I was looking at the regulations for bowfishing in NYS, they specifically use the term longbow in there definition of legal implements. I know that I have seen people using recurves and other types of bows, are they breaking the law?

I doubt if they are breaking the law. "Longbow" is probably used as a general term that includes longbows, recurves, and compounds (but not crossbows). Check the definition section of the regs.

You hit the nail on the head BMN.

Yup,BMN has it right. Just remember there is a season. May 1st.  Shawn

This is what bothers me, General Hunting Regulations - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
... regulations. Definitions Bow ... Bow-includes long (stick), compound, or ... long (stick), compound, or recurve bow. ...  then in the reg they specify longbow.

you can use C-bow,curve,or long....

and yes,there is a season....

The season is from May 15 through September 30.

there are a lot of discrepencies in the regs---especiallywith tagging deer for archery, muzzleloading and rifle-----Ask a DEC officer and see what answer you get.....kinda look like a deer in headlights  :confused: