Grab Your Shotgun and Let's Go Fishing!

Innovative Americans challenge high-flying carp.

Carp shooters could be patrolling the Illinois River next year with their shotguns poised and ready to blast high-flying invasive species.

That’s because this bill has been introduced into the state legislature:

“Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code.

“Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall establish an Asian carp pilot program to permit licensed individuals to shoot Asian carp with a shotgun off of a motorboat in the Illinois River beginning with the 2013 licensing year.

“Provides that the individuals must have the appropriate license and use a specific type of ammunition.

“Provides that the Department may adopt administrative rules to establish and administer the pilot program.”

Read more here.

I’m with the Chicagoist on this one. It says, “Shotguns, jumping fish, and boats speeding along on bumpy water. What could go wrong?”

Still, I salute American ingenuity. This is just as likely to control Asian carp as anything the federal government has done so far.

And it sounds like fun! I'd also recommend having gun boats at the ready in Lake Michigan. Carp are on their way.