BAA Bowfishing World Championship July 28-29 2007 KY Lake & Barkley

OUTDOOR PRESS RELEASE (POC Walt Kloeppel, Bowfishing Journal, 270-300-0392)

Bowfishing Association of America World Championship to be held in Kentucky in 2007

By Walt Kloeppel, Editor/Bowfishing Journal - member Southeastern Outdoor Press Association

Kentucky has been chosen as the site for the 2007 Bowfishing Association of America World Championship. The BAA is the largest multi-national bowfishing organization of its kind. Each year states lobby to host the bowfishing competition by submitting a proposed packet on what they can offer in way of location, lodging, restaurants, boat ramps, weigh-in facilities and most of all, rough fish. The states are then voted on by the membership of the BAA. For 2007, the tournament will take place at the Kuttawa Lyon County boat ramp on Lake Barkley on July 28-29.

The World Championship will bring out-of-state revenue to the hosting state by way of non-resident fishing licenses, gas, food, and lodging. The tournament has averaged 100 teams in the past and officials are gearing up to make Kentucky the biggest turn-out yet due to its central location in the U.S.

“It’s the Super Bowl of the top bowfishermen in the country,” said Mark Lee, president of the BAA. “We’re excited by what we hear about Kentucky’s rough fish population, especially the big carp species like the bighead and silvers, and the big buffalos too,” said Lee.

Kentucky BAA member Mike Whelan of Shelbyville wrote the bid for Kentucky. “I’ve bowfished Barkley and Kentucky lakes for years and I knew what they offered for such a big tournament, mainly lots of rough fish and all the shoreline you could ever hope to bowfish on a body of water,” said Whelan. “It will also show that bowfishing is not only fun, but helpful by removing invasive rough fish from our waters.”

According to Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheies Division Director Benjy Kinman, Asian carp invaded Kentucky waters several years ago and are a major concern for his department. “Presently there is no technology to eliminate these fish; therefore, we are always seeking methods to utilize these species for sport or commercially. This tournament is an excellent use of these fish and an economic benefit to the local area,” said Kinman.

According to the Archery Trade Show, bowfishing is the fastest growing segment of bowhunting in general. Bowfishing involves a special equipped bow with a reel, line and attached arrow with a harpoon-type head. While bowfishing can take place year around in Kentucky, springtime remains the most popular when rough fish species such as carp, gar and buffalo invade the shorelines and shallow flats to spawn. Many species easily exceed 50 pounds. Kentucky bowfishing records can be viewed at [url]www.unitedbowhuntersofkentucky.org[/url] under bowfishing records.

Participants must be a member of the BAA. More on the tournament can be viewed at [url]www.bowfishingassociation.com[/url] or call (270)300-0392 to talk to the Kentucky BAA state representative.