# Okay Vermonters, get your asses in here and explain **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 11, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645 "2004-05-11T16:44:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/1 "2004-05-11T16:44:49Z")
Shooting fish? _Shooting_ fish? This is springtime in Vermont? Sorry I can’t link to an article. It was in our local paper this morning, but wasn’t important enough to make the on-line edition. Man, we have some whack-jobs up here and some bonafide gun-nut fringe loonies, but shooting fish has got to be bottom of the barrel (ha!). What the fuck is _that_ all about? Seems in Vermont (or perhaps only certain areas therein) that the rite of spring includes climbing up on a ladder or up in a tree with a large bore weapon and stalking the wily pike. This is a “traditional” activity, it seems. Afterwards they pull the wings off of flies at the annual kitten barbeque. Ya know, I’ve got no quarrel with most hunters, but this is truly bizarre. Seems kind of like a Dick Cheney sort of thing, doncha know. So what gives, Vermont? Please enlighten me. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/2 "2004-05-11T16:54:25Z")
I can’t believe this sort of thing goes on. How barbaric! Why can’t they just stab their mouths and eyes, yank them from their habitat, and let them writhe and struggle as they suffocate? ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/3 "2004-05-11T16:57:11Z")
Yea, I’d have to go with Lib on this one. Shooting fish seems to me a more quick and humane way of killing fish than the usual method, even if it is unusual. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/4 "2004-05-11T17:35:31Z")
Really? Well, the “humane” question aside: Catching fish in traditional method=edible source of food Shooting fish with shotgun=mutilated blood and guts=inedible mess Conclusion: Shooting fish is just for the fun of shooting something to watch it die. I can see why you would both support that over the other. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/5 "2004-05-11T17:38:36Z")
Down hyar in Dogpatch we uses dynee-mites! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/6 "2004-05-11T17:41:30Z")
> [@](#): > > Conclusion: Shooting fish is just for the fun of shooting something to watch it die. I can see why you would both support that over the other. I don’t think you quite understand how it works. They don’t actually shoot the fish; they shoot _near_ the fish in shallow water. The concussion shatters their bladders and causes them to float to the top. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/7 "2004-05-11T17:56:53Z")
> [@Libertarian](#): > > I don’t think you quite understand how it works. They don’t actually shoot the fish; they shoot _near_ the fish in shallow water. The concussion shatters their bladders and causes them to float to the top. I don’t recall reading that in the article. Do you have a cite, perchance? I’m not sure I buy the argument, but “Bladder Shatterers” would be a great band name. It just seems an odd practice that I don’t understand, hence the post. You’ll note that I really had no rant to speak of. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/8 "2004-05-11T18:01:08Z")
In West Virginia old timers used to go telephoning for fish. They’d get a mine telephone, stick the bell leads in the water, and start cranking on the crank that normally made the bell ring on the other end. Any fish that swam through the arc of electricity would instantly float to the surface, and wind up in the pan. This was pretty illegal, and would bring you a really big fine if you were caught by the fish and game warden. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/9 "2004-05-11T18:20:36Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Conclusion: Shooting fish is just for the fun of shooting something to watch it die. I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. Now, I’m stuck in Folsom Prison. When I hear that whistle blowin’, I hang my head and cry. * * * On May 6th, I sat down on a burning Ring of Fire. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/10 "2004-05-11T18:27:00Z")
I take no responsibility for my fellow Vermonters… Plus, more people here go Phishing than fishing anyway. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/11 "2004-05-11T18:37:12Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I don’t recall reading that in the article. Do you have a cite, perchance? I’m not sure I buy the argument, but “Bladder Shatterers” would be a great band name. It just seems an odd practice that I don’t understand, hence the post. You’ll note that I really had no rant to speak of. [Here’s one](http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040511-094146-2599r.htm). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/12 "2004-05-11T18:42:38Z")
A stick of dynamite would be even more effective, really. On a somewhat different note, and speaking as a dedicated carnivore, I don’t see any practical difference between killing for food and killing for pleasure. I love steak, but I don’t _have_ to eat it. I just think it tastes better than salad. In other words, I’m killing (or having people kill for me) simply for my pleasure. Functionally, it seems to be pretty much the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/13 "2004-05-11T18:57:06Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > A stick of dynamite would be even more effective, really. Yeah, but recreational dynamite might be illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/14 "2004-05-11T19:15:07Z")
I shot a bass in Vermont, just to watch it die. ---
**Author:** ![Uvula\_Donor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e19adc/32.png) [@Uvula\_Donor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uvula_Donor)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/15 "2004-05-11T19:23:42Z")
Well, here’s a [link.](http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/8636022.htm?1c) But I still find it hard to believe this ain’t a hoax. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/16 "2004-05-11T19:36:37Z")
> [@Libertarian](#): > > [Here’s one](http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040511-094146-2599r.htm). With a handgun or rifle, this may work; or even with a shotgun slug. Buckshot is a different story, however, and an AK-47…well, I just gotta shake my head. “Mares and bucks”, eh? How cute is that? ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/17 "2004-05-11T19:49:08Z")
Okay. No, it’s not a joke. Yeah, it has a really restricted season (March 25-May 25) and only in Lake Champlain. Personally, I’ve never known anybody who has done it - my Grandfather’s crazy hunting and fishing buddies included. You think they’re crazy? So do I. I also noticed that in the pictures that were with the New York Times article, the “fish hunter” is dressed in camo. You know, so the fish can’t see them creeping up on them. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/18 "2004-05-11T19:54:24Z")
[here](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/11/national/11FISH.html?8hpib) is the original NY Times article (free registration required). I find the hunting terminology funny (mares and bucks). ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/19 "2004-05-11T20:13:20Z")
Hmmmm, a 30-06 fires a 150 grain bullet at about 2600 feet per second…that’d make for a hell of a concussion when it stopped suddenly. Remind me to stay away from Lake Champlain between 3/25 and 5/25. ---
**Author:** ![Gravity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gravity/32/14322_2.png) [@Gravity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gravity)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645/20 "2004-05-11T21:34:13Z")
Well, there’s not much swimming going on this time of year. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-vermonters-get-your-asses-in-here-and-explain/244645.md?page=2)