A bow fisher weighs a harvested Asian carp, during a four-day bow fishing tournament at Kentucky Lake. - Photo by Greg Conover.

Concerns about the impacts of aquatic nuisance species, particularly four species of Asian carps and the common carp, have led to a unique partnership. 

The Nativefish Conservancy has developed Carpbusters, a program designed to get sportsmen involved in the removal of non-native fish from the wild.   Carpbusters events have resulted in 10,000 or more pounds of harvested carps. 

Carpbusters has also partnered with The Campbell Outdoor Challenge TV Show to televise bowfishing tournaments for carp.  Campbell Outdoor Challenge filmed its first bowfishing event in early June 2006, a four-day tournament at Kentucky and Barkley lakes in Kentucky. 

Campbell Outdoor Challenge will air three 30-minute programs about the tournament on local ABC affiliates, regional cable stations, and nationally on two satellite networks, The Sportsman’s Channel and The Men’s Channel. 

An interview with Fishery Biologist Greg Conover, Carterville FRO, about Asian carps will be included in the program series. 

Carterville FRO has also worked closely with the Campbell Outdoor Challenge to include informational material about Asian carps throughout the three programs.  The 3 programs will aire for three weeks, beginning August 7, 2006.

Carterville FRO is working with Campbell Outdoor Challenge and Carpbusters to organize and televise more bowfishing tournaments during 2007.