As a BAA ( Bowfishing Association of America) NY state Representative, I feel it is extremely important to make changes to the New York Bowfishing regulations as they are extremely dated. Bowfishing in New York has become an extremely popular sport over the last few years. It’s not only a way to control the population of carp, but also protects other species in the waterways. It’s also  a way to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family and also meet new people. In speaking with and also traveling to other states for bowfishing, it is found that New York is one of very few states that has extreme limitations on not only the species legal to take with a bow but Also a shorter season for bowfishing. States such as Vermont, NJ, and PA do not have a season or have a longer season than NY does for bowfishing and they have a variety of species they are allow to take with a bow.  
Vermont is a great example of this, we share a water way with Vermont, Lake Champlain. In April you can go to Lake Champlain if you live in New York and bowfish for multiple species but you can go to any lake in New York and bowfish until May 15th. Also, Vermont allows 10 different species that can be taken with a bow including long nose gar, carp, tench, bowfin, northern pike, suckers, shad, bullhead, mullet, and burbot.

With this being said We are proposing  a change to the bowfishing regulations in New York State. We are asking if the follow to be considered for change:

1. To extend or completely do away with the bowfishing season. The fact that we do this to control an invasive species population, having a restricted season doesn’t really seem like it is necessary. Ideally we would like to see the season be open all year round, but even if it could be extended from April 1st to October 31st would be a decent compromise.
2.  Add additional species that are allowed to be taken legally with a bow. In a perfect world the bowfishing community of New York would love to see grass carp, gar, bowfin, catfish, Rudd, tench, suckers,and bullhead be added to the legal fish to be taken with a bow. Understanding that is a lot to ask for right out of the gate, a good compromise would be to allow long nose gar, tench, Rudd, and bowfin as legal fish to take with a bow added along with common carp.

We feel very strongly that the regulations on bowfishing in New York needs to be changed in these ways listed above. In making these changes it will allow more versatility and also help decrease the invasive species population. 
Thank you for your time!