BowfishersUSA

UPDATE: They lied! They never kept me (US) in the loop about meetings, agendas and changes. After a few phone calls, emails and letters never returned or answered it was clear.

They don't care! And had already made up thier minds!

But let us all continue with the fight!

To all that bowfish. Let this fact be known the reason for the county of Polk wants to ban bowfishing:

The primary purpose that bowfishing is being proposed for banning at the biggest county park in Polk County Florida is one simple thing. A safety issue. It has been expressed that they feel a bow with an arrow, despite it being attach to strong test line is not safe. They are aware that the bow and arrow technically is not classified as a weapon in the state of Florida. But have devised the term “projectile device” to represent this hunter’s tool. Those with the county commission and county park officials believe that this tool could propose a threat to human safety. At present there have been no reports of an incident to where a person has been injured or killed from a bowfishing arrow or related activity in Polk County, Florida.

As we all know any tool that can project something can be used as a weapon or be considered unsafe if used for the purpose of deliberate malice or intent to do harm. People in these parks have a higher chance of being attacked by an alligator or snake. The chance of the line breaking is rare but it has happened. But then so has the lines on the brakes of cars. Do we ban cars because there is always that “one” chance? Or being struck by these trial bike riders that rarely yield right of way to people on foot who also have the right to enjoy the inner trials of the park. There are many places with in Carter Road Park that bikers, trail walkers or even boats can not access that bowfishers go to.

They have said they have banned golfers from the park because the golf ball is a projectile. Honestly now, is there any obvious sense to that than a place meant for camping, fishing and hiking? Of course you should ban those who hit golf balls in such a place. But not bowfishers. Firearms are banned for the most obvious and dynamic reason yes. But not bowfishers. Spear guns are banned yes because swimming is not allowed in this park let alone spear guns are not safe or stable out of water to begin with. Ban them but not bowfishers. But, they allow RC toys that fly! Who is to say this RC device can not suddenly go out of control and crash into someone by chance? What about these trail bikers? There are reports of injuries all the time in the park. Some involving none riders who they ether strike or run into.

It boils down to common sense of the responsible professional bowfisher.

They say all it takes is one bad apple. So far, there have not been any bad apples.

There have been plenty of bad and rude bike riders. Speeding motorists in the park. Drunk and disorderly people. Cast netters who fail to comply with net standards and fail to throw back what they do not want in the net. People throw away there old tires, car parts and even furniture in the park.

Should there be a compromise? Designate an area allowed? Or is it all or not at all!

Anyone who wished to ad to this feel fee to do so. And it to YOUR letter. Augment it! Improve it! Change it!

And I can't state this enough. Remember we need thier suppport and proper attention! Dispite thier behind closed doors and secret agendas. Still keep it up.... Remember that we are honest and we don't do things behind the tax payers back. When you contact them, please....  Don’t be rude or hostile. Be firm, sincere, respectful and honest.