Vol. 46 #4 Summer 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 18

Carp Safari 2019 PAGE 14

2019 Convention Highlights

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

Mike Shephard

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 ........................................... 406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net 351 7th Ave E N, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 ....................... 406-250-9806 michaelshepard7@gmail.com

Region 2

Neil Maier

Kevin Robinson 2110 Wylie Ave, Missoula MT 59802 ............................... 406-531-8243

16200 Roman Creek Rd., Frenchtown, MT 59834 .............. 406-546-6013 nam56@yahoo.com

kevin.robinson@technometalpost.com

Region 3

Liberty Brown Brandingironmarketingllc.com............................................ 406-581-7216 Barrett Haugan 560 Clovehitch Rd., Belgrade, MT 59714 .......................... 406-539-0602 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

Region 6

Ken Schultz

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

REP VACANCY Nathan Veit

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

REP VACANCY.

Region 7

Bob Morgan

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

REP VACANCY EVEN YEARS

Seth Rogers Jerry Davis Rich Smith Drew Steinberger Cliff Garness Mandy Garness

MBA

officers PRESIDENT

Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane • Stevensville, MT 59870 mbaregion2@gmail.com • 406-777-2408 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Brian Koelzer 80 Jansma Lane • Manhattan, MT 59741 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com • 406-570-7997 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

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

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

Claudia Davis - Incoming 725 Middlemas Road • Helena, MT 59602 grmaclyde@gmail.com • 406-461-9618 SECRETARY

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

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

AT LARGE DIRECTORS 1425 Prickley Pear, Billings, MT 59105 – srogers@lamar.com.......................................406-670-5435 725 Middlemas Road, Helena, MT 59602 – pipelinejerry@gmail.com............................406-475-2226 PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com.................................406-281-8846 1901 Mountain View Drive, Great Falls MT 59405 - drew@prcountrycomforts.com........406-351-2152 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com...............406-788-9009 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - camoquilter@gmail.com..........................406-750-9953

ODD YEARS

Paul Martin Ray Gross Richard Lewallen John Grimstad

www.mtba.org

110 Sage Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 - paulhmartin99@gmail.com...................... 406-261-4456 355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com.................... 406-660-1019

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

234 Audubon Way Drive Billings, MT 59106 – rpdlew@aol.com.......................... 406-690-0854 2031 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102 – twingrim@bresnan.net............................ 406-252-3620

MAGAZINE DESIGN

K Design Marketing, Inc.

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.

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

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

Summer 2019

1

EDITOR’S NOTE

MBA

Committees Legislative:

Jerry Davis, Chair Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham Richard Lewallen • Joelle Selk

Tentatives:

Ray Gross, Chair Paul Martin • Mark Schwomeyer John Grimstad • Marlon Clapham • Nathan Viet

Financial:

Jerry Davis, Chair Jenn Schneidern • Seth Rogers Ray Gross • Neil Maier Teri Kelly, with Alyse and Lily Wyman

Landowner/Sportsman:

S

pring is finally here so many things to do! We’re finally thru the cold winter and the snow is fading fast. It’s time to break out the sunscreen for yourself and the tick prevention for your furry friends. Be sure to check your local and regional clubs for upcoming 3D shoots! They’re a great way to hone your skills and just have a good time with family and friends and be sure to take information about the MBA share with others. You can generally find information about shoot on Facebooks and look for flyers in your local bow and sporting goods stores. The MBA Carp shoot is also coming up in June which is an event that I personally enjoy immensely. Does life get any better than wading in the water whacking carp and then reliving the tales with family and friends around the campfire. If you haven’t been to one, you are missing out on some fun shooting.

Also, as you’re 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. And it is with great thanks to those business, club and individual supporters that donate items to our convention, as well as set up their vendor booths and donate their time to make it such a great success.

So as usual, I’m in need of stories, photos and anything else that might be of interest to your fellow bowhunters. You don’t have to be an expert writer, I can help with that part, just able to tell your story. We also would love to see more members in our member spotlight section so if you have someone you’d like to suggest or you’d like to be in our member spotlight, please let me know. You can send pics and photos to me at teray1979@yahoo.com, or mail them to me at PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923

Teri Kelly

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

Nominations:

­Chair Al Kelly • Paul Martin • Cliff Garness

Awards:

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

Membership:

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

Convention 2020-Region 5 Rich Lewallen, Ken Schultz, Chairs To be determined Region 3- 2021 Fairmont Region 1- 2022 Fairmont

Magazine:

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

Website:

Liberty Brown • Jenn Schneider Lyle Hebel • Beckie Doyle

Carp Shoot:

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

Bow-Ed:

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

Youth Membership:

Becky Doyle •Roger Licht, Chairs 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

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 46 #4 Summer 2019

14

PAGE

12

Montana Bowhunters Association presents:

Have You Been “Carpified ?”

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18

C A N YO N F E R RY C A R P S A F A R JUNE 8, 2019 C A N YO N F E R RY L A K E , H E L E N A PAGE

On the Cover

2019 Conven tion Highlights

PAGE 14

Carp Safari 20 19

PAGE 18

13 MBA ELECTION RESULTS Good Things to Know

14 2019 MBA CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Help Carp Management 4  PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE in Canyon Ferry Lake 18 2019 CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI

Marlon Clahman  Never been Carpified? -Help available 19 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS 5 1ST m s ePRESIDENT’S m i - p r o f e s sMESSAGE ional Carp Ninjas f r oVICE 2 

Bowhunting only - everyone welcome!!

Teri Kelly

Brian Zoelzer

EDITOR’S NOTE

 

2ND VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

- 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 o - Boa ts m us t b e cl ean up on arri val and cl ean e d pr 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

Individual shooter - preregistered

$ 20.00

FWP COMMISSIONER Individual shooter CONTACTS - day of shoot $ 25.00 2-person team - preregistered 2-person team - day of shoot MBA MEMBERSHIP Shooter - underFORM 15 Non - shooter meal ticket

Send in Registration form by June 1

$ 40.00 $ 50.00 $ 10.00 $ 6.00

20 TREASURER’S MESSAGE available at our private camping area— Evening meal included in registration fee 21 MEMBERandCamping GALLERY Jenn Schneider / Claudia Davis map posted at http://www.mtba.org Mark Schwomeyer

(don’t worry, it’s not carp)

6 REGIONAL REPORTS  Contact Joelle Selk to reserve a campsite in the 11 MBA TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP group use area or log on to www.recreation.gov to reserve the other loops at Hellgate 12 LEE POOLEin TRADITIONAL Greg Hoell last day moose

Campground BOWHUTNER

BLAST FROM THE PAST

 

How to g e t pr er eg is ter ed:

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

6963 York Roa Helena, MT 596 (Make checks out to MBA)  Need mor e f or ms o r info?

jselkm t@g ma il.c om Phone #: 406 - 422-67 9

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 f a 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 te r $6.00 x _______ = $__________ 2 - p e r s o n te a m $40.00 x _______ = $__________ T o ta l > > $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Summer 2019

3

List names of individuals, team members, phone #, and em

sted

Return servic e reque

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

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

OFFICER’S REPORTS

PRESIDENT - MARLON CLAPHAM 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - BRIAN KOELZER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER TREASURER - JENN SCHNEIDER / CLAUDIA DAVIS

Marlon Claphman

SECRETARY - BECKIE DOYLE (NO REPORT)

President’s

A

Message

nother Convention come and gone. I for one had a great time. I got to work the silent auction pretty hard but, unfortunately, didn’t come away with much.

I got out-bid in the last few minutes when we were making enouncements and getting ready to start the dinner. I did come away with a very nice bottle of Crown Royal, (As I don’t partake in the nectar of the gods, I will have to take the word of others on just how good it is.) All the items that were gathered for the entire convention were great. I thank all the donors from across the state who pitched in with all the merchandise laid out for us. The MBA made some good money with the fund raisers. My hats off to the Great Falls Crew. Cliff and Mandy Garness put together a very hardworking crew. Nothing was out of order and stayed on time. The Great Falls Archery Club bent over backwards to help them out along with our own MBA members. Thanks to everyone involved. We appreciate all the hard work and effort that goes into an event like this.

Next year the Convention will be the Billings Crew and Region 5 who gets put together the Convention, and they voted to host the event at Fairmont Hot Springs.

March 3rd 4th and 5th 2020. Save the date and book your rooms when they are available as they go quick at Fairmount.

This has been one very busy Legislation session. We were asked to sign on to assist many different groups to fight whatever their cause might be. We try to help the others with alerts that go out to you the members to notify your local representatives to voice your stance on any given issue. Of course, the MBA will testify on any issue that involves or impacts the hunting community and us as Bowhunters. Jerry Davis is up on the hill almost daily for one issue or another and then working with the MBA Legislative Committee formulates a plan, and acts accordingly. This is where the alerts are generated. In this session our biggest issue was SB 174 to include the crossbow into archery season for the handicapped and hunters over 70.

With the help of other likeminded groups, we put up a good stance. The fight went further up the ladder then we would have hoped for, but in the end, it was stopped on the Senate floor 37-13. It was nerve wracking to see it get that far. There is still loads of work to be done with the Elk Shoulder Seasons. The FWP has their work cut out for them and the FWP Commission will have to sort out just what to give to the general hunting community, bowhunters as well as gun hunters. We the MBA are fighting to keep the Shoulder Seasons out of Archery Season as well out of Archery only areas. But we still have to keep in mind that the land owners are the ones having to feed the elk and deer on their properties. We as a group need to be careful what we say and do not to upset the Landowners about what they have to do to keep their properties open to the general hunting public, US. I hope you all took the time to read through the alert Jerry sent out a few weeks ago on what the landowners put up with trying to deal with the wildlife, general hunting public, and outfitters, let alone running their ranch and farming operations. I felt it was a very good read, with a lot of insight for what todays landowners have to deal with.

This summer will be a busy one for the MBA, May 11th we will be involved with the Teller Wildlife Refuge and the Youth Conservation Education Expo in Corvallis.

The MBA has been involved with this event since the very beginning. Several of the MBA folks here are on the planning board to pull this event off each year. The MBA will donate a $1000.00 toward the event to give the youth an opportunity to go to different camps this summer. There are 30 some groups like the us who raise all the

4

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

funds to pull this off. We are sending over 160 kids out to different camps. The Rapp Family Foundation gave us a grant to purchase a 16-foot enclosed trailer, a dozen 3D targets 4 big 4-foot block targets, a drop net, and 12 Genius bows, and tables and chairs for us to use at these out door events.

Then May 19th we will be involved in the Hellgate Shooting Expo. Again, we set up the net and targets and the kids shoot arrows for hours, along with rifles pistols and shotguns. Most of these kids are shooting for the first time so it can be an exciting day for them.

Next up is the Carp Safari on Canyon Fairy June 8th. Joelle and Roger put together a crew to make sure we have a good time with prizes and food. We sure hope the carp and weather cooperate like last year, (without the wind this time.) We for one are really looking forward to this this year.

Then June 20th -23rd is the MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp. This will be the third time for this event and it is a growing concern. We will host 20 teens ages 14 to 17 and 5 return campers to help the guides with the activities through camp. We will have a couple of new guides who get to experience teaching the Teens their elk hunting skills. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation gave us a grant to purchase a Rinehart 3D bull elk target for the Saturday morning elk hunt. Once again, we sponsor all the

campers so I ask all kinds of folks to help us with the funding. Anyone wanting to donate is serenely welcome to do so. We will move this year’s camp to the west side of Stevensville up Bass Creek on the Raffetto’s Ranch. It is located just under the wilderness so we have loads of space with some good fishing as well.

Then the MBA will be involved in the Magruder camp on the River of No Return. We set up the 3D targets and those kids shoot at every break they get. I have put together some fun shoots for all the kids right in camp as well. We have treestands set up with safety harness for them to experience for the first time.

They get to shoot at a 3D target from it so they all have fun. Then we shoot at the flying disc with flue flues that to is a big hit. Loads of fun.

There is an event in Billings called Elk Fever and we set up an Archery booth for the kids to shoot arrows for hours. We are looking for the date and time so I have no other information other then it has been in August last time.

As you can see the MBA is moving forward to get the word out, we do more then just fight to keep our Bowhunting and seasons the best in the country. We are also about the youth of our state. So, when you can pitch in and have some time to get involved you are always welcome.

Time to go bear hunting now so Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight

Marlon Clapham

OFFICER REPORTS

Brian Koelzer

Second Vice President’s

Report

First Vice President’s

Report

F

irst and foremost, I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me (even though the options were slim) and I’m very excited to serve as your new vice president! Another great convention is behind us and I’d like to thank all that attended and as for all that didn’t, you missed a great time.

Huge thanks you to the Garness family as well as the Great Falls archery club for putting the whole party together!!! I asked for several shows of hands while i was giving out the awards at the banquet and was quite pleasantly surprised when I asked how many first-time banquet attendees we had in the crowd and 20+ people raised their hands. Member recruitment and retainage needs to be first and foremost on all our minds. If we are going to continue to enjoy the archery opportunities, we have in this state we need numbers to help back that up. With 500 or so members whose dues are current and 50,000 archery stamps sold in MT last year we are sitting at 1% of the archers in our ranks. If every member signed up one person this year our membership would be over a 1,000 and that would look pretty good. I spent this last weekend in Omaha, Nebraska at the Pope and Young convention and talked with a lot of folks from all around the country about an array of archery topics. I’ve attended every biennial convention over the last 20 years and back in 2013 achieved regular member status. While sitting through the regular member meeting and going through the financial and membership committee reports I was not surprised to see the same trends as the MBA just larger numbers up on the screen. Archery and archery groups are struggling all across the country with rising costs of operation and membership recruitment/retainage. When I first got voted onto the board of directors back in 2013 the MBA was not in good financial shape. Since then we have been able to get things turned around and are sitting in a very good position right now. I’d like input from all of you on where you think our money would be best spent in order to promote, preserve and grow our ranks. I invite any and all to get a hold of me at any time if you have something on your mind or just want to chat.

Remember there is no such thing as a bad day spent in the woods and good luck chasing the bears this spring!

M

an, am I ready for this time of year, how many more springs do you have left? How many more Septembers? Time seems to come and go exponentially faster, so get up off of your behind and go enjoy what fulfills you, and take your bow with you! I’ve been on two successful outings since our banquet, found a couple ungulate sheds on one 12-mile solo walkabout and called in a nice tom turkey for a firsttimer with 3 young boys with a cumulative age of 18! What an exciting and rewarding morning! Part of this obsession is the planning that goes along with it. So far, I have made plans for moose, sheep, goat, elk, and bear.

And that’s in between morels and fishing this spring. The only downside to my plans is many of them will have to be changed when the draw results are posted and I have slew of unsuccessfuls.

An important email discussion has caught my attention. The MBA membership is under 500! WTSH (What in The Sam Hill) is that all about?

(Ya, I just made that acronym up.) I was just at the banquet and thoroughly enjoyed myself and felt the turnout was quite well considering we have less than 500 active members. Do you guys not believe what we stand for? I dare you to read the page in this newsletter, explaining what the MBA has done for Bowhunters in Montana, memorize your top 3 and tell 5-10 people this summer that aren’t members and ask them why. If you don’t, I’ll send Roger Peffer after you! Seriously though, tell people about us at the pro shops and archery shoots this summer. Afterall there are over 40,000 licensed Bowhunters in this great state and every bowhunter safety field day class is damn near full all summer. A nonmember bowhunter should be easy to find. And here’s another acronym for you.

MMBAGA (figure it out) Now get out there and do something fun and outdoors!

Love

Mark Schwomeyer

Brian Koelzer

Treasurer’s Message

M

y 10th and final convention is done, and it was a perfect end to a wonderful time as the treasurer for the MBA. A record profit was recorded and the financial stability of our organization seems set for the time being. I feel very confident in Claudia’s ability to carry on and even improve the processes we’ve established. It is a bittersweet transition, but I’m very excited to enjoy the conventions from the other side of the registration desk!

Thank you for all your love, support, and thoughtful words.

I

Jenn Schneider

will be taking over for Jenn as Treasurer on July 1. I am the wife of Jerry Davis from Region 1 and I’ve recently retired from Prickly Pear Land Trust as the Administrative Services Coordinator. While working there I took care of the finances and membership. I also serve as treasurer on two small nonprofit organizations. I enjoy sewing, bowling, reading, camping, and boating. But my real love is spending time with my grandchildren.

Jerry and I have been married for 44 years which should tell you I’m not a quitter. I am looking forward to be able to working alongside my husband on a shared interest.

Claudia Davis Summer 2019

5

REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 1 AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD REGION 2 KEVIN ROBINSON REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN (NO REPORT) BARRETT HAUGEN (NO REPORT) REGION 4 STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT REGION 5 KEN SCHULTZ

Mike Shepard

N

REGION 6 NATHAN VEIT REGION 7 BOB MORGAN REGION 1 REGION

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6

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4

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2

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8

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REGION REGION

3

7

5

AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD MBA Friends, o those who did not make it to this year’s convention, you missed a great one. Cliff and Mandy and their team put on one smooth running convention. And what a great time we all had. There were several great seminars including one by Roger Licht and Mark Schwomeyer. The crowd enjoyed a very entertaining tree stand show by these two. Joe Metcalf had a lot of good info from his experience in the back country and as an EMT. Glad I got to see that seminar. the Fish and Game put on a very informative talk about CWD in Montana. Man is that some bad news stuff. Look for more information on CWD in our newsletter coming soon. Oh, and did I mention that I had a great time!

Next fun event coming to Canyon Ferry Reservoir in June will be the Carp Safari. Another fun time for all who make the Journey. Hope to see you there.

T

ot much to report. Terrible snow depths in February, and 8 deer spent way too many nights in my yard. Young ones were looking pretty shabby, but snow melted quick straight into dry ground, and they disappeared.

2018 season was another slow one. Rut was slow, and not many deer seen anyway in my favorite areas.

Elk calf call brought a huge (to me) chocolate black bear up from a hole on mountain to about 10 feet when he stood up. One arrow into its chest was swift and quick death. His scat was full of elk hair, so do not blame wolves for our loss of ungulates.

6 and 1/2 foot long and about 300 pounds. Now more things to ponder. Lake trout in YNP have caused the cutthroat to collapse, thus no small trib streams full of spawning cutts. For eons this was the food of choice for ma grizz and families, until it collapsed. Mother griz then having to make milk for the little ones, then turned her attention to ELK CALVES, and we all know how grizzlies find those precious little morsels. Thus the ongoing collapse in recruitment of elk in the park, adding lions, wolves, eagles, coyotes, disease etc etc. Ever wonder why I never see elk ...lots of things eating them..besides hunters. Not sure who wanted me back as a Director, but happy to do it. Remember to always take a black bear either spring or fall. My picture of Oct bear is attached. Yours truly Shep

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Kevin Robinson REGION 3 REGION

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4

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2

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LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGAN

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Montana

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Kevin Robinson

Mike Shepard

Al Kelly

Al Kelly

license. I literally learned to shoot a bow and hunt whitetail deer by reading every article of every issue of Bowhunter Magazine. After a few years of flailing around in the hardwoods I had shot over, under, in front of and behind a few generations of deer and I was hooked. I now have a three-year-old son that I will mentor, yet hope the writings and teachings in all of the fine bow hunting publications are still available for him to read as it led my own obsession.

For the last 24 years I have created so many incredible memories with a bow in my hand living in Montana. From stalking August antelope on the plains, to chasing bugling bulls in the mountains, to waiting for a big November whitetail buck to walk under my tree; I never grow tired of it. The archery hunting opportunities in our state are quite incredible and I am well aware of the role the MBA and it’s founding members had in securing those opportunities. I look forward to helping promote archery and keep archery hunting opportunities available for all current and future generations.

REGION REGION

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NEIL MAIER KEVIN ROBINSON

y infatuation with archery came at a young age which is a little surprising considering my lack of exposure to the sport growing up. No one in my immediate family hunted at all and certainly no one had any interest or knowledge of archery that I was close to.

Around 8 years old I pieced together my first bow from a maple sapling and string while shooting oak dowels stolen from my Dad’s woodworking stash. My first “real” bow was a Bear Whitetail II given to my Dad from a family friend that dabbled in bow hunting. Luckily my Dad recognized my obsession and acquired permission to hunt on a few of his friends’ farms surrounding our small midwestern town before I even had my driver’s

REGION

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STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT

B

een a long cold winter in central MT but warm weather is finally here and it’s time to get out hunting again; turkey and spring bear are only days away (as I write this). Hats off to Cliff and his crew for putting on a great banquet, got to see lots of friends and make some new ones.

The Carp Safari is up next in June it’s always lots of fun for the whole family and I hope to see you there.

God bless our troops

Roger Licht

Stephen LePage

REGIONAL REPORTS REGION 5

Ken Schultz

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KEN SCHULTZ

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ell, that was one heck of a banquet. I would like to thank Cliff, Mandy and the remainder of the Great Falls crew for all of their hard work!

The turkeys are gobbling around Lewistown and everyone should make an effort to blow the dust of the bow and take it for a walk, in pursuit of these birds.

This is the first year that 900-20 tags are not a 100% draw for first choice applicants. Luckily, all of my family drew one, but I have been hearing a bunch of grumbling around Lewistown and our region’s bowhunters are not happy.

My family made time to go on down to Texas to bowfish for alligator gar. Like usual, my wife out hunted the remainder of us and she was the only one to put a gar into the boat. It was a nice 4 ½ foot fish!

The Carp Safari is right around the corner and I am excited to see you all again. Let’s hope for good weather and lots of fish in the shallows.

Stephen LePage

Greetings All, e just returned from Great Falls where we attended the annual MBA Convention and Banquet. We had a great time and the Team did an outstanding job putting it on. Region “5” will be putting on the Convention and Banquet next year in Fairmont Hot Springs. Anyone interested in participating in this huge project, please let me know ASAP. More to come!

The upcoming season is upon us! Hopefully everyone made the first-round deadline for tag entry. The next round is Moose, Sheep and Goat in by May 1st. Remaining tags for Antelope and Deer & Elk “B” tags are June 1st. It’s time to break out the bows and start shooting and tuning if you haven’t already.

As we roll into the new season, please take time appreciate the special opportunities we have in Montana. We have a lot of folks out there fighting for us to keep these rights to hunt. Take time to thank those who have put in the time to fight the bills that trying to be pushed through. I want to personally thank

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Jerry Davis for the work he has put in at the Capital. Because of his efforts the Crossbow Bill was shot down. We have to keep fighting for our rights to hunt, so make sure you are doing what you can.

Well I will sign off for now, but hope to see all of you in the near future.

Always take time for family!!!!

Like always, “Shoot straight and ALWAYS be a straight shooter”!

t’s finally Spring here in my part of the state.

Turkey season is already underway and I’ve been able to make it out a few times. No luck yet though, as an unnoticed branch saved a tom on the first day of this spring season. Poor excuse on my part but I’m sticking by my story.

Spring also means the bears will be coming out of their dens before we know it. Spring bear

here in Montana is starting to become my favorite season, and I am looking forward to heading into the mountains soon. Hopefully this year will yield more bears spotted than last year.

This year’s convention was fun as always and it was great to see some familiar faces. I also enjoyed getting to meet a few new people as well. It’s always great to be around so many people that all enjoy and support the same activities.

I hope everyone gets put in for the tags they want and with a little luck be able to draw them. I look forward to possibly seeing some of you at the carp safari in June. I’ve never partaken in the safari yet but I’ve heard that it is a blast and plan to make it this year.

Nathan Veit

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BOB MORGAN Spring Is Here hank you, Lord, for ice and grass. Just glad that the ice is gone and the grass is greening up. Spring, we all enjoy Spring. Turkeys are gobbling, meadowlarks are singing. Most of us just enjoy getting out in the woods looking for sheds or mushrooms. I just got back from Table

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Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri. It’s a big, big lake. I was bass fishing in a tournament. Great experience! I missed the MBA banquet this year but I know everyone that went had a great time. Thanks for working together to promote bow hunting in Montana.

I taught a class in bow-making and flint knapping again this year at the Colstrip High School. I’m just a big kid at heart. Rocks and sticks are all it takes, oh yeah brothers and sisters too.... and what would life be without laughter? It’s good medicine, the bible says in Proverbs 12:22 (paraphrased).

I went out bow hunting turkeys yesterday, 4/13/19, my father’s birthday. He would have been 97. My friend got a turkey and I found a set of

elk sheds. A great day.

Enjoy this Spring! Keep practicing and take a youngster out bow shooting. God is good.

Bob Morgan

Bob Morgan

Summer 2019

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REGIONAL REPORTS

JERRY DAVIS CLIFF GARNESS (NO REPORT) MANDY GARNESS (NO REPORT) JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT)

RICHARD LEWALLEN PAUL MARTIN RAY GROSS SETH ROGERS (NO REPORT) RICH SMITH (NO REPORT) DREW STEINBERGER (NO REPORT)

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DirectorsAt Large

ell as I write this, we are about 2 weeks from Sine Die of the 66th Montana Legislative Session.

I will try to be brief but this is still a little lengthy.

HB 161 Remove Public from Fish and Wildlife Decision Making Processes HB 161 sponsored by Rep. Brad Tschida (R) HD 97 out of Missoula would have removed the public from FWP’s fish and wildlife decision making process. Had this bill passed it would have limited our ability to comment on hunting seasons, archery equipment, wildlife habitat acquisitions and easements, and other Fish and Wildlife Commission issues. There was considerable comment opposed to this bill and luckily for Montana sportsmen and women this bill was tabled in the House Fish and Game Committee.

HB 265 Require Land Board Approval for FWP Conservation Easements HB 265 sponsored by Rep Kerry White (R) HD 64 out of Bozeman overturns the Supreme Court Decision earlier this year that asserted the Land Board is not required to approve FWP Conservation Easements. This ruling came out of the Land Board’s decision to indefinitely postpone a decision on the Horse Creek Conservation easement in Eastern Montana.

The governor overturned that decision citing Montana Law does not require FWP conservation easements to be approved by the Land Board after they have been approved by the FW Commission.

FWP conservation easements are funded with dollars generated by out of state hunting license fees (Habitat Montana) and Federal dollars that are leveraged with the Habitat Montana share of the cost. No state general funds are used and no school trust lands are affected.

The Land Board’s official argument for this indefinite postponement was that the appraisal of this FWP conservation easement, which includes public access in perpetuity, was incorrect and excessive even though the easement went through at least two separate IRS appraisals by independent certified appraisers.

The unstated fact of the matter is the Secretary of State, Cory Stapleton, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, Elsie Arntzen, and the State Auditor, Matt Rosendale, do not believe that the FWP should hold conservation easements.

This bill passed the Senate Floor on a vote of 29 to 21 on second reading, a party line vote. On third reading the vote was 26 to 23 with one member absent and with Senators Fitzpatrick from Great Falls and Small from Busby changing their votes to do not pass.

This bill is headed to the Governor’s desk where he will hopefully veto it. MBA along with the other members of the Montana Sporting Coalition have written a letter to the Governor urging him to veto. Even with a veto this will not doubt be an issue in the next session.

HB 497 Allow an Individual to Harvest Several Elk a Year During Shoulder Seasons HB 497 sponsored by Rep. Wylie Galt from Martinsdale was originally written to allow individuals hunting during a shoulder season to take numerous antlerless elk. MBA testified against this bill in the House Fish and Game Committee as did numerous other sportsman organizations.

This bill was eventually amended to remove reference to only the shoulder season and to allow for up to 3 elk to be taken by an individual during a license year with no more than one of those elk being antlered. MBA did not testify against the bill as it was amended and this bill passed and will become law.

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HJ 18 Recommendations to Increase Elk Harvest During Should Seasons Another bill Rep Wylie Galt sponsored was HJ 18. This joint resolution sends shoulder season and elk plan recommendations from the Legislature to the Fish and Wildlife Commission. As originally written there was a clause recommending the Commission allow one individual to harvest multiple elk for members of that individual’s hunting party. Though this clause was amended out of HJ 18 it was replaced with a clause to recommend inclusion of public lands adjacent to private lands enrolled in a shoulder season, which basically opens up all public lands to shoulder seasons.

This resolution also includes clauses to allow for multiple antlerless elk B tags to maximize the number of elk that can be taken by a select number of hunters that a landowner allows to hunt on their property, namely family and friends and clients. This clause is incompatible with the clause in HB 497 that allows only 3 elk to be harvested by an individual in any one license year.

HJ 18 also calls for the Commission to codify that all shoulder seasons begin August 15th and close no earlier than February 15th.

All of these recommendations for the experiment called shoulder seasons even though there has been NO formal 3 year review of criteria as required in the Final Elk Season Guidelines – Flexible Season Structure With Performance-Based Shoulder Seasons.

Shoulder seasons began in the winter of 2015-2016. Since that time the FWP has reviewed harvest on an annual basis. Of the 30 that were evaluated 17 failed to meet harvest criteria in 2016 and 15 failed to meet criteria in 2017.

Additionally comments made by Rep Galt during his testimony and from conversations I have had with hunters who have tried to take advantage of the shoulder seasons, it appears that only a select few are allowed to hunt on these private lands, namely friends, family, and clients. Therefore the sponsor sees the need to increase the number of elk that can be taken by an individual so that they can maximize the number of elk taken while limiting the number of individuals that can hunt.

Sad to say this resolution has passed through the legislature and because it is a resolution it cannot be vetoed.

Only time will tell if this resolution will have an impact on the FW Commission and shoulder seasons.

SB 174 Allow Crossbows for Handicapped and Individuals Over 70 During Archery Only Season SB 174 sponsored by Senator Doug Kary SD 22 from Billings would have legalized the use of a crossbow during Montana’s premier Archery Morgan Trey Only Season for those with a Bob handicap or thoseand over grandson 70. During the hearing at the Senate Fish and Game committee MBA provided information and evidence that the Permit to Modify Archery Equipment was providing opportunity to handicapped individuals who obtain the permit. MBA also provided evidence that we, particularly Marlon Clapham, help to design equipment modifications and pay for those modifications to individuals who have requested it of MBA. Additionally it was brought out that there were over 13,500 individuals over the age of 70 with hunting licenses this year that do not bowhunt at this time. Allowing those individuals to use a crossbow during the Archery Only Season (i.e. early bugle season) could have significant impact the number of bulls taken during the Archery Only Season. It has been shown in other states that crossbows are more effective than traditional

REGIONAL REPORTS

and compound bows and that anyone who shots a rifle will have the skills to accurately shot a crossbow.

The bill passed out of committee even though it should not have. Sen. Lang out of Malta informed me that he had intended to vote to table this bill in committee but because it was voted on in his absence his proxy voted to pass.

The bill ended up going to the Senate floor but thanks to the hard work of our board members, who reached out to their individual Senators, we were able to convince a plethora of Senators to vote NO on this bill on the Senate floor. It failed with 37 NOs to 13 YEAs. Session after session we continue to fight the crossbow from being allowed into the Archery Only season Testimony made during the committee hearing highlights that MBA needs to do more to get the word out that there are adequate provisions available to allow handicapped individuals to bowhunt.

To that end the board intends to pursue creating 3 videos in conjunction with the Traditional Bowhunters of Montana (TBM) that will be made widely available on social media. We also intend to pursue obtaining the help of FWP in insuring all handicapped hunters are made aware of the options available including the organizations that will assist them in obtaining any assistance for any of the special needs they may have.

But don’t be surprised if we don’t see crossbows brought up before the Commission before the next legislative session.

SB 333 Revising Requirements for Retention of Evidence of Sex for Harvested Animals SB 333 sponsored by Sen Jull Cohenour (D) SD 42 from East Helena clarifies that evidences of sex of harvested animals is not required if the animal is harvested using a license allowing either sex to be taken. It also changes language in the law to require that evidence of sex be retained until the carcass is processed including antlers if a hunting district limits harvest by antler points or horn size. This bill has passed both the Senate and the House and has been returned to the Senate to concur with amendments made in the House.

SB 349 Protecting FWP Fish and Wildlife Geolocation Data From Being Misused

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t’s been a long cold snowy end of winter. An elk survey from a great FWP biologist in southwest Montana, Dean Waltee, found the elk and deer in OK condition. The only reason for this is that they came into the winter season in good shape. But the state legislature is still trying to disrupt professional elk management. HB 497 takes management tools away from FWP to manage one of the most valuable and most sought-after wildlife species Montana has, and will make elk shoulder seasons permanent.

The reason elk populations are over objective is that large populations of elk are not accessible to the public during the regular hunting season.

They are on private lands that do not allow public hunting because the land owners, or outfitters are the only ones that have access. The shoulder seasons are a way to perpetuate this. Let’s have the elk accessible to the public and harvest them during the regular hunting season. FWP has tools like depredation hunts to mange special cases. The legislature should not legislate wildlife management.

Ray Gross Directors At Large continued on page 10

SB 349 also sponsored by Sen Cohenour would prohibit geolocation data obtained by FWP during various studies and requested by citizens under the freedom of information act, from being used for hunting, harassment, or harm of wildlife. As of this time it has been tabled in the House Fish Wildlife and Parks Committee but the sponsor, Senator Cohenour, is working to get it blasted to the House Floor. MBA supported this bill.

SR 28 and 48 Confirm Governor’s Appointees to the Fish and Wildlife Commission These resolutions were heard before the Senate Fish and Game Committee on Thursday April 12th. The appointees are for two existing Commission Members, Tim Aldrich from Missoula and Shane Colton from Billings, who were appointed but were not confirmed after the Senate failed to confirm two other appointees last session. The other appointees will be new to the Commission. They are Logan Brower from Scobey and Pat Byorth from Bozeman. As of this time none have been confirmed.

That pretty much caps the bigger issues in the 66th Legislative Session.

Now begins the interim and DEQ meetings.

Hope to see you all at this year’s carp shoot. It looks to be another good year as I would guess water levels will be up in Canyon Ferry.

Jerry Davis

REMINDER:

Mailing Labels Show Your Membership Renewal Date

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

Summer 2019

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Paul Martin

REGIONAL REPORTS

DirectorsAt Large

continued from page 11

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indshield Time, I recently drove up to the Montana Bowhunter Association convention in Great Falls with Ken Schultz the area 5 representative. As we were driving along, it was a journey of reflection of the amount of time I had spent bowhunting in the Musselshell River drainage. We hunted the Rimrock country to the south successfully for mule deer with blockers and drivers. We also hunted mule deer and whitetail deer along the river and its side drainages. I also spent a considerable amount of time hunting Elk in the north end of the Crazy Mountains and harvested a black bear there. I also hunted elk and mule deer in the Little Belt Mountains.

During my earlier hunts in the Little Belt Mountains, the elk were scattered on forest service land. On a recent hunt, the elk were concentrated on a private ranch adjacent to the forest service land. The elk were staying in one small timbered area adjacent to an alfalfa field and water. The elk were not moving to the forest service land. I stopped on the county road to glass the very visible elk and soon was confronted by an angry outfitter.

I was on the legal right of way observing wildlife. The conversation grew heated between my dad who was sitting next to me and the outfitter.

Private land and wildlife issues are complex, but I thought the outfitter was over the top. I informed him that he was providing us with an educational moment and we would give outfitter issues careful consideration when we vote in the future. We are all under the microscope.

On one of our archery elk hunting trips to the north end of the Crazy Mountains, three of us took off hunting in the afternoon in overcast foggy conditions with visibility of only 150 to 200 yards. My dad and I made it back to camp, but my dad’s friend spent the night out. He was able to build a fire and return in the morning when the clouds lifted. This was an educational moment as well which may have been avoidable with a functioning GPS unit (clouds? Trees?) as long as the batteries are good. I am not a fan of hunting in the fog.

Anyway, it has been a blessing to be able to archery hunt along the Musselshell drainage through the years and share that experience. Wildlife populations are dynamic and changing and I will always be on the lookout for an educational moment which may be the only positive thing happening when things seem difficult.

Richard Lewallen

3D SHOOTS AND ARE YOU A TROPHY HUNTER OR A MEAT HUNTER ur local archery club Flathead Valley Archers have already put on two shoots at the MBEF property, the Membership shoot, then a week later the Traditional shoot on Easter weekend.

Also, on April 27th the Mission Valley club will have conducted their first shoot of the season. One of the most enjoyable things about 3D shoots to me is the novelty targets. Again, this year Mr. Gene Gordner helped us out at the MBEF property with his novelty targets, like the William Tell shot and the 90-degree bear shot, sure makes things interesting, along with my two running targets whitetail deer Ricky Bobby from Talladaga Nights, and Randy Raghorn the running 4 x 5 bull elk. By the way Gene is also an olde world custom rifle maker of impeccable artistic craftsmanship, and Gene can sing you a ballad that takes you back to the old west. You can check out some of his work at www.customrifles.us Last year’s hunting season just didn’t seem to work out as great as it should have. It seemed like every time we strategized what to do it just didn’t pan out, or as I referred to decisions gone wrong. I guess we need to have one of those every once in a while, or we would lose interest.

Nobody ever said bowhunting was going to be easy or I wouldn’t be doing it. One of the reasons the MBA has worked so hard to keep not so legal archery equipment out of our bow season. Back to hunting, I hear the conversation every now and then, are you a trophy hunter or a meat hunter and I guess I’ve been one in the same forever, I hunt just as hard for the meat as the antlers or horns I ask people if there was a 5x5 bull and a yearling cow standing side by side which one would you shoot, almost every one would say the 5 x 5. Myself I would shoot the yearling cow. Another example, a few years ago I killed a nice bull in a certain area of our state and that elk was the worst tasting elk I’ve ever had and couldn’t believe an elk could taste that bad, so I won’t even hunt there anymore.

I have yet gone through a hunting season without putting something good to eat in the freezer with my bow and arrow set, and I hope that never happens. Back to the not so great hunting season, it was midDecember late season and it was time for me to kill something and get myself home, so that evening I called Diann and told her I would kill the first spike that came by my tree stand and joked that if I did the big buck would come by within minutes of my shot. And as if it was written in the script that’s exactly what happened. The season of decisions gone wrong but we sure love those tender 1 x 2 steaks which we just had tonight for dinner. Hope to see you at one of the shoots or out in the woods. >>>>----------->

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Richard Lewallen

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TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP

ATTENTION TEEN BOWHUNTERS AGES 14-17 Hello Teen Bowhunters, Jackie here from the Youth Committee.

It’s about time to start planning all your summer camps and activities. I am looking for Teen Bowhunter’s ages 14-17 that want to learn about Archery Hunting Elk. This will be the 3rd year that we have been putting on a Montana Teen Bowhunter’s Elk Camp.

At this camp we will be teaching you about setting up camp, checking equipment, team work, cooking and cleaning, blood trailing, elk calling, packing, scouting, locating, first aid, survival, tree stand safety and we will take you on a life-like elk hunt where we will use the wind and calling to shoot a 3D elk target.

There is so much that goes on at this camp you do not want to miss out. Camper’s will receive items that they will keep and use for this upcoming archery season.

Camp will be June 20th -23rd and you will need to contact me as soon as possible if you’re interested in attending because we only have 20 SPOTS available. Both young men and women will be attending camp. We will have 4 teams. 3 young men’s teams and 1 young women’s team which I am the leader of. Each team will have their own wall tent.

Each team will have a team name chosen by the leader and each leader will explain the Team name and why they chose that one.

There will be team tasks and individual tasks as well. This is a hands-on camp and one that will keep you wanting to come back to it each year!!

For Applications please contact Marlon Clapham at 406-777-2408 Jackie Doyle at 406-274-3716 If you would like to be a Sponsor or Donate to our Camp please contact us as well. We are looking for Sponsors for the camper’s and donations for the items needed for camp!!

See you soon Teen Bowhunters!!

- Jackie Doyle -

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BLAST FROM THE PAST

Blast from the Past If you’re in Bozeman, MT please be sure to stop by Bob Wards and check out the display honoring longtime MBA member and bowhunter Lee Poole, below is some information and a request by Lathie Poole.

This memorial display is now up at Bob Ward’s in Bozeman. Lee was past president of MBA in the 70s and 80s for seven years. I think some of the guys would enjoy seeing it and I wondered if you might put this in the newsletter.

Thanks - Lathie Poole, Bozeman

Lee Poole Traditional Bowhunter 1948 – 2015 Lee arrived in Montana in 1973 and soon after became active in the Montana Bowhunters Association.

He served as president for seven years and during that time the MBA became the most powerful sportsmens group in the state resulting in the establishment of their present and exclusive hunting seasons.

Lee hunters with only a recurve bow ranging from 68 to 78 pounds of resistance such as this one made by fellow Montanan and good friend Paul Shafer.

He hunters with many legendary archer hunters and truly loved being outdoors with his friends. Most of these animals were never scored because his heart was more in the experience of the hunt and in sharing the stores than in the numbers.

Lee, a true sportsman and trophy hunter, often would pass on opportunities to harvest less mature animals for several season waiting for a real trophy.

He greatly loved wildlife, the outdoors and his fellow man. He will be remembered for his enormous generosity, unmatched sense of humor, animated and hilarious storytelling and all around good nature.

Lee is sorely missed by his family and friends.

This blast comes from the year 1985. As I read through the old News Letters for that era, at first I didn’t see much that was going on, but the further I got into them there was plenty to report.

Buck Damone was our president at that time. The 7th Annual Convention was held in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn. The famous Maggie McGee from Bowhunter Magazine, was the keynote speaker. They planed on 550 meals to be served but 683 folks showed up for the dinner.

Our membership reached over 1200 members. We still had the problem of folks not keeping up with their renewals but they had new members joining as the old dropped out.

We were about to head into another Legislative Secession and the crossbow was brought up for inclusion into the Archery Seasons, House Bill 751. There were two lawyers that sponsored the bill. The MBA put up a convincing fight, the bill went as far as the floor but was finally killed 88 to 10. The other bill the MBA had to defeat was Senate Bill 255 which was to allow Black Powder into the Shotgun seasons. This also passed the Senate and moved into the House. The hearing news final was not in any of the news letters so I’ll be looking for the results in 1986 letters. One other bill that did pass was Senate Bill 302 which expands the previous law to prohibit shooting from the shoulder or borrow pits and across roads. So, it appears that the infamous “Ditch Deer” hunting is a thing of the past.

Another point of interest was the new Turn in Poachers Program. Where we could call in to turn in poachers or other illegal activities, and if prosecuted the caller was up for a reward. The phone number (as no one would be able to remember) was set up as 1-800-Tip-Mont.

The nonresident 17,000 combo license sold out in just five days. The reason for this was 15,000+ of the license were bought through outfitters using the power of attorney to purchase these licenses. A push was on for a way for the sale to be set up more fair for those who didn’t want to use an outfitter.

The last bit of news I would like to bring up is a warning about our health. We all know about the CWD and EHD, things that effect our deer and elk populations but what about us as Bowhunters? This breaking news come from one of our own concerned Bowhunters Karen Brunner WARNING – BOWHUNTING POX Very Contagious SYMPTOMS—Continual complaint as to need fresh air, sunshine and relaxation. Patient has blank expression, sometime deaf to spouse and kids. Has no taste for work of any kind. Frequent checking of hunting catalogs. Hangs out in Archery Sporting good stores longer than usual.

Secret night phone calls to hunting pals. Mumbles to self and lies to everyone.

THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE TREATMENT—Medication is useless. Disease is not fatal.

Victim should go Bowhunting as often as possible.

That’s the Blast From The Past for this issue. Hopped you enjoyed. Marlon

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Election Results are in and as follows: We have two board members stepping down after long tenure on the board.

Steve Schindler has stepped down from the 1st Vice President position. Steve has been on the board for as long as I can remember. He came on first as a Director at Large back in 2003.

Kent Brown has also stepped down as a Board member and over his tenure he has served as an Area Rep. Reg. 5 starting in 1995 then the 1st Vice President and finally in his last duties as a Director at Large. These two gentlemen will be surly missed, and I thank them for their long service to the MBA and you the members. Thank You. Jenn Schneider will also be stepping down after nine years as the Treasurer. She says she needs time to raise Chris and their three young Bowhunters. You stepped in and raised the MBA out of a financial hole. Thank You

Election results are as follows.

1st Vice President Brian Koelzer Region 1 Al Kelly and Mike Shepard Region 3 Liberty Brown and Barret Haugan Region 5 Ken Schultz Region 7 Bob Morgan Directors at Large Paul Martin, Ray Gross, Rich Lewallen and John Grimstad During the Board Meeting we put through the process of electing a Region 2 Area Rep. Kevin Robinson from Missoula to help Neil Maier out.

Claudia Davis will be taking Jenn’s place as the new Treasurer starting in June and July to get all the books transferred over to Claudia. The MBA address will also be moving to Helena as all this shakes out which we’ll be sure to post on our website and include in future mailings.

There were several Write-Ins for the Director at Large positions, I contacted them and they kindly declined the position. Several others were delinquent in their dues for over two years, so that disqualifies those write-ins.

I would like to welcome the incumbent Board members that stayed on and new Board members that took positions on our board. We wouldn’t be able to move forward with the you stepping up.

Thank You. WELCOME ABOARD THANK YOU Marlon

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

Summer 2019

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AWARD WINNERS

BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR BRENDA ZINK

PAUL SCHAFER

LITERARY

RICHARD CONKLIN

SPECIAL ACHEIVMENT

AWARD HUNTER EDENS

AWARD MARL0N CLAPHAM

AWARD STEVE SCHINDLER

AWARD JOHN BERGER

Award Winners

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Bow Winners

Games

2019 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Pack Game

Scoring Game

Shooting Game

Kids Shoot

Vendor Row

Summer 2019

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2019 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Silent Dessert Auction

Live Auction

Emergency Medicine Seminar

Bowen Koelzer showing his MBA pride with Brian and Kara Koelzer

Members Meeting

Treestand Safety

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2019 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

A big THANK YOU goes out to all the people who donated their time, talents, products and prizes to support the Montana Bow Hunters annual fund raising convention. We couldn’t do it without our generous volunteers, members, vendors and partners.

Libby Montana

Summer 2019

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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!!

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Help Carp Management in Canyon Ferry Lake

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

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Send in Registration form by June 1

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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

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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 ______ = $__________ Meal ticket -non-shooter $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

18

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

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

CONTACT NUMBERS

FWP Commission Members District 1

District 3

District 2

District 4

Tim Aldrich Missoula 406-241-7164

fwpwld@mt.gov

District 5

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

Dan Vermillion, Chairman Livingston 406-222-0624

Shane Colton Billings 06-259-998

Logan Brower Scobey 406-230-2188

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

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

Active as of April 2019 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

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

Kutawagan Outfitters/ Bearpaw Lodge

Jeff and Annette Smith

Box 70

Choiceland

SK

S0J 0M0

306-428-2032

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

Mountain Copper Creations

Jim Clapham

4085 Old Marhsall Grade Rd

East Missoula

MT

59802

406-880-9411

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 Trailer & Marine Sales

Clyde Thomas, Jr.

1865 Hwy 2 E

Havre

MT

59501

406-265-4572

Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets

Terry L & Dylan Zink

P O Box 1272

Marion

MT

59925

406-253-4670

James Brown

PO Box 96

Richey

MT

59259

406-773-5509

Bram Donovan

830 10th Ave SW

Great Falls

MT

59404

Dale Morigeau

34938 Canyon Mill Rd

Ronan

MT

59864

Kevin & Kim Friedman

406-396-7145

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

Summer 2019

19

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

20

M ontana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

1

DIANN MARTIN 2018 grouse.

4

7

10

BRIDGER KAMPS does it again

RAY GROSS Antelope

MANDY GARNESS whitetail deer

2

5

8

11

BRAD ZINK

3

KEN SCHULTZ

CLIFF GARNESS Turkey

6

KOELZER FAMILY with doe KARA shot at 11 degrees with a 20 mph wind. Hoyt carbon spyder vpa broadhead

9

JAKES GARNESS Antelope

LUCAS ZEMLIKA 2018 bull

MERRI CLAPHAM coyote

12

NATHAN VEIT with a nice Tom

Summer 2019

21

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?

• • • •

•

•

•

•

•

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

•

What can you do for bowhunting in Montana?

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

Spring 2015

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