Cow nose ray tournament

[BalmerBrian]

Heard on the news that there was a cow nose ray "tournament" where they were killing them with bats and bows in Mechanicsville.

I don't want to seem preachy, but this is not the type of "tournament" needed. It will seriously harm the population of rays given their low reproduction rate. Even CNRs have a place in the bay.

http://wtop.com/maryland/2015/06/md-...ng-tournament/

[BalmerBrian]

Heard on the news that there was a cow nose ray "tournament" where they were killing them with bats and bows in Mechanicsville.

I don't want to seem preachy, but this is not the type of "tournament" needed. It will seriously harm the population of rays given their low reproduction rate. Even CNRs have a place in the bay.

http://wtop.com/maryland/2015/06/md-...ng-tournament/

[phoenixkeith]

been happening for years and years and as we know there are no shortages of rays . i have been trying to eliminate carp from the face of the earth with my bow for a long time and feel i have not made a dent

[BalmerBrian]

First year for this tournament.

[kevinfry]

There have been tournaments around the Bay for years........we can't wait for the Bullsharks to re-enter the bay, I'm pro- bowfishing for rays
Please start at St Jerome's creek

[On the fly]

Killing them is one thing, doing it humanely is another and the way described is not.

[EMSer]

I must agree with Harry.

[Cowpokey]

I'm not a fan of the CNR, but killing them for "sport" does not align with my thoughts on the species...or my view of conservation.

[Salty Dog]

Not a fan of CNR, Seems the bay is a major breeding ground for CNR. Killing for sport and dumping back in the water is senseless. Of course anytime the media gets ahold of anything, it becomes controversial.

[silasvirus82]

I get it, bowfishing is a sport just like anything else and to each their own, but for me there are plenty of other ways to enjoy archery without impacting native species. Everything has it's place and we usually don't understand what that is until it's gone unfortunately.

[kevinfry]

Contrary to what was stated above, this there are multiple tournaments in this area every year for 4 or 5 yeras running....CNR appear to have thrived. I agree that there should not be "Wonton waste" of the carcasses.....but just because the SHARK says they were dumped in the river does not mean that that was true.....that was not an unbiased report. Im sure many became crab pot bait.
If You want to rage, rage. But that fish needs managing and is devasting the bay...especially shellfish beds. they need a predator

[silasvirus82]

Contrary to what was stated above, this there are multiple tournaments in this area every year for 4 or 5 yeras running....CNR appear to have thrived. I agree that there should not be "Wonton waste" of the carcasses.....but just because the SHARK says they were dumped in the river does not mean that that was true.....that was not an unbiased report. Im sure many became crab pot bait.
If You want to rage, rage. But that fish needs managing and is devasting the bay...especially shellfish beds. they need a predator

Some good points there, we need some of those sharks down in NC!

[Slobber Bob]

Contrary to what was stated above, this there are multiple tournaments in this area every year for 4 or 5 yeras running....CNR appear to have thrived. I agree that there should not be "Wonton waste" of the carcasses.....but just because the SHARK says they were dumped in the river does not mean that that was true.....that was not an unbiased report. Im sure many became crab pot bait.
If You want to rage, rage. But that fish needs managing and is devasting the bay...especially shellfish beds. they need a predator

Absolutely correct. The increase in the cownose ray population is attributed to the decline of their predators - mainly sharks. Now the increased abundance of rays is having a negative effective on shellfish numbers. A good culling of some rays from a couple tournaments a year is not going to crash the population, and could help maintain ray numbers at a healthier, more sustainable, level by making up for the lack of natural mortality that predators used to have on rays. There have been many articles and publications, with support of fisheries managers, trying to encourage people and restaurants to harvest cownose rays for table fare to try and create more of a commercial interest in them to help reduce their abundance.

If in fact they were just dumped and wasted after the tournament then that shouldn't be promoted however.

[Romo]

Crabs and raccoons need food too

[Slobber Bob]

Crabs and raccoons need food too

The waste part casts all of us sportsman that utilize the bay in a bad light.