Bayou Bucks Magazine June 2012 : Page 20

The Watering Hole not so fast Crossbows are illegal for bowﬁ shing in Louisiana. Pictured L to R: Gregg Gravois, Jared Dore’, Captain Josh Galt, Matthew Debnam, Jacob Thompson, & Blane Ronquille. BBM’s Managing Editor, Matthew Debnam (left) and Captain Josh Galt double up on a beautiful 22” redﬁ sh. Suddenly, the ﬁ rst gilded apparition of ar-mor ﬂ ashed, and three arrows were cast quickly towards it in cadence. “Miss!!!” a voice shouted, while the last armed archer scrambled into position for a shot. A Q-Beam was now locked onto the ﬂ eeing redﬁ sh to expose its hasty retreat, and one last-ditch missile sailed valiantly through the air, resulting in an explosion of wa-ter that alluded to a shot hitting its mark. “Fish on!!!” By midnight, the battle had ended. e novices caught on quick, while the veter-ans honed their skills by performing head shots that would make any Marine Sniper proud. eir eyes burned from hours of intense focus, and their arms ached from hundreds of shots ﬁ red, but the fatigue of battle couldn’t contain each of their smiles. e endorphin-induced high temporarily veiled the chronic withdrawals from a closed deer season, but in a matter of hours the familiar aches and pains would lead to dreams of big bucks and bloody arrows. Like the dim lights on the horizon, October seemed so far away. ey would be back. lucky us g ﬁ shing “An exhilaratin the bayous expedition on iana!” of South Louis Louisiana is the only state that allows redﬁ sh to be taken by means of archery equipment. This sport was threatened, however, in 2010 when a bill sponsored by a Louisiana Senator sought to ban this method of take. After unfavorable public input and opposition from groups like the Bayou State Bowhunters Association, Senate Bill 573 was pulled from the docket. LICENSED • INSURED Captain Josh Galt ScaleDamageB owﬁ shing.com 504.329.0898 20 | Bayou Bucks Magazine June 2012

Bayou Bucks Magazine June 2012 : Page 20

Scale Damage Bowfishing