OFFICER’S HEADER REPORT
Second Vice President’s Report
I
am very proud to be a member of the Montana Bowhunters Association. In fact, the work this organization does is so important that this year I gave my 19-year-old bowhunting daughter a lifetime membership for Christmas. Sitting around the tree opening packages, I gave her my gift with a sort of sly grin. After all, how many college kids want to join a club that does not involve hazing freshmen or frat parties? She tore into the envelope with visions of sugar plums (Amazon gift cards) dancing in her head. Upon realizing what her gift was, she was initially taken aback, really shocked. Then it sank in. I was very proud of my children during the last legislative session and series of Fish and Wildlife Commission meetings. They were deeply involved in the process and even testified, taking time off of school and preparing their own statements to deliver to politicians and commissioners. By the way, they were much more eloquent than I was. She understands what it takes to protect and promote our bowhunting heritage and how important that single Christmas gift is to the future of bowhunting in Montana. I must confess that initially, I joined the Montana Bowhunters Association as a social outlet. I wanted to meet new like-minded friends and enjoy the convention and outstanding comradery-building events such as the Carp Safari. It was not until I started seeing the work from the dedicated individuals in this organization and the tough topics they take on, that I decided I wanted to get more involved and help, give back. My kids were essentially raised in our bowhunting community. It began with the Carp Safari with its packs of feral, bloodied, filthy children running around with bows unsupervised to now being in post-secondary levels of education keeping a close eye on the legislative session to monitor bills that might threaten Montana’s bowhunting season. My daughter’s oldest friends are from the MBA and am pleased that she has now decided to run for a Director at Large position for the MBA. I am writing this January 6th, which happens to be the morning that the draft of the 2023 crossbow bill appeared on the State’s legislative website. I am sure glad she liked her Christmas present. XOXOXO,
Stephen LePage
Sectretary’s Message LEGISLATIVE RAMBLINGS
W
ell, here we are, winter 2022-23 with the 68th Legislature in Session. Last weekend MOGA sponsored an Elk Management Citizens Advisory Group panel discussion on the Future of Elk Management in Montana. I did not attend but a friend did. He said it was an informative panel. The text for Senate draft bill LC0017 (Crossbows for those is Disabilities) has been made available but has not been introduced so it does not have a bill number. Additionally, we do not know in which committee it will be first heard, though the Senate Fish and Game Committee is the most likely place. I am guessing that by the time you read this, it will have been heard, debated, and voted on in Jerry Davis the Legislature. We can only hope that it fails once more. Another bill has been introduced by Representative Marilyn Marler that would reinstate the required field day for all hunter and bowhunter safety education courses. That is a good thing. Let’s hope it passes.
THE FUTURE OF BOWHUNTING IN MONTANA? Below are a few of the challenges that I see in the future for bowhunting in Montana. As you know Montana is getting large influxes of new residents. Many are seeking a simpler life and a place to be closer to their chosen outdoor activity. Though population growth brings some economic benefits it also brings a set of problems that many of us Montanans will have to cope with. Issues like overcrowding of our public lands. Overcrowding means something different to everyone and for every activity. Bowhunters pursuing elk during archery season are probably one of the most adverse user groups to overcrowding. And that is for good reason. It is not because we are a bunch of hermits. It has to do with the nature of the sport. Bowhunters must get in close to the animals they pursue, and they must do so quietly. How many of you have experienced a situation where after a long sneak you finally get close to your quarry only to have another hunter or hunters screw up the sneak and spook the animal(s), whether intentional or not. That is why we bowhunters have worked hard to have some of our preeminent elk archery hunting districts (HDs) limited to those that draw permits. Having too many hunters on the landscape during archery elk season leads to a degraded experience for everyone. I know I do not want to inadvertently screw up someone else’s bowhunt and conversely, I do not want someone else busting the elk I am trying to sneak on. It only stands to reason that the more bowhunters one has in the landscape, the more occasions there are for negative encounters. Limited permits are a means of solving that dilemma. However, there are those that would like to see the limited draw permits for archery elk go away. If the limited draw permits go away there will be greater numbers of residents hunting those HDs that now only allow bowhunting by those with a limited elk archery permit. Additionally, there will be substantial increases in non-resident hunters as the 10% cap does not apply to HDs without a limited permit. To me, that means a degraded experience. I would rather not draw for a year or two to have a better-quality hunt when I do draw. Then there is the issue with those that wish to allow advanced technology into our archery-only seasons. Many desire it for the simple reason they want to harvest a big bull and do not want to put in the time in to become effective with a bow. Some entities have been using individuals with disabilities as a way to bring crossbows into the archery season. Their argument is that a crossbow is a tool that will allow those with disabilities the opportunity to bowhunt. But a crossbow is not in itself a tool for those with significant disabilities unless it is modified. And Montana already allows those with disabilities to modify archery equipment to meet their needs so that they can bowhunt. Why allow crossbows when Montana already allows archery equipment to be modified to meet an individual’s disability?
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