Cheers Moonraker, thats very helpful. There are a couple of groups that are trying to organise a trips to france, I'll pass your infomation onto them :biggthump
Ed
Ed
Bow Fishing ? ? ? ? Can I? ? ?
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Come along to the amazing Summer Moot (21st July - 2nd August), a festival of bushcrafting and camping in a beautiful woodland PLEASE CLICK HERE for more information.
Wow...that's fantastic Moonraker, thank you ever so much.
I'll spend the next few hours ploughing through the websites you've found and see what I can turn up.
If I do head over there I think I'll take my compound bow rather than the compound crossbow...seems a little more sporting to me!
again, many thanks!
Phil.
I'll spend the next few hours ploughing through the websites you've found and see what I can turn up.
If I do head over there I think I'll take my compound bow rather than the compound crossbow...seems a little more sporting to me!
again, many thanks!
Phil.
Right, couldnt find anything on bow fishing, apologies. Obviously not something that comes up that often so there's nothing on my police systems. Did find some other stuff on fishing which I thought may be interesting:
2 - Methods Of Fishing
(1) No person shall fish for or take salmon in any inland water, except by rod and line or by net and coble:
Provided that any right of fishing for salmon in existence at the commencement of this Act may continue to be exercised as if the Act had not been passed.
(1A) No person shall fish for or take salmon in any waters in a salmon fishery district other than inland waters, except by rod and line, net and coble or bag net, fly net or other stake net.
(2) No person shall fish for or take freshwater fish in any inland water except by rod and line:
Provided that-
(a) in any pond or loch where all the proprietors are so agreed a right of fishing may be exercised by net; and
(b) in any inland water a proprietor or occupier may fish for or take freshwater fish, other than trout, by net or trap.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the use of a gaff, tailer or landing-net as auxiliary to the taking of salmon or freshwater fish by rod and line.
(4) if any person contravenes this section he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. (Section 2, as amended by Salmon Act, 1986).
Notes:
(a) For meanings of "freshwater fish", "inland waters", "rod and line", "salmon" and "trout", see Section 24(1) herein.
(b) Other prohibited methods of fishing are described in Section 15, Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act, 1868, which would appear to be partly superseded by the above Section 2.
(c) For provisions relating to illegal possession of salmon, trout, instruments, etc., in connection with offences against the above Section 2, see Section 7 herein and, for forfeiture of such articles, see Section 19.
(d) For definitions of methods of fishing and construction of nets, see The Salmon (Definition of Methods of Net Fishing and Construction of Nets) Regulations, 1992, in this Section of the Book.
(e) In Mitchell v McQuaid (2003) G.W.D 30-846, the accused appealed against conviction for taking salmon by foul hooking contrary to section 2(1)(above). The accused had been found hiding whilst wearing camouflage gear and chest waders near three salmon on the riverbank. He was dressed in the same gear as that of three men earlier observed by police to be "ripping", and who ran away on arrival of the police. When searched the accused was found to have a box of triple hooks on his person. The High Court set aside the sheriff's verdict and substituted an amended verdict of guilty with deletion of the words "and take" but did not alter the £500 fine imposed.
If any person-
(a) uses any explosive substance with intent to take or destroy fish in any waters (including the sea within the fishery limits of the British Islands); or
(b) puts any poison or other noxious substance in or near any such waters with intent to take or destroy fish; or
(c) uses any electrical device with intent to stun or destroy salmon or freshwater fish in any such waters;
he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. (Section 4, as amended by First Schedule, Fishery Limits Act, 1964).
Notes:
(a) For meanings of "salmon" and "freshwater fish", see Section 24(1) herein.
(b) It should be noted that subsections (a) and (b) above apply to all kind of fish while subsection (c) is confined to salmon and freshwater fish.
(c) For provisions relating to illegal possession of salmon, trout, instruments, etc., in connection with offences against the above Section 4, see Section 7 herein and, for forfeiture of such articles, see Section 19.
(d) For power of search, see Section 11.
Please bear in mind this is Scottish legislation and I'm not sure how it translates into English legislation. I'm confident most of it will be the same.
HTH
2 - Methods Of Fishing
(1) No person shall fish for or take salmon in any inland water, except by rod and line or by net and coble:
Provided that any right of fishing for salmon in existence at the commencement of this Act may continue to be exercised as if the Act had not been passed.
(1A) No person shall fish for or take salmon in any waters in a salmon fishery district other than inland waters, except by rod and line, net and coble or bag net, fly net or other stake net.
(2) No person shall fish for or take freshwater fish in any inland water except by rod and line:
Provided that-
(a) in any pond or loch where all the proprietors are so agreed a right of fishing may be exercised by net; and
(b) in any inland water a proprietor or occupier may fish for or take freshwater fish, other than trout, by net or trap.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the use of a gaff, tailer or landing-net as auxiliary to the taking of salmon or freshwater fish by rod and line.
(4) if any person contravenes this section he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. (Section 2, as amended by Salmon Act, 1986).
Notes:
(a) For meanings of "freshwater fish", "inland waters", "rod and line", "salmon" and "trout", see Section 24(1) herein.
(b) Other prohibited methods of fishing are described in Section 15, Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act, 1868, which would appear to be partly superseded by the above Section 2.
(c) For provisions relating to illegal possession of salmon, trout, instruments, etc., in connection with offences against the above Section 2, see Section 7 herein and, for forfeiture of such articles, see Section 19.
(d) For definitions of methods of fishing and construction of nets, see The Salmon (Definition of Methods of Net Fishing and Construction of Nets) Regulations, 1992, in this Section of the Book.
(e) In Mitchell v McQuaid (2003) G.W.D 30-846, the accused appealed against conviction for taking salmon by foul hooking contrary to section 2(1)(above). The accused had been found hiding whilst wearing camouflage gear and chest waders near three salmon on the riverbank. He was dressed in the same gear as that of three men earlier observed by police to be "ripping", and who ran away on arrival of the police. When searched the accused was found to have a box of triple hooks on his person. The High Court set aside the sheriff's verdict and substituted an amended verdict of guilty with deletion of the words "and take" but did not alter the £500 fine imposed.
If any person-
(a) uses any explosive substance with intent to take or destroy fish in any waters (including the sea within the fishery limits of the British Islands); or
(b) puts any poison or other noxious substance in or near any such waters with intent to take or destroy fish; or
(c) uses any electrical device with intent to stun or destroy salmon or freshwater fish in any such waters;
he shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. (Section 4, as amended by First Schedule, Fishery Limits Act, 1964).
Notes:
(a) For meanings of "salmon" and "freshwater fish", see Section 24(1) herein.
(b) It should be noted that subsections (a) and (b) above apply to all kind of fish while subsection (c) is confined to salmon and freshwater fish.
(c) For provisions relating to illegal possession of salmon, trout, instruments, etc., in connection with offences against the above Section 4, see Section 7 herein and, for forfeiture of such articles, see Section 19.
(d) For power of search, see Section 11.
Please bear in mind this is Scottish legislation and I'm not sure how it translates into English legislation. I'm confident most of it will be the same.
HTH
Really useful info thanks Bowser.
Which Act does this part refer?
That would seen to give a definition of a 'rod'.
I thought that Scottish law differed from English law for fishing in that you can fish anywhere for freshwater fish 'except' where the proprietor or authorities have posted notice to the contrary? Tis may also reflect the different laws relating to right of access, trespass relating to too the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 etc. Sorry to be vague
I think some info I read was in this (free to d/l I think):
I read it up when looking at the right to take fish and light fires on the foreshore a little while back.
Which Act does this part refer?
That would seen to give a definition of a 'rod'.
I thought that Scottish law differed from English law for fishing in that you can fish anywhere for freshwater fish 'except' where the proprietor or authorities have posted notice to the contrary? Tis may also reflect the different laws relating to right of access, trespass relating to too the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 etc. Sorry to be vague
I think some info I read was in this (free to d/l I think):
I read it up when looking at the right to take fish and light fires on the foreshore a little while back.
do you guys ever wonder where the idiots come from that dream these laws up!!. bow hunting is very popular over here and I think some states allow fishing with bow. I've even seen articles on fishing with atlatles but I will try and track some down on bowfishing for you.
I had a look about a while ago and found the same listing as Bowser posted above. Looking over it, it's clear that bowfishing is no-go as arrows don't show up on the list.
Quicks confuses me a bit. I was phoning in an order once and asked out of curiosity why they didn't sell broadheads within the UK.
From asking a few police friends, I belive that possessing broadheads is not a crime and you can happily blow big chunks out of targets on private land if you wish to so.
It is a crime to hunt with them, and also to sell them for the purpose of hunting. The reply from the chappie at Quicks was that they didn't know what folk were going to do with anything they sold, so to be on the safe side they just didn't sell broadheads within the UK.
Yet they sell fishing arrows......
...hmmm.
Anyone know what the laws are about using harpoon guns in coastal waters? All I was able to find were a few regulations saying you couldn't use them on whales and dolphins. I know harpoon guns aren't bows but would be interested in reading the legislation on them anyway.
Quicks confuses me a bit. I was phoning in an order once and asked out of curiosity why they didn't sell broadheads within the UK.
From asking a few police friends, I belive that possessing broadheads is not a crime and you can happily blow big chunks out of targets on private land if you wish to so.
It is a crime to hunt with them, and also to sell them for the purpose of hunting. The reply from the chappie at Quicks was that they didn't know what folk were going to do with anything they sold, so to be on the safe side they just didn't sell broadheads within the UK.
Yet they sell fishing arrows......
...hmmm.
Anyone know what the laws are about using harpoon guns in coastal waters? All I was able to find were a few regulations saying you couldn't use them on whales and dolphins. I know harpoon guns aren't bows but would be interested in reading the legislation on them anyway.
Jeez! You people are going to choke to death on horse-puckey regs .
1. What do your local fishing regs say? Forget advice.
2. Burt-the-Smurt/Deliverance? That's nothing more than a front reel with 400lb
braided line like we all use, everywhere. Ho-hum.
3. Muzzy fold-up points on solid aluminum shafts = go big or go home.
= = =
Bring your compound and 6 arrows. Get your reel spooled up with 400#
and come to visit. A fishing trip might be 15-20 minutes and you will have
4 x 20-pounders to gut and clean.
If you're a poor shot with the refractive index of the water, you can grab the reel,
sit on the deck and get towed around for a while. Kind of bottom-backwards
water-skiing.
While you're cleaning up, we will get the brine ready. Tomorrow, we will light up the big smoker
for 36-48 hrs, apple then mesquite then hot oats at the end. You set the table and we pig put.
Quite straight forward, yes?
1. What do your local fishing regs say? Forget advice.
2. Burt-the-Smurt/Deliverance? That's nothing more than a front reel with 400lb
braided line like we all use, everywhere. Ho-hum.
3. Muzzy fold-up points on solid aluminum shafts = go big or go home.
= = =
Bring your compound and 6 arrows. Get your reel spooled up with 400#
and come to visit. A fishing trip might be 15-20 minutes and you will have
4 x 20-pounders to gut and clean.
If you're a poor shot with the refractive index of the water, you can grab the reel,
sit on the deck and get towed around for a while. Kind of bottom-backwards
water-skiing.
While you're cleaning up, we will get the brine ready. Tomorrow, we will light up the big smoker
for 36-48 hrs, apple then mesquite then hot oats at the end. You set the table and we pig put.
Quite straight forward, yes?
It is illegal to take fish with a bow on fresh water and tidal areas, you can take fish at sea, now here is a point you are in the centre of Weymouth, get the bow out to take some mullet, now you may not be breaking the law as to taking the fish. How about an offensive weapon in a public place.
you just can't win, they get you one way or another!
you just can't win, they get you one way or another!
Not just some states but most, if not all, states allow bowfishing; but that said, they only allow it for trash fish species (suckers, carp, etc.) Not game fish.
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Sea bow fishing done in Cornwall and legal, see the Canoe Cornwall reference above, expensive if you go out with them but people have fun with them. Broadheads are made and sold in UK. I have several different types myself, stone, bronze, Roman and medieval as well as barbed bolts for pistol crossbow fishing.
Section 1 of the Salmon & Freshwater Fisheries Act makes it illegal to,
" discharge, a stone or any type of missile for the purpose of taking or killing of salmon , trout or freshwater fish.".
Having found the relevant section ,I realised the thread I'm posting in is quite old but it might still be relevant.
" discharge, a stone or any type of missile for the purpose of taking or killing of salmon , trout or freshwater fish.".
Having found the relevant section ,I realised the thread I'm posting in is quite old but it might still be relevant.
Blimey....I started this thread in the first month I was a member here!!!! Seems like a long time ago now 
Y'wonder how folks find threads like this to resurrect them 
I have to google to find old ones in Search.
Interesting topic though; how does guddling come up agin the law though ? No fish with damaged mouths, no tools to carry, no need for rod, line, net or spear. Just observation, quiet patience and a bit of practice
M
I have to google to find old ones in Search.Interesting topic though; how does guddling come up agin the law though ? No fish with damaged mouths, no tools to carry, no need for rod, line, net or spear. Just observation, quiet patience and a bit of practice
M
Source: http://www.archeryinterchange.com/f16/bow-fishing-26857/ (links updated)
No.
I Asked British environment agencies last September and its a firm no:
"Thank you for your enquiry about using a bow and arrow to catch fish.
Our fisheries specialist has advised the use of a bow and arrow to catch fish in England and Wales would be illegal. The bow and arrow would be classed as an illegal instrument under Part 1 Section 1 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 ( since incorporated into subsequent Acts). Please read the extract from section 1 below.
Section 1.
Prohibited implements.
(1) Subject to subsection (4) below, no person shall
(a)
use any of the following instruments, that is to say
(i) a firearm within the meaning of the Firearms Act 1968;
(ii) an otter lath or jack, wire or snare;
(iii) a crossline or setline;
(iv) a spear, gaff, stroke-haul, snatch or other like instrument;
(v) a light;
for the purpose of taking or killing salmon, trout or freshwater fish;
(b) have in his possession any instrument mentioned in paragraph (a) above intending to use it to take or kill salmon, trout or freshwater fish; or
(c) throw or discharge any stone or other missile for the purpose of taking or killing, or facilitating the taking or killing of any salmon, trout or freshwater fish."
To read Section 1 in full please follow the link below:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/51/section/1
You may be intersted in visiting the fishing section on our website. There is useful information on how to obtain a rod licence, fishing byelaws, where to fish and fisheries publications.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside/fishing-hunting
No.
I Asked British environment agencies last September and its a firm no:
"Thank you for your enquiry about using a bow and arrow to catch fish.
Our fisheries specialist has advised the use of a bow and arrow to catch fish in England and Wales would be illegal. The bow and arrow would be classed as an illegal instrument under Part 1 Section 1 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 ( since incorporated into subsequent Acts). Please read the extract from section 1 below.
Section 1.
Prohibited implements.
(1) Subject to subsection (4) below, no person shall
(a)
use any of the following instruments, that is to say
(i) a firearm within the meaning of the Firearms Act 1968;
(ii) an otter lath or jack, wire or snare;
(iii) a crossline or setline;
(iv) a spear, gaff, stroke-haul, snatch or other like instrument;
(v) a light;
for the purpose of taking or killing salmon, trout or freshwater fish;
(b) have in his possession any instrument mentioned in paragraph (a) above intending to use it to take or kill salmon, trout or freshwater fish; or
(c) throw or discharge any stone or other missile for the purpose of taking or killing, or facilitating the taking or killing of any salmon, trout or freshwater fish."
To read Section 1 in full please follow the link below:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1975/51/section/1
You may be intersted in visiting the fishing section on our website. There is useful information on how to obtain a rod licence, fishing byelaws, where to fish and fisheries publications.
https://www.gov.uk/browse/environment-countryside/fishing-hunting
Well apart from the fact as a catch & release angler I can't accept a bow for anything other than a survival/food situation... most of the waters in the UK are privately owned or run by fishing clubs and assocations. Above and beyond the general rules laid down by the EA re: fishing; all clubs have their own rules... the most usual one being all fish must be returned alive to the water.
I live in France and bow hunting is illegal and as you need a fishing licence to fish in public waters. You have to abide by the rules that all relate to number of rods, hooks etc... Private waters in France you can do what you want with the ok of the lake owner!!!
As this is not at all part of the European fishing culture I wouldn't expect a very friendly reaction from any proper anglers you might meet. My guess is your bow would be turned against you.. LOL!!! Already in the Uk there have been some ugly scenes between anglers and Eastern Europeans who have been removing fish from waters...
Final point... those who pay for a fishing licence also add to the EA policy for restocking waters in the UK, so if your goal is to kill fish without putting anything back, it is not a very cool attitude to have.....Fish stocks in the UK are already under huge predation from cormorants and the absurd reintroduction of otters that are decimating fish stocks in the UK. Both hugely voracious animals, they kill large numbers of fish (and not just to eat), many waterways and lakes have become virtually barren due to it. I'm glad to be in France as the future of angling in the UK is not very bright.
cheers
Gareth
I live in France and bow hunting is illegal and as you need a fishing licence to fish in public waters. You have to abide by the rules that all relate to number of rods, hooks etc... Private waters in France you can do what you want with the ok of the lake owner!!!
As this is not at all part of the European fishing culture I wouldn't expect a very friendly reaction from any proper anglers you might meet. My guess is your bow would be turned against you.. LOL!!! Already in the Uk there have been some ugly scenes between anglers and Eastern Europeans who have been removing fish from waters...
Final point... those who pay for a fishing licence also add to the EA policy for restocking waters in the UK, so if your goal is to kill fish without putting anything back, it is not a very cool attitude to have.....Fish stocks in the UK are already under huge predation from cormorants and the absurd reintroduction of otters that are decimating fish stocks in the UK. Both hugely voracious animals, they kill large numbers of fish (and not just to eat), many waterways and lakes have become virtually barren due to it. I'm glad to be in France as the future of angling in the UK is not very bright.
cheers
Gareth
I'm trying not to be really rude here, Gareth.
I used to live on a river (on a boat). There were otters there and plenty of anglers, plenty of fish. The idea that otters will totally eat out all fish is frankly ********, they are a natural predator in the UK and will achieve a balance with the fish stocks.
If you think anglers have a right to be there and otters don't, please stay away from britain. The anglers in my area don't have any issues with the otters (mink however are a problem for everyone).
I agree, otters and fisherfolk can coexist quite the thing. Otters won't (can't) clean out fish stocks; every river and loch round here has it's natural balance of stock and predation. Otters? No shortage here. I hit one with the car every couple of years or so. I don't aim for them or do it intentionally but I reckon I've chalked up around 9 unavoidable instances to date.
On the plus side; on a short work trip to France I did manage to avoid a huge hare that run right in front of me whilst driving over the hill to Vallon Pont D'Arc in the Ardeche, last Thursday night.
So despite otters being common, as, well, otters, here in the far northwest there are still plenty fish. That said, you won't catch a fish if there's an otter about fishing the same place, their to busy hiding
I live less than half a mile from the river Clyde…..there's no shortage of fish, and there's no shortage of wildlife, cormorants, etc., either. Same with the rivers Calder and Avon which are a couple of miles away.
These river systems aren't in the rural hinterlands; they're slap bang in the middle of the central belt, the most heavily populated bit of the country.
The lochs and other waters around are just as busy….though some of the smaller ones suffer from pike.
M
These river systems aren't in the rural hinterlands; they're slap bang in the middle of the central belt, the most heavily populated bit of the country.
The lochs and other waters around are just as busy….though some of the smaller ones suffer from pike.
M
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