SLS 20RS-908 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 30
BY SENATOR SMITH
FISH/FISHING. To urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study the
use of bowfishing in Louisiana.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study fishing with bow and
3 arrow and to report to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources by March 1,
4 2021.
5 WHEREAS, Louisiana, long known nationally and internationally as the sportsman's
6 paradise, takes great pride in the abundant fish and game available for the enjoyment of state
7 citizens and visitors alike; and
8 WHEREAS, one of the methods of taking fish, bowfishing, which started as a way
9 to sharpen a big game hunter's archery skills for fall hunting season, has transformed into
10 its own outdoor pursuit; and
11 WHEREAS, Louisiana hosted the U.S. Open Bowfishing Championship last year;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, bowfishing also provides environmental benefits of controlling certain
14 species of fish that compete with native species; and
15 WHEREAS, despite these benefits, the current size limitations on species such as red
16 drum cannot operate as intended with the hook and line method of fishing, as the mortality
17 rate of fish caught by bow and arrow precludes catch and release; and
18 WHEREAS, a different method of fish count limitation may be required for
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 30
SLS 20RS-908 ORIGINAL
1 bowfishing to adequately protect the resource; and
2 WHEREAS, it is the mission of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to manage,
3 conserve, and promote wise utilization of Louisiana's renewable fish and wildlife resources
4 and their supporting habitats through replenishment, protection, enhancement, research,
5 development, and education for the social and economic benefit of current and future
6 generations, and the department also further strives to provide opportunities for and to
7 encourage the use and enjoyment of these resources in a safe and healthy environment both
8 on land and on water.
9 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
10 does hereby urge and request the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study fishing by
11 method of bow and arrow and the feasibility of implementing alternative methods of
12 protecting fishing resources for bowfishing, particularly for the species red drum, through
13 possession limits, quota, or daily take limits and size limits, and to report to the Senate
14 Committee on Natural Resources by March 1, 2021.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
16 secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tyler S. McCloud.
DIGEST
SR 30 Original 2020 Regular Session Smith
Requests the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to study fishing by method of bow and
arrow and the feasibility of implementing alternative methods of protecting fishing resources
for bowfishing, particularly for the species red drum, through possession limits, quota, or
daily take limits and size limits, and to report to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources
by March 1, 2021.
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