bow fishing

[Brett k]

I remember from years ago that You can only use 30-35# can anyone confirm?

[Luke]

:o :(

As far as I know you can use whatever poundage you like.

Best check the spear fishing laws in your state though to be sure.

:thumb:

[Dave Barnes]

I went bowfishing for the first time last month.... even managed to see and fish and shoot it!

If you like fishing, and like shooting, go bowfishing!

[coach]

Well done Dave :thumb: And a shocker to you too :p

[Marcus]

nice shot dave! :thumb:
Did you fry it up or stick it in Gavin's car? ;)

[2Dogs]

That's a Euro (Carp) isn't it?

[primal]

which ones the fish?????


:rofl:

nice shooting dude.

[coach]

Yes it is 2dogs ;)

[Liam]

I went bowfishing for the first time last month.... even managed to see and fish and shoot it!

If you like fishing, and like shooting, go bowfishing!

That's pretty cool.

[Brett k]

:o :(

As far as I know you can use whatever poundage you like.

Best check the spear fishing laws in your state though to be sure.

:thumb:
Not so much rules and regs, but Ive heard that if you shoot with more than about 35# you may pass through and get the arrow stuck into the bottom. I may have the opertunity to stay on a house boat in WA, and ill be will of the coast of karatha :) Nice one dave:)

[Eberbachl]

Nice Carp Dave!

Bowfishing is a blast!

I used to have a recurve, which was my carp bow....just about as much fun as you can have standing up ;)

[frommy]

I may have the opertunity to stay on a house boat in WA, and ill be will of the coast of karatha :)

Lucky that you have a plastic cast on your leg, and not a plaster one, if you fall off the houseboat. ;)

:thumb:

[CMB50]

That's some top quality shocker there Dave! :highfive:

[Hellspawn]

Man, I have to do that.
Nice catch
:)

[maskn]

Does anyone know where to get decent equiptment for bowfishing? or more information regarding places where you can bowfish in victoria?

[Luke]

Most shops that sell bowhunting gear carry accessories for bowfishing.

:thumb:

[coach]

Does anyone know where to get decent equiptment for bowfishing? or more information regarding places where you can bowfish in victoria?
Bowfishing is illegal in Vic .

[scout]

It mighn't be easy in Vic but it is not illegal. You can bowfish in Vic wherever you can spear fish. They are covered by the same rules.

[coach]

Well maybe saltwater but NOT freshwater :confused:
This is an email I received the other day Dear Jeff,

Thank you for your recent enquiry.

The use of any firearm to take fish in any Victorian waters is prohibited. This includes bows and cross bows.

If you require clarification or have a further enquiry, please do not hesitate to contact the Customer Service Centre on 136 186 between 8am - 8pm weekdays or email customer.service@dse.vic.gov.au

Sincerely,

Michelle

Customer Service Officer
Customer Service Centre
Chief Information Office
Department of Sustainability & Environment
Phone: 136 186
Fax: 5332 5050
Email: customer.service@dpi.vic.gov.au




http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfaq.nsf/93a98744f6ec41bd4a256c8e00013aa9/cd0ef5236875a1ebca2572750080f25f/$FILE/Spearfishing_Pests_Habitat.pdf
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfaq.nsf/9e58661e880ba9e44a256c640023eb2e/cd0ef5236875a1ebca2572750080f25f/$FILE/Equipment.pdf

Cut and paste the above links into your browser

[Luke]

Well maybe saltwater but NOT freshwater

Isn't that the case in pretty much all other states anyways - excepting SA?

[coach]

Yep , but as the email says The use of any firearm to take fish in any Victorian waters is prohibited.This includes bows and cross bows. This would imply that it is illegal in ALL waters in Vic . Only going off what I have been told by the relevant authorities.

[Luke]

If a bow is classified as a firearm wouldn't all Victorian archers need a firearms licience :confused:

Therefore how can that be accurate?

Not *****ing or arguing, just curious.

:cool:

[coach]

Ask them Luke. Also they didnt say it was classed as a firearm , just that the paticular law included bows . Probably to stop smartarses using a Loophole 8)

[Luke]

:cool: Possibly I guess...

You didn't think to question them on this in the email exchange?

[coach]

No I didnt , I just wanted to know the law regarding bowfishing Carp so I dont have illegal content on my site :rolleyes: Maybe you should have done the same re this http://www.aussiebowhunter.com/viewtopic.php?t=6649&sid=b9ef9f78562c825e2eebb01aff6670db
instead of suggesting that everyone shot their carp in SA even if it is not the case !

[Luke]

What, jealous you didn't come up with it first? :rofl:

instead of suggesting that everyone shot their carp in SA even if it is not the case !

We suggested no such thing. We clearly stated we do not condone illegal behaviour and rely on the member's honesty with their submissions to the comp. TBGA is NOT responsible nor can be held liable if people choose (of thier own free will) to take carp illegally. We would like to think that our members are law abiding and honest.

So, I suggest you be mindful of your inference that we are promoting illegal activity. :thumb:

Shame you had to get narky about it. I thought I was asking reasonable questions? :rolleyes:

[coach]

We would like to think that our members are law abiding and honest.
Well with statements like this Hey

I live in VIC and am planning to do some carp hunting soon and believe me if im standin there with my bow and theres a carp in the water.... no-one is going to keep that carp alive.... Ilegal or not and thismate its only ilegal if you get cought lol it would seem that not all are law abiding and honest.
Didnt get narky or jealous , was just pointing out something that doesn't look good to the public and gives anti hunters more ammo . We really dont need to be seen saying stuff like the above , it doesn't do bowhunting any good at all .

[Luke]

All which were rebutted by:

TBGA is by no means endorsing the illegal activity of shooting carp in waters where such activity is prohibited. In the conducting of this competition we are relying on the honesty of members to harvest carp under legal conditions and only submit those entries that meet such conditions.

This is no different to the honour system upon which we conduct other TBGA competitions and even including the honesty with which we hope member stories, game tally posts and photos are posted.

Given the noxious nature of the carp in our water ways we are encouraging as many members as possibly can, get involved in this "Caper" and do our environment a bit of a favour.

It is obviously not possible for us to verify the legality of each and every submission to the competition, especially given that people travel around these days for hunts. Who's to say a trip to SA was/is not on the cards?

Besides, there are more appropriate mediums for discussing this than the open forum. I'm sure people have better things to read about :thumb:

:silly:

[scout]

I will stand corrected, but I have been led to believe from the appropiate authorities that you can take carp from non-flowing water. eg. dam or billabongs on private property in Victoria.

[Brad]

Besides, there are more appropriate mediums for discussing this than the open forum. I'm sure people have better things to read about :

No we would like to discuss it on an open forum, and since it can't be done on TBGA (without it being censored) then I think Coach is right bringing it up here.

I was directed to the tread in TBGA and it definately sounds like you are encouraging members to break the law and as long as they don't get caught then everything is ok.

Very poor form for a self proclaimed bowhunting ambassador

[Croc Slide]

Due to what seems a very Gray Area regardless of the statements made that TBGA trusts its members to do the right thing, I am sorry But I will be withdrawing my Donation and Support of this competition.

I will now asses the values of another comp and I'm sure Admin will see fit to give you the details soon.
I personally think we should be able do dispose of these garbage eating mongrel things anyway seen fit, but it seems the governments would rather have Noxious fish swimming the water ways.

I don't much care for another bowhunting forum take on the subject except, if Bows and such a classified as Firearms in Victoria its news to me.

The Competition was stated in good faith and I hope ended the same way.

I have done this off my own back, infact the TBGA admin would not be yet awaer of this.

I asked the legal question when I made the offer, it has been answered and I have retraced my offer.

[coach]

I don't much care for another bowhunting forum take on the subject


Could you please elaborate on that ?
I think the law is wrong as well , I would love to see all Carp eradicated ,, BUT , it is the law . And to be seen encouraging others to break that law , is as bad as doing it yourself .

I think it was a wise move for you to retract your support of a dubious comp , you wouldnt want to be seen supporting something that may have illegal content in it .;)

[Croc Slide]

I Actually Suggested the Whole thing !

Hence without Notice I am withdrawing the offer !

And I have asked the TBGA to withdraw the Comp as well, I will however announce another form of Support for something with a little more thought behind it.

To think Ridding water ways of carp in any way is Illegal seems kind of stupid but would it be the first time the gove has been stupid about Noxious pest control, Say I as I observe 15 cane toads hop around the light outside ?

[scout]

The inability to accurately recognize carp as the target species was the main reason I was given from a fisheries officer for not being able to bowfish in victorian inland waters. Their concern was that other species would be inadvertantly shot. The same officer informed me that private bodies of water ( ie. dams, not running water ) on private property did not come under their juristiction for the control of fish. It is therefore legal to bowfish for carp in these waters. In victoria.

[coach]

Scout , like a lot of these laws , it seems no one really knows , or has an interpretation of their own :rolleyes: That is until it comes to prosecuting you :mad:

[Puk]

No we would like to discuss it on an open forum, and since it can't be done on TBGA (without it being censored) then I think Coach is right bringing it up here.

I was directed to the tread in TBGA and it definately sounds like you are encouraging members to break the law and as long as they don't get caught then everything is ok.

Very poor form for a self proclaimed bowhunting ambassador

Thanks for the tips on form Brad...
So is what you're saying if you break the rules you should cop it sweet and not whinge about it, like when you break the rules of a website and get banned for example? lol.

Anyway, what are you complaining about TBGA for? Sounds like you still are on there a fair bit. I'm sure the Admin appreciates your support.

Puk

[Brad]

What's your problem preacher man??????

Just go back to your sheltered workshop at TBGA.

Goat beating a Deer, what a load of $#@T.

[Luke]

I'm sure the Admin appreciates your support.


We love him Puk, especially when he tries to get mates to sell his bows on there for him:thumb:

As for the digs at disable people's workshops...nice...real nice... :rolleyes:

:silly:

[ReG_C]

I heard from the DSE Website, that only certain waters (not mentioning private waters) in the gippsland area are allowed for fishing, salt-water fishing is allowed with certain restrictions, freshwater fishing is allowed only in certain areas, its all spelled out on their website http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nrenfaq.nsf/93a98744f6ec41bd4a256c8e00013aa9/cd0ef5236875a1ebca2572750080f25f/$FILE/Spearfishing_Pests_Habitat.pdf


Reg_C :thumb:

[Puk]

Hehehe.

Imagine getting banned from a sheltered workshop.... hahaha...
that's gotta hurt....

Puk

[Brad]

Getting banned from there is such a huge loss to me.

[Marcus]

Puk, Brad, Luke, that's enough please. I have not closed this thread because I think it is valuable to get the right info on bow fishing out there. However please keep the personal comments away from it.

[maskn]

So, basiclly in Victoria bow fishing is banned on victorian waters.:thumb: thanks for the useful info looks like i have to go inter-state

[Brad]

That's correct. No bowfishing in Vic.

[Luke]

That's correct. No bowfishing in Vic.

Not how I read it:

SPEARFISHING
SPEARFISHING
The use or possession of spear guns or hand-held
spears is prohibited in, on or next to inland waters.

The use of any spear or spear gun to take rock
lobster is prohibited.

Hand-held spears and spear guns must not be used
in Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries.
Handheld spears and spear guns may be carried
in Marine National Parks and Marine Sanctuaries
subject to conditions relating to safety.

Hand-held Spear
A hand-held spear must not have any barbs or more
than two prongs. It may be used to take fish other
than rock lobster in marine waters, but not:
• within 30m of any jetty;
• within 30m of the mouth of any creek or river;
• in inland waters, Curdies Inlet, the North Arm
of Gippsland Lakes, Mallacoota Inlet, Swan Bay,
Sydenham Inlet, Tamboon Inlet, Lake Tyers Inlet,
Wingan Inlet;
• in specified parts of Corner Inlet and
Andersons Inlet;
• within all Marine National Parks and
Marine Sanctuaries.

Spear Guns
(including slings)
A spear gun is a mechanical device or object that is
capable of imparting propulsive energy to a spear
or arrow.
A spear gun may be used to take fish (other than
rock lobster) in marine waters, but not:
• within 30m of any jetty;
• within 30m of the mouth of any creek or river;
• within all Marine National Parks and
Marine Sanctuaries.

The use of a spear gun is prohibited in the waters of
Anderson Inlet, Corner Inlet, Lake Tyers, the Lower
Lake at Mallacoota Inlet, Shallow Inlet, Tamboon
Inlet and Wingan or Curdies Inlet.

The possession of a spear gun is prohibited in, on,
or next to Lake Tyers, the Lower Lake at Mallacoota
Inlet and Wingan or Curdies Inlet. You may possess
a spear gun in a boat on these waters only if you are
proceeding by the most direct route to, or from,
a boat ramp or mooring to waters in which the use of
a spear gun is permitted.

The use or possession of a spear gun is prohibited
in the waters of the Gippsland Lakes except for those
waters that are within:
• 20m of the 3 rocky groynes off the eastern end
of Rigby Island;
• 20m of the ‘barrier’ in Hopetoun Channel, west
of the barrier landing;
• 50m of the compass beacons in Eagle Point Bay;
• imaginary lines running from Wattle Point to
Trouser Point and from Waddy Point to Pelican
Point in Lake Victoria.

That goes to some length to say where and wherenot you can spear(bow) fish but from what I read never says "No bowfishing in Vic". :confused: This is the sort of miscommunication that clouds the whole issue...

[Brad]

That's the spearfishing rules!!!!

Go back and re read Coaches post - email from DSE saying that there is NO bowfishing allowed in Vic

[jindydiver]

Anywhere you are allowed to use a speargun you are also allowed to use your bow

[ReG_C]

I can clear it up a little, from what I gather, you are NOT allowed to bowfish (spearfish) in ANY inland waters (i.e. Murray, goulburn, loddon, etc) on private property you ARE allowed provided you have the owner's permission

the only places you can legally bowfish are spelled out on the thread that was posted previous, and is outlined in quite clear detail, although in summary, bowfishing is allowed in a few select coastal inlets only, everywhere else, IT IS ILLEGAL, so in conclusion, it is not illegal everywhere in victoria, only inland waters, and most coastal estuaries and inlets

:thumb:

[Luke]

Um, it actually IS relevant to bows... you should take your own advice Brad and go back and read things more carefully, you would have noticed the following if you hadn't been so eager to point out I was wrong :rolleyes:

A spear gun is a mechanical device or object that is
capable of imparting propulsive energy to a spear
or arrow.


So by their definition a bow is a spear gun in the instance it is being used for bowfishing. :thumb:

[Marcus]

I would be careful handing out too much advise on this subject personally.
Anyone want to be a test case in court on it?

[ReG_C]

how so marcus? :confused:


you can always speak with the local fisheries office in the particular area :) and get it straight from the horses mouth per se

[Marcus]

If someone told me on a forum I could bowfish and I ended up getting prosecuted then they would find themselves with a lawsuit pretty fast.
But maybe that's just me having lawyers in my family. ;)

you can always speak with the local fisheries office in the particular area and get it straight from the horses mouth per se
That is the only sensible advise on here.

[ReG_C]

not to get into an arguement, coz i agree with what you are saying.

but there are numerous posts on here redirecting people onto the DSE website and PDF documents used to inform people of what you can and can't do :D

I'd prefer to hook people up with the right information, if I don't know it, I'll research it, if i can't find it, I won't say anything

Reg_C :thumb:

[frommy]

ANY inland waters (i.e. Murray, goulburn, loddon, etc

The Murray River is in NSW jurisdiction; Victoria starts on the southern bank. :cool:

Ah, as "gt" calls it, the "error net".

[ReG_C]

well i know from experience to steer clear of bowfishing in the murray even if it is NSW, its just easily accessible from the VIC broder thats all, i thought i should include it

[coach]

you can always speak with the local fisheries office in the particular area and get it straight from the horses mouth per se

That is the only sensible advise on here.
But sometimes ,as I said before , even the so called Authorities have their own interpretation on the law . It was only after LOTS of phone calls etc that I got the right info on Bowfishing in NSW private Dams etc . Also did you know that in NSW if you own Dam over 2 Hectares you need to purchase a fishing license to fish it ?:eek:

As you can see with the Vic issue , I got an email saying NO bowfishing is allowed and then in their website , they say only freshwater bowfishing is illegal :confused:
So who the hell knows ? It's just safer to treat it all as illegal ;)

[Aechmea]

Find the relevant legislation and read it.

Thats the real legislation not the brochures or websites, even if they are published by government agencies. Most brochures and website text contain errors when you compare them to the actual legislation.

[Eberbachl]

That's the spearfishing rules!!!!

Go back and re read Coaches post - email from DSE saying that there is NO bowfishing allowed in Vic

In the context of bowfishing, bows are treated the same as spearguns in Victoria.

IE: Where you can spear fish, you can bow fish.

That's the way it is guys.

[Eberbachl]

It's just safer to treat it all as illegal

No, don't rely on some dude from DSE office's opinion on the matter, simply find the relevant rule and inform yourself of it.

You'd be surprised just how ignorant of the rules the authorities can be.

[coach]

Where would you suggest you get this info from Eber ,if not from the people that are supposed to know and enforce the rules :confused:
And I suggested to treat it all as illegal , that way , you cant get into trouble :D

[Eberbachl]

Where would you suggest you get this info from Eber ,if not from the people that are supposed to know and enforce the rules :confused:

Read the rules themselves...

Then if you come across somebody enforcing the rules incorrectly (which can be quite common), you will be well informed.

[frommy]

Find the relevant legislation and read it.

Thats the real legislation not the brochures or websites, even if they are published by government agencies. Most brochures and website text contain errors when you compare them to the actual legislation.

Tick

No, don't rely on some dude from DSE office's opinion on the matter, simply find the relevant rule and inform yourself of it.

You'd be surprised just how ignorant of the rules the authorities can be.

Tick

And I suggested to treat it all as illegal , that way , you cant get into trouble

Qualified tick, depending on the ability of the person to be able to absorb very complicated and convoluted legislation, and being prepared to argue it in court.

Just my .02c worth.

Brian

[scout]

Anyone out there put off by bow fishing in Vic. Don't be. The legalities of bow fishing in fresh water may be grey. But I'm still confident if you were shooting carp in a dam on private property no body would worry about you.

However, as far as bowfishing in salt water goes the rules are quite clear. they define a speargun as a mechanical device or object that is capable of imparting propulsive energy to a spear or arrow. In this case that makes our bows spearguns and therefore we can legally bowfish anywhere in Vic that you can spearfish.
If you are at all concerned carry a copy of that particular rule. Fisheries inspectors do not know every rule and providing you are in the right spot and approach things in a calm and friendly manner you will have no trouble.

[frommy]

Scout,

Please show the reference to the legislation. Even though I have no particular interest in this subject, I did try to research the Vic legislation (I am from NSW) and got totally lost, yet I work in law. :silly:

That would be helpful.

Brian

[scout]

frommy,
the speargun regs are on the www.fishvictoria.com web site.
I think if you put in www.fishvictoria.com/fishvic/pequip/spear.php you should go straiaght to it. But it isn't hard to find on the fishvic website.
It says in there in black and white "spear or arrow."
About 18 months ago I was bowfishing ( spearfishing ) and was approached by sea by a fisheries boat containing one fisho and one police officer. I had with me a printed copy of the speargun regs and a copy of maps which showed where you could spearfish pertaining to the area I was in. They wondered what I was doing cruising back and forth in the shallows along the edge of the channel.
They asked what I was doing I said I was spearfishing. Their comment was " with a bow". They were quite friendly about it and I said I like spearfishing but I don't like getting wet.
To cut a long story short, and without being smart about it, I told them that I had researched that matter and that my bow was classed as a speargun under the regs and I just happened to have a copy with me.
He read what I had and commented that " you learn something every day" wished me good luck and went about their business. Although they did say I was keen being out there in a ten foot tinny on my own, but there were no hassles.

[frommy]

Scout,

That is the way to go. As pointed out above, very few of the regulators have knowledge of all the rules/legislation they are supposed to police, particularly for something as obscure as someone bowfishing which they would rarely see.

Well done for your foresight in carrying the rules. There is a lesson here for others.

If the rules do not comply with the legislation, which can happen (a Fed Gov form I use regularly does not comply the the legislation for example), then that cannot be the users fault if the information is put out by the relevant department.

Good post.

Brian

[scout]

Bowfishing in Vic is under utilized. I love to fish in general and take the opportunity to bowfish whenever possible. I usually manage to sneak in a trip up north at least once a year, where compared to Vic the bowfishing is extra-ordinary.
I have been a member of the South Gippsland Game Fishing club for nearly 20 years and during that time I have seen a lot of opportunities for some bowfishing in Vic. Accepting the fact that the state regs said I could, a couple of years ago I began looking seriously into bowfishing in Victoria. It's not easy, but it is possible.
The Vic coastline is littered with coastal reserves, marine national parks, no fish zones and sundry other complications. You can't spearfish within certain distances of jetty's, or creek mouths and most inlets.
But maps of where you can spearfish are available on the internet, just google "spearfishing regs victoria" and you'll have enough info to keep you occupied for hours. I printed, then laminated them and carry them with me whenever I go out. That way I know that I am in legal areas, and if I am approached, ( which I have been ) I wont have any worries.
My association with game fishing over the years has bought me regularly into contact with the Fisho's. Most of them aren't a bad bunch of blokes. They are not out to get you. If you are doing the right thing you wont have any problems.
The vast majority of spearfishing areas are really only accessable by boat. So you have to make sure you have your boat licence and all the correct safety gear, and don't forget your fishing licence.
As I said, it is possible and quite legal to bowfish in Vic. It just depends how keen you are.