We the people of Texas are strongly opposed to the proposed rule change by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to allow bowfishing for catfish. We strongly encourage the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to VOTE NO TO BOWFISHING FOR CATFISH. It is our belief as the angling community that allowing an additional non traditional means to harvest catfish with no chance of live release is a step in the wrong direction. Other game fish like bass, crappie and striped bass are not being considered for allowed bowfishing and neither should the catfish. Texas has long been a progressive state in regards to fish and game management and allowing the harvest of catfish or any game fish by means of bow fishing is a step in the wrong direction. The catfish is the second most popular game fish in the state as far as angler popularity and the state needs to be working on progressive management techniques of the species. Texas Biologists have admitted that they have no accurate means of sampling catfish populations and there is not accurate data to support that the populations exist to support adding additional means to harvest fish. We have gone to great efforts to promote live release of catfish over 10 lbs over the last few years, as these large genetically superior fish are the ones that keep lakes populated, and are also the fish that will be targeted by bowfishermen should a rule change be allowed, which will have effects on fish populations. PLEASE VOTE NO TO BOWFISHING FOR CATFISH IN TEXAS.

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