Down Loads
Bowfishing Carp.
Koi Carp
The Koi Carp is a recent addition to our freshwater fisheries and a study as recently as 1978 by R.M. McDowell concluded that we are fortunate that the Koi Carp Cyprinus carpio has not been established in New Zealand. Evidence seems to suggest that Koi were released into our waterways by escapes and some misguided individuals in the late 70s. By 1983 it was noted that Carp had become established in the lower Waikato and were probably breeding. There has yet to be a real study undertaken on the likely effects to our waterways by Carp and as present Koi are classified as noxious fish in new Zealand. With an adult female carrying 2kgs of eggs (one to two million) this classification is probably justified.
Bowhunters History
New Zealand Bowhunters Society members have been hunting Carp in the Lakes and waterways connecting into the Waikato River since 1986. The Department of Conservation (DOC) had to get us special dispensation, as at that time it was an offence to be caught with Carp in your possession. We worked with DOC in setting up rules and guidelines for the disposal of any Carp. We also need a permit to enter Doc administered land and this is given out in a blanket permit issued to all members of our Society carrying their membership card. Check out our Koi Carp and Grass Carp records.
Finding Carp
September through until Christmas has regularly proved to be the top months for Carp. This is in terms of both big numbers and weights, as fish normally spawn at this time. Eggs can comprise up to 2kg of a female koi weight.
Any flooding, no matter what time of the year, will see Carp out foraging on paddocks and river flats, sometimes with their backs half out of the water. At other times Carp seem to prefer the shelter of weeds and trees and will forage around, or lie still in there protection. Carp prefer the margins and seldom seem to venture out into open water, so if you can find a point, or weed bank that juts out, you'll often find Carp will pass by in a regular beat.
Carp are probably not the silliest of creatures (close) and will often sink down or lie on the bottom when threatened, so they're out of site. Sometimes I've had a shot and the 20 Carp i had in front of me just disappeared, only for about 10 minutes later for the odd one to pop up. They seem to be able to sense vibration so you can often get more Carp standing still than wading around.
Equipment
Bow: For Carp shooting you will need a basic bow and anything over 35 lbs draw weight seems adequate. Remember this bow is likely to get covered in blood and mud and occasionally submerged in water so nothing too fancy is required.
Reels: Reels come in all shapes and sizes and range from $30 up to $250. When shooting on flooded pasture you may not need much of a reel at all and in fact we've shot Carp without reels and then chased our arrows (not recommended). The basic wind on disc reel works okay as well as the closed face-spinning reel but the only problem with these reels is that you have restriction on the line weight and you're inclined to loose a few arrows. By far the best reel we've used is the Retriever reel, mainly for the fact you can used heavy weight line (200 to 400 lbs). This helps when you're pulling arrows out of the weed or mud and being a frictionless reel the line and arrow runs out reasonably true. But the Retriever reel is at the upper end of the price bracket.
Arrows: Fishing arrows work best because the weight gives you the penetration. But the arrow heads are a matter of preference. A reversible barb head helps when taking off your fish especially when you're a long way from shore. Carp reasonably tough skin so most heads will hold them.
Bowfishing Carp: This and more detailed information can be found by purchasing the Guide. That's 19 pages and two decades of local bowfishing knowledge for $5.00 plus postage.
A Bowfishing Guide for Hunting Koi Carp in the Lower Waikato (NZ)
Written by Allan Metcalfe, for the New Zealand Bowhunters Society (2000 Edition)
Please Write to: The NZBS PO Box 3110 Greerton, Tauranga.
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