AB 377

Under current law, no person may hunt with a crossbow unless the person is

disabled and holds a permit that authorizes hunting with a crossbow or unless the

person is at least 65 years old. Current law does not authorize a person to fish with

a crossbow but does allow a person to fish for rough fish with a bow and arrow.

Current law defines the term "rough fish" to include such fish as common carp,

goldfish, alewife, and rainbow smelt. This bill adds asian carp to the definition of

"rough fish."

This bill also authorizes a person to fish for rough fish with a crossbow under

the same circumstances as a person may fish for rough fish with a bow and arrow.

This bill does not require a person to hold a disabled hunting permit to use a crossbow

to fish for rough fish. As under current law that regulates fishing for rough fish, this

bill prohibits a person who takes rough fish with a crossbow from releasing the fish

back to the waters of this state or leaving the fish on the ice or banks of any waters

of this state. The person who takes rough fish with a crossbow must remove the fish

from the waters where taken and use or dispose of the fish in an appropriate manner.