How To Bowfishing Carp in the Winter Season

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Introduction Bowfishing Carp in the Winter

Bow fishing is an outdoor activity that is not only fun but very addictive. It is a combination of bowfishing and hunting, such intense fun should never end. Unfortunately, it does. This article will explains about how to bowfishing carp in the winter. It should be noted here that this article will provide guidelines when bowfishing carp during winter season.

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  • Draw Length: adjustable from 19 - 29”
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After the summer and spring season is over most bowfishing enthusiasts sulk and hide in the warmth of their homes whiling away the time waiting for winter to pass. You may find yourself hurting, even more, thinking about the freezing fish standing motionless also sulking for the lack of spirited activity.

Well, as the sport is picking up, not even the cold can keep real hunters in their homes. And the best news is hunting carp is an all year round activity. And this is why.

Something to note about Carp

Invasive species when Bowfishing Carp in the Winter

Carps repopulate at very alarming rates, in fact, a single carp lays over one million eggs in a year. As a result, this makes them so invasive and destructive to other native species as they compete for natural resources. The ecosystem as we know it is usually disrupted by changes in the environment or destroyed by animals living in it.

Carps are bottom feeders, with the sheer numbers they destroy vegetation and affect other fish population. They also alter nutritional levels in the water leading to excessive algae growth. The damage carps cause also affects the existence of waterfowls negatively.

Most hunted species for Bowfishing Carp in the Winter

Most states encourage the hunting of carps throughout the year. This makes carp the most hunted fish species for bowfishing. Carps lack a natural predator and because they are bottom feeders, they can survive in almost any condition. Bowfishing carp makes no difference to the carp population despite their active hunting over other fish population.

Nature of carps

Carps are widely seen as rough fish. Rough fish is any fish that is neither useful as food, for sports or bait. Because of this, it beats logic why you should bother to hunt it at all. But it has other uses.

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Carps can be used as fertilizers. If you have nowhere to take your carp, consider giving your local farmer the carps to be used in farms. Though not very popular, some people consider carp a delicacy.

Now that you know everything there is to know about why you should go bowfishing for carp, it is important you also know how to bow fish carp in winter.

Whether it is winter or summer, the techniques used in bowfishing remain the same. However, when bowfishing in winter you have to make a few alterations from your normal routine.

Dress warmly when Bowfishing Carp in the Winter

The summer weather can be very enticing. In clear waters, you may even take a dip with the slightest provocation from the heat. But during winter, any activity that involves you getting wet may be life-threatening. Consider wearing clothes that are warm but still allow you to move on the boat freely. Invest in clothing that has insulating properties. The best clothes are from natural fiber like merino wool. This way, you will have a chance at surviving the extremely cold waters should you have an accidental dip.

Gloves are also added cloth wear during winter that will protect your hands from getting numb. The slightest exposure of skin in such cold weather conditions can send chills all over your body and generally affect your shooting.

Get a portable heater when Bowfishing Carp in the Winter

This is not just another luxury gear that makes bowfishing look like an expensive hobby. You will appreciate its usefulness especially when you start feeling the warmth leaving your body making your hands stiffen. A portable heater is a must-have when you are out shooting carp in temperatures that are sometimes 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Shooting depth

Carps feed less during winter because of reduced metabolism. During this time most carp will prefer to be a little deeper in the water. If you are used to bowfishing in summer getting dialed to your new targets can be a challenge before you adjust. Remember the deeper the carp appears to be from you, the lower you should shoot.

During winter you will probably need a bow with more draw weight than you would use during summer or spring.

Does cold affect my bow?

Whether you prefer the recurve bow or the compound bow you will have to protect your gear from the cold. All matter react differently to changes in temperature. For the case of a recurve bow, unstring it if you are not using it. But both the recurve bow and the compound bow should be stored in a warm place.

If you can afford to buy antifreeze for your equipment and line get it. This should give you an added advantage.

Cold air is dense than warm air. Cold water is also dense than warm water. This affects the arrow you should use. When shooting in cold water, your arrow should be thicker and heavier. Your arrow will lose its power traveling in cold dense water you will have to readjust your bows draw weight to give you more shot power.

Stay active

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To keep the cold away you must stay active. Before you leave for your bowfishing expedition, engage in activities that will keep your heart rate up. Do some push-ups or skip the rope to get your muscles warmed up. Once you hit the waters, you will have very minimal movements in your boat.

You can also stay active by activating your metabolism through eating. Any food can do this because your body will process anything you eat. To make your body retain heat even longer, you should go for foods that take more time to process. Fatty foods or protein-rich foods will take more time to process than fiber or vegetables.

Regardless of all the care you take to keep yourself warm and your gear in good condition, without practice all your effort will be futile and you may end up braving the cold only to return home empty-handed.

Make sure to practice your shots in all weather conditions and understand the principle of shooting carp in both warm and cold water temperatures.

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