Meet the Illinois ‘Carp Hunters.’ And You Will Want to Meet Them.
- Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:16am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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When Scott first sent me this video, it was during the madness of Monday’s Osama bin Laden news. I watched the first 30 seconds, got sidetracked, and never came back to it. That was a mistake. A big mistake.
Let me give you a preview of what you’re about to see. These are the Peoria (Illinois) Carp Hunters, a group of guys who want to deplete the invasive Asian carp population by shooting them with a bow. See, Asian carp are destroying Midwest rivers and the Great Lakes ecosystem. Since they literally jump out of the water when a boat comes by — it’s something with the vibrations in the water — that makes them a fun and satisfying target.
Bu the Peoria Carp Hunters are looking for a new way to hunt the carp. And this is what they came up with: a new medieval-style suit complete with a lot of spikes, a special helmet, and a sword.
For example, there are the the Wolverine spikes:
The new shin guards:
The helmet:
The breastplate:
And, of course, the sword:
The new form of carp hunting includes donning the suit while water skiing. The theory is that the spikes and the sword will eventually start thinning out the Asian carp population.
Here’s the epic video showing the new form of “hunting” in action:
If you’ve been bitten by the carp-hunting bug while watching the video, you’re in luck. The group offers guided expeditions.
Their goal “is to have you laughing harder than you’ve ever laughed.” I think they’ve already succeeded.
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Comments (126)
Rob
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:44amCan we get rid of the illegals the same way?
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:59amYes, absolutely. When do we start?
Report Post »Currahee
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 2:26pmYes, I saw someone posted earlier the idea of moving this to a skateboard behind a Humvee for terrorists, but we could definitely do a skateboard behind an F-150 for illegals. :)
Report Post »Sinista MACE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:43am…..bwahahahaaaa!
Christ.
Report Post »ebaytoad
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:41amlolol Didn’t your mother say “ ya gonna put yer eye out”….lolololol
Report Post »magknows
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:29amAsian carp are a serious problem that is spreading through the rivers into the Midwest…they can and do cause serious harm to individuals boating in the Midwest…and they are inedible but very harmful to the river ecosystem! They eat everything! This footage is not fake…look it up!
Report Post »AnnieS
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:21amIf interested, there is MORE fun at the RedNeck Fishing Tournament. Many ‘carpers’ use fishing nets to catch their unlimited amount.
Note for non-Illinois River users: these so called fish are nasty, smelly, thin skinned to where they bleed easily, and jump four to six feet into the air so most all boaters can be attacked inside their own boat. We need more that bows and arrows and spikes….
One more note: Asian carp are at their best in jumping in shallow water when boat motors churn the water at a slow speed. You still have to be alert and aware.
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:02amWhen they have the Red Neck fishing tournament two of the more successful tools of the trade are nets and tennis rackets. From the looks of it they seem to have a good time.
Report Post »coffeeking425
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:21amWe’ve wiped out entire special before, and we can do it again!!! Take back the rivers!!
Report Post »PS> I am going to Peoria this weekend! WOO!!
jeff.cooper
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:18amI smell fish…. or is that PETA writing a stern letter expressing how upset they are.
Report Post »NC
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:14amLooks like more fun than productive. Mike Rowe did a Dirty Jobs episode about the asian carp. Very informative. They are taking over the rivers and I’d make an analogy about another invasive creature on two legs, but that is a topic for another thread
NC (whitelotus2X is probably talking about grass carp, not asian carp. Grass carp are sterilized before being sold)
Report Post »drago
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:12amFunny solution to a serious problem. Looks like Glenns E4 idea is working.
Report Post »alina.bolero
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:04amLOL … that’s awesome! I can’t believe they would bow hunt the carp though. Arrows are not cheap … perhaps they float though … heh
Oh to be young and crazy again.
Report Post »Ampleforth
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:11amTethered?
Report Post »RugerHoyt
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:03amThe arrows are connected to a reel that is hooked on the bow itself. There is usualy 25yds of 200# line connected to the arrow. So you shoot, and reel it back it :-)
Report Post »Ialmostforgot
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:02amThere’s nothing like American ingenuity!! Bravo!!
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:01amLooks like this sport would require a hard cup.
Report Post »number9
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:00amI see a reality TV show in their future…(wonder if we can convert them nasty things into fuel for our cars?)
Report Post »bts61240
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:09amNot sure about that, but they would make good vertilizer to grow food with, so we can burn it for fuel. Brilliant!
Report Post »shadowthing
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:59amepic. I wish I could water ski.
Report Post »torchmanner
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:51amYeeee Hawwwww! Looks like fun.
Report Post »Michael McInerney
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:50amThis was hilarious. I want to do this so badly!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:50amWE “can” take back AMERICA!!!
Loved it! You go, guys!!!
Rather reminds me of us and the nasty leftists…. perhaps if we all dress like that and …… oh, never mind. They’d lock us up, and there would go the “fun”.
Report Post »AMERICA4EVER
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:55amMight have to dress like that at the next election to protect ones self against the Black Panthers.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:22amWonderful!! Fun, Creative & Humorous!
And for all those who complain “this isn’t news” “we have more serious issues to deal with” “waste of time” etc – LIGHTEN UP. Yes we have problems, yes gas is $4 gallon, yes food prices are rising, yes our government is corrupt – but we all need a smile & a laugh now and then to recharge our energy.
As for PETA and their ilk – don’t like the killing of Asian Carp? Instead of planning marches with “Save the Carp” signs and sternly worded protest leaflets, why don’t you get your ***** down to the rivers, “humanely” catch those fish & relocate them right back where they came from?
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:49amIn the late 80s we got two of the same sex for five dolars apiece. Our pond was a huge pond with a lot of large bass, but the moss and algea was so thick you couldnt fish. In 6 months, those two fish cleaned up the pond. They called them algea eaters. They didnt want them to multiply, but looks like they couldnt tell a female from a male. Funny video though. Lotus.
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:49amVery creative.
Report Post »swampbuck
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:47amAll kidding aside these fish are a major concern on certain river systems… They are a serious danger to the ecosystem and need to be eradicated… While this looks cool it will not get it done… LOL
There are several guide services up and down the various river systems that offer bow fishing trips now.
In the great lakes they had a major issue with lamprey eels . They came up with a poison that would only kill the eels, someone needs to come up with something similar for these carp..
Report Post »bccrane
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:00amI/m no really sure that the asian carp will be a problem. Through their entire life cycle they are algae eaters and their fry will actually become food fish for predator species. It will take time for things to even out. As for living in the great lakes the water may be too deep and cold for them, they will tend to go to the warmer rivers and inland lakes.
Now that they blew out some levees I wonder how many of these carp will die in the fields of Missouri to become fertilizer.
Report Post »RugerHoyt
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:00amThe fish high on the food chain isn’t the concern, it is the smaller fish, such a brim and panfish that suffer greatly, even the common carp can’t filter as well as an Asian Carp. With the asian carp taking all that needed nutrients out of the water, the critters that the brim and panfish feed on can’t survive, thus leaving them without any food, and out of your frying pan :-(…..I am an avid bowfisher and have gone to several places where the Asian Carp reign, its cheap and loads of fun, plus your helping the ecosystem out. Happy hunting boys.
P.S. PETA can suck-it!
Report Post »POIPNE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:37amAhh, to be young again! Who says today’s kids aren’t creative? Does PETA know about this?
Report Post »starman70
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:46amNo they don’t. Many of the PETA members finally got JOBS!
Report Post »TheBees
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:23amI say if PETA has a problem with it let them swim out and protest!
Report Post »txbigfoot
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:34amWhile comical and unique, its extremely dangerous to the person behind the boat. I fall incorrectly and your nailed, pardon the pun. Also, the fish jump farther back, towing an inflatable item with spikes.. hummmm.
Report Post »Anyway, I am glad they are having fun.
imperfexshun
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 3:56pmLOL… Inflatable? With spikes? How long do you think it would stay inflated after a carp splashing down on it causes the spikes to puncture the inflatable… I was thinking more along the lines of one of those, what do they call it, a boogie board, but what do I know, I live in the desert and swim like a rock.
Anyway, Carp Hunters, I think you guys are pretty cool and you‘re from my mom’s home town, too. Be safe and keep having fun (and helping in the fight against that invasive carp).
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:15pmAin’t going to be FUN for us fishermen though. Nevermind anyone who likes pan fried trout, grayling, etc over an open campfire, with a beer, a squeeze.
Report Post »These bloody things eat EVERYTHING in sight,and starve the fish indigenous, to ANY lake,river or stream. They are ASIAN CARP,and are scavengers!
This tells me that Cass Sunstein will be in favor of regualtions to foster their spread!
Call me a CYNIC!
Zoe
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:33amWorks for me
Report Post »alrunner58
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:31amThat was great.
Report Post »HARDWORKPAYS
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:56amCool a new industry for Cass to regulate!
Report Post »Metalplate6538
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 12:55amThey must have been watching Glenn.
Report Post »1. They’re enlightened; as to the problem.
2. They have a reasonable education as to the solution to the problem.
3. They are empowered with some fine weaponry.
4. Entrepreneurs… duh. Sign me up.
teddrunk
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:18amWell they’ll have to find some way to get food after Cat leaves for Indiana.
Report Post »GEW
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:39amThat was interesting. Those are some crazy crap. mmm, interesting.
Report Post »GEW
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:40am….sorry all, meant to spell carp not crap. really sorry.
Report Post »Smug
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:44amDrunk
Report Post »Please clarify???
GETLIFE
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 7:46amGod Bless America! And please don’t stab yourselves.
Report Post »BIGJAYINPA
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:02amLMAO bigtime. I wonder, do Al Queada or the Taliban swim?? Nah, I guess that would be to much like taking a bath, wouldn’t it?? Maybe we could adapt it to a skateboard behind a Humvee,Hmmm.
Report Post »Smug
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:07am@GETLIFE
That did look a little dangerous, but they were having a great time. Wait for a new bill to be passed, no more fun on the river.
Report Post »Nathaniel Horn
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:45amAnd a new American Warrior class is born. Can the reclaiming of US pride be far behind? Now the world need fear us even more than before. Soon all able bodied men will be flocking to Carp Gladiator School. The Empire is saved!!! Pull all the troops home and let them earn their Carp Shield. Semper Splash!
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:06amThe new breed of Special Forces!!!!!!!
Get ‘em boys!!
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:07amCaterpillar is thinking of leaving Peoria to change it’s headquarters and much of the manufacturing from Peoria to Indiana due to Illinois state tax hikes.
Report Post »dealer@678
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:27amWe have a species invading our southern border. Would this work
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:42amIm glad I’m a Vegitarian!!
Report Post »Smug
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 9:53am@TEDDRUNK
Thanks for the explanation. That’s good news for Indiana.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:30am@SMUG
Except it’s not true. That was a rumor floating around about a month ago. Caterpillar has since stated several times they they have no intention of moving their headquarters and were never considering it.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 11:59am@Rowgue.. I live in IL better check your facts they DID consider it.. had they NOT we wouldn’t have HEARD about the letters they received..
Report Post »docvet
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 4:10pmIf they were effective in reducing the carp population, eventually the carp will be listed as an endangered species and protected. Uh, not very likely if these guys are the carp’s only enemy. Love the American mind. Keep on having fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:59pmI understand that, in addition to people, Nile crocodiles also like carp. We could import some of them to get the carp under control. What do you think?
Report Post »rattler1958
Posted on May 4, 2011 at 10:01pmBetter chance of hurting themselves than the carp. Geezzzzz
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 4:52amThat was hilarious! I don’t think that they will put much of a dent in the carp population, but good on them. Lots of fun.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 7:02amMen are weird.
Report Post »LikesToFightGuy
Posted on May 5, 2011 at 7:37amya cant teach stupid…wish i thought of it
Report Post »