How To Control Asian Carp? Blast Them With Shotguns…Obviously

There have been many ideas brought forward about how to control the Asian carp, some serious, some not so much, but now an Illinois lawmaker has cranked up the carp-o-meter to eleven with a proposal to allow (I’m not making this up) the use of boat-based shotguns as a means of carp control.

From this story on huffpost:

As the Great Lakes region continues to look for ways to stop plankton-gobbling Asian Carp from infesting our lakes and rivers, the Illinois General Assembly is considering a rather unconventional approach to fighting the invasive species: shooting them. Last week, Illinois Rep. Dave Winters (R-Shirland) introduced a bill that would amend the Fish and Aquatic Life Code, allowing registered gun owners in the state to shoot Asian carp “with a shotgun off of a motorboat in the Illinois River beginning with the 2013 licensing year.”

The bill says the Department of Natural Resources would be able to regulate and administer the pilot program. “Shotguns, jumping fish, and boats speeding along on bumpy water. What could go wrong?” Chicagoist wrote Friday, adding that Winters’ bill is not the only strange solution to carp locals have come up with.

So, is this just one more goofy idea, or perhaps the next great wingshooting sport?