2012 MI Youth Shoot Follow Up Report

June 9, 2012

Year # 2

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• Youth event is 100% FREE!!!

• Michigan's only annual youth bowfishing tournament

• This event doubled in size in one year!

• 8 kids shot their first fish!

Highlights:

Great Cause 1

The Format 1

Perfect

Conditions 2

Final

Standings 3

Photo Gallery 5

Many Hands Make

Light Effort 6

Brian Gilson (616) 240-1196 [email protected]

Michigan’s second youth

bowfishing event went off

without a hitch. On

Saturday, June 9, fifty

children from across the

state converged at Echo

Point boat ramp on Lake

Allegan for a day of

bowfishing, archery, and

games.

Hosted by volunteers from

the Bowfishing Association

of Michigan, the intent was

to introduce our next

generation to the great

sport of bowfishing. The

event was 100% free and

all prizes/supplies were

provided by donors.

Once again, the B.A.M.

crew decided to team up

with the Allegan DEQ for

the second year in a row.

The Kalamazoo total

maximum daily load

Great Cause

The Format

This event was developed

for kids from the ground

up. The format is very

similar to other big 10

bowfishing tournaments

with two exceptions: 1)

adults are not allowed to

shoot and 2) the kids are

scored individually. The

kids love the idea that Dad

can’t beat them to the fish!

Typically, kids haven’t

developed an eye for

spotting fish in the water,

so they frequently get beat

to the punch by other

shooters in the boat.

Since adults aren’t

allowed to shoot during

implementation committee

and the Allegan

Conservation District has

successfully hosted their

annual “Lake Allegan

Carp Derby” for several

years. The youth shoot

and carp derby were

planned in conjuction with

the DNR's free fishing

weekend. The goal is to

reduce the over-abundant

carp population on the

lake.

Carp are not native to America, but they have managed to establish a firm foot-hold throughout the continental U.S. and they range from central Canada to central Mexico. This species is one of the most widely distributed fish species in North America, and also one of the most detrimental.

Carp are bottom feeders and their feeding habits are very destructive to the waters that they inhabit. They “root” down into the bottom much like pigs do when they are looking for food. This activity stirs up sediment and uproots aquatic plants. The sediment gets suspended- therefore creating muddy water that light cannot penetrate. The lack of sunlight kills plants that are necessary for underwater life. Carp have also been proven to eat the eggs of more popular game fish. Bowfishing plays an important role since we can selectively harvest these destructive fish while leaving game fish unharmed.

the event, it gives the kids

some extra shot

opportunities that they

may not normally get.

They also receive the

adult’s full, undivided

attention.

All children 17 and under

were welcome to

participate. Trophies were

awarded to the top three

places for each division.

There were three divisions

for both boys and girls as

well as an overall winner

for each. The top spots

were awarded to the

heaviest three fish for

each division. Additional

prizes were also handed out

for big fish, small fish, and

highest 3D score.

B.A.M. members Capt. Doug

Curey and Michigan

airboating/bowfishing legend

Ron Miller Sr. volunteered to

give airboat rides and bring

the kids bowfishing. The

airboat rides were a huge hit!

There was also a 3D archery

range where kids could shoot

a round of 10 shots for a

chance to win a trophy.

Since this is a bowfishing

tournament, if a child shoots

a fish, he/she would beat the

target shooters.

B.A.M. Youth Shoot Page 2

“When can we do this again?”

Morgan Helsel

(first-time bowfisher)

Before the tournament began, schools of carp could be seen spawning from shore. With a forecasted high temperature in the upper 80’s, the bright sunny day spurred high expectations of big fish and full barrels!

After a brief morning

meeting, the kids eagerly

headed off to the water at

9:00am. Most were armed

with bows and arrows, but

some of them were toting

spears. Michigan’s

spearing regulations and

bowfishing regulations are

shared. Bows and arrows

have a distinct advantage

over spears, but some of

the youngsters cannot pull

enough poundage to

penetrate a fish with a bow

yet. Therefore, spearing is

an accepted method of

Perfect Conditions Don’t Equal Fish in the Barrel

The beautiful weather and

intermittent schools of

spawning carp kept many

kids out on the water all day.

Most youngsters made a pit

stop at the landing for lunch,

popsicles, and some shade.

At the end of the day, eight

kids returned with a full 3 fish

stringer. Many kids

experienced bowfishing and

archery for the first time and

I have a feeling that we’ll see

them again next year.

harvest for the tournament.

The conditions were perfect,

but the fish proved that

bowfishing is not as simple

as shooting fish in a barrel.

Almost as if they had a sixth

sense, the spawning schools

of carp would sink in the

muddy water as the young

fishermen approached.

Finding fish was easy, but

getting the youngsters within

range with their light-

poundage bows was a

difficult task. The kids that

scored early in the morning

had an advantage since the

spawning activity diminished

throughout the day.

Occasionally, teams would

return to the landing for

some food and games.

Grilled hotdogs & chips were

on the menu for the hungry

fishermen. Most of the kids

quenched their thirst with

some Hi-C punch. The

evidence of the orange

punch was apparent in the

crowd of youngsters by

some impressive orange

mustaches!

The 3D range is always a

big hit with the kids and

adults alike. B.A.M.

member Rob Miller helped

the kids shoot their ten shot

round for a chance at a

trophy. After the child shot

his/her round, the range

was available for open

shooting. All of the kids had

fun slinging arrows at the

lifelike animals.

Aside from the archery, the

kids took turns playing

ladder ball, lawn jarts, and

washers. The popsicle

station was also a huge hit

with everybody!

Altogether, eight kids shot

their first fish during the

tournament! That is why this

tournament was created… to

get kids hooked on the

outdoors.

Lake Allegan is known for

their large population of

miniature carp, but Brian

Huddleston shot a whopper

10 pounder to claim the AMS

Retriever prize for big fish.

The best shot of the day was

by Ally Bruursema with her

1.0 lb carp to claim the

prize for the smallest fish.

The battle for the highest

3D score ended in a tie

between Julie Miller and

Christopher Russell with

an impressive score of 90

out of 100.

Our overall winners are

Sydney Huddleston with

3.6 lbs and Peter Pierson

with a 3 fish limit of 15.4

lbs.

Page 3 B.A.M. Youth Shoot

Girls 10 and Under

Place Name Age 3D Score

(Perfect: 100) Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

Total Weight

1 Riley Becker 7

2.0

2.0

2 Ally Bruursema 9 31 1.0

1.0

3 Makenzy Heinselman 10 53

4 Delaney Bryce 9 48

5 Carlie Kowalewski 6 39

6 Keziah Metz 6 37

Boys 10 and Under

Place Name Age 3D Score

(Perfect: 100) Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

Total Weight

1 Hunter Riggins 10

5.8 2.8 2.2 10.8

2 Riley Scofield 8 54 2.8 2.0 2.0 6.8

3 Ryan Donley 9

2.0 1.6

3.6

4 Gavin Fritz 9 61 3.0

3.0

5 Haiden Kowalewski 10 36 2.6

2.6

6 Eian Kowalewski 4 31 2.2

2.2

7 Riley Stout 9 59 1.4

1.4

8 Breslin Nykamp 5 49 (1 X)

9 Tanner Wolters 6 45

10 Max Edwards 9 36

11 Hunter Zeedyk 5 28

12 Noah Metz 4 28

13 Avery Bruursema 4 20

14 Isaiah Metz 2 DNF

Girls 11-14

Place Name Age 3D Score

(Perfect: 100) Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

Total Weight

1 Sydney Huddleston 11 49 3.6

3.6

2 Morgan Helsel 11 66 2.0

2.0

3 Katelyn Helsel 11 51 1.8

1.8

4 Ashleigh Jarrard 11 59 (2X)

5 Brittany Lenhart 14 47

6 Brianna Lenhart 14 43

Final Standings

*= Small Fish **= Big Fish ***= Highest 3D Score

B.A.M. Youth Shoot Page 4

Boys 11-14

Place Name Age 3D Score

(Perfect: 100) Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

Total Weight

1 Kadon Keon 14

7.6 2.6 2.4 12.6

2 (Tie) Gavin Keon 12

3.6 3.4 3.0 10.0

2 (Tie) Brian Huddleston 14 88 (1X) 10.0

10.0

3 Tanner Edewaard 14 78 3.6 2.6 2.2 8.4

4 Nick Tarman 13 57 2.0 2.0 1.8 5.8

5 Christopher Russell 14 90 2.6 2.2

4.8

6 Tyler Reeves 13 50 2.8 1.4

4.2

7 Seth Heinzelman 14 50 3.8

3.8

8 Elijah Metz 12 42 (1 X)

9 Hayden Fritz 11 80

10 Gavin Trewhitt 13 73

11 Evan Knigge 13 69

12 Maxwell Robrahn 11 61

13 Tyler Williams 11 48

14 Micah Metz 11 34

15 Zach Bryce 12 26

Girls 15-17

Place Name Age 3D Score

(Perfect: 100) Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

Total Weight

1 Julie Miller 16 90 (1X)

2 Salena Gilson 15 88 (4X)

3 Hannah Metz 15 29

4 Caitlin Bell 16 DNF

Boys 15-17

Place Name Age 3D Score

(Perfect: 100) Fish #1

Fish #2

Fish #3

Total Weight

1 Peter Pierson 17 66 (2X) 9.8 3.0 2.6 15.4

2 Hunter Smith 16 42 2.8 2.6 2.0 7.4

3 Travis Potter 17

3.2 1.8

5.0

4 Austin Sloan 15 52 1.6 1.6

Final Standings Continued…

*= Small Fish **= Big Fish ***= Highest 3D Score

Page 5 B.A.M. Youth Shoot

“I fell in the water, but I

didn’t let my bow get wet!”

Hunter Zeedyk

(5 years old)

B.A.M. Youth Shoot Page 6

Many Hands Make Light Work

The Bowfishing Association of Michigan is dedicated to promoting,

educating, and protecting the sport of bowfishing. An affiliate of

Michigan United Conservation Clubs, BAM and MUCC work

together to preserve our sportsmen’s rights.

About Our Organization…

Bowfishing Association

of Michigan

Brian Gilson

E-MAIL: [email protected]

We’re on the Web!

See us at:

www.BowfishBAM.com

www.facebook.com/

Special Thanks To Our Generous Donors:

Thanks to a fantastic crew of

donors and volunteers, this event

will continue to grow and always be

100% free.

Download high-resolution pictures

and stay updated on our Facebook

page!

Facebook.com/MIYouthBowfishing

Also, keep an eye on

BowfishBAM.com for information

on next year’s event.

“Take a kid hunting and fishing. It’s

our future.”

Randy Woodward

Youth Bowfishing Assoc.

I think it is safe to say that our

second youth shoot was a

huge success. Eight kids shot

their first fish and everybody

had a great time. We had

twice as many kids this year,

but the effort involved to host

the shoot seemed easier than

last year. Why? The reason

is simple. Getting youth

involved in the outdoors is a

great cause. Youth events

bring out the best in people

and they get inspired to step

up to help the little ones. They

say that many hands make

light work and the saying is

definitely true.

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