Gator Gar under attack

[jtbowfisher]

As many of you already know Texas is at it again!! Not long ago it was Town Lake, then it was the Catfish last year, and this time there trying to limit the Gator Gar.

I'm all for managing our resources whether it be fish, deer, birds etc. but management without studies is reckless and can be potentially dangerous to the ecosystem.

I'm asking that all bowfishermen, Archers, and sportsman, regardless of the state you live in join us in this fight for our rights. I'm actively recruiting people on multiple sites to sign Tim McKee's Petition http://www.petitiononline.com/5695829/petition.html

This movement by the TPWD would be like your state saying you can only shoot one buck a year and it must by over 200"'s it's ridiculus

If you haven't signed the petition please do so. You can also go directly to the TX site and tell them on there survey you strongly disagree with the idea of limiting recreational harvesting of this species here. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business...ulations.phtml

We all need to join together before the Anti's pick us apart piece by piece.


If you frequent any other archery related hunting forums or feel like we do feel free to copy and paste this message.

[Davik]

I don't mean to start something here, but I'm compelled to ask this question...what exactly do you guys do with the gator gar you get? do you eat it? smoke it? please explain what happens when someone gets one of those big gar. thanks in advance.

[Murdock]

done

[kevin01]

Signed.

[big papa]

Signed. And yes we eat them. You can take the meat off of the back of the spine. It is just like the back strap off of a deer. Tastes different though. But it is good eatting.

[wilded]

Gar may live 25-50 years and take a long time to get to the larger sizes. The larger ones get fewer and fewer according to some studies. It is only smart to set some sort of limit. I have seen people shoot or spear everyone they see on a trip and most of you that hunt them have seen that also. I also do not see very many people use the meat. If you have a verifiable study that shows that they are not being harmed I am sure TPWD biologists would love to see it. Remember the passenger pigeon and the buffalo, they would never run out there were so many of them.

[Fishndude]

We all need to join together before the Anti's pick us apart piece by piece.

What does this have to do with "Antis"?? If you're all for management, wouldn't this apply??

[DrenalinJunkie]

done

[bowhuntertex]

I am a big bowfisherman and I would like a little more insight on what they are trying to do. The link you provided to the TPWD doesn't have any info in it. Regulations may be good. You can't say this:

I'm all for managing our resources whether it be fish, deer, birds etc. but management without studies is reckless and can be potentially dangerous to the ecosystem.

without having your own studies to back it up. Just because you believe that doesn't mean much in their eyes either. I assume the changes really effect those of you that take clients out for big gar and this would hurt that business.

Please provide us with more information on what the laws are and what they are going to be changed to so that people can make an informed decision, not a hasty uniformed decision.

Regards,
Will

[Humper]

I'm with Wilded...I think sound management of a species is not always bad. While I don't bowfish for them, I would like future generations to have the ability to do so. Given the long life span, time to reach huge sizes, normal mortality rates and erratic spawning, it make sense to me to place some restrictions on unlmited harvesting.

[WCB]

Are gator gar native to the US?

[crittergitter]

What does this have to do with "Antis"?? If you're all for management, wouldn't this apply??

he talking about gar this time jeff NOT catfish

[Hot4huntin]

From TPWD Commission Meeting

Regulations Committee
Status of Alligator Gar Populations
November 5, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Staff will introduce Dr. Allyse Ferrara from Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana who is a leading authority on gar populations. Dr Ferrara will present information on the status of alligator gar populations in the southeastern U.S. and the importance of Texas populations.

II. Discussion: Alligator gar populations have gained heightened attention during the last 20 years as anglers have discovered the enjoyment of pursuing this unique species. Anglers from around the world travel to Texas for the opportunity to fish for a trophy alligator gar. Alligator gar populations in many parts of the U.S. are thought to be declining. Because of this and the increased angling pressure on alligator gar populations, Inland Fisheries staff is investigating possible management options to ensure gar populations are maintained in Texas and will continue to produce large, trophy-sized individuals.

Dr. Ferrara's presentation can be heard here, about 3/4 way down.

Archived Audio of Dr. Ferrara's Presentation

[Fishndude]

he talking about gar this time jeff NOT catfish

I don't care if he's talking about the red sphinctered jack-a-mule. Management of any species is critical and really has nothing to do with antis. Research is the key!

[crittergitter]

I don't care if he's talking about the red sphinctered jack-a-mule.

do you have a picture of red sphinctered jack-a-mule so we can manage it