General Assembly's Answer to Asian Carp: Shotguns!
By JoshMogerman in News on Feb 11, 2012 8:00PM
Just when the Asian carp debate seems like it cannot get any weirder, Springfield steps in. The General Assembly will consider this new bill:
Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall establish an Asian carp pilot program to permit licensed individuals to shoot Asian carp with a shotgun off of a motorboat in the Illinois River beginning with the 2013 licensing year. Provides that the individuals must have the appropriate license and use a specific type of ammunition. Provides that the Department may adopt administrative rules to establish and administer the pilot program.Shotguns, jumping fish, and boats speeding along on bumpy water. What could go wrong?
Then again… there are already guys cruising the Illinois River in makeshift armor, swinging samurai swords and Wolverine gloves at Asian carp off of water skis. And shooting arrows at the flying fish is a big enough sport that there has already been at least one bow hunting cover model accident near Peoria. So this strikes us as the next logical step in the escalating vigilante arms race against the invading riverine menace.
We still think a bigger, more direct challenge to the carp’s advance is necessary, like the barrier study outlined earlier this month, but anything to slow the fish is OK with us. Who is up for a Chicagoist carp-skeet-shoot-tourney road trip this spring?