Vol. 51 #1 Fall 2023 Issue

2023 Teen Camp Taking Bowhunting Carp to New “Heights” 2023 Carp Safari Highlights Bow Shooting Regional News!

OFFICERS

REGIONAL REPS DIRECTORS AT LARGE

Return service requested Montana Bowhunters Association PO Box 426 Helena MT 59624

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 120 Bozeman, MT 59718

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1 Al Kelly

163 Scenery Rd Libby MT 59923 ............................................ 406-293-2900 griffguyal@gmail.com

Region 2 Marlon Clapham

Kevin Robinson

Region 3 Liberty Brown

Robin Mestdagh

Region 4 Justin Doll

Jess Wagner

Chris Gasner

Region 6 Tristan Manuel Nick Siebrasse

Region 7 Rick Miller

Bob Morgan

275 Vigilante Trl. Bozeman, MT 59718 ................................. 406-581-7216 mbareg3@gmail.com 1150 Vega Rd, Helena, MT 59602 ........................................ 406-839-6371 mestdagh.montana@gmail.com 1311 15th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405 ................................. 406-939-0804 j.doll6190@gmail.com 201 Big Sky Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 ................................ 406-939-3458 jess_wagner2@hotmail.com

Region 5 Ben Buller

4455 Hoover Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 ........................... 406-777-2408 mbaregion2@gmail.com 2110 Wylie Ave, Missoula, MT 59802 ................................... 406-531-8243 kevin.robinson@technometalpost.com

4143 King Ave East, Billings, MT 59101 ................................ 406-672-5616 buller_ben@yahoo.com 4717 Cheyenne Trail, Billings, MT 59106 ....................................................... cgasner1@gmail.com 48538 Anderson Rd, Havre, MT 59501 ................................. 406-399-5114 HiLineTraditional@gmail.com 4996 Bullhook Rd., Havre, MT 59501..................................... 406-390-0402 bowdude@mtintouch.net PO Box 2336 Colstrip, MT 59323............................................. 406-749-0292 grrizzz@q.com PO Box 1995, Colstrip, MT 59323........................................... 406-749-0706 robertredface@gmail.com

www.mtba.org

MBA

officers PRESIDENT

Ken Schultz 302 Wyoming Ave • Billings, MT 59101 schultzy@iwks.net • 406-598-8550 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Stephanie Prater 416 Entrance Ave • Lewistown, MT 59457 mthuntress406@gmail.com • 406-461-6949 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd • Lewistown, MT 59457 mbaregion4@yahoo • 406-535-5636 TREASURER

Mandy Garness 5901 Western Dr • Great Falls, MT 59404 camoquilter@gmail.com • 406-750-9953 SECRETARY

Jerry Davis 725 Middlemas Road • Helena, MT 59602 pipelinejerry@gmail.com • 406-475-2226

AT LARGE DIRECTORS EVEN YEARS

Cliff Garness

5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com......................406-788-9009

Jake Garness

5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - powderslayer22@gmail.com

Alishia Zemlicka 283 Upper Violet Road, Bozeman, MT 59718 - massagebyalishia@hotmail.com..................406-853-2579

Jeremy Harwood 1047 Cheyenne Rd • Helena, MT 59602 jeremyharwood86@gmail.com • 406-579-0678 PAST PRESIDENT

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd • Lewistown, MT 59457 mbaregion4@yahoo • 406-535-5636

ODD YEARS

Brian Koelzer

80 Jansma Lane, Manhattan, MT 59741- Rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com........... 406-570-7997

June LePage

2574 Divide Rd, Lewistown, MT 59457- junelepage1@gmail.com........................... 406-366-2605

Julie Jensen

Mike Shepard

251 7th Ave E N, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 - michaelshepard7@gmail.com............ 406-250-9806

391 Coral Drive • Belgrade, MT 59714

Jackie Weidow

116 Bear Creek Rd Unit B, Victor, MT 59875- jackieweidow92@gmail.com.............. 406-274-3716

EDITORIAL COMMENTS The MBA Magazine is a quarterly publication of the MBA and is intended to inform, entertain and educate its members on happenings within the organization and to bowhunting in general.

PUBLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES

FALL ISSUE, DEADLINE, July 15 WINTER ISSUE, DEADLINE, October 15 SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 15 SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15

Stories, photos, or cartoons should be sent to Julie Jensen at 391 Coral Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714 or email jjensen44@mac.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All submitted or published photos may be used by the MBA in the newsletter, and MBA Photo Album and/or on Facebook. Any questions as to policies of MBA please contact the President.

MEMBERSHIP INQURIES

Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Tresurer, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.

MAGAZINE EDITOR

jjensen44@mac.com • 701-361-9197

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 51 #1 Fall 2023

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Ken Schultz 1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Stephanie Prater

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2ND VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Stephen LePage SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

Jerry Davis

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TREASURER’S MESSAGE

Mandy Garness

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18 2023 CARP SAFARI 20 BOW SHOOTING 22 BLAST FROM THE PAST Marlon Clapham

23 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

24 MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM 25 MEMBER GALLERY

REGIONAL REPORTS MBA TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP MBA DONORS TAKING BOWHUNTER CARP TO NEW “HEIGHTS”

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“CARPOLOGY”

On the Cover

Trey Morgan and his first elk

2023 Tee n Camp Taking B owhunti n to New “H g Carp 2023 Car eights” p Safari Highlig hts Bow Sho oting Regiona l News!

OFFIC ERS REGIO NAL RE DIRECT PS ORS AT LARGE

Montana Bowhun PO ters Ass Bo x 426 ociation Helena MT 596 24 Return service requested

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Non-Profi t Org. U.S. PO STAGE PAID Permit # 120 Bozema n, MT 59 718

MBA Committees Legislative: Chair: Jerry Davis Jess Wagner • Stephen LePage June LePage

Financial: Chair: Mandy Garness Al Kelly • Jeremy Harwood

Landowner/Sportsman: Chair: Stephanie Prater Tristan Manuel • Jess Wagner Rick Miller

Nominations: Chair: Stephen LePage Stephanie Prater

Awards: Chair: Cliff Garness Stephen LePage

Membership: Chair: Stephen LePage Mandy Garness • Nick Siebrasse

Convention 2023 (Region 2) Chair: Kevin Robinson Marlon Clapham • Mandy Garness

Magazine: Chair: Jerry Davis Cliff Garness • Stephanie Prater

Carp Shoot: Chair: Kevin Robinson Stephen LePage • Jerry Davis Marlon Clapham • Claudia Davis

Bow-Ed: Chair: Marlon Clapham Nick Siebrasse • Tristan Manuel Al Kelly

Youth Membership and MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp Chair: Marlon Clapham Kevin Robinson • The Doyles

Governance Jerry Davis • Al Kelly

PTMAE Chair: Marlon Clapham Stephen LePage

Tentatives Chair: Rick Miller Stephen LePage • Jess Wagner

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OFFICER REPORTS

PRESIDENT - KEN SCHULTZ 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - STEPHANIE PRATER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - STEPHEN LEPAGE

President Ken 79 year old Jerry Bergman’s bear

SECRETARY - JERRY DAVIS TREASURER - MANDY GARNESS

President’s

Message

H Greetings All,

ope this letter finds everyone in good spirits! As we have come into the final stages of tag drawings for 2023 2024, there have been many folks disappointed. This year with the drawings for Antelope archery (900) and the breaks tags, a large number of folks did not draw. It is actually an alarming number! Is it due to more hunters in the field, fewer tags to go around, or possibly the rise of “out-of-state” hunters coming to our great state to hunt? Whatever it may be, I hope these meetings on Elk Quotas and the new Elk Plan in several areas will address the issue.

There have been a few meetings already and some more to come. You can respond to this by going to the FWP webpage and sharing your comments

by July 31st.

It’s time to get that bow out if you haven’t already and start dialing it in.

Practice is very important and one way you can do so is to attend the many archery shoots around the state. It not only sharpens you up, but it also helps support the many ranges and organizations that sponsor these shoots. Having your bow tuned by a trained professional is very critical. Everything needs to line up for your bow to shoot well. Ultimately, getting out and slinging some arrows into a target is the key to success. Repetition is very critical when in the field and you’re ready to take that critical shot.

I want to take a moment to welcome Mark Schwomeyer back onto our board in 2023. Mark has served in the past and has had a tremendous impact on

our board. He has sat on committees with Fish and Game and brings a ton of knowledge to the table. Welcome Back, Mark!!!

Good luck on this final round of Antelope tags and I hope everyone has a fun season planned with Family and Friends to hunt. Thank goodness that Montana is such a great state and that there is always the option of hunting Public Land. Our Goal as an organization is to keep it that way!

With that, I’ll leave you with a reminder to “Shoot Straight and Always be a Straight Shooter!”

Ken Schultz

Ken Schultz

First Vice

President’s

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Stephanie Prater

Report

Stephanie Prater

Blue skies, red dirt. write this sitting in a bow blind 10,000 miles from Montana in South Africa. The experience thus far has been amazing. There is nothing like it and I am already planning a third trip.

Heading home in a few short days and I can’t help but start to turn towards fall in Montana, and chasing elk. Crisp air, colorful leaves, and bugles.

Speaking of bugles, I hope all have had a chance to attend an FWP Season Setting meeting and review the proposals as well as the new Elk Management plan. They are both available on the FWP website. Make sure to have your voice heard. One exciting thing MBA has asked for—and is a proposal—is the extension of moose and goat season to include an early opening for archery for those lucky enough to draw the tags. This doesn’t give more tags out for archery but simply gives those who draw a couple of weeks to use archery equipment to fill the tags if they chose before picking up a rifle.

Region 4 is in charge of planning the banquet for next year, and make sure you mark your calendar for it. They are working super hard and are going to knock it out of the park!

Pictured here is a bushbuck, an animal few have likely heard of and quite the challenge with a bow. They are elusive, cagey, and FAST. Mine was an old warrior, his face covered in scars from fighting other males along the Limpopo River.

Stephanie Prater I hope all have an excellent season and remember to share stories and pictures with your MBA board. We love hearing them and sharing in the success of all Montana Bowhunters!

Shoot straight

>>---------------------> Stephanie Prater

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OFFICER’S HEADER REPORT

Second Vice President’s Report

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Hello MBA members,

his spring I was fortunate to have gone on a bowhunt with my son Mitchel.

We were in Australia and he was bowhunting pigs and wild dogs. I was bowhunting water buffalo, but that is a story for a different time. With the temperature at 95°, we hiked a small rocky ridge and onto an expansive swamp. While glassing from the ridge, our guide spotted several hogs in open water feeding on aquatic plants. My wife and I were told to stay put and watch from our vantage point. Mitch and the guide headed down off the ridge. The problem I saw was that the prevailing wind and cover did not allow a straight forward approach. Little did I know that the guide had a plan. At the edge of the swamp, they donned water shoes and jumped right in. I was laughing my a$$ off as Mitchel and the guide waded toward the group of hogs in naveldeep water. At 15 yards, we watched as Mitchel came to full draw and released an arrow. We could not see the pig he shot at, but what we heard told the rest of the story. We heard a squeal followed by a series of jumping splashes that ended in a single final splash. For those of you that have not hunted hogs: they do not die very easily and this one had died within 20 yards. Mitchel repeated this performance two more times over the next few days—all while wearing water shoes. Besides this, he was able to put a perfect shot on a wild dog, which seems to be ubiquitous. One night we even heard the dogs trying to kill a water buffalo from our sleeping bags in camp.

I am very lucky to have shared this experience with my son, as I have with all the local bowhunts, MBA banquets, and the Carp Safaris. Bowhunting is the core of our family. There is something very satisfying about watching my son turn into a man.

Although there is still much time for that evolution before it is complete, I am so proud to be a part of that process. He was raised bowhunting and the MBA has always been a part of that.

Sincerely,

Stephen LePage

Jerry Davis

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ince my last column, I have been doing some thinking about the aging of all of us and about MBA’s ability to support the Permit to Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE).

I have been involved in the fight to keep crossbows out of Montana’s Archery Only season for several years. In that time, I came to realize that our ability to help those with disabilities to bow hunt is largely dependent on our ability to help build and fund special modifications to archery equipment that go farther than a simple draw loc. That ability currently relies on the volunteer time and services of Marlon Clapham, our Region 2 Representative, and our past president.

Marlon is a retired machinist with creative ability and a machine shop. His ability to create special modifications/adaptations to archery equipment for individual disabilities is uncanny. But designing the modifications is only the first step in helping an individual with a unique disability. Next, there must be a machinist who can make those modifications. Up to this time Marlon has also been able to do the manufacturing in his own shop. Marlon donates his own time, and as many of you may know design and machinist time is expensive. But like many of us, Marlon is getting older, and we do not have someone who is willing to take on that job, particularly the machinist work on a pro bono basis.

For that reason, I have gone to the FWP to ask that they help with funding the PTMAE through legislation that would set up a special fund for the design, purchase, and/or manufacture of special modifications to archery equipment that will allow those with a disability to pursue bowhunting. This is still in its infancy, but I hope we can meet with FWP in late July or early August to begin discussions about how such legislation will work. I hope that you will be able to support such legislation.

Please stay tuned, I will keep you informed on how things work out in our next issue.

It is important that MBA supports all who desire to bow hunt both with and without disabilities.

But, also realize that using a modern crossbow is not bowhunting. It is more akin to a rifle with a low muzzle velocity. It should not be allowed during Montana’s Archery Only season, not for able-bodied hunters but also for those with a disability.

The Archery Only season’s intent was “primitive”. With the introduction of the compound bow, we have seen some modernity added. But even a compound bow requires that the string is drawn under a person’s strength. That limits the draw weight which limits the arrow velocity and the bow’s effectiveness, unlike a crossbow. Granted many of the modifications to a bow that is made to accommodate a disability are “crossbow” like, but arrow velocities are not increased above those that can be attended with conventional archery equipment. The disabled bowhunter will still be required to practice to become proficient. This is no different than any bowhunter without a disability. The PTMAE does not tip the tables of effectiveness toward those with a disability. Instead, it helps compensate for a disability while still requiring the disabled bowhunter to be proficient with a bow.

Well, that is about all I have right now but again, please stay tuned for future developments.

Jerry Davis

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OFFICER REPORTS

Mandy Garness

Treasurer’s Message

ARCHERY SEASON

is just around the corner...GET READY NOW!

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hope you’re reading this from your happy place...a blind or treestand, perhaps? I’ll keep this short and sweet so you don’t miss the big one walking by.

Please recruit a new member. Are you hunting with someone now who’s not a member? Have a mentor whose opinion you respect that for one reason or another has let membership lapse? The membership application is in the back of this issue, or online at www.mtba.org. We need to support each other and our mission to unite the state’s bowhunting sportsmen to work towards a common goal of preserving and promoting the sport of bowhunting in Montana.

Mark your calendars for April 5-7, 2024 to come to Great Falls for the next banquet. If you have an item to donate or a trophy or photo to display, please reach out to me - camoquilter@ gmail.com. I can also help if you have a business and would like a spot in Manufacturer’s Row. Happy hunting!

Mandy Garness

P.S. - The photo is a quilt up for auction at the banquet - Thanks to Nick and June for the assist and photo credit to Cliff.

Located in the historic Kessler Brewing building. Hwy 12 West end.

Helena 406-449-3111 buffalojumparchery.com

Matt Seibert, CLCS

Sales Executive, Commercial Lines

406-321-0700

matt.seibert@hubinternational.com

Fall 2023 5

REGIONAL REPORTS-CONTINUED

REGION 1 AL KELLY REGION 2 MARLON CLAPHMAN KEVIN ROBINSON REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN ROBIN MESTDAGH (NO REPORT) REGION 4 JUSTIN DOLL JESS WAGNER REGION 5 BEN MULLER (NO REPORT) CHRIS GASNER (NO REPORT) REGION 6 TRISTAN MANUEL NICK SIEBRASSE (NO REPORT)

with others why it’s so important to support groups like the MBA that are working towards keeping and maintaining the awesome archery season we have in Montana. The world is changing and so is our state.

With more and more people discovering Montana, it’s even more important to have your voice heard when it comes to the decisions that will affect our hunting season and land use.

Be sure to encourage your bowhunting friends that are not currently members to become one. The fight seems to get harder every year as big money and corporate greed drive the push to carve out pieces and parts of what we have. Watch for MBA emails and comment to your legislatures when the need arises. We can’t assume we’ll always have what we enjoy now, we have to protect it for future generations.

Also, if you enjoy reading the magazine and seeing the harvest photos then please remember that we need stories, articles, and photos so we can all enjoy.

Keep’m sharp.

REGION 7 RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN (NO REPORT)

Al Kelly

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MARLON CLAPHAM KEVIN ROBINSON

Al Kelly

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My fellow bowhunter, hope that everyone has had a great summer.

As usual, it tends to go way too fast with way too many projects around the house to complete, but at the end of summer, we have bow season so it’s something to look forward to.

I’ve hit a few 3D archery shoots this summer, got to see some old friends, and made some new ones.

If you aren’t someone who goes to 3D archery shoots, I highly recommend it. It’s a great way to spend a weekend and a great way to support local archer clubs. It’s also a good opportunity to share

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ell, the Carp Safari has come and gone. The weather was a bit rough and it rained buckets. Enough that while driving up to the lake the bulge pump kicked in twice to pump out the boat on the highway. And we had the plug out to boot. There was a pretty good turnout despite the weather. Kevin did a great job of putting everything together. (AGAIN) THANKS, Kevin.

The Teen Bowhunter Camp went off as planned.

There were 23 campers and no complaints so all was good. The work party was to cut up blowdown trees in and around the camp area. They put up a mountain of firewood for the owners. Jerry and Beckie Doyle had a good plan and things went accordingly. Jackie and Justin Weidow made all the arrangements for the camp and I thought it was a nice place. They are already making plans for next year’s camp.

The other Youth Camps that the MBA supports are all in progress as of this newsletter, so no report on them.

Merri and Cece, our daughter, and I took a trip to the east side of the state to try other lakes and the carp shooting they might have. We hit the jackpot on the first day. The first carp Cece arrowed was the largest one she has ever taken, 23 ½ pounds. First fish of the trip, then Merri got one that was 25+, her biggest ever. Then Cece got one 27 ½ and Merri got another one at 29 ¾. Me, I finally got my first one at 11:30 pm, and it was my best yet at 31 ½ pounds, and it was the only fish I got that day. We quit for the day at 12:30 am and hit the sack.

Marlon Clapham

The carp were slow getting started in the morning but by noon they were acting rutty and the shooting picked up. Roger met us and showed us some good bays that hold some of the bigger carp. Cece missed a huge one well over the thirty-pound class. By the late afternoon, we had 24 carp in the boat. After supper, we put the lights back on but we noticed a storm rolling in from the north. Roger told us if we see a storm get off the lake. We waited until almost dark and the lighting kicked in, so we tied the boat up to shore tight and went to bed. At 12:30 am the wind hit so hard it blew our tent to shreds, even tore the floor out of it. By morning, our swamped boat was pushed up on the beach sideways with 18 inches of water in, setting on the ground. It took 1 ½ hours to bail it out and another ½ hour to push it back into the lake.

Roger came back around and helped us get the boat loaded in the wind and all our stuff loaded in the truck.

But we were still having a great time. We all got the biggest carp we ever got. I will get to buy a new tent, maybe. And we will go back next year.

I was one of 23 Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructors invited to look into the program. We worked on a bunch of ideas for two days and put a lot of information down on paper. We will have another meeting next month to finish our thoughts and work out the details. The FWP wants to try to get us some updated material for our classes, and there is a lot of talk about combining the two classes together. They would have to add hours and combine the tests, otherwise, the students would have 160 test questions and there will need to be changes in the field. All bowhunter online students will have to take the field day, whereas hunter ed students over the age of 18 will not have to take a field day. A lot to work out there.

The FWP Scoping process has begun and there have been loads of meetings across the state. Here in Region 2, there will not be many changes. The elk B tags may change a bit but nothing serious. There was talk about allowing the Moose and Goat hunters to be able to start early with archery only like the sheep and black bear, no one opposed this idea. Now we are moving into the open public comment period. Check with your area FWP biologist or information director to get more information on an area you want to know more about or give me a call. I can help get you the information.

I hope the rest of your summer goes well and if you drew special tags, you better be getting prepared now, it will make your hunt more enjoyable.

Get in some shooting, Keep them Broadheads sharp, and Shoot them Straight.

Marlon Clapham

REGIONAL REP0RTS

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ll is well here in Missoula; it was cold and rainy, but now it’s hot. The Carp Safari seems like it was months ago, I guess it was. I think everyone had a blast despite the lack of carp in the dumpster. A big thanks to Claudia and Jerry for helping out with with every Carp Safari. Thanks to our MBA president Ken for doing all the burger flipping. Teri Kelly was the captain of the photo shoot and Al Kelly was there. Marlon and Jackie helped with the weigh-in. The Garness clan was there helping out too. And a huge thanks to all the participants that came to shoot a few fish and hang out with us. The highlight for me was watching my son shoot his first carp; it was awesome. I have to admit I got a little choked up, which is weird.

As a Rep for Region 2, I made a proposal during FWP comment period on setting up our archery Moose and Mountain Goat season to mirror the current early archery opening day for Big Horn Sheep.

That’s a no-brainer.

Antelope opener is right around the corner with September bugles coming soon too. I hope everyone is shooting well and sharpening their broadheads.

Please share your field photos and stories with us for the next newsletter. Good luck everyone! Shoot straight!

Region 2 Rep | 406-531-8243

Kevin M Robinson

Justin Doll HD 311: Recent flight reports indicated a decrease in antelope populations well below the 10-year average. However, the buck-to-doe ratio was above the 10-year average. This year’s count classified 182 does, 55 fawns, and 61 bucks for 30 fawns per 100 does and 34 bucks per 100 does.

Because of the reduced doe and fawn numbers, FWP is decreasing the either sex tags from 150 to 75 for the 2023 season.

HD 360: FWP classified 244 pronghorn west of the Madison River and 193 on the east side of the Madison River for a total of 437 pronghorn classified. They counted 108 fawns, 236 does, and 93 bucks.

Given the high mortality rates in collared females this winter, the declines in total counts, and the below-average fawn/doe recruitment, FWP proposed a within-quota range decrease from 500 to 350 licenses, which represents about a 30% decline in licenses. There is no explicit population objective in Madison Valley, but when pronghorn numbers are between 1,600 to 1,800, game damage complaints are rare and hunter opportunity is maximized. When future population counts (taken in spring) indicate the population recovers to within this range, FWP will propose to again increase these either-sex licenses.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions or if you would like me to email you these full reports. Thanks for your support and good luck this fall!

Sincerely,

Liberty Brown

Kevin Robinson

406-570-4280 | mbareg3@gmail.com

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Hello Region 3 Bowhunters, can’t believe the 2023 archery season is about to start. Where did the summer go? I unfortunately did not draw any special tags this year but I did get my 900-20 antelope tag, which feels like a win these days. As many of us are getting ready to go out and stalk speed goats, I thought I’d share some data recently released by FWP.

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and grass in some places was almost up to my hips.

Hopefully, everyone is in the middle of making plans for their fall hunts and putting the finishing tuning touches on their gear.

By the time most of you are reading this, the comment periods for the new Elk Management Plan and Biennial Hunting Season-Setting will have closed. It looks like there will be some changes that will be beneficial to some of Montana’s mule deer and elk herds, so that will be interesting to see what the final products are.

Liberty Brown

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JUSTIN DOLL JESS WAGNER

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Greetings everyone! s I sit here and write this, it seems that summer has finally shown up. So far, it has been a wet and mild spring and summer, which should be very beneficial to the game species throughout the state. I recently made a scouting trip and was amazed at the complete 180 of the condition of the landscape compared to last year. Seems every low spot is holding water

Jess Wagner

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ell, the wait is finally over, and the draft for the new Elk Management Plan is out. I am pleased to see the objectives for most districts were raised to more reasonable levels. I recently attended the FWP season-setting meeting in Lewistown. I found out the department is considering removing quota ranges for buck and bull permits. This means the biologists would have to get commission approval to change permit numbers. To make matters worse, to justify the changes to permit numbers, biologists would have to submit data to the commission before they even do their winter counts. This is concerning for many reasons. We’ve seen the unfortunate consequences in other states when a commission has too much authority, such as losing spring bear seasons. I don’t see this happening anytime soon in a conservative state like Montana, but I think taking the decision-making authority away from the professional biologists and giving more of that authority to an appointed commission that might have its own special interests is never a good thing.

On a brighter note, we learned that leftover archery elk permits in the former 900 bundle districts are not going out for sale like they did last year.

These permits also don’t have a quota range (due to a decision made by the commission), so there were as many as 4-600 leftover permits in some districts last year. It’s evident that those permit numbers were set too high by the commission based on the number of leftovers that were available. This is another reason why I would hate to see the quota ranges go away. Hopefully, with the leftovers not being sold, the hunter-crowding issue won’t be as bad in those districts. FWP is also recommending some changes in Region 4 to benefit mule deer. This year it is proposed to be antlered deer only on a general tag, with the Breaks units going to special permits for bucks next year. Mule deer are really struggling in much of the region, so it is encouraging to see FWP putting the resource first, even if it might not be a popular move with hunters.

Good luck with your hunts this Fall!

Jess Wagner Fall 2023 7

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TRISTAN MANUEL NICK SIEBRASSE

s I write this, the July heat has me daydreaming about brisk mornings in a tree waiting for that buck that keeps giving me the slip. I was fortunate enough to draw a Midwest whitetail tag this year and will head to Kansas for my first out-of-state deer hunt. As far as Montana tags go, it will be business as usual. I’m looking forward to chasing some does with the stick and string and even filling the freezer! Maybe the Bruiser buck will slip up and give me a chance. Hope you are all well and 2023 has been good for you. I hope I have a story to tell about a big Kansas deer in the future! Pick a spot and shoot straight.

Tristan Manuel

Tristan Manuel

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REGION 7

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RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN

ope this newsletter finds you all practiced-up and physically fit for the upcoming archery season. The 2024 season-setting process is well underway as I write this newsletter. Hopefully, you all took the time to attend the associated FWP public meetings during June and July as they were very informative.

I attended the Miles City meeting on July 6th, along with 17 other dedicated sportsmen. That meeting covered the new (draft) elk management plan, the new elk EIS, and a detailed mule deer management discussion. The FWP folks also touched on a new moose opportunity in Region 7, which would involve two permits (too cool – right!). All aspects of the various presentations were positive outside of the ongoing concern about reduced private land access to a growing portfolio of big game.

Elk seem to always dominate the conversation in these meetings, with this one being no exception.

Those big animals are flat-out amazing and they command our attention when we are around them.

Region 7 certainly is experiencing growing pains associated with elk with populations expanding on private lands throughout. A concerning reluctance by a large percentage of the region’s private landowners to allow some kind of public access is becoming a flashpoint that will have to be addressed in some compromising manner. Let’s all help in any way that we can to improve our landowner/ sportsmen relationships.

Elk that reside (usually temporarily) on the public side of the fence are a completely different

REMINDER:

story. Without exception, those herds that take the brunt of the population management goals (because there is access) are well below objective.

The new elk plan tries to address that imbalance through a number of options, including my favorite, that have the various departments working together to improve conditions that would result in better-holding elk where desired. A joint effort of this kind is long overdue and has (in my opinion) the highest chance of success. The new Elk plan covers that option nicely. Good for us!

Mule deer numbers have become a concern for all the stakeholders. Populations are down, especially on public lands. General license buck hunting, abundant antlerless “B” licenses, CWD protocol, increased hunter pressure, and a tough winter have all caused negative impacts. The department is recognizing the drop and the reasons why, with newly proposed strategies to reverse the trends. Unfortunately, added restrictions are involved in each. Hopefully you have responded through written public comment.

My two cents on the mule deer challenges are to only use added restrictions temporarily while the long-term management plan is being implemented.

The entire state is seeing the negative population impacts which are causing (in some HD’s) out-ofbalance hunter densities. Data shows a noticeable shift of western Montana hunters to the eastern side. That shift is causing crowding and overharvest issues that didn’t exist when the western and central herds were healthy. Developing and implementing an effective long term statewide plan is the key to getting back the mule deer opportunities we all desire.

Wishing you nothing but twelve rings this fall!

Rick Miller Thought you might find this photo interesting as I center punched a mule deer on the way home from the Miles City FWP meeting. Kind of ironic that I had just spent two hours trying to help devise a plan to increase their populations. Our nearly new car has been totaled. Damn ungrateful deer – right!

Mailing Labels Show Your Membership Renewal Date

www.pronghornbows.com 307-234-1824 evenings 2491 West 42nd Street Casper, WY 82604

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DIRECTORS AT LARGE

CLIFF GARNESS JAKE GARNESS JEREMY HARWOOD (NO REPORT) BRIAN KOELZER JUNE LEPAGE MIKE SHEPARD JACKIE WEIDOW ALISHIA ZEMLICKA (NO REPORT)

Cliff Garness

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t seems as though summer may be finally here with a little more sunshine than rain lately and my lawn is starting to show signs of brown grasses. A few of us from the MBA helped support the Bridger Bowmen at their 2-day shoot in early June. While the weather did not cooperate like we wished (a rainy, muddy mess) the MBA still signed up over 30 new members! Thank you to the new members, thank you Bridger Bowmen and the landowners, and thanks to the MBA Folks who came and helped out. Mandy and I have done a few archery shoots already this spring with more on the summer schedule. Hopefully, many of you will be able to get out and support the local clubs and fling some arrows in anticipation of the oncoming seasons.

I “burned” all my elk points this year and drew a pretty great elk tag, so hopefully, I will not be writing about “tag soup” in magazines to come.

Stay tuned for that story. Region 4 is hosting the MBA Convention in Great Falls in April 2024, so there will be more information forthcoming as prizes, schedules, and guest speakers are finalized.

Everyone, please have a great rest of your summer, and good luck in the upcoming seasons

Cliff Garness

Region 4

DirectorsAt Large

As another year goes on, work drags on and summer seems to be flying by in the blink of an eye. Everyone has put in for tags and is hoping for that special one.

Many are disappointed by the results but not me this year. In the process of putting in for tags this year, I fumbled a number or two around and put in for the wrong area. I was mad at first but looking at it now, I am humbled.

This year I am headed back to my old stomping grounds. The patchy open timber of the Missouri River Breaks. I have a few busy weekends this year, so I am cutting myself short on time already.

Like who gets married in the middle of hunting season?! I haven’t done any scouting this year, but I am hoping to do a little before and after my Africa trip. Cut it short and hope for the best.

I have another bug that has made it into my ear in the last couple of years. I Jake Garness have always wanted a big or even decent mule deer with my bow. I figured I could hunt elk in the cool mornings and evenings and go chase big mule deer in the open plains and valleys during the heat of the day. I am hoping one or the other will work out in the end. I am quite excited about what this hunting season has to offer for all one of us.

I hope everyone had good luck this year with drawing tags. I wish everyone a happy hunting season which is upon us and hope to see everyone at the next meeting. HAPPY HUNTING SEASON.

Jake Garness

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ust like every summer, this one seems to be racing by at an alarming rate of speed. Long days, warm evenings, and lots of fun need to be packed into a very short window. Each season requires preparation and planning, which I do enjoy, but with the addition of two young boys in our family, the workload is certainly heavier than it used to be. Long gone are the days of taking ten minutes to throw some stuff in the truck and be ready for a weekend camping adventure. I feel more like the Beverly hillbillies now loading up for a couple of days away from home.

We are beyond blessed here in MT that we can hunt big game 10 months straight every year with almost certainty. In that small June 15 to August 15 window, there is still small-game to pursue and many 3D shoots to choose from. Hunting-themed 3D shoots are getting to be very popular and I do enjoy getting to a few every year.

The MBA partnered with the Bridger Bowmen to host their summer shoot and despite Mother Natures’ best attempts to dampen (no pun intended) the spirits, it was a great time and was well attended. The Morton family, who are all MBA members, was gracious enough to offer their beautiful Jackson Creek mountain ranch outside Bozeman to host the event. The Friday of set up was a muddy mess and ended with two diesel trucks, a side-by-side, and a skid steer all pulling the gear trailer tandem through a creek bottom. Regardless of the weather two 20 target courses were set up and base camp was established. Saturday was a constant drizzle of rain and an inch and a half was accumulated over the course of the day. Despite the weather people were showing up to shoot and at the end of their rounds they were soaked to the bone but were wearing smiles that went from ear to ear! Sunday dawned overcast and cool but the clouds gave way to sunshine and a lot of people showed up for some fun.

A bunch of families with their kids attended and Jim Morton (Jim Morton Photography) took some great photos of the family fun.

Ken Schultz, the whole Garness family, and I took turns manning the MBA booth we had set up at base camp, and over the two days signed up 35 new members and sold a bunch of merch. It was great getting to chat with folks about what the MBA does for bowhunting in MT and seeing their enthusiasm to join up and have a voice in what’s going on.

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Fall 2023

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DIRECTORS AT LARGE-CONTINUED

The men and women of Bridger Bowmen as usual busted their butts and had things perfectly organized. Historically this has been a one-day shoot but in partnering with the MBA decided to do a two-day shoot. A food truck was onsite as well as port-a-potties and ample room for camping. There were a ton of awesome prizes and raffles to win as well. We are hoping to grow this event in the future and I encourage everyone to put this on your calendar for next summer.

Back in December, I received a phone call from Bryan Burkhardt, the president of Compton Traditional Bowhunters, and he asked if I’d be willing to be a keynote speaker at the summer rendezvous in Michigan. I eagerly jumped at the honor and spent a long weekend in Michigan in mid-June. That group knows how to throw a party! There were four 3D courses, miles of vendors, non-stop seminars, and big suppers on both Friday and Saturday nights under a circus tent. Over 3,000 people attended from all over the country and I had an absolute blast getting to know so many new people. Comptons has backed the MBA in our legislative battle against the crossbow during the last two sessions and I had a lot of folks there congratulate us for fighting and continuing to win!

The last event I attended was in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming. It was a Professional Bowhunters Society (PBS) odd-year gathering hosted by Steve Hohensee of Wyoming and Bubba Graves of Texas. (PBS has also backed us in the crossbow battle in the last two sessions.). The location was at 9,200 feet in elevation west of Buffalo and 60 people from 19 different states showed up for the event. A 3D course was set up in the timber and an archery golf range was set up in the vast mountain meadows. My wife and I loaded up the truck and kids with what felt like a month’s supply of food and fun to head down for the weekend. Everyone camped in a central location inside a large grove of trees and days were spent shooting arrows, cooking food, and telling stories of past hunts and adventures that lay ahead. As usual, the time flew by and we left tired, dirty, and excited for the next adventure!

All these events are kid-friendly and I encourage anyone with youngsters to get them out and let them shoot their bows! It’s so much fun to watch children shooting with their parents and older kids out roaming in a pack zipping arrows at foam deer. Fresh mountain air, endless wilderness, and shooting bows are the best summer recreation I can imagine. I don’t consider bowhunting and archery a sport but a way of life and it’s a pleasure to spend time at events like these and hang out with others who feel the same way. Bring on September!!

Brian Koelzer

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he Carp Safari brought in lots of fish and smiles despite the weather this year and I appreciate everyone who made the event possible. I was also very fortunate to have a great conversation prompted by the festivities; some of my colleagues collected water and soil samples from Canyon Ferry Lake on the same day the MBA held the great, highly anticipated event. They were very confused by boats full of sunburned bow-wielders and trash cans of stinky carp. They were even more surprised when I pulled out my phone to show them the carp I shot at the same bay they had collected samples from. I got to elaborate on what bow fishing is and what the MBA does. We had a great conversation about invasive species, conservation groups, and bowhunting in general. This reinforced to me that when people ask questions, they are just curious and you can take it as an opportunity to educate. Any time you can share your passion or hobby is a gift. Keep spreading the word about the awesomeness of bowhunting this upcoming season!

June LePage June LePage Mike Shepard

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ope all are well this summer. I am on a different thought pattern still over the crossgun issues. Many years ago, we descended upon the FWP Regional Office 1, in Kalispell, and did a protest demanding that wolves be delisted and hunted.

For two days I was in the cold doing that. Many groups came, but one was absent. Fast forward now to the last two sessions. This same group was still absent, and any bow bender knows what allowing crossguns into the bowhunting season will do to all the harvest totals. Usually shortening the seasons, especially with the population increase we are seeing. Now, I don’t want to anger any of you, but any guesses which group? RMEF. It seems to me that they have forgotten us little people, the ones who built it from the early days of its start.

At 74 years old, I have been involved with FWP topics since 1979, and am no longer with various groups. Some are morphing into quasi-environmental anti-oil, gas, ranching, mining, etc. groups. But even when I called RMEF to help during the wolf topic years ago, nothing.

Where are they today over the use of a bolt-firing, scoped, shoulder-mounted weapon which could change our season forever?

I am just giving you food for thought. Other than that, no permits save a B deer tag, which I am thankful for. Good luck, be safe and be ethical in our upcoming season.

Ye OLDE BOWHUNTER....

Mike Shepard

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Preparing for the HUNT!

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he season is coming! Have you begun to get prepared for the hunting season?

Are you getting new gear this year or running the same setup? Do you practice like you hunt? Are your broadheads sharp? Is your bowstring waxed? Are your arrows tuned to your bow? Is your hunting pack ready? Do you have permission for that private property piece you want to hunt? Are your binoculars in good shape? Are your boots broken in? Are you in good shape to pack that animal out of the backcountry?

How are your calling skills?

There are so many questions that come in the preseason. There is a lot that goes into the preseason. Have you started scouting yet? Did you draw the tags you wanted? Taking the time now to answer all these questions will help you to be better prepared for the hunt this coming season.

To prepare for the upcoming season it is important to practice like you’re going to hunt.

Load your pack, strap on your gear, and hit the hills. Shooting from different positions, and different yardages will help you to become a more skilled archery hunter. While you’re in your yard doing yard work put on a weight vest or a pack to help build muscle while you do your chores. Take evening walks with your gear on, or take a bike ride. Take your gear when you go scouting. The more in shape you get now the better you will feel when you start to climb that first big mountain this fall after that screaming bull.

Just like getting in shape physically, you need to practice your calling. You do not want to hit a duck call when you have that 350-plus-inch bull coming in hot! Learning the different calls and when to use them is very important. Do you know when to use an estrus call? Do you know how long a cow is in estrus? A cow elk is in estrus for only 24 hours! Crazy I know. But knowing when to use your cow estrus call is very important. Do you know when and where to use a locator bugle? Do you know when and where to use a challenge bugle? Or a bark? Do bulls cow call? What animal imitates a cow elk? Have you ever heard an elk glunk? Do you know what glunking is? So many questions when it comes to calling.

I always want to keep learning and exploring my passion of archery hunting. The more I learn, the more I can pass on to the next generation of bowhunters coming up behind me.

By meeting new people and exploring new country I learn more each time I hit the woods.

I highly encourage you to start preparing for the upcoming season. If you’re new and need help, please reach out and ask. I am always happy to help. There are many resources out there to use. Did you draw a special tag? Not sure of the area? Call and talk to the local biologist in that area. Reach out to other hunters. Go to a 3D shoot. Go shoot some gophers. Go stump shooting. Do something that gets you motivated for this upcoming season.

I wish you all the best for this upcoming season! Please make sure and share your hunting stories with us. Whether it’s a story about your first archery harvest, helping a friend, taking out a first-time bowhunter, or harvesting your animal, we want to hear from you!!

Jackie Weidow

Jackie Weidow

Jackie Weidow

Fall 2023 11

TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP

2023 MBA Camp Beckie Doyle

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his year we are very thankful for the wonderful place we were able to hold camp at, Moon Eagle River Ranch in Sula, MT. The facilities and staff were amazing and the location provided a great experience.

Every year we have a group of younger bowhunters (youth belonging to our fabulous volunteers) engaged with our teen campers and I must tell you all how proud I am of these teen mentors. They are never “bothered” by the littles and take the time to pass down what they are learning from the adults. It makes my heart happy to be around these wonderful leaders of tomorrow. I want to thank our many volunteers and special guests.

Lou Royce, South Bitterroot, MT FWP Game Warden, and Rebecca Mowry, Bitterroot Biologist for MT FWP engaged in conversation with our campers and shared a lot of knowledge. It is great to watch the kids engage with professionals who have careers relating to the things we love to do and how they can be active in their futures in the bowhunting world. I’d like to thank Pete Seigel and his wife and helper. Pete traveled to share his adaptive equipment, and his experiences as a challenged bowhunter and outdoorsman, and Pete graciously gave the children his time and energy on and off the 3D course. Thank you!

Every year I try to sum up the year’s camp and I find something lacking in the article. I found it while transcribing the campers’ words from the journaling they did this year. There are a few youngsters who had to leave early before we had them write their notes, but I know they echo the sentiments of their friends. Please enjoy reading their perspectives and thank you to everyone who makes this camp a success.

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Straight from the young bowhunters!

TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP

Landen V. from Victor, MT (8) I learned how to make a fire, I learned sometimes you have to take the hard road. I learned how to shoot out of a tree stand.

Andrew W. from Anaconda, MT (13) This was my first year at camp and I liked the sacks we got. I really liked hiking and fishing. Above all, my favorite was meeting Pete Seigal and watching him shoot.

Morgan D. from Libby MT (17) My name is Morgan D. I am 17 and I cannot say enough about how amazing this camp is. This is my second year here that my dad and I have attended. Since I started, I have learned years of experience, strategies, and tactics within a few days. It has helped me become a better hunter, outdoorsman, and a better man. I have built lifelong friendships and intend to attend as a helper for many years to come. I appreciate every person who donated or sacrificed something of theirs to give to random kids.

Jack E. from Trout Creek, MT (13) I learned how to use an elk reed and I was able to shoot better. We got to fish and shoot and set up a treestand. We also got to start fires and build forts. Also, we got to meet new people and make new friends. Overall, it was super fun.

Riley B. from Kalispell, MT (15) The reason I came back to camp is because last year I learned a lot more than I ever could by myself. So, I came back because I needed to learn more about bowhunting and being a better human. I would recommend this camp to anyone of any age and any experience. — Thanks, Riley Dylan B. from Kalispell, MT (17) My name is Dylan B. I am 17 years old and from Kalispell. I wanted to come back this year because I had a fun experience while learning a lot. I learned more than I thought I could know last year and came back to learn more. I would like to come back next year to expand my knowledge and experience new country. I have had a great time both times I have come and I would recommend this to any bowhunter who wants to learn and have fun doing it.

Jordyn from Great Falls MT (13) What I liked about camp was the elk simulation hunt because it was fun. Also, because they are so much fun to do the hike and the blood trail. I liked the experience that we had and we got to enjoy it. I loved my time here and I hope that I get to do it again. What I really enjoyed was that I got to make friends while doing the things that I love to do. I liked that we all were working together and having a great time.

Cody M. from Missoula, MT (12) I learned in MBA that the things that you would need are on you most of the time. I also learned how to make a signal fire. What I learned third is how to read tracks of how many of the animal is in the area. Fourth, I learned how to make a hunt dinner.

JJ Boyer from Trout Creek, MT (10) I like bow camp. I had a lot of fun. I went in a treestand and I shot a deer and a pig. I like bow camp.

Riley R. from Trout Creek, MT (14) My name is Riley R. and I live in Trout Creek. My age is 14 years old. I love to hunt and fish. The only reason that I came back to the “Teen Bowhunter Camp” is because I want to be a very good bowhunter. What I like about this camp is that they want to teach teens how to bowhunt properly.

Jaki W. from Hamilton, MT (14) At this camp I learned a lot that I can use for the rest of my life. This camp was a very good experience and I learned a lot about bowhunting.

It was cool to meet a bunch of people. While I was here, I learned about shot placement and blood trailing. I had a very good experience while I was at this camp.

Adam M. from Missoula, MT (10) I learned how to make a signal fire and why duct tape was on our lighters. Sometimes you have to take the hard route.

Brayden R. from Trout Creek, MT (12) My name is Brayden R. I live in Trout Creek/ Kalispell. My age is 12. I love to fish and hunt. I like to be here. Camp was fun. Next year we will come to help people. I like to watch Pete shoot.

Avery S. from Hamilton, MT (14) My time at this camp was really well spent. I learned so much that I will use for the rest of my life. My bow got fixed by Jerry and it is now shooting so much better, hopefully making me a more successful bowhunter.

I had a lot of fun memories and made some really great friends. Everyone includes others and it is nice and very helpful. We were able to learn a lot from the local game warden and biologist. I would definitely come back to this camp in the future.

Bella N. from Trout Creek, MT (12) This was my first time at camp and I really enjoyed it. While I was here, I learned many things like survival tactics and hunting skills like stalking and blood trailing. Camp is really fun and I made friends while I was here. I totally recommend this camp.

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TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP -CONTINUED

Pete Seigel and some of the campers

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DONORS

Montana Bowunter Association Donors

LIBBY

32032 US Highway 2 406-293-7797 LesSchwab.com

Fall 2023 15

MEMBER STORY

Taking

Bowhunting Carp to New “Heights”

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s a group, we are all pretty serious about our bowhunting...practice hard, scout our areas, sit for hours in a tree stand or blind, and hike for miles to take that perfect animal. But sometimes we need to take a little break and just have fun! Bow shoots with 3-D targets, stump shooting, and our favorite—bowhunting for carp. We have missed only a few of the Carp Safari events at Canyon Ferry over the last 20ish years.

It is something we look forward to every year. This year, however, we tried something new.

We traveled to Peoria, IL to shoot FLYING CARP! Can you say FUN!!!

The LePage family went on this particular adventure a few years back and highly recommended it. So, we did our research...we watched YouTube videos of Peoria Carp Hunters. Oh yeah, we were going to do that! So, we set off for Illinois.

When we got to the dock, there was a pontoon boat with a head-high net almost all the way around it. What’s this? Are we imprisoned? Does he drive so wild we need this precaution to keep from falling out? We soon learned the net was to protect us from kamikaze carp trying to murder us! Well not quite, but they do jump onto the boat and I’m sure they wanted to kill us! These carp are about twice the size of the average carp we shoot at Canyon Ferry and they pack a wallop when they hit you!

Once we boarded the boat, we were a little skeptical. No carp were jumping on the river.

Did we come on the carp’s day off? It turns out that the aluminum hull and 2-stroke engine make a vibration that riles up the fish. As a result, they start jumping behind and by the sides of the boat as we travel the river. When you hit a pod of fish, they go wild! The ride erupts into total chaos! Fish are jumping all over the place, including into the boat! Two hunters shot from the back of the boat and two from off the sides. There were fish and arrows flying everywhere! Brad and John actually shot the same carp at the same time!! We shot so many fish we lost count...now that’s a good time!! At the end of the day, our shoulders felt like we had been breaking rocks on the chain gang and we didn’t get feeling back in our fingers for a week (NOT an exaggeration!)

We caught and released (dead) all the fish we shot, but Captain Nate says you can actually eat these —they are not bottom feeders and have white meat. Ahhhh...no thanks!

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CARPOLOGY

“Carpology” and other fun facts about Cyprinus Carpio (carp)

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s bowfishermen and bowfishergals, our best chances to kill carp with our bows is obviously during the time of year when they are spawning.

This is not the case if you’re targeting them with a rod and reel. Carp do not eat while spawning so you’d be lucky to get one to gobble up bait or take a fly off of the surface. The Carp Safari is typically the second weekend in June every year, a date that is determined months in advance. Some years the Carp killing success is fantastic and other years it’s tough to kill any and many factors are to blame. Well, I did a little googling and discovered some interesting tidbits you may or may not have known about why the carp do what they do

The Carp Spawning Season All across the country the common carp spawning season varies. Here in Montana, the carp spawn seems to begin mid-May through July although I’ve seen them freaking out and acting “spawny” in August as well.

Best Time of Day Carp tend to spawn in either the early morning hours before sunrise or the time right before sunset. Lying in bed in camp I hear those suckers splashing and spawning every year at Canyon Ferry whether the shooting is good or not.

Ideal Water Temperature Spawning occurs when the water temperature is between 63 and 78 degrees.

However, the water temperature also needs to remain at a consistent temperature and they don’t typically spawn when water temperatures over-fluctuate.

Ideal Weather Condition Hot and Sunny! Carp will also spawn after rain or when early summer water levels rise. Sunshine seems to be the key though and also makes for ideal spotting and shooting conditions.

The “Business” All the “breeding” is done externally. Meaning the female lays her eggs and the males fertilize externally. For that reason, one female may have 5 to 6 males next to her trying to fertilize her eggs. The males nudge the female to encourage the release of eggs and all that frantic splashing, chasing, and nudging is like an elk bugle to the carp hunter. I just got goosebumps.

Fishy Intelligence Surprisingly, Carp have a higher intelligence than the average fish and sense movement out of the water particularly well. Carp emit pheromones when they panic which then alert the other nearby fish about possible predators, potentially more fake news.

Mirror Carp Multiple Spawns Usually will spawn three to four times each year with the peak being from the end of May until the end of June. This is probably why we see so many carp and it’s extremely difficult to reduce their numbers.

Carp are Prolific!

A single female carp can lay up to one million eggs in a spawning season. Both males and females have been known to eat their own eggs as well, which could be fake news.

Every year at the Carp Safari weigh in we get a handful of interesting looking carp with wild scale patterns. The Mirror Carp are a type of common carp that have mutations that affect their scale patterns. It is believed that the fish was bred by monks in Asia to have a lack of scales which made it easier to prepare for the dinner table. Ok, I’m at the mercy of the internet here and I don’t get paid to fact-check.

Well, there you have it. We may not be able to predict what the Carp Safari weather will be, or the water temperature, or the lake levels but what we CAN count on every year is an abundance of Carp lurking around somewhere in Canyon Ferry. Carpe Diem!

Fall 2023

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2023 CARP SAFARI

2023

Carp Safari 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Carp Princess Carp King Ruger Licht Adult Big Fish Jeremy Koppes

15 lb 7 oz

Adult Small Fish Jay Searles

2 lb 3 oz

Adult Most Fish Mike Prescott

11 fish

Team Most Fish Tyler Boschma and Parker Osterloh

83 fish

Youth Big Fish Adrianna Allegrucci 8 lb 3 oz Youth Most Fish and Carp King Ruger Licht Youth Small Fish Jackson Speeg Winner of the AMS Youth reel Ove Robinson

1

TOP: Cecelia Clapham 28 1/2 pound |carp MIDDLE: Marlon Clapham 29 1/2 pound carp.

BOTTOM: Merri Clapham 29 1/2 pound carp 18

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1 fish

2023 CARP SAFARI

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5

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8 7 10

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BOW

BOW SHOOT

SHOOT

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BOW SHOOT

Fall 2023

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BLAST FROM THE PAST

Blast from the Past 1990 For this segment of the Blast From The Past is from the 1990 January Newsletter. It is the first issue of the new decade, and Buddy Lundstrom was our MBA President at the time of the newsletter. In the president’s letter he reflected back on his tenure as president for the four years.

The 1980’s the MBA made some great strides for the bowhunters of Montana. The 800 antelope archery season was put in the works and we continued to foster and expand every year. Mandatory bowhunter education for all 12- to 18-year-olds. Montana was voted the 2nd best Bowhunter Ed program in North America at the recent meeting for state and province bowhunter ed chairmen. We were second only to Nova Scotia which requires all bowhunters to take bowhunter education.

Buddy’s hat went off to Mike Shepard and Richard Parker who worked so hard and traveled hundreds of miles to reach this goal.

For all those who purchase the plate, the MBEF would like to invite you to send us a photo of your plate on your vehicle.

Be creative, include yourself, pets, family, trophies of all sorts, etc.

Photos will be posted on the website. www.mtbowhuntermuseum.org

Our MT bowhunting season went from 26 days in 1981 to 44 days 1989, and this doesn’t include all the early or late season that are archery only. The MBA worked to get the Wildlife Habitat bill passed and have seen thousands of acres of land made available to sportsman and wildlife in the form of winter habitat.

We worked very hard to defeat bills that would hurt the bowhunters. Twice the MBA defeated bills that would allow the crossbow in our Bowhunting season. Also defeated was a bill that would require an either/or season, choose your weapon. We helped to defeat a bill that would privatize wildlife and open up Texas style game farms in Montana.

The MBA helped conduct a survey of MT Bowhunters which helped explode many of the myths about Bowhunters in general.

I’ll cover more of the 1990’s in the next MBA newsletter, I just liked the way Buddy covered the 1980’s in his President’s Message. So, until the next issue this is all I have. Hope you enjoy this bit of history.

Marlon Clapham 22

WWW.MTBA.ORG

CONTACT NUMBERS

Region 1

Region 5

Vice Chair

CommissionerRegion5@mtfwp.org (406) 860-7416 Billings, Montana

Pat Tabor

Brian Cebull

CommissionerRegion1@mtfwp.org (406) 250-2899 Whitefish, Montana

Region 2

Region 6

Jeff Burrows

Lesley Robinson

CommissionerRegion2@mtfwp.org Hamilton, Montana

Commission Chair

CommissionerRegion6@mtfwp.org (406) 301-0787 Dodson, Montana

Region 7

Region 3

William Lane

Susan Kirby Brooke

CommissionerRegion7@mtfwp.org (406) 981-0048 Ismay, Montana

CommissionerRegion3@mtfwp.org (406) 613-8562 Bozeman, Montana

Fish & Wildlife Commission Members

Region 4 KC Walsh

CommissionerRegion4@mtfwp.org (406) 599-9556 Martinsdale, Montana

fwpwld@mt.gov/aboutfwm/commission

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

Active as of August 2023

Become a Business Member of the MBA and be listed on this page every issue! For membership visit www.mtba.org.

Blue Creek Outdoors

Joe Bartlett

1902 Woodbine Way

Polson

MT

59860

307-851-4883

Buffalo Jump Archery

Judy Adams

P.O. Box 5581

Helena

MT

59604

406-539-3936

Elk Creek Family Outfitters

David Hein

1021 Toole Circle

Billings

MT

59105

406-670-4366

Flaming Arrow Archery

Nicole Tindale

1282 Hwy 2 East

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-752-0702

JB’S Les Schwab Tire

Kellen MacDonald

PO Box 744

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-7797

Kimzey Knifeworks

Dan Kimzey

134 Blue Heron Dr

Hamilton

MT

59840

406-361-5863

Kutawagan Outfitters/ Bearpaw Lodge

Jeff and Annette Smith

Box 70

Choiceland

SK

S0J 0M0

306-428-2032

204 West 9th St

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-4641

Limpopo

0555

27116794664

Libby Sports Center Matablas Game Hunters

Willem Frost

PO Box 1559

Lephalale

Mathews Archery, Inc

Josh Morrissey

919 River Road

Sparta

WI

54656

608-269-2728

Montana Veterinary Hospital

Dennis Moylan

1455 Hidden Valley Rds

Bozeman

MT

59718

406-580-2019

Mountain Copper Creations

Jim Clapham

4085 Old Marshall Grade Road

East Missoula

MT

59802

406-880-9411

Philipsburg Coffee Roasters, LLC

Kevin Lorensen

100 Stevie Lane, #767

Philipsburg

MT

59858

406-317-3026

Pronghorn Custom Bows

Herb Meland

2491 W 42nd St

Casper

WY

82604

307-234-1824

Schafer Silvertip Custom Bows

Dave Windauer

357 Roberts Rd

Columbia Falls

MT

59912

406-892-0580

She Hunts Montana

Megan Thrash

75 Three Corners Road S

Trout Creek

MT

59874

406-595-0092

The Footed Shaft

John Hanson

44 Shaffer Lane

Toston

MT

59643

406-616-3200

The Stickbow Chronicles

Rob Patuto

821 West Shinglemill Rd

Sandpoint

ID

83864

208-610-3795

Toelke Traditional Archery

Dan & Jared Toelke

31345 Lost Creek Ln

Ronan

MT

59864

406-253-4949

Trophy Blends Scents

Bruce Hoyer

PO Box 466

Belt

MT

59412

406-403-2231

Twite Realty

Mark Twite

8015 Indreland Road

Missoula

MT

59808

406-880-1956

Yellowstone Longbow

Rich Wormington

280 HWY 14A E

Lovell

WY

82431

307-548-6292

Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets

Terry L & Dylan Zink

PO Box 1272

Marion

MT

59925

406-253-4670

Fall 2023

23

HEADER

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

What the MBA offers you: Expanded hunting opportunities through working with FWP and commissioners to preserve and expand bowhunting seasons Unified voice during legislative sessions to protect seasons and access programs while opposing efforts which seek to limit the role of FWP in managing wildlife Fellowship with others who are interested in shaping the future of bowhunting

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP One Year $25.00 Three Years $67.00 Life $500.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP One Year $30.00 Three Years $85.00 Life $750.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

Quarterly magazine keeping you informed on local, state, and national bowhunting issues, bowhunter education, events, and great hunting stories

$5.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP

Add $10.00 a year to membership choice for added mailing costs

Join Today!

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

YES! I Wish to join the MBA. Enclosed is my check, money order or credit card for membership checked below!

SEND TO: MBA, PO BOX 426, HELENA MT 59624 • PH. # 406-404-6168

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street: _________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip:___________ Email: ______________________________ Date: ____________________ Telephone: (_____) __________________________ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $25.00 o Three Years $67.00 o Life $500.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $30.00 o Three Years $85.00 o Life $750.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $45.00 o Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $45.00 o Three Years $120.00

MBA HATS o $15.00 each + $5.00 postage MBA Patches* o $2.50 each please send______patches DONATIONS o $_________________

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under18) OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP* Add $10.00 a year to membership o One Year $5.00 for added mailing costs PAYMENT TYPE o Check

o Money Order

o Credit Card - o VISA o MASTERCARD TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ______________

Credit Card #_____________________________________________________ Exp. Date___________ CVV ____________ Signature________________________________________________________ This is a gift membership from________________________________________________________________________________ 24

WWW.MTBA.ORG

1

4

7

10

MITCH LEPAGE pig 2

MANDY GARNESS turkey

Kadin Garness turkey

MITCH LEPAGE bear

2

5

8

11

MIKE SHEPARDS last bear-note boars ear distance between them-old guy

JOHN ZINK hunting at Kutawagan Outfitters in Saskatchewan

3

MICHAEL PRATER Warthog

6

MITCH LEPAGE dingo

JACKIE WEIDOW

9

BRAD ZINK hunting at Kutawagan Outfitters in Saskatchewan

12

BRENDA ZINK hunting at Kutawagan Outfitters in Saskatchewan

ADRU HOLLINS

Fall 2023

25

WHY EVERY MONTANA BOWHUNTER SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING THE MONTANA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION • The MBA is the organization the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks consults on bowhunting issues that affect Montana bowhunters.

• Montana has the best bowhunting seasons of any of the western states.

We are continually working to keep these.

• The MBA is active in the Legislature to protect and fight for our hunting and bowhunting seasons and rights.

• The MBA produces a quarterly magazine informing you of local, state, and national bowhunting issues and events, and publishing great stories and pictures.

• THE MBA NEEDS MEMBER NUMBERS AND YOUR YEARLY DUES TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT WHAT YOU ENJOY EVERY YEAR. ISN’T WHAT YOU ENJOY EVERY FALL WORTH $25 A YEAR TO PROTECT?

What the MBA has done for you? way, we’ve increased the seasons to what you enjoy today.

• Worked to establish archery bear, lion and sheep seasons.

• Worked to establish archery antelope 900 tag and August 15th opener.

• Worked to establish archery only areas and hunting districts.

• Proposed a special archery wolf season and endorsed the highest quota of wolf harvest possible.

• Actively protects hunting & bowhunting seasons in the Legislature year after year.

• Defended our archery seasons against the “Crossbows & Muzzleloaders” threats throughout the years.

• Created the Modified Archer’s permit that now allows those with handicaps to use modified archery equipment to hunt; which kept any need for crossbows out of Montana and defended our archery seasons against other crossbow threats throughout the years.

• Re-established the archery season after it was left off the regulations one year.

• Actively works with FWP to protect archery seasons, our resources, and expand archery opportunity in Montana year after year.

What can you do for bowhunting in Montana?

Join the MBA at www.mtba.org to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting.

Photos by Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside

• Worked to get the first archery season started in Montana. Along the