Vol. 46 #3 Spring 2019

Montana Bowhunters Association PO Box 23611 Billings, MT 59104 Return service requested

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

PAGE 14

ANNUAL st 41 CONVENT ION PAGE 26

Carp Safari 2019 PAGE 12

Member Spotlight

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

REP VACANCY

Region 2

Neil Maier

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 ........................................... 406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net

nam56@yahoo.com

Brian Koelzer

Barrett Haugan 560 Clovehitch Rd., Belgrade, MT 59714 .......................... 406-539-0602

80 Jansma Lane, Manhattan, MT 59741............................ 406-570-7997 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com btreasurestate@aol.com

Region 4

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd., Lewistown, MT 59457 ........................... 406-535-5636

Roger Licht

mbaregion4@yahoo.com PO Box 189, Stanford MT 59479.... 406-566-2693 — Cell 406-366-1580 licht.roger@yahoo.com

Region 5

Ken Schultz

Richard Lewallen 4234 Audubon Way Drive, Billings, MT 59106..................... 406-690-0854

302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 ............................. 406-598-8550 schultzy@iwks.net rpdlew@aol.com

Nathan Veit

PO Box 288, Malta, MT 59538........................................... 406-749-0706 robertredface@gmail.com

REP VACANCY. Bob Morgan

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Steve Schindler 134 Sawney Drive • Glasgow, MT 59203 sas@nemont.net • 406-228-9024 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Mark Schwomeyer 60 Hruska Ln • Lewistown, MT 59457 markschwo@gmail.com • 406-350-0173 TREASURER

Jenn Schneider PO Box 23611 • Billings, MT 59104 mtba@mtba.org • 406-697-7668 SECRETARY

Beckie Doyle P.O. Box 136 • Conner, MT 59827 mybluewalker@yahoo.com • 406-531-4060 PAST PRESIDENT

Joelle Selk

P.O. Box 1995, Colstrip, MT 59323..................................... 406-749-0706 robertredface@gmail.com

AT LARGE DIRECTORS

Seth Rogers 1425 Prickley Pear, Billings, MT 59105 – srogers@lamar.com.............................................406-670-5435 Jerry Davis 725 Middlemas Road, Helena, MT 59602 – pipelinejerry@gmail.com.................................406-475-2226 Rich Smith PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com.......................................406-850-3010 Drew Steinberger 1901 Mountain View Drive, Great Falls MT 59405 - drew@prcountrycomforts.com..............406-351-2152 Cliff Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com.....................406-788-9009 Mandy Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - camoquilter@gmail.com................................406-750-9953

MAGAZINE CO-EDITORS

Teri and Al Kelly PO Box 219 • Libby, MT 59923 teray1979@yahoo.com • 406-293-2900

WEB DESIGNER

Liberty Brown Branding Iron Marketing Brandingironmarketingllc.com 406-581-7216 MAGAZINE DESIGN

ODD YEARS

Paul Martin Ray Gross Kent Brown John Grimstad

PRESIDENT

Marlon Clapham

6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602 jselkmt@gmail.com • 406-422-6798

REP VACANCY EVEN YEARS

officers

16200 Roman Creek Rd., Frenchtown, MT 59834 .............. 406-546-6013

Region 3

Region 7

MBA

4455 Hoover Lane • Stevensville, MT 59870 mbaregion2@gmail.com • 406-777-2408

REP VACANCY

Region 6

www.mtba.org

110 Sage Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 - paulhmartin99@gmail.com........................... 406-261-4456

K Design Marketing, Inc.

355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com......................... 406-660-1019

1613 South Ave. W. • Missoula, MT 59801 kim@kdesignmarketing.com 406-273-6193

PO Box 160803, Big Sky MT 59716 - kdbrown7@msn.com..................................... 406-321-1059 2031 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102 – twingrim@bresnan.net.................................. 406-252-3620

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 Al or Teri Kelly at PO Box 23611, Billings, MT 59104 or email teray1979@yahoo.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All photos will be placed in the MBA Photo Ablum and can be viewed at the annual conventions. Any questions as to policies of MBA please write the President.

MEMBERSHIP INQURIES

Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Tresurer, PO Box 23611, Billings, MT 59104 or call 406-697-7668, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.

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

Spring 2019

1

EDITOR’S NOTE

Teri Kelly, with Alyse and Lily Wyman

T

ime sure flies when you’re having fun, it also tends to skip on by when you’re working hard and just really busy. Our convention crew is hard at work gearing up for us all to have some fun in Great Falls in March.

They have some awesome raffles, prizes, games and seminars lined up so be sure to attend if you can. Region 1 is going to have the cornhole game again so warm up your throwing arms! Hunting season went by at the Kelly household without much luck. We’ve had one of those really busy years that made the time fly by at a furious rate and before we knew it, the season was over. Some of our members had great success so be sure to check out the member gallery and remember to send in your own photos as well.

Spring will be here before we know it and the multitude of available 3D shoots will start. There are many different sources to find them, websites, Facebooks and flyers in your local bow and sporting goods stores. They’re a great way to hone your skills and just have a good time with family and friends.

The MBA Carp shoot is also coming up in June which is another fantastically fun event to attend. If you haven’t been to one, you are missing out on some fun shooting. Also, as your reading this issue, pay attention to the logos. These are businesses that support the MBA with membership, donations, raffle prizes, etc., so please support those businesses anytime you get the chance to do so.

Teri Kelly

2

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 46 #3 Spring 2019

41

st ANNUAL

C ON V EN T ION

14

PAGE

12

2019 MBA Election Ballot Odd Year Election Secretary: o Beckie Doyle o Write-in________________________

PAGE

1st Vice President: o Brian Koelzer o Write-in________________________ Odd Year Director at Large: (limit 4) o Paul Martin o Ray Gross o John Grimstad o Write-in________________________

On the Cover

2

EDITOR’S NOTE

Teri Kelly

4

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Member Spotl ight

Carp Safari 20 19

PAGE 26

ANNU AL

PAGE 14

Kenny Satra takes a nice Montana whitetail

14 15

WE REMEMBER - JIMMY CHINN

5

5: vote for two

2ND VICE PRESIDENT’S Region MESSAGE

Mark Schwomeyer

TREASURER’S MESSAGE

41stCON V E N T IO N

Area Reps: Vote for Two per region – some regions have open vacancies Region 1: vote for two 2019 MBA CONVENTION o Al Kelly o Vacancy Write-in________________________ BLAST FROM THE PAST o Write-in________________________

Region 3: vote for two Marlon Clahman o Barrett Haugan 2019 CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI o Liberty Brown 1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE o Write-in________________________

PAGE 12

17

PAGE

26 27 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

Steve Schindler

28 Jenn Schneider 29 SECRETARY’S MESSAGE Region 7: vote for two Beckie Doyle

FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

o Ken Schultz o Richard Lewallen MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM o Write-in________________________ MEMBER GALLERY

o Bob Morgan o Vacancy Write-in ________________________ o Write-in________________________

6 REGIONAL REPORTS 12 MBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Stephen LePage

sted

Return servic e reque

Montana Bowh unters Assoc iation PO Box 23611 Billings, MT 59104

Spring 2019

3

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

OFFICER’S REPORTS

MBA

Committees

PRESIDENT - MARLON CLAPHAM 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - STEVE SCHINDLER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER TREASURER - JENN SCHNEIDER SECRETARY - BECKY DOYLE

Legislative:

Jerry Davis, Chair

Steve Schindler • Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham Richard Lewallen • Joelle Selke

Tentatives:

Ray Gross, Chair Paul Martin • Mark Schwomeyer • Steve Schindler John Grimstad • Kent Brown • Marlon Clapham

President’s

O

Message

Financial:

nce again, we are at the end of another Bowhunting Season in Montana. I personally wasn’t able to get out as often as I would have liked to, but I made the most of it when I was able to go. I even put a little meat in the freezer and had some good hunts with Marlon Claphman Merri and Cecelia. Of course, we are already thinking about next season.

We were looking into a Quebec hunt for caribou, and to my surprise the numbers are down so low that they have shut down all hunting of caribou. Then again, spring is just 10 or 12 weeks away right. Our Convention in Great Falls is coming up first, then it’s off to the Carp Safari, Joelle and all the youth camps.

The Legislative Session started today as I write this. Jerry has already been up on the hill looking to see what we will be facing. Sen. Kary from Billing might be putting in a bill to allow the crossbow during the archery season. Jerry Davis and Steve Schindler assembled a group of MBA members and TBM members to gather information to head off this bill. We have other sportsman and sportswomen who are also opposed to the crossbow. Sen. Kary is looking to get it passed for the disabled and our wounded warriors. We are making sure that the Legislators are aware of all the work we have done for those folks who have asked for our help, and we are continuing to offer our help.

The survey we sent out had a very good response from the members. Here are the results.

Q1 Should the MBA continue to support the limited permits in the Missouri Breaks in the upcoming Legislative session?

196 responses 83.67% yes, 16.33% no.

Q2 Where do you primarily bowhunt?

198 Responses Public lands 75.25%, Private lands 19.19 % Block Management lands 5.56%

Q3 Should the MBA continue to oppose crossbows in the archery only season?

199 Responses 94.97% yes, 5.03% no.

Q4 How many days a year do you spend in the field bowhunting?

199 Responses 0-10 days 18.59%, 10-30 days 47.24%, 30 plus days 34.17%

Q5 Who do you primarily bowhunt with?

198 Responses 27.27% family, 35.35% friends, 37.37% Solo.

Q6 I asked for comments on how the members felt about the shoulder hunts. This was not on the Survey Monkey but on an Email, I sent out to the membership.

Almost every one of the responses were that the shoulder hunts started to early and went to long. The other big concern was that the ranches that had the elk, were leased out to outfitters and hunters could not gain access to harvest an elk without paying the outfitter. One other concern was, the hunts were to take place on the private ranches that had the problems, but somewhere along the line, hunts got moved to BLM and State Lands. Most all responders were in favor of the shoulder hunts, but would like to get them out of the archery season and start them with the general season, then into the late season. Last comment I will make is that the MBA will try to work with the Commission and local FWP Biologists to keep the hunts on private lands where the elk can be hunted and stop the hunts where the objective numbers have been met. Thanks to all of you who responded to the survey. We will be doing another survey soon as there were other questions that have come up. If anyone has something they would like to get on the survey let me or your area rep. know.

As you can see this is the Convention Issue Newsletter and I hope to see everybody in Great Falls. The folks there have been busting butt to put on a rememberable convention.

This year our elections are for the odd region reps. and odd year directors at large. We have some open seats to fill so if anyone would like to be a part of the Board we can always use a fresh new set of ideas. So, step up and get your name out to Steve Schindler so he can get you on the ballot. These positions are the life line of the MBA. Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight

4

Montana

BOWHUNTER

Marlon Clapham WWW.MTBA.ORG

Jerry Davis, Chair Jenn Schneidern • Seth Rogers Ray Grossn • Neil Maiern • Kent Brown

Landowner/Sportsman:

Mark Schwomeyer, Chair Neil Maier • Bob Morgan • Barrett Haugan

Steve Schindler Nominations:

Steve Schindler, Chair Al Kelly • Paul Martin • Cliff Garness

Awards:

Selk

Brian Koelzer, Chair Al Kelly • Steve Schindler Rich Lewallen • Marlon Clapham

Membership:

Marlon Clapham, Chair Jenn Schneider • Seth Rogers • Ray Gross Kent Brown • Barrett Haugan • Kent Schultz Joelle Selk – Membership Assistant

Convention 2019-Region 4

Stephen LePage • Cliff & Mandy Garness, Chairs To be determined Region 5- 2020 Fairmont Region 3- 2021 Fairmont

Magazine:

Al & Teri Kelly, Co-Chairs Steve Schindler • Joelle Selk Brian Koelzer • Jerry Davis

Website:

Liberty Brown • Jenn Schneider Lyle Hebel • Beckie Doyle • Steve Schindler

Carp Shoot:

Joelle Selk, Chair Roger Licht • Stephen LePage • Cliff Garness

Bow-Ed:

Al Kelly, Chair Brian Koelzer • Bob Morgan • Mark Schwomeyer Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham

Youth Membership:

Becky Doyle, Chair • Roger Licht This is a new committee and will involve the youth from every region for their input. All area reps. will try to recruit youth from their region to get involved with the MBA’s decision making process. This will mostly be done through the e-mail contacts. They may want to attend the Board Meeting on occasion and we can get them ready for the future. We will try to keep their ages from 16 to 25 or so.

Reg. 1 – Vacant Reg. 2 – Jackie Doyle Reg. 3 – Vacant Reg. 4 – Vacant Reg. 5 – Vacant Reg. 6 – Vacant Reg. 7 – Vacant Reg. 8 – Vacant

OFFICER REPORTS

First Vice President’s

Report

B

y the time you read this hopefully the crossbow bill is dead and gone, well at least dead. As far as I can remember the first crossbow bill introduced was in 1985. I’m not sure why the legislators haven’t learned that this is a bad bill with no good attributes. I’ve got my fingers crossed and hopefully it will be history.

Most of the people I talk to about this idea are against it for several different reasons, but I think people miss the point. One of the comments I hear is that the modern compound bow is as accurate as the modern crossbow, so what’s the difference? I believe this to be true in some cases, but the problem as I see it is that we are comparing a bow shooter who thru hours and hours and months of shooting has a lot of experience and accuracy versus a person who picks up a crossbow for the first time and in a few days can hold his own against a good compound shooter. Now take someone who has never shot a hand-held bow, it will take months and maybe a year or of good coaching to reach the same level of accuracy as a week-old crossbow shooter.

If crossbows were to become legal archery equipment, a few things will happen. There will be current bowhunters who will switch over to the crossbow, but these guys aren’t as much of an issue as the other convert. This is the Rifle hunter who didn’t want too, or didn’t have the time to dedicated too practicing with a hand-held bow and this person wasn’t a participant in the Archery season previously. Now we have a whole new pool of hunters who will be entering the bow seasons and competing with the previous bow hunter for special archery limited draw elk tags. More competition for the limited tags is not great but that is not the crux of the problem. The crossbow will increase the harvest success rates to a point that something will have to be done, remember for every action there is a reaction. We will have to reduce the number of hunters to compensate for the extra elk being harvested. Both Archery hunters and Rifle hunters will lose. Not only will the archers lose archery permits, but with reduced game populations the coveted Rifle tags will be reduced too. The Problem just cascades. We hear rumblings now of Montana expanding archery permits to area’s that are now over the counter. Add the crossbow into that mix and now we’re are reducing hunter opportunity even more.

Second Vice President’s

Report

I

f something goes against everything you believe in, but has the potential of being great should you lower your expectations and allow it?

I have mixed feelings about governor’s tags...(Maybe another time) but see the greatness of the money it allegedly raises. My frustrations are with the money. Where in the hell does it go? $3,601,700 was generated between 1997-2012 from what I can find and that includes MSG mule deer and elk. Also, I’ve heard there is matching monies available via the Pittman Robertson Act. Why aren’t there records available from ‘13 to ‘18. What is this money being used for? I enjoy as do many of you all reading success stories of collaring and research, trap/transplant, and habitat conservation efforts, all of which qualify for this money. I want to challenge the MFWP, RMEF, MDF, WSF and whomever else is involved with these tags to be more transparent and educate the sportsmen on how it’s being used.

Now to bowhunter stuff. I’m sitting in a blind in Texas as I write this.

The weather is a bit warmer than Lewistown and I don’t mind it. I see banquets and gatherings popping up on social media that means ours is just around the corner. I hope to see you all there.

Mark Schwomeyer

Steve Schindler Beckie Doyle

Secretary’s Message

H

ello all! I hope the winter has been good to everyone so far.

We are starting to put things together for the third annual MBA Teen Bowhunting Camp!! That is amazing and I’d like to thank you all for your support! We look forward to visiting with everyone at the Convention in Great Falls this year. We will be bringing some past campers to help with the Archery Shooting Booth and encourage everyone to participate.

The Youth Committee is working on attending a few events this year to promote youth bowhunting around the state. It’s also very important to share information amongst your youth and keep them involved and informed in the decision-making process legislatively. Look forward to seeing you all soon.

Steve Schindler

Treasurer’s Message

Beckie Doyle

C

onvention time is here again. It seems like we just did this?! The Great Falls crew is doing a fantastic job to make it a memorable event and we can’t wait to see you there. Don’t forget, this is our biggest fundraiser, and with current legislation threatening our archery only seasons once again, we need to be financially stable and available to help fight. Thank you for your continued support at this and other functions, and as always, your membership is what drives us. Keep renewing and tell your friends to join too.

Jenn Schneider Spring 2019

5

REGIONAL REPORTS REGION 1 AL KELLY

REGION 2

REGION 2 NEIL MAIER

REGION

1

6

REGION

4

REGION

REGION

8

2

REGION 3 BRIAN KOELZER BARRETT HAUGEN

REGION

7

REGION

5

REGION

3

NEIL MAIER

I

REGION 4 STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT

Neil Maier

REGION

hope everyone has had a good hunting season. I never made it out this year due to knee problems and to many irons in the fire to keep up with. I plan on making up for that this year. Maybe.

The legislature has started and so far we are going to have many fights on our hands this year with cross bows and land access issues. Jerry Davis is doing a great deal to keep us all informed. When notices come out to support a bill or fight a bill we all need to respond.

The MBA convention is also fast approaching.

Hope to see you there.

REGION 5 RICHARD LEWALLEN KEN SCHULTZ REGION 6 NATHAN VEIT REGION 7 BOB MORGAN

Neil Maier REGION 1 REGION

REGION

1

6

REGION

4

8

2

REGION

3

REGION REGION

7

5

1

4

2

REGION

8

REGION

3

Al Kelly Al Kelly

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

6

REGION

REGION

hange… if I had more of it I’d buy me a Clamato tall boy and kick back for a while.

Ah, but seriously if you are of normal persuasion some change is good, some is not, and most comes about without much effort on your part. To make it happen usually requires effort. In the world of bowhunting in Montana the MBA tries to stay on top of the change that affects the sport we so love.

Pay attention and work for the change you want because it can happen.

Just this last year hunters in Lincoln County (region one worked together for change and now we have a new Mule deer permit area. Good Change. This happened by working with the Game Commission and mobilizing the local sportsman.

And I would like to give a special shout out to George Mercer who spearheaded the successful effort to bring about this change.

So think about your area, and the possibilities, and go for some good change.

6

REGION

REGION

AL KELLY

C

H

REGION 3

REGION

REGION

REGION REGION

7

5

BRIAN KOELZER BARRETT HAUGAN

Brian Koelzer

ey everyone, I hope this finds you all with full freezers and many great new stories from another awesome Montana fall. 2019 is rolling in with warmer than average temps which is great for work. but not so hot for mountain lion hunting. Legislature is underway in Helena and there is another crossbow bill getting introduced unfortunately. Marlon, Jerry, and the rest of the legislative committee are doing a great job keeping us all in the loop and working hard to get it killed.

Multiple other groups have joined us in trying to kill this bill before it even has a chance to get heard. I was chatting with Marlon tonight on the phone and he informed me the first crossbow bill was introduced in 1983 and we’ve been fighting to keep them out of our precious archery season ever since. It’s up to all of us to stay vigilant and make our voices heard in opposition of the vile things.

The convention will be here before we know it so don’t procrastinate and get your rooms and meal tickets reserved early! Cliff and the gang are doing a great job getting things in order for all of us to have a great time. Bring your trophy’s, shed horns, and pictures for everyone to enjoy! See you there>>>-------------->

Brian Koelzer

REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 4 REGION

REGION

1

4

REGION

8

2

STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT

I

Barrett Haugan Dan Moore

7

5

3

I

REGION REGION

REGION

hope everyone is off to a Solid New Year! There are a lot of things to be done to protect our hunting heritage. I know we can all help a little bit more than we do. I’m a victim to this very thing.

Life can be an absolute whirlwind and before you know it, it’s hunting season again. I absolutely love hunting. It gives me a place of peace. A place to reflect. A place to unwind. However, I have been a board member for the last couple years and I know that I need to work more at helping our cause. It always comes down to time and where it is applied.

Multiple times I have asked myself if I was putting my time in the right places? First and foremost is family. Yet balancing everyday life can be exhausting.

Bow hunting becomes our outlet and many people work very hard to protect that, while many of us take that for granted. This shouldn’t be taken lightly, but unfortunately, we all do. Every year I ask myself if I have time or energy to keep moving forward with certain things? Yet the answer always tells me to protect the very things “I Love.”

Therefore, I’m going to keep pursuing the balance between sportsman and protect our Bowhunting heritage. Future generations should experience the wonderful memories and meals that come from the wildlife that have been given to us to protect and harvest for years to come. I hope everyone creates an opportunity to do better than before. I’m going to.

6

REGION

REGION

Barrett Haugan

Stephen LePage

recently traveled to the Pope and Young headquarters in Chatfield, Minnesota. While there I attended the measuring course and am now certified to officially measure for both the Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett clubs.

My beautiful wife and I traveled to Turkey this December to hunt Bezor Ibex and although we had a great time, I came home empty handed. It was a challenging hunt and I always enjoy pursuing different critters in interesting places. We came home in time to have Christmas with our kids and luckily our lion quota was still open. My son Mitchel hunted every day possible over the winter break and finally on the last day he was able to kill a nice lion and with his own dogs to boot.

The MBA banquet in Great Falls is right around the corner and it is sure to be a great time.

I always enjoy catching up with everyone and hearing all the hunting stories.

See you March 29th,

A

nother year has come and gone, I hope everybody had a good hunting season, fall seemed to go on right up to Christmas this year. Now we are in a new year so it’s time to start planning hunting trips and just maybe this will be the year you will draw that special permit. This year’s banquet is just around the corner and the crew in Great Falls are hard at work hope to see you there.

Roger Licht

God bless our troops

Stephen LePage

REGION 5 REGION

REGION

1

6

REGION

4

REGION

2

REGION

8

REGION

3

REGION REGION

7

5

KEN SCULTZ RICHARD LEWALLEN

Ken Scultz

Greetings All, ere’s hoping everyone had a Great finish to the 2018 Hunting Season as well as a Great Holidays with Family and Friends.

I know there are still some last season Shoulder Hunts going on, so good luck to those late season hunters.

I think it’s important to share there is a bill proposal to the state that we all need to be aware of.

It is the proposal to allow Crossbows to be used in the Archery Season for Disabled Individuals. Several of our leaders/board members have done allot of research and investigation into this Bill.

Steve Schindler and others have also put together a strong “Youtube” video to share the important reasoning behind our approach to this bill and why Crossbows need be kept out of Archery Season. I highly recommend everyone watch it.

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=DL00rq-SKBU&feature=youtu.be .

This video talks about the many dangers of allowing Crossbows into the Archery Season. We continue to fight to stop this movement.

The MBA welcomes all of your support and feedback that you can give us. We in Montana are blessed with not only some great hunting opportunities, but isolated seasons as well. Let’s all work very hard Together to preserve that!

H

As always, “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter”!

Ken Scultz Region 5 continued on page 8

Spring 2019

7

REGIONAL REPORTS

Region 5 continued from page 7

Perspective

REGION

REGION

A

bout fifty years ago, I was a teenager climbing a north facing slope in western Montana when I encountered many fresh elk tracks in light snow leading to the top of the ridge. Once on top, I smelled elk in the upslope winds I encountered. Soon I heard bugles and the crash of horns as several bulls were fighting below me. With my recurve bow in hand, I soon noticed a cow elk just below me with a bull following her.

The bull was almost in a shooting lane when the cow spotted me. This was my first trip of many to this area.

I have noticed changes over the years. Some of these changes are man caused and some are natural.

The archery elk season was closed to elk hunting for five to seven years due to a commissioner’s opinion that the bull quality had deteriorated. Forest service roads have been closed resulting in a longer walk to prime elk habitat and a longer pack out. Wolves have reappeared on the land scape. The elk seem to have adapted by gathering in larger groups. Grizzly bears have also returned. The discovery of their tracks in the snow gives one pause. My dad cut a grizzly track in the snow and noted later in the day when he crossed his own tracks that the grizzly was following him.

The high slopes on the mountain had large white bark pine groves which have turned rust colored and died. Thick grass is now growing on these slopes.

The pine cones are gone and so is the extensive bear sign in this area.

I have also noted extensive collections of stone flakes on the very tops of the mountains above timberline where the original big game hunters made their tools. From these vantage points, one can easily see thirty to forty miles across high sagebrush basins. I have found Bison and Bighorn Sheep skulls in the high alpine basins. It is unlikely that Bighorn Sheep will be reintroduced because of domestic sheep grazing in the area.

This is one of my favorite places to spend time in the fall.

Richard Lewallen

REGION 7

REGION 6 1

REGION

1

4

REGION

2

8

3

REGION

8

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

2

REGION

8

REGION

5

3

NATHAN VEIT

REGION REGION

7

5

BOB MORGAN

BOWS BEND

Nathan Veit

Don’t you know Anybody can build a bow To make arrows fling It takes a stick and string Out with your young friend Watching our bows bend It’s a beautiful day with the sun What fun and seeing him run To pick up the arrows Then up flew some sparrows He looked over at me The smile on his face I could see So I held up my string and stick And he said you can pick Do you see that clump We hit it with a thump

W

ell another hunting season and year are behind us now. I hope everyone enjoyed both their hunting and holiday season, and that 2019 has been good to them so far. I had some luck finally come my way towards the end of the general season and took my best buck to date, as well as my first turkey with my longbow. Guess there’s some truth to the saying “Good things come to those who wait.”

With the arrival of a few cases of CWD in my county, I pray this isn’t the beginning of the end for our wildlife and great hunting seasons in Montana.

Management of this disease will have an effect on both wildlife and ultimately our hunting seasons, but hopefully not one that is too dramatic.

On another note the weather has been exceptionally nice up here. With the temperatures being 80 to 90 degrees warmer here than a year ago, and virtually no snow makes getting outside stump shooting, scouting, and just enjoying yourself quite a bit easier. I wish everyone a happy new year, and look forward to seeing you in Great Falls at the annual banquet.

Nathan Veit

Richard Lewallen

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Our bows bend To propel the arrows they send So let’s keep bending While working on our sending

Bob Morgan

Bob Morgan and grandson Trey

REGIONAL REPORTS KENT BROWN JERRY DAVIS CLIFF GARNESS MANDY GARNESS JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT) PAUL MARTIN RAY GROSS SETH ROGERS (NO REPORT) RICH SMITH DREW STEINBERGER (NO REPORT)

DirectorsAt Large

H

old onto your hats, the 2019 Legislature is in session. There is already a crossbow bill proposed and who knows what else is in store for Montana’s bowhunters.

In the past there have been movements to transfer federal public lands to the Montana state’s control and I wondered what some of the financial impacts might be for us if this ever occured.

First of all, it’s important to recognize that Montana is essentially a welfare state. Tax laws and federal expenditures are never fair across the board with some states winners and some losers, but Montana has long been in the front of the line nursing at the public teat.

Through the wonders of deficit spending, states actually receive more than a dollar back in federal expenditures for each dollar of taxes paid. In 2017, this averaged $1.18. Some states are “givers” such as New Jersey, which received only 65 cents back for each tax dollar, while others are “takers” such as New Mexico which received a whopping $2.57 back for each dollar in taxes. One study showed that from 1985 through 2005 Montana ranked consistently in the top ten “takers” in the nation, often #6 and above with $1.43 to $1.70 back for each federal tax dollar paid. To put this in perspective on a personal level, Montanans under-paid their share of taxes by $3156 relative to the federal benefits they received in 2004. That figure is “per capita” by the way, so if you have a spouse or kids, do the math.

These federal expenditures to states include, among other things, social security and medicare, federal road and water projects, federal grants, USFS and BLM subsidies, wages for highly paid federal employees (including military) and PILT payments or payments in lieu of taxes.

About 3.3% of the total Montana workforce is employed by the federal government, providing relatively high paying jobs whose salaries trickle down through our economy. In addition, Montana ranks in the top 10 for the percentage of state budget revenue provided by the federal government. In 2014 we ranked #4 in the nation with 39.1% of our budget revenue provided by the feds.

Obviously, not all these figures would be affected if federal public lands became state lands, though there would be some significant effects. After all, the USFS and BLM do chronically lose money each year. Consider federal below-cost timber sales that are subsidized by our nation’s taxpayers each year.

These are great for Montana - they provide jobs and stimulate our economy.

But Montanans don’t pay for these jobs - the citizens of states like Illinois that only get 75 cents back on their tax dollar subsidize them, thank you very much.

On the other hand, how about federal grazing permits? This is one area where the state could actually improve management. The BLM and USFS routinely under-charge for grazing on federal lands. In 2017, the fee was $1.87 per AUM (animal unit month for a cow/calf pair). In 2018, this was actually reduced to only $1.41 per AUM. As one report noted, it was more

expensive to feed an ordinary house cat than it was to graze a cow/calf pair for a month on federal land. Contrast this to the average calculated fee per AUM on private land in Montana of $23 in 2014 and $24 in 2015 and you can see how well certain Montana stock growers are subsidized. In taxpayer-subsidy terms the federal government spent $144 million in 2014 to administer grazing leases and received only $19 million in return. Montana would obviously do better - the stock growers would be pissed off, but I’d personally be happy to see fewer cows on public land.

Federal employees are relatively well paid compared to the average Montana citizen. One 2018 study listed a ratio of federal wage to private sector wage of 1.56 in Montana, which means that federal employees make half-again as much as our average private sector worker. We get the benefit of these wages as they trickle down through our economies and best of all, we don’t have pay for them! The fine citizens of Minnesota who only get 76 cents back on their tax dollar pay for them. Of course, if federal lands were transferred, we’d have to replace these positions with our own lower paid state employees and we’d have to foot the bill without the subsidies. Bummer.

PILT or payment in lieu of taxes was established to help offset losses in state property tax revenues due to the non-taxable federal lands within the state’s borders. While not as lucrative as state property taxes, the benefit is still sizeable. Montana moves up to one of the front teats for this subsidy; over $40 million in 2018, ranking 3rd in the nation. If these lands were to become state lands, we would entirely lose these PILT funds that are kindly paid for by the citizens of New York or New Hampshire who only get about 78 cents from their tax dollar.

And then of course, there is always the elephant in the room - wildfires.

Avoiding controversy and ignoring the possible causes, it is obvious that we are currently in a state of climate flux. Overall temperatures are rising, summers are becoming longer and drier and the cost of fire suppression is escalating, regardless of the causes.

The total cost of fire suppression in Montana was nearly $400 million in 2017, with Montana picking up only $68 million of the tab. The rest was paid for by the poor suckers in states like California or Nevada that barely got 80 cents back on their tax dollar. Almost makes me feel guilty. Considering that public lands generally lose money, how would Montana deal with these types of fire suppression costs? I can almost hear the legislators debate “Gee, should we fully fund K-12 education for the next year, or put out these pesky fires?”.

The most likely scenario for a state facing these problems would be to eliminate all these line item budget losses and sell the damn land. The Department of Revenue would receive a huge influx of funds, all these lands would be put on state property tax rolls and we could cut taxes. Everybody wins, right? Well, not if you like to hunt, fish, hike, ski or snowmobile, then you’re going to see orange fence posts everywhere. If we’re lucky, we might still be able to access some of this newly private land through access fees or outfitters. In other cases, probably not.

As bowhunters, I think we all dream of visiting distant lands and hunting exotic species. If any of the above should come to pass, our thinking may be, “Gee, if I really save my money, maybe I can afford to hunt elk in my home state of Montana the fall after next?”.

Kent Brown

kdbrown7@msn.com

Directors At Large continued on page 10

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

Spring 2019

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REGIONAL REPORTS

DirectorsAt Large

continued from page 11

H

ere we are again, looking into the cannon of the 66th Legislative Session and asking ourselves, what are we instore for this Session.

Well to answer that question would require that I be able to see into the future, an ability I lack.

But at this time in the Session, the 2nd week to be precise, I see two proposed bills that have yet to be heard in front of Committee but if passed will have an impact on not only Montana bowhunters but also Montana sports persons in general.

The first bill, if passed, will have a significant impact on bowhunting in Montana. At the time I write this it is still in draft, LC 1395, but the sponsor was considerate enough to provided MBA a copy of that draft. This bill is entitled: “An Act authorizing hunting with a crossbow during archery season ….by a person certified as disabled …..” and is sponsored by Senator Doug Kary from SD 22 in Billings.

There are a number of arguments for opposing this bill.

I is my belief the most prominent of those arguments is that the FWP Commission has already taken this concept under advisement and allowed the public to comment.

Through the Tentatives process the FWP Commission determined that using a crossbow during Archery-Only season for disabled bowhunters was not widely supported by the hunting public and that the efficiency of the crossbow could negatively impact bull elk populations if it were allowed to be used during the elk bugling season.

Another part of what played into that decision is that Montana disabled bowhunters are currently allowed to hunt with modified archery equipment that will meet their specific physical disability to allow them to bowhunt. MBA partnered with FWP to develop the Permit To Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE), a process that has been found to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). PTMAE was developed to accommodate hunters with disabilities and was based on the recommendations of the Crossbow Archery Committee, a constituent’s group which included representatives from Access Montana Outdoors. The FWP Commission formally adopted the PTMAE in February 2002.

Hunting with a bow is inherently difficult, that is why bowhunting is allowed during the bugling season. It not only requires proficiency with a bow but also requires stealth in getting close, stealth in drawing a bow, and stealth in releasing the arrow.

A crossbow on the other hand is a shoulder mounted weapon that incorporates a butt, stock, trigger and telescopic sites all quite similar to a modern rifle. The only similarity that a crossbow has with a traditional or compound bow is its potential energy source which comes from flexed limbs.

The crossbow configuration as mentioned above allows someone with limited on no archery expertise to accurately hit targets out to 100 yards with very little practice. As stated by Will Brantley on the Field and Stream website on August 16, 2016, “When it comes to making precise shots, especially at longer ranges, there is just no comparison between a vertical bow and a crossbow.”

And as has been shown in other states, when crossbows are initially allowed for disabled hunters they will be eventually allowed for all hunters during archery only seasons. That could have devastating effects to bull elk populations and subsequently result in a much shorter archery only season, and even the possible elimination of an archery only season. Something I am sure all bowhunters do not want to occur.

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Another bad bill that has been introduced is HB161 which adds a new section to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) Title 87 Fish and Wildlife That section is titled Requirements for decision making by director, department, and commission. It reads as follows: “Except as provided in 87-1-217(5), 87-1-301(1)(h), 87-1-304(4), and in any matter concerning landowner tolerance and relations, the director, department, and commission may only use facts and science when making decisions pursuant to authorities granted in Title 87 related to fish and wildlife. The director, department, and commission may not use social science, human dimensions, or people’s attitudes, opinions, or preferences in decision making processes related to fish and wildlife.”

What this bill does is take the public out of the tentatives process. This means that we the public would not be allowed to have our comments heard or considered when the FWP Commission is setting regulations.

The exceptions are below: 87-1-217(5) Requires that county commissioners and tribal governments be consulted and coordinated with prior to state and federal policy decisions involving large predators and large game species.

87-1-301(1)(h) Requires that elk, deer, and antelope populations be maintained at or below objectives and shall consider landowner tolerance for those objectives.

87-1-304(4) Allows for the reopening of an area for fishing and or hunting if that area had been closed due a species depletion if there is consent from the majority of property owners.

So it appears that if this bill were to be passed only landowners, county commissioners, and tribal governments would have a say in the FWP regulation setting process.

This is clearly a violation the Montana State Constitution Section 8.

Right of Participation which states “The public has the right to expect governmental agencies to afford such reasonable opportunity for citizen participation in the operation of the agencies prior to the final decision as may be provided by law.”

Hopefully MBA along with help from other sporting groups will be able to prevent bad politics from affecting our hunting and fishing heritage.

Jerry Davis

C

onvention time is nearly upon us and Great Falls/Lewistown folks have been very busy planning for what we think will be another great Banquet at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls March 29-31, 2019. If you have not booked your rooms yet, please give the folks at the Heritage Inn a call at 406-761-1900 or, http://www.gfheritageinn. com. Make sure to mention that it is for the MBA Convention, as we have a group rate of $99.00/night + tax, for this years convention. More prizes are coming in by the week, but we can always use more items for our silent auctions, raffles and giveaways, so if you have anything you would like to donate and have not already contacted us, please do so at obsession_ archery@yahoo.com or 406-788-9009 with your donation item and details.

Please see the MBA Website for current auction and raffle items at http:// www.mtba.org. Please check the website, as it will be getting more updates in the coming weeks.

Hope to see everyone at the banquet in Great Falls!

Cliff and Mandy Garness

REGIONAL REPORT

I

hope everyone had a good 2018 hunting season. We now can look forward to 2019. I am already thinking about what archery elk permit I will put in for. The Montana legislature meets every two years and the MBA board is already preparing to head off another bill that would legalize crossbows. There is also rumbling about other bills that will try to overturn the limited archery elk permits in the Missouri River Breaks Hunt Districts and the other 23 Hunt Districts. MBA board members will be testifying at legislature committee hearings and the MBA will comment on these bills.

You as an individual can also comment by email or phone to legislative committees and your senator and legislator. Don’t let others by pass the Fish Wildlife and Parks rule making process, with public meetings and public comments and public input, by going to the legislature to implement their agenda, speak out.

Ray Gross

A

s I write this a new legislative session is getting underway in Helena. Although I am as genuinely grateful for the blessings of our democratic form of government as the next guy, I will admit that with the opening of each biennial session of our legislature I am always reminded of the words Nineteenth Century newspaper editor, Gideon J. Tucker, who once wrote, “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.” If Mr. Tucker had been a Montana bowhunter I think he would have readily agreed that his words of warning certainly apply to our archery hunting seasons and opportunities as well. While there are many good reasons for Montana bowhunters to be members of MBA, I think one of the primary reasons to be has to be the tireless work that MBA does to protect and enhance our bowhunting seasons and opportunities.

You can count on fact that MBA remains vigilant keeping a watchful eye on the doings in Helena and is ready to get to work as the current legislative sausage making gets underway. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to sign up for email updates so that MBA can keep you informed about pertinent developments in Helena as they arise.

I know that many MBA members are also members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. As you may know, the RMEF typically holds its annual Elk Camp during the winter months. For the past 34 years these Elk Camps have been held in various cities including Las Vegas, Reno, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Portland, and even Nashville. But this year the RMEF has decided to think outside the box by scheduling it’s 2019 Elk Camp during the summer months. Better yet, it will be held in conjunction with Total Archery Challenge. For wapiti lovin’ bowhunters this certainty has the potential to be an outstanding event! It’s called the RMEF Elk Camp & Mountain Festival and it will be held July 11 - 14 in Park City, Utah.

Although It’s now been many years since I last attended a RMEF Elk Camp, I wouldn’t think of missing this one!

Finally, I know many of you are already busy planning your fall hunts. But as you are pouring over state hunting regs, studying maps, and submitting applications, I hope many of you have also decided to attend the MBA convention in Great Falls and I look forward to seeing you there.

get drawn you were allowed 72 hours to kill the designated problem bear, with the assistance of one of the wardens. Yours truly was number 6 on the list and number 3 had killed a nice bear in the Nine Pipes area with a 30/30.

With just two more hunters to go the anticipation that I was going to get my grizzly bear hunt in the great state of Montana was mind boggling. Like a bombshell the news came out that a federal judge in Ohio stopped our hunt. That was over thirty years ago that the environmentalists took that opportunity away from us. So far this year in just region 1 alone, nine bears have been euthanized by FWP. After consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife service and in accordance with inter-agency committee guidelines, in my opinion the only bear that should have been put down was the sow that fell off a cliff in Glacier Park and broke her back.

The others were mostly land owner conflict whether the land owner was doing right or wrong the bear will end up the loser. Relocating the bears is only an option by FWP and I would like to see it mandatory. Just think about this, this has been going on for thirty years. Your guess is as good as mine, how many grizzly bears has FWP killed in the name of protecting them by the environmentalists. How many of them are wasted or in FWP’s freezers? Think of the lost revenue for our state in tags and trophy fees, tanneries, taxidermists, taxidermy supplies, and all the businesses related to the hunting industry. How about a Governors tag for a grizzly bear like the big horn sheep tag that has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars for FWP to buy or acquire the use of lands through conservation easements for all of us to enjoy. The truth is these bears will be senselessly killed until a hunting season is established. Did you hear about the 900 lb. grizzly trapped in Valier and then relocated? I don’t know how you’re hunting season went, but it seemed like everywhere we went we saw grizzly bear sign. One evening I got to go spring bear hunting and saw a nice young male grizzly bear down the Swan to start the season, or at a ground blind near a water hole for Diann to ambush an elk , but discovered some fresh grizzly bear tracks not 40yds away which convinced us to hunt elsewhere, but elsewhere turned up even more grizzly bear sign with someone’s elk gut pile, which brought first a pack of wolves that our hunting buddy Larry Rattray got howling with his wounded pup call.

When the wild dogs hit their crescendo I could count eight different voices, this I call the sound of death. Maybe I’ll write a story about this pack next year, but for now I’ll stay focused on the grizzly that took over the gut pile sight after the wolves left. Now at a totally different location, driving the freshly graded road to where I was camped, yup, you guessed it, there were some good-sized grizzly tracks on the road, so every time I stepped out of the trailer, I took a good look around. Just a few days later in a different location I hiked to the North part of this area and on the way checked the river crossing for tracks in the mud, and let me tell you those were the biggest grizzly tracks I’ve ever seen in Montana yet. But folks hang in there, I’m not done yet, you see after home from one of my hunting trips one of my neighbors showed me some photos of a good-sized grizzly bear in my back yard, in fact I can look out my little office window and see the very spot that he walked through, as I write this report for you. I was once asked what would be my dream hunt, my answer was a Grizzly Bear hunt in my home state of Montana of course. An update for this report. For the 2018 season for the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem, that the total known mortality count for grizzly bears is 51. This number includes two dying from (natural)? causes. I think what this tell us is that we have a very huntable population. Hope everyone filled some tags and made some great memories. >>>>--------->

Paul Martin

Rich Smith

B

y now all of us have learned that a federal Montana judge stopped the scheduled grizzly bear hunt in Idaho and Wyoming, thanks to the lawsuits from environmentalists. The hunt would have been the best managed and infallible to over harvest the number of bears. Let’s go back in time to tell you a story in the 80’s, when region 1 would conduct the grizzly bear damage hunt, which was a drawing, and if you were lucky enough to

Paul Martin Paul Martin

Spring 2019

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MBA MEMBER SPOT LIGHT

11. Who are your favorite bowhunting partners?

First, I have to mention my bowhunting partner Diann, whom I have even written stories about including when she killed her first bull elk. A young man named Craig Jore who has been with us on many hunts and whom I have known since he was 8 years old. Just recently this year our good friend and long time MBA supporter Larry Rattray has become an excellent hunting partner.

MBA Member Spotlight Paul H. Martin 1. Where do you live? I have lived in the Flathead valley since 1975.

2. What do you do for a living? Journeyman welder, taxidermist, and log home builder, but I’m currently semi-retired and running the non-profit organization Montana Bowhunter Education Foundation Ltd. This along with taking care of my 100yr old mom keeps me busy.

3. What is your age? My odometer will hit 71 years in March of 2019 4. When did you start bowhunting? Tell me about your first bowkill.

I bought my first bow with Christmas and lawn mower money when I was 14. My recollection of bow kills amounted to a couple of grey squirrels. After that I didn’t hunt with the bow until my return from Vietnam in 1970 when I picked up that same bow and eventually managed to kill a black tail doe. After moving to Montana in 1975, I hunted in Archery season, however I was not successful until 1984 with my first white tail buck.

5. Describe your dream hunt.

I have many dream hunts, but the top of my list would be to hunt grizzly bears in the state of Montana.

6. Why do you support the MBA? I have been on the MBA board for 10 yrs. Being a dedicated bow hunter I want to see this heritage preserved and fostered for future generations. The MBA has supported the MBEF and we continue to work together to keep and promote bow hunting in Montana.

7. How many bows do you own?

Eight. I have 3 compound bows and 5 traditional bows counting the one that I bought when I was 14. Three of the trad bows I designed and built and one of them will be donated to the MBA Convention.

8. What one piece of advice would you like to pass onto a new bowhunter?

If you take up the art of bow hunting, my advice would be to not expect too much too soon, and enjoy the life time journey.

9. Who is your bowhunting mentor or idol?

I have always admired Fred Bear and the man who first achieved the 29 Pope & Young big game animals Dr. John D. Jack Frost.

10. Tell me about your favorite bowhunting memory?

I guess one of my favorite bowhunting memories would be killing my first bow kill bull in 1989 after about 4 years of passing up small bulls and cows, wanting to shoot the big bull you know. I finally gave up and vowed that I would even shoot a spike. Low and behold that evening I bugled in first his cow and then the 310 inch Pope & Young 6 X 7 bull at 28 yards. He went 40 yards and crashed. In a matter of moments, the quest to kill a trophy bull became a reality and the excitement was overwhelming.

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12. Do you have a funny or exciting story to share?

For exciting stories I think this one qualifies. The original story was titled “ Almost Wolf Bait”, where myself and two hunting friends Cory and Dick Cowley were hunting the North Fork drainage of the Flathead river in 2010. I bugled in a bull that provided me with the shot. My arrow hit some brush and was deflected enough to hit him way up front, so we backed out and gave him plenty of time to expire. When we came back in, picking up the blood trail it started looking more and more promising that we were going to recover this bull. It was probably about 80 yards on the trail when we heard the first howling from some distance out in front of us. Then a second, third, and a fourth above, below and behind us. Now we were realizing the importance of finding this bull before the predators do. As we proceeded on the blood trail, on a brushy hillside the howling intensified as they were closing in on us. It was then that I detected the bull only about 30 yards above us. It was an intense situation to recover the bull before they destroyed him, which gave the three of us the incentive to work into the early morning hours to recover all the meat, cape, and antlers. Truly an exciting experience that we should not have to deal with, and yet even this year again encountering a pack of wolves in region 2.

13. Tell me about “the one that got away.”

There was a big bull in the South Fork of the Flathead river drainage, where I actually learned how to hunt elk, that I pursued for too many years, when I finally got the opportunity to kill him, he was so old and his antlers had regressed so much that I didn’t have the heart to kill him. I guess that’s the best one that got away.

14. Do you have any secret bowhunting tricks to share?

Since we have been talking about elk hunting, I do okay with calling the bulls in for a lethal shot. Some of the calls I like to use at times, especially if you bump into elk and you’re sure they didn’t get your wind is the bark call. Once perfected you’ll be amazed at how well it calms them down and keeps them in place.

The other is probably one of my favorites mainly calling in younger bulls is I like to throw in a little cow bugle. This seems to at times bring them in for a shot.

And, always try to do the right thing when nobody’s looking.

If you have a member you would like to be featured in “Member Spotlight”, please contact Steve LePage at mbaregion4@yahoo.com.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

This Blast from The Past comes from the issues 1983-1984.

Lee Poole was reelected as the President, Buck Damone was elected as Vice President and Scott Koelzer was elected as the Secretary/Treasurer.

During this year the Board elected to put together a new Committee to offer help to the FWP and Landowners. There was a need to study special herds and, in the case, where there were no funds to study the herd, offer man hours in the research and donate flying time for surveys. It was later named the Sportsman’s/ Landowner Committee.

span be between landing and hunting, 12 or 24 hours. The results of the survey were to continue supporting Bowhunter Education. Keep a close eye on the Blackpowder seasons.

Keep working with the FWP and Commission along with other sportsman’s groups to iron out differences. After the commission meetings the bowhunters gained the archery only Antelope season. The FWP was working on more HDs for the archery only antelope season, they said we were not only good sportsmen but responsible as well. We did not fair so well in the sheep season.

The Banquet for 1983 was held in Lewistown at the Yogo Inn, and the guest speaker was Doug Kittredge. The 1984 Banquet was held in Butte at the Copper King Inn, guest speakers Doug Borland, Gene & Berry Wensel, Ed Wolf, Dwight Schuh, Randal Byers, M.R. James, Fred Asbell, and Cal Coziah. Dignitaries were Gov. Ted Schwinden, Sen. John Melcher, Sen. Max Baucus. Rep. Pat Williams, Mayor Don Peoples, FWP Dir. Jim Flynn, FWP Com. Spencer Hegstad, Dan Oakland. Bob Jensen.

The new president elected at the Butte convention was Buck Damone. The membership was up to 1142 members. And we had $10,000 in our accounts.

The MBA was working on a proposal for an Archery Only Sheep permit and the beginnings of the 900 antelope. There was a membership survey where the MBA was asking how everyone felt about a Blackpowder season. Did anyone think there was an increase in Bowhunters and if so what should be done. There were questions about wounding game and what could be done about it. Lastly the MBA wanted to propose a Fair Chase law pertaining to aircraft. How long should the

Blast from the Past

That’s about all I got for this issue. Its fun going through these old news letters and seeing the pictures of “The Old Timers” when they were not so old. The MBA members have had a lot of hunting success way back when.

Marlon

We Remember ~ Jimmy Chinn Longtime MBA member — MBA Board - 2nd VP

1950 – 2018 ~ Rest in Peace

Spring 2019

13

MBA CONVENTION

March 29-31, 2019

41

st

ANNUAL

C ONVENTION

THE 2019 MBA CONVENTION WILL BE HELD AT THE HERITAGE INN GREAT FALLS, MT EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION $40/ person $75/couple $30/Child 12 and under BOOK TODAY! 1700 FOX FARM ROAD GREAT FALL, MT 59404 406-761-1900 $99 + TAX

SEMINARS • MANUFACTURER’S ROW • BANQUET LIVE AUCTIONS AND RAFFLES

14

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

EVENT INFORMATION

41ST ANNUAL

MONTANA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION PRE REGISTER (Before February 28th) Get registered before February 28th 2019 & save a bunch of cash on a Great Banquet & Dinner!

2019 Convention

$40/ person

Heritage Inn – Great Falls, MT March 29-31, 2019

$75/couple $30/Child 12 and under

GENERAL REGISTRATION (After February 28th)

$50/person

$85/couple

$40/child 12 and under Send check or Money order to: PO Box 23611 Billings MT 59104.

Childcare During Banquet

Saturday night childcare $10/per child and includes pizza dinner, a movie and reliable caregivers. 5pm-11pm. Reserve a spot for your kid at the registration desk..

Banquet Menu Dinners will be served, not banquet style. Banquet attendees will have their choice between the following: Certified Angus Beef Prime Rib 8 oz

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Slowly roasted tender angus beef with au jus Horse radish, twice baked potato

FRIDAY

Fresh seasonal vegetables

10 AM – 4 PM

MBA Board meeting

NOON – 8:30 PM

Registration open

9 AM – NOON

Manufacturer’s Row Setup

Pacific Salmon 8 oz fillet

NOON – 8:30 PM

Manufacturer’s Row Open

grilled & topped with citrus cream sauce, Rice Pilaf

8 PM

Social hour begins

Fresh seasonal vegetables

SATURDAY

9 AM – 11 AM

General Membership Meeting

9 AM – 5 PM

Manufacturers Row

9 AM – 7:30 PM

Silent Auction

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

SEMINAR

1 PM – 2 PM

SEMINAR

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

SEMINAR

3:30 PM – 5:30PM

Pre-Banquet Social

5:30 PM

Banquet Seating Begins

6:15PM

Honor Guard Presentation

6:30 PM

Dinner Served

9 PM-10 PM

Checkout

Or

* All meals include salad with dressing, homemade dinner roll with butter, coffee or tea

RESERVE YOUR TABLE EARLY! Reserved Table of 8 includes - 8 adult dinner tickets and a $100.00 credit off your bidder # at checkout – $400.00 before February 28th $450 after Feb 28th.

To reserve your table or purchase banquet tickets go to the MBA website: MTBA.org

LODGING INFO Heritage Inn

SUNDAY

8 AM – 9:30 AM

Bowhunter Education Meeting / Breakfast

9 AM – NOON

Manufacturer’s Row open

1700 Fox Farm Road Great Falls, MT 59404

NOON

Convention Wrap

1-406-761-1900 $99 + tax

Spring 2019

15

MBA CONVENTION

BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR

The MBA standardized the process for nominating candidates for the Bowhunter of the Year, Richard Conklin, and Special Achievement Awards. Below you will find the form we will use. Please use this form by cutting it out of the newsletter. You may also attach a separate sheet; just be sure to include all the items that are asked for on the form. The nominations are due to Brian Koelzer, rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com BY February 28, 2019 with all the information. For questions about any of the awards 406-570-7997.

The deadline is important because the nominations will be sent to the members of the awards committee so that they have time before the convention to cast their votes. We then need to get names on the awards. The awards are important to the people receiving them. This form will ensure that the integrity of the award is upheld for future recipients. I am sure many of you know members who are worthy of one or more of the four prestigious awards. However, these people will never receive the awards unless someone makes the effort to nominate them.

This award is given annually at the MBA banquet. It is confined to members who have been in good standing with the MBA during the 12 month period prior to the issuance of the award. The Bowhunter of the Year Award is basically an award recognizing “success” and may, but does not have to be, in the form of a kill. This “success” may be the taking of one outstanding animal, or the aggregate of various species taken, or “success” in the form of a particularly difficult achievement relating to the bowhunting experience. When an individual is to be considered as a candidate for the Bowhunter of the Year Award, all aspects of this success should be considered. Fair chase must play a large part in considering this “success”. The totality of the circumstances should also be considered, meaning the individual’s experience, handicaps, advantages, the difficulty of the hunt and the overall attitude of the candidate. Any member of the MBA may nominate someone else or himself/ herself as a candidate, though the respective reps are encouraged to locate candidates within their area. The nomination should be submitted on the form (found below) or on a reasonable facsimile. The form should include a detailed account of why this individual is deserving of this award, and any verification of the success that is available. The “success” need not have occurred during the past 12 month period. It could have occurred at any time in the candidate’s bowhunting career. The candidate may be nominated year after year for the same success, though actual issuance of the Bowhunter of the Year Award can only be given once for any one success. All nominations will be brought before the Awards Committee.

RICHARD CONKLIN AWARD This award was established as a “service” award.

This award, which is not necessarily an annual award, is given only when an MBA member is due the recognition for outstanding work or accomplishment in the field of service to the MBA and the sport of bowhunting. The procedure for giving this award is the same as the Bowhunter of the Year Award, with the exception that the vote will not be taken. The awards committee, along with the First Vice President, will through mutual agreement, by the majority of this

body in attendance, decide if a candidate is to be the recipient of the award. Nominations should be submitted on the form below.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Over the years it has become apparent that various individuals have been due recognition that does not necessarily fall within the realm of the two prior awards. This award or commendation is dictated depending on the circumstances and though, more often than not, does not have to be given to an MBA member. When an individual is due such recognition, his or her name and action should be forwarded to the award committee chairman in the same manner as the Bowhunter of the Year Award and the Conklin Award nominations. The committee ill discuss these nominations at the same time as the other awards.

This issuance of this award is on the approval of the majority of the awards committee.

LEE POOLE MBA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD This award was instituted in 2015 in honor of Lee Poole. It is given to recognize the exceptional lifetime efforts of MBA members.

PAUL SCHAFER AWARD This award is similar to the Bowhunter of the Year Award, but is only awarded to persons seventeen years old and younger. Ethics will play a large role in this award, as this is how Paul Schafer would have wanted it. So if you know of a young person deserving of this award, please send the information in.

MBA LITERATURE AWARD This award goes to the MBA member whose story in the Montana Bowhunter Magazine is chosen as the best of the year. The MBA magazine committee, in conjunction with the Awards committee, will choose the winner, but will consider all input and nominations from all MBA members. This is an annual award.

NOMINATIONS FOR

BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR AWARD RICHARD CONKLIN AWARD SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD LEE POOLE MBA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PAUL SCHAFER AWARD MBA LITERATURE AWARD Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________________ State of Candidate:___________Zip:_____________________________ Award: BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR AWARD RICHARD CONKLIN AWARD SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

LEE POOLE MBA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PAUL SCHAFER AWARD MBA LITERATURE AWARD

Specifics: (Please describe in as great a detail as possible, on a separate sheet of paper, the reason this candidate should receive the above checked award. Please type or print legibly.)

Name of Nominator: ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address of Nominator:_______________________________________________________________________________________________ Send to: Brian Koelzer rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com or 570-7997

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Forms must be received no later than February 28, 2019

2019 ELECTION BALLOT

Election Bios Al Kelly

It’s election time once again and I would like to serve another term as a Region 1 representative if you choose to vote for me once again. For those who don’t know me I love to bowhunt along with most any activity that will take me outdoors. I’ve been bowhunting for 39 years. I also work hard to give back to the sport because I love it and want to share that love with others and ensure that it will be here for future generations. I started teaching bowhunter education in North Idaho when the program was introduced in Idaho. I Moved to Montana in 1996 and after a few years began teaching again. Elk is my first love but I also have hunted and harvested whitetail, mule deer and turkeys. I also like to get out and fish, and hunting my two Wire Haired Pointing Griffons.

I am also blessed to be married to a good woman who shares my passion for bowhunting, the outdoors and our dogs. Together we edit the magazine.

So if you wish I would gladly continue to serve. There is lots of work to do and I will do what I can.

Brian Koelzer

Hello to all MBA members, my name is Brian Koelzer and I am running for 1st vice president of our fine organization. I have served on the board of directors since 2013 as a region 3 rep. I have been a Bow Ed instructor for the past 14 years. I’ve been a bowhunter exclusively for 27 years and have had the good fortune to hunt and harvest a variety of species in numerous states and provinces. My wife, Kara, and I live outside the small community of Manhattan with our four-month-old little boy and spend as much time in the woods as possible. Archery and bowhunting isn’t just a pastime for us, but a way of life. Currently I am a regular member of the Pope and Young Club, Comptons Traditional Bowhunters, PBS, Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, Bowhunters of Wyoming and an NRA member. I believe Montana has some of the best archery opportunities in the country and i would like to see it stay that way!

Liberty Brown

I moved to Bozeman, MT during the summer of 1998, after spending 6 years as a submariner in the United States Navy. At that time there was just something about the mountains and wide-open spaces of Montana that drew me to Bozeman.

Hunting was something I never imagined myself doing. It was not something I grew up with and I didn’t know where to start. Not long after I started classes at Montana State University, I friended some special people that invited me to go hunting with them. All I had at the time was a .30-06 rifle I had won while working at Bob Ward & Sons but I agreed to go with them.

My first hunting season I was able to harvest a nice whitetail deer and I was hooked. I asked some of my friends about taking up bow hunting and soon after purchased my first bow, an old used Hoyt compound. I didn’t have too much luck with my bow until 2003 when I harvested my first animal, a nice Montana mountain lion, with the help of my good friends Brian Koelzer and his dad Scott.

That same year I graduated with a B.S. in Business Marketing and like most college grads, I was eager to start applying my knowledge in the real world. My first job out of college was as Marketing Manager for a professional ski team based out of Bozeman. My main responsibility was to showcase our sponsor’s brands through the use of our own marketing efforts which included athlete endorsement, our website, press releases, print media and event marketing.

In 2006, I decided to try my hand at sales and management for a corporate media company. For the next 6 years I helped small business owners across S.E. Idaho, gain market exposure through a diverse mix of media including websites, social media, print advertising, search marketing and direct mail… but I missed Montana.

I married my first high school girl friend Andi Piper (a Butte native) in 2009 and before long we had 2 girls a boy and a dog (It really did happen about that fast). Although we enjoyed our time in Idaho, our hearts were always in Montana.

In 2012, I went back into sales so we could move the family to Bozeman.

It wasn’t long after the move however, that I found the culture of corporate America didn’t fit well with the culture of Bozeman, Montana.

I started my own business, Branding Iron Marketing, LLC in 2013, with the idea of helping small business owners in Bozeman, MT grow their online presence. Not long after, I was approached by the MBA about managing their website and helping with social media. It’s been a great experience.

Since my involvement with the MBA, my passion for bow hunting has continued to grow. This past season I harvested my first Pope & Young animal, a 70 6/8” Antelope. I’ve harvested back to back elk for the first time ever and after almost 20 years bow hunting I feel like I’m just getting started.

As a Region 3 representative I hope to continue as an advocated for the MBA by striving to live by the mission statement of the MBA and to be a voice for other bowhunters in region 3 and the state of Montana.

2019 MBA Election Ballot Odd Year Election Secretary: o Beckie Doyle o Write-in________________________ 1st Vice President: o Brian Koelzer o Write-in________________________ Odd Year Director at Large: (limit 4) o Paul Martin o Ray Gross o John Grimstad o Write-in________________________ Area Reps: Vote for Two per region – some regions have open vacancies Region 1: vote for two o Al Kelly o Vacancy Write-in________________________ o Write-in________________________ Region 3: vote for two o Barrett Haugan o Liberty Brown o Write-in________________________ Region 5: vote for two o Ken Schultz o Richard Lewallen o Write-in________________________ Region 7: vote for two o Bob Morgan o Vacancy Write-in ________________________ o Write-in________________________

Spring 2019

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MBA CONVENTION

Fishing, Floating & Fun on the Mo With this package you & a guest are entitled to a half-day (4-6 hour) float/fishing trip with the Praters on the Blue Ribbon Trout waters of Missouri River near Craig, MT.*

S.S. Red Rocket (labs not included and aren’t guides either)

You will be seated comfortably on the S.S. Red Rocket, a self-bailing raft designed for catching fish and having fun. You are encouraged to bring your favorite gear & tackle (fly or spin) if you’d like to fish and a camera. We will provide lessons on how to hold your fish so it appears HUGE and you can impress your friends.

We will row you over some of the best brown & rainbow trout fishing on this side of the Mississippi. If you don’t have gear, we will happily loan you a spinning rod and some lures.

Included will be an on-the-water sack lunch & rowing muscles.

THE FINE PRINT * The Praters are not guides or outfitters, just a couple who likes to get out on the water and wet a line when they can’t bow hunt. They are getting no-financial benefit for this leisurely trip down the river. They cannot guarantee a bite. Date of trip and stretch of the river will be determined based on river flows, weather, availability etc. between the winning bidder and the Praters.

Recommended dates are late April - early July. Winner is responsible for having proper licenses through the State of Montana before float.

Life jackets will be provided and a knowledge of swimming is highly recommended. Purchaser is responsible for own transportation to Craig, MT & any beverages they chose to partake drinking while on the water. The Praters have no liability for you, your guest, you or any loss, you are responsible for yourself and your own actions. We will provide a dry bag for your stuff - we highly recommend anything that is not waterproof or you don’t want the River God’s to take possession of, you place in there at the beginning of the float. Wear cheap sunglasses. Seriously, wear the cheap ones! The weather changes quickly in the summer so dress accordingly and wear sunscreen.

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

AUCTIONS AND RAFFLES

BOWHUNTERS! Bring your trophies, shed antlers and hunting/bragging snap shots to be displayed at the Convention! We all enjoy seeing them and hearing the stories.

Please have your name and any vital stats recorded with your trophy for everyone to enjoy.

Contact Joe Metcalf at 406-868-2238 for more information

Montana Canvas Spike Tent 12’x12’x4’ White Relite Tent Package

Northwest Motorsports carries the G3 boat lineup for your hunting and fishing needs. Outfitted with Yamaha outboard engines for industry leading performance and reliability.

Check them out at Northwest-Motorsports.com or call 406-293-9990

Montana Bowhunters 2019 12’x12’ Relite tent treated polyester Montana Canvas aluminum frame Front zippered screen door with storm flap

3 Zippered screened windows Rain fly Includes Rope, Rope tensioners, Stakes, Tent bag

MSRP $1599.99 Spring 2019

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AUCTIONS AND RAFFLES

PRIZES STILL ROLLING IN!!

Official banquet and raffle order forms will be mailed to every member.

Keep an eye on the website at MTBA.org to check out more prizes and information.

LIVE AUCTION • Hand Hammered Copper Bowl, Mountain Copper Smith Creations -Jim Clapham

Hand Hammered Copper Bowl, Mountain Copper Smith Creations -Jim Clapham

• Allison Custom Design Fire Globe – Allison Custom Design • 10 Day, 2 person South African Safari – Matlabas Game Hunters • King Size Quilt – Mandy and Colleen Garness • Head Table Vortex Optic Package • Longcurve Bow • SkyBlade Knife – Skyblade Knives • Cornhole Board Set – Al and Teri Kelly • 7 Day, 2 Person South African Safari Numzaan Safaris

Barn Wood Rocking Chairs

• Mountain Lion Hunt – Ed Evans and Mark Schwomeyer • Missouri River Float Trip – Stephanie and Mike Prater • Allen Jimmerson Print “Into the South Fork”– Allen Jimmerson • 2D Metal Art Piece – After Image Metal Art • 2 Barn Wood Rocking Chairs

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS

King Size Quilt – Mandy and Colleen Garness

See more at the convention and on the website!

Fire Pit

Banquet and raffle ticket order forms will be mailed out to all members.

Downloadable forms are available at: www.mtba.org.

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

Keep uptodate on convention information at www.mtba.org

Spring 2019

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RAFFLES

Prizes are still rolling in! Official banquet and raffle order forms will be mailed to every member.

DEFENSE RAFFLE

KUTAWAGAN BEAR HUNT RAFFLE

$5 each or 6/$25 (each item won separately)

$20 each or 6/$100

• Hunter Safety System Hybrid Flex Treestand Harness, L/XL 175# - 250#

6 Day Bear Hunt in Choiceland, Saskatchewan Road Trip “CARE” Package

• Rinehart Pyramid Target

$200 towards a bear shoulder mount – Mike’s Wildlife Creations

• Primos Surround View 270 Blind

See Kutawagan Flyer for Details (page 23)

• Burris Signature HD 10x42 Binoculars

FLORIDA GATOR HUNT LADIES RAFFLE

$20 each or 6/$100

$5 each or 6/$25 (each item won separately)

Up to 1 – 9' Alligator (can upgrade for fee) See Flyer for Detail (page 22)

• Hunter Safety Systems – Ladies Contour S/M Harness (100# to 175#, 28"-30" Torso) • Rhinehart 18-1 Target

CONVENTION GAMES/RAFFLES

• Sitka Women’s Timberline Pant size 29R Optifade Subalpine pattern (can be exchanged)

during pre-banquet social Saturday evening

• Sitka Women’s Kelvin Active Jacket Medium Optifade Subalpine pattern (can be exchange)

• Pistol Raffle - $10 each or 4 for $30 – Springfield Armory XDM 10mm

1 Ticket/winner • Camofire Headlamp (210 lumens) Raffle: 25 to be sold for $25 each

2 tickets/winners

BOW RAFFLE $5 each or 6/$20 (each item won separately)

• 50/50 Raffle – Split ½ Pot

• Schafer Silvertip Recurve – Dave Windauer - $1000 gift certificate

• TV Raffle - $10/card, 2 decks of cards Max

1 Card/winner

• Cocobolo 3D Killer Take Down Recurve – Paul Martin

• Stone Glacier pack weight contest

• Toelke Custom Bows: Whistler 58" Classic 46# @ 28" – Dan and Jared Toelke

• Trophy scoring contest

• Pronghorn Custom Bows: 1 piece 62” RH 50# – Herb Meland • Diamond Infinite Edge Package: 5-70#, 13"31" draw, w/ 1 dozen Gold Tip shafts • Bow or Gift Certificate – Hurst Bows

YOUTH RAFFLE $5 each or 6/$25 (each item won separately) • PSE Mini Burner Bow Package – Buffalo Jump Archery • Hunter Safety System Youth Treestalker Treestand Harness, 50# - 100# • Rhinehart Woodland Buck Target • Burris Signature HD 10x42 Binoculars

HAT RAFFLE $40 / hat - 2 Winners will be drawn See more at the convention and on the website!!

TENT RAFFLE $20 each or 6 for $100 Montana Canvas tent (frame included); stovepipe ring – additional information coming to the website!

NOTE: Any winner requiring shipment outside of Montana will be required to cover shipping charges (approx. $150)

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

• Regional games

2019 CONVENTION DONORS

Libby Montana

Spring 2019

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LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

Region 4 Lion Hunt

with “Fat, Cat Bowhunters” AKA Mark Schwomeyer and Stephen LePage With this hunt you are entitled to two weekends hunting with two of the finest houndsmen in Lewistown, MT. Included will be a spare bedroom in a drafty house, poorly cooked meals, hounds that sometimes chase non-target animals, driving around in Polaris Rangers with heated cabs and a six pack of cheap beer (three pack if you arrive after 6:00 on Friday.)

Expenses not included: doughnuts, lots of gas, tire repair, parts for the inevitable breakdowns, vet bills and dog food.

This hunt will take place two weekends to be determined by the houndsmen in the 2019/2020 season.

If no lion is treed, we will take you to the Glacier Bar and introduce you to a few “Cougars.”

* We are not guides or outfitters, just guys who like to chase lions

Phone: (863) 342-4549 Email: info@gatorgladeshunts.com

Adrenaline-Charged Alligator Hunting Trips Join the GatorGlades crew in Moore Haven, Florida, for one of our action-packed alligator hunting trips.

We offer two types of hunts—a private wetland hunt and a public water hunt. Our private hunt is offered year-round, while our hunt on public waters is seasonal. Either of our hunts is amazing for beginners and experienced hunters alike.

Private Land Hunts Whether you are looking for your next pair of boots or a proud trophy, we are the place to make it happen.

Our private land hunts can be done day or night and at any time of year. Alligators can be harvested using many different methods, including rifle, handgun, bow, or crossbow. If you are up for the battle, we also offer snag hook and bang stick hunting.

Public Water Hunt Count on our professionals to provide guide service for hunters who have been awarded a statewide alligator hunt permit. We have the equipment and the knowledge to make your hunt a success. In addition to a high-horsepower airboat, and a flats boat, we include all of the necessary equipment. From harpoons and bang sticks to rods, reels, and tackle, we have what it takes to harvest gators in any area you choose to hunt. Our public land hunt packages include a one-night, guided hunt to harvest one or both of our guest hunters' tags—this is referred to as our "Guide Service Hunt." For hunters who were not awarded tags, we also offer a "Provided Tag Public Hunt." For this hunt, the guide will supply one public water alligator tag and conduct guide service for one night.

Alligator Hunts

Private Land Hunts Up to 9ft ... $1,250 * 9ft - 11ft ... $2,500 * 11ft and Above ... $3,500 Add a Meat Hog Hunt to any Gator Hunt for $200! * Add a Trophy Hog Hunt to any Gator Hunt for $550!

Public Land Hunts Guide Service Hunt... $750/night Provided Tag Public Hunt... $1,000/ Alligator Contact us to schedule one of our fun-filled alligator hunting trips.

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

KUTAWAGAN OUTFITTERS CHOICELAND, SASKATCHEWAN

WWW.KUTAWAGAN.COM

Donation for the Following: - 6-day hunt (value of $3,000), Successful kill fee of $600, not included in donation - Non-Hunters welcome for an additional $800 - Travel to/from Choiceland, Saskatchewan not included - Bear tag not included (approximately $315) Base Hunt/General Information: -

Hunts start on Monday afternoon and end Saturday evening Plan to arrive at Bearpaw Lodge by 2pm on Monday, so your prepared for the evening hunt Spring Season runs from early May to mid-June We supply comfortable accommodations, excellent meals, professional guiding which includes trophy and meat handling We carefully prepare each hide for a safe trip home Our hunting area is 192,0000 acres (300 square miles) of prime Saskatchewan forest habitat Fishing at Tobin Lake is only 25 miles away Archery and rifle shooting ranges available at the lodge The lodge is located 15 minutes from our hunting area for quick access If traveling with a firearm, be sure to download and complete a non-resident firearms declaration If driving, it is advised that you also visit the US Customs to record your weapon before crossing into Canada Stands are monitored with Game Cameras Excellent mix of color bears can be observed from Blond and Cinnamon to Red and Jet Black Clients watching a variety and multiple bears each night is common Hunting is in ladder stands over carefully chosen bait locations

ARCHERY SEASON

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

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

Helena 406-449-3111 buffalojumparchery.com

Spring 2015

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CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI

Montana Bowhunters Association presents:

Have You Been “Carpified ?”

C A N YO N F E R RY C A R P S A F A R I JUNE 8, 2019 C A N YO N F E R RY L A K E , H E L E N A M T 

Bowhunting only - everyone welcome!!



Help Carp Management in Canyon Ferry Lake



Never been Carpified? -Help available from semi-professional Carp Ninjas



Send in Registration form by June 1



Evening meal included in registration fee

Good Things to Know :

- All sh oo ter s n e ed a vali d fi shi ng l i cens e - Boa ts m us t b e re gis ter e d wi th corr e ct numb er of li f eja ck e ts - Boa ts m us t b e cl ean up on arri val and cl ean e d pr io r to e n ter ing an o th er b o d y of wa ter - Bo whun ting on l y. Brin g l o ts o f arr ow s - Carp Safa ri w ill run Sa tur da y f rom sun ris e un ti l 5 p .m.

Individual shooter - preregistered Individual shooter - day of shoot 2-person team - preregistered 2-person team - day of shoot Shooter - under 15 Non - shooter meal ticket

$ 20.00 $ 25.00 $ 40.00 $ 50.00 $ 10.00 $ 6.00

Camping available at our private camping area—details and map posted at http://www.mtba.org

(don’t worry, it’s not carp) 

Contact Joelle Selk to reserve a campsite in the group use area or log on to www.recreation.gov to reserve in the other loops at Hellgate Campground

 

How to g e t pr e r e g i s te r e d:

Mail at t ach ed form b y J u n e 1 , 2 0 1 9 Mail p ayme nt t o: J o e l l e S e l k

6963 York Road Helena, MT 59602 (Make checks out to MBA)  Need mor e f or ms o r i nfo?

jselk m t@g ma i l . c om Phone #: 406 - 4 2 2 -67 98

P R E R E G I S T R A T IO N FO RM C a n y o n Fe r r y C a r p S a fa r i J u n e 8 , 2 0 1 9 C a n y o n F e r r y L a k e , H e l e n a I n d i v i d u a l Sh o o t e r s $20.00 x ______ = $__________ Shooters under 15 $10.00 x ______ = $__________ M e a l t i c k e t -n o n - s h o o t e r $6.00 x _______ = $__________ 2-person team $40.00 x _______ = $__________ Total>> $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Make checks out to MBA and mail to: Joelle Selk– MBA 6963 York Road Helena MT 59602

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

List names of individuals, team members, phone #, and emails: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

CONTACT NUMBERS

FWP Commission Members fwpwld@mt.gov

District 3

District 1

District 5

Richard Stuker, Vice-Chairman Chinook 406-357-3495

Tim Aldrich Missoula 406-241-7164

Shane Colton Billings 406-259-998

District 4

District 2

Logan Brower Scobey 406-230-2188

Dan Vermillion, Chairman Livingston 406-222-0624

Active as of January 2019

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

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

Buffalo Jump Archery

Judy Adams

P.O. Box 5581

Helena

MT

59604

406-539-3936

Crown Photography

Mike and Lucinda Layne

PO Box 9936

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-752-6116

Elk Creek Family Outfitters

David Hein

1021 Toole Circle

Billings

MT

59105

406-670-4366

First Class Outdoors, LLC

10 Grassy Flat Rd

Roundup

MT

59072

661-317-0001

Halloran Knives

9 Triview Lane

Great Falls

MT

59404

406-217-7012

Hammer-em Outfitting

P.O. Box 472

Stanford

MT

59479

406-366-5042

High Mountain Spirit Quest

115 Rocky Cliff Rd

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-756-5455

Libby Archery Club

P.O. Box 755

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-7174

Libby Sports Center

204 W 9th ST

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-4641

Matablas Game Hunters

Willem Frost

P.O. Box 1559

Lephalale, 0555

South Africa

27116794664

Moody’s Dirty Laundry

Jay Moody

221 W 9th St

Libby

MT

59923

406-291-1609

Montana Historical Society Library

PO Box 201201

Helena

MT

59620

406-444-3485

Northwest Motorsports

Tom Gilmore

2318 Granite Creek Rd

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-3131

Pronghorn Custom Bows

Herb Meland

2491 W 42nd St

Casper

WY

82604

307-234-1824

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

David Allen

5705 Grant Creek Road

Missoula

MT

59808

406-523-4500

Tricon Commercial Construction

Jason Catron

385 Old Corvallis Rd

Hamilton

MT

59840

406-381-9672

UDAP Industries

Mark Matheny

1703 Waterline Rd

Butte

MT

59701

406-581-4856

Western Bear Foundation

Joe Kondelis

4116 Temple Xreek

Cody

WY

82414

307-899-0461

Western Trailer & Marine Sales

Clyde Thomas, Jr.

1865 Hwy 2 E

Havre

MT

59501

406-265-4572

Tom Hallora

Kevin & Kim Friedman

Spring 2019

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

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

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP One Year $30.00 Three Years $81.00 Life $750.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

$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!

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

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M ontana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

1

DIANN MARTIN 2018 grouse.

4

BRIAN KOELZER 2018 Wyoming mule deer. Shot him in his bed at 10 feet while he napped. Bears paw long bow and vpa broadhead.

7

JASON HEGG 2018 bull

2

5

8

JUNE LEPAGE deer

3

KILEY JONS 2018 bull

ALISHA ZEMLICKA 2018 cow elk

6

SCOTT KOELZER with a big old buck named Louis.15 yard shot with his Schafer silver tip

9

SUSAN BARRETT elk

Long time MBA member ROCKY TORGERSON of Sidney with a double

MICHAEL PRATER, Bull elk he bugled in one morning on a solo elk hunt

10

MITCHELL LEPAGE lion 2

11

12

LUCAS ZEMLIKA 2018 antelope

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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?

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

Photos by Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside

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What can you do for bowhunting in Montana?

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

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