Page 39 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

Jim mUllHaUPt/FliCkr CC-ByNCND2.0

In our review paper’s survey of all 50 state fish and wildlife the native species for sustainability, and encouraging bow-
agencies, we found that bowfishing is legal in all 50 states, fishers to harvest invasive species, ODWC can better meet
but that no states reported having any articulated bowfish- the challenge to provide ample bowfishing opportunities
ing management plans, goals, or philosophies. State man- while managing bowfisheries as it does all fisheries — as
agers noted concerns with bowfishing related primarily to instruments of species conservation, of public benefit, and
inadequacies in data on bowfishers, on bowfishing harvest, of sound, long-term public policy.
and on the species harvested.
Less than 20 percent of states reported
Less than 20 percent of states reported
having bowfishing education programs.
having bowfishing education programs.
Fortunately, Oklahoma is a leader in bow-
Fortunately, Oklahoma is a leader in bow-
fishing education, with ODWC’s vibrant
fishing education, with ODWC’s vibrant
Archery in the Schools program, which
Archery in the Schools program, which
includes a bowfishing curriculum. ODWC JoSH HamPtoN/reaDerS' PHoto SHoWCaSe 2015
includes a bowfishing curriculum. ODWC
has also taken an active role in research rel-
has also taken an active role in research rel-
evant to native, nongame species biology,
evant to native, nongame species biology,
ecology, and bowfishing management.
The challenge for ODWC, under the
Public Trust Doctrine, is to fulfill its mission
to protect and enhance our state’s natural
resources for present and future genera-
tions. Under the North American Model of
Fish and Wildlife Conservation (see here),
fish and wildlife are a public resource to
be managed responsibly and should not
be killed for frivolous reasons or wasted
(for example, shot and discarded).
ODWC also has a mission to provide enjoy-
able recreational angling opportunities for
our fishing license buyers. Managed fish-
eries that are good for bowfishers and not
detrimental to the native fishes often tar-
geted by the sport are good for Oklahoma.
By working with bowfishers, monitoring
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