Although the WIDNR are unable to give an official time that bowfishing was legalized, you will have a hard time finding generations that haven't heard of bowfishing in "the olden days". There is record of Native Americans bowfishing, not quite the same as today, but they had special arrow tip for shooting fish. Although much has changed over the years, it is a moderately simple sport whose equipment has stayed generally the same throughout the years. What hasn't remained the same is the legality of bowfishing. It wasn't until the 90s that there was even a push for the next big step in bowfishing - nighttime shooting. Although lobbying for nighttime bowfishing began in 1995, via Chris Cass, it wasn't put into a test stage until 1999 and opened for the first night April 1, 2000. This was a 3-year test stage and was only allowed on 53 lakes in Wisconsin.
Earlier that year, on January 15, 2000, the Wisconsin Bowfishing Association (WBA) was also created - their by-laws, constitution, mission statement, tournament rules, and many other things were all established that day! Many men need to be thanked for stepping up that day to help create the WBA and allowing bowfishing to grow as it has:
Elected officials that night included:
Steve Beres (first President)
Ric Tudor (VP)
Chris Cass (secretary/Treasurer)
Along with the men that stepped up to become the first regional representatives:
Fred Christen (Region 1)
Kevin Smedbron (2)
Mike Paulcheck (3)
Steve Geiger (4)
Mark Beres (5)
Bill Zolecki (6)
We'd also like to thank Bob Trepanier (Rep. for Illinois) and Mark Ellenberg (Minnesota). There were also 14 others in attendance that day, to create the WBA. Without every one of them, who knows where we would be today.
Three years later and a few small battles, nighttime bowfishing was legalized statewide. Then in about 2006, nighttime bowfishing was broadened again with the removal of most of the bowfishing "seasons". Prior to then, many parts of the state had enforced seasons, some of which are still in effect today.
Another big change, came in 2020, when species of fish that we are allowed to shoot was increased. Catfish and bullhead were added to the list of fish that we are allowed to target - as long as we follow the hook and line regulations for harvest info.
History is always being written. Our displays, love of the sport and desire to share and educate are part of our efforts to ensure that our history is always moving in a positive direction!
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