilk.com will guide you through and through.

 As regards, where bow fishing takes place, we would like to share with our readers that it always takes place on or near a body of water like rivers, swamps, lakes, etc. Additionally, shallow-cum-fresh waters are an ideal place to practice bow fishing. But overall, all waters are open to bowfishing meaning you can give it a try in salt waters as well.

  Similarly, another thing should be remembered by our anglers that is never to trust their eyes while bow fishing in the sunlight. Refraction will certainly pose problems. Therefore, you should go lower than your targets.

   Is Bowfishing Legal: When?

Is bowfishing legal is certainly an important question to answer for those who are stepping out for the very first time. But it is mandatory to answer that when it is legal by the way. But first, we need to discuss it as well which is why some people assume it to be illegal. It is because the fish are found dead after the shot. However, it is not illegal entirely and that is the main reason for its growing popularity. Similarly, long seasons are also playing their role in making bowfishing a famous sport.

 Another reason for its legality is that bow fishing makes the non-game fish species its target. These fish include:

• Carp
• Suckers
• Sheepshead
• Buffalo
• Gar
• Goldfish
• However, legal fish vary according to the locations in the country. The fish that are not normally eaten are legal species. Such fish are called rough or trash fish.
•  While answering is bowfishing legal, we feel good to inform our readers that bowfishing becomes legal when you possess a sports fishing license suiting your area and the laws there.
•  Another important thing that makes bowfishing legal is the limitations of fishing equipment. Hence, proper gear must be used to avoid any inconvenience during the process.
• Further, you need to make sure that you blowfish according to the suitable season and hours for that matter. Fishing with a bow has its specific hours or months to keep it legal. However, some areas allow bowfishing throughout the year. What are those areas, it can be found through local authorities dealing with fishing regulations.

      When Is Bowfishing Illegal?

Well, now, we turn towards the other side of the coin to check when is bowfishing illegal. It is like an open book that violating fishing regulations in a certain state or area will make your bowfishing expedition illegal. Likewise, bowfishing becomes illegal when you target sports and endangered species.

 Therefore, you should be aware of following things for a safe bowfishing experience:

• Follow the fishing rules.
• Know the quantity of fish to be targeted.
• Suitable season. Bowfishing should be started during Spring spawns or during Summer at any time of the day. However, the majority of anglers go bowfishing very early in the morning, or at dusk when fish are mostly active. Moreover, make sure that waters are clam having the best visibility with clear skies and no winds above. If bowfishing at night, you should be equipped with downfacing lights to illuminate the shallow waters for a clear vision.
• Area with flexible bowfishing rules because the areas with waters within 50 yards of an occupied boat dock or ramp, occupied swimming area, swimming or picnic area and public-use areas are often closed to bowfishing.
• License.
• Suitable gear: Crossbows are legal. Further on, the arrows must have barbed heads and each arrow must be attached by a line to the bow.

Conclusion:

As discussed in the beginning, bowfishing is an exciting sport with certain challenges, regulations and limitations. However, it does not need a pre-experience, thus, making it an exciting for the fresh anglers as well. We would like to say just go and enjoy with certain rules in mind according to the area you are bowfishing in.

FAQs

What is bowfishing?

Ans. Bowfishing is all about fishing with a bow and arrow to catch fish on any given day. However, our angler friends should be mindful of that bowfishing is not without challenges altogether.

Which species are illegal while bowfishing?

Ans. Bowfishing is illegal when you target sports and endangered species.

Name some ideal places to go bowfishing.

Ans. Shallow-cum-fresh waters are an ideal place to practice bowfishing. But overall, all waters are open to bowfishing meaning you can give it a try in salt waters as well.