New Fish Torture Record

On October 29 a northern pike caught in May that measured 45 1/4 in length was certified as the largest of its species caught and released in Minnesota.
 
The big fish was caught, tortured and then released on the Rainy River, a part of the US border with Canada, according to this story. The aquatic predator remains alive so a continued diet of minnows, ducklings and muskrats is likely to allow it to grow even longer and some wily future fisherman will be able to catch it. The very same fish could conceivably eclipse itself in the state record books.

While technology has had a major effect on some aspects of outdoor sports, notably fishing, with its electronic depth finders and sonar, oddly the same has yet to occur in large and small game hunting.

Unlike fishermen, hunters can't successfully release their quarry alive after bagging and measuring them. A 65 inch bull moose must be dead to be authenticated by the Boone and Crockett Club. Hopefully, the same science that has brought us Grand Theft Auto and Facebook will soon develop equipment and techniques that will enable sportsmen to terrify deer, rabbits, ducks and turkeys yet not damage them extensively. Released, they will serve as quarry for other outdoorsmen.