Thanks for posting on the calendar Brian!

Regarding the Viking’s Stadium…….

The Governor is referring to looking into using funds from the arts portion of the legacy fund. There is no mention of attempts to use money from the funds that sportsmen and sportswomen are in need of to better our state. I know that the arts, parks, and clean water funds have already been spoken for in 2012 and the Lessard-Sams council has made their decisions on what projects to recommend to the legislature for the 2012 session.

Again there is no attempts to rob the funds affecting sportsmen and sportswomen.

Brian Petschl

MN Outdoor Heritage Alliance

The season is closed as of this past Sunday at midnight and will reopen on May 1st. Yes bowfishing can and has been done through the ice. Just like the guys spearing cut a hole, use what you can as a darkhouse, and find the fish. Now finding the fish is perhaps the harder part to the system. What I found helps is talking with the guys spearing and they will usually let you know if they are seeing any carp and at what time. A couple years back a couple of buddies and I shot 73 carp in a weekend thru the ice and it was a blast! The second picture was the fish from the first day.

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I think that you will find most catfisherman have an open mind about bowfishing, in fact I know several that bowfish regularly.

Fact of the matter is that we are still waiting for an answer as to why Catfish? Nodody seems to want to tackle that one…

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dtro currently it is legal to harvest catfish by spearing during the darkhouse season. Also it is acceptable in other states.

Anyone still at it? Took out a friend last night and he managed to shoot 16 commons that almost filled up a barrel. many were in the mid 20’s with a couple at the 30 mark. I watched him miss one that would have gone high 30’s… Unfortunately I still am out of shooting commission for the rest of the year. Some of the best fishing is yet to come for those who can shake off the chilly nights!

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…as long as it is civil.

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Makes you wonder why they call so many wars civil, don’t it?

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Perhaps a better word……..Respectful.

I look forward to participating in the workshop where this discussion will continue. As I said in the past I am not here to partake in a silly battle regarding the sport!

By the way I am impressed it took 7 pages before someone made a threat against bowfishermen/women. I do realize this is not the normal thinking of majority of folks here on this site and I appreciate that. I have always said I am willing to have a conversation with those who oppose me as long as it is civil.

I like that idea Brian……We will have an opportunity to sit down one day and have a good discussion.

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Dtro thanks for the read it was good!

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I know for a fact there are responsible bowfishers who would use this opportunity well, I’m just not convinced yet that the “average” bowfishing population has matured enough yet.

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This is one thing I forgot to say in my posts/rants!

Carpdiem do you know the post I am talking about on LLB site where a WI resident shot protected species and I made a comment about in WI they are protected then the posts “disappeared” not one bit of effort to ask me anything.

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As president of the LLBA (2008-2009) I was very active in managing our forum. With regards to your story the only thing that comes to my mind was a thread which did have pictures of blue suckers which were harvested by one of our members in one of the western states where it is legal to do so, and by the way those fish were eaten! There was some who thought these fish were shot in MN or WI which they were not. I do not recall this thread being removed, no laws were violated, and there was nothing to hide from. And as far as our reason for having a member’s only section is due to the unfortunate workings of the anti’s!

This issue should be decided by good scientific data and facts and not emotional thinking, which is nothing more a weak way of thinking! Make sure you can back up your statements with facts and I would be more than happy to listen to them. Here is an example of what I am trying to say:

Emotional thinking:

Bowfishermen/women are nothing more than a bunch of irresponsible people who have no respect for the laws and will surely break them.

Fact:

During a MN Senate hearing in 2009 MNDNR Director of Enforcement Col. Jim Konard testified they see no more or less violations with the sport of bowfishing when compared to other hunting and fishing activities.

See the difference?

For those who don’t like my way of fishing I understand it’s not for everyone, and to be honest I am ok with that (more fishing spots for me)! I am not here to win the hearts of those who will never agree with my way of life. But remember this…….Bowfishing is going nowhere and we would rather work with others than fight our way through it.

Brian Petschl
LLBA Legislative Director

I would like to introduce myself my name is Brian Petschl and I am the legislative director for the Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association. There has been discussions amongst some folks who bowfish for years about how we would like to see an additional opportunity to provide table fare. Let me make it very clear this issue is not about adding another fish to the barrel for fertilizer, this is about consumption! The MNDNR views using rough for fertilizer as an acceptable use but this does not apply to game fish. This should not be seen as an attempt to discredit the value of this fisheries.

To start with if you are against bowfishing period I understand the sport is not for everyone and we will have to leave it as we respectfully to agree to disagree. I am not going to waste my time with some silly disagreement about the sport.

Some have asked “Why”? Bowfishing for catfish is not a new concept and there are states which allow this. As many of you already know catfish provide great table fare and there seems to be a healthy fishery (channels in particular). Going into this we certainly understand not everyone will support such a thing for MN. We are taking a responsible approach to this by speaking with people like Brian and the MNDNR. We could have tried to find a legislator to provide a bill (regardless if we would be successful or not) and not work with others who value this fisheries. That approach would do nothing for all involved and we feel that we should be able to work together to come up with something that is beneficial for sportsmen/women and the fisheries. I have had many talks with Brian about things he views important like protecting the trophy flathead fisheries. This was talked about in our meeting with the MNDNR fisheries administration among other issues.

We are not naive walking into this regarding the work we have a head of us, but I would hope we will be shown the same respect we have shown others when we have an opportunity to sit down and have a discussion about this issue in the future. I look forward to participating in the future catfish workshop.

Thanks, Brian

Here is an older pic of my boat when I bought it. I replaced the halogens with HPS lights and now have a Minnekota 101 troller. It sits 14 inches up in height.

Another thing folks need to remember is the setbacks are for occupied “structures” and campgrounds. So if someone is on a dock or in a boat you will need to stay 50 yards from them. The reality is there is plenty of open lake shore to bowfish and have fun.

One thing that needs to be remembered on all border waters is that the other states don’t have the set backs and db restrictions. So most likely if someone is running docks and using a louder genny it is a WI resident, and there is nothing we can do about that other than let them know if we are hearing of major issues.

Gotcha….Sometimes I’m a little slow!

What no hints?

Here is my personal best to date…..35.2 lbs common carp.

Hey Brian and all MN catfishermen/women,

As you have seen things seem to be moving in the right direction! We, the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance (MOHA), believe in helping groups like yourselves with issues that seem to fall victim to the bureaucracies of government. Don McMillan (MOHA President) and I have spent a lot of time recently (BrianK more so over the years) making sure this issue is corrected and you all get the opportunity to further enjoy your sport. I also have a personal story like Brian’s with the current rule change system. This system must be changed to ensure success for both MN sportsmen/women and the MNDNR when we have issues that make sense! Currently it is a system that needs improvement and it has become a personal goal of mine to make sure we change it to better serve all in the future.

We will continue to work with BrianK and assist as we can and hope this becomes a reality very soon for you folks.

Sincerely, Brian Petschl

Vice-President for the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance (MOHA)

Legislative Director for the Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association (LLBA)

Board member for the Anglers for Habitat (AFH)

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Not sure if many stick with it.

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Nice Brian……I didn’t even think of that when I posted it.

I also only bowfish but have heard of some trying it…..Not sure if many stick with it.

Guess that would help…..Feb. 27th.

I asked him the same thing? I am now 2 for 4 with the winners. If this keeps up I will have a lot of people wanting to buy calendars from me.

For a little more info you need to be a member to attend but we will have memberships ($20 a year) available at the door. The cost of the banquet with meal is $10 per person with 12 and under are free.

This is a fun event for anyone looking to talk bowfishing, hear from some great individuals, and what better way to support the association who was responsible for getting night bowfishing legal in MN.

The first gun to be giving is Jan. 5th. Looks like we will not sell all of the calendars so those who do (and have) buy a calendar will have even better odds than we originally thought.

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Because MOHA was instrumental in helping to cut through the red tape for the MN Bowfisherpeople. Following the link below will give you more info about MOHA and it’s fund raising calendars.

$40. for a chance at 104 Guns

MOHA is a non-profit group dedicated to protecting the rights of all sportsmen (see mission statement by above link along with the contact info)

They claim a 1-28 chance of winning a gun, however there is a very good possibility they won’t sell out of calenders which will increase our odds.

After checking out this organization and attending their meetings, I would like to help support this fund raising drive.
Please take a moment to check out the calenders and, if right for you call or email Don McMillan for your calender.

Notice just because you win once does not mean that you can’t win again.

Good Luck and thanks for your support!

Bk

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Thanks Brian……This is absolutely correct if it was not for the Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association getting in contact with MOHA we would still be fighting the system under the DNR rule change process. Don McMillan, MOHA President, was the first to listen to our situation and was quick to help us succeed in getting night bowfishing passed through out the entire state and during the entire season! This group certainly looks out for small guys like us. If you want to support a group that works to ensure the protection and rights of MN sportsmen/women then I would ask you purchase a calendar. The money will be going to a great cause!

Thanks, Brian Petschl

President for the Land of Lakes Bowfishing Association
Board member for MN Outdoor Heritage Alliance
Board member for Anglers for Habitat.

You cannot go wrong with the AMS reel, its by far the best well built reel for bowfishing. To me the real benefit to a spincast is I am able to retrieve my arrow faster. If you shoot a lot of arrows plan on going through a few reels for one AMS reel.

Nope….I have two of them also, Zebco 808 bowfishermen. Old ones had more chrome, newer ones are black. I know the 888 is also used by some guys.

Alright Chris and Brian here you go…..I have an Oneida Osprey bow outfitted with a customized Muzzy spincast reel. The reel seat (holds the reel to the bow) is made by a friend and its working its way onto the market, by far the best reel seat I have used. And for the rest I have an AMS Wave rest.

Hey Chris this is Brian….Crossbows are only legal in MN if you have a permit from the Commissioner of the DNR. Basically one must be disabled. I will try to get a picture of my bow and set-up yet tonight.

The reason I asked the admin of this site to provide a bowfishing section is not create a fight with those who enjoy catch and release of rough fish but for us who do participate in the sport to have an area where we can discuss things about the sport. I will be the first to admit that we will most likely not agree on most issues with C&R fishermen. I respect folk’s choice to do as they like according to the laws in their state/country. I choose to bowfish as I am allowed to do so by law and will not be told that what I do is wrong! I have always advocated fellow bowfishermen/women they have a responsibility to promote our sport positively.

I absolutely agree with marking the hole once the house is removed and we also replace the ice chucks back into the hole to ensure someone sledding doesn’t hit them and injure themselves.

Nothing wrong with the sport of bowfishing. If you want info on bowfishing boats send me a PM and I can also give you some info. I have a F&F custom made bowfishing rig fully set up. This is an older photo last year I updated to the HPS lights so I could run all of the lights off one Honda eu2000.