MTBA 2013 Spring Magazine

VOL. 40 #3 Spring 2013

inside this issue: Officer & Regional Reports The Three C’s MBA’s Track Record & Accomplishments 2013 Convention My Hunting Partner Diann

www.mtba.org

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 2 WWW.MTBA.ORG

www.mtba.org

MBA

MBA

Regional ional R Representatives epprreseentat e

Region 1 PRESIDENT Joelle Selk 6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602 jselkmt@3riversdbs.net • 406-422-6798

Region 2 Region 3

1ST VICE PRESIDENT Vacant

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

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

PAST PRESIDENT Jason Tounsley 8630 Longmeadow Dr.

•

Billings, MT 59106

Al Kelly

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

Paul Martin

3160 Airport Road, Kalispell, MT 59901 ................................406-261-4456 paulhmartin99@gmail.com

Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 ..........................406-777-2408 mbaregion2@gmail.com Lucas Zemlicka 26 Sheridan Ave., Bozeman MT 59718 .................................406-580-9560 lucaszemlicka@hotmail.com Lyle Hebel

44 Sundance Trail, Bozeman, MT 59781.................................406-539-3195 lyle@pixelelk.com

Region 4

Cliff Garness

Great Falls, MT ....................................................................406-788-9009 obsession_archery@yahoo.com

Region 5

Brad Zink

3536 Summerfield Circle, Billings, MT 59105......................... region5mbarep@hotmail.com

Region 6

Mark Weber

2885 Old Highway Road,Chinook MT 59523...........................406-357-4119 mweber@itstriangle.com

Region 7 Region 8

406-696-0126

VACANT

VACANT

AT LARGE DIRECTORS MAGAZINE CO-EDITORS Teri and Al Kelly PO Box 219 • Libby, MT 59923 teray1979@yahoo.com

WEB DESIGNER Lyle Hebel www.pixelelk.com

EVEN YEARS Steve Kamps

P.O. Box 192, Lincoln, MT 59639 – 12kamps@gmail.com ......................................406-362-4907

Roger Peffer

2517 9th Ave So., Great Falls, MT 59405 – regorp77@msn.com..............................406-452-0911

Seth Rogers

435 South Atlantic, Dillon, MT 59725 – srogers@lamar.com.....................................406-670-5435

ODD YEARS Adam Barker

1020 Valley View Dr., Great Falls, MT 59405 – adam.barker@ge.com ......................406-461-2792

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.

PUBLICATIONS DATES AND DEADLINES

MAGAZINE DESIGN K Design Marketing, Inc. Kimberly Kinsinger 3501 W. Broadway • Missoula, MT 59808 kim@kdesignmarketing.com • 406-273-6193

SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15 FALL ISSUE, DEADLINE, July 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 laced in the MBA Photo Album and can be viewed at the annual conventions. Any questions as to policies of the MBA please write the President.

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

Spring 2013

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the from EDITOR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

B

y the time this is in your hands it should be March which means that spring and the annual banquet are right around the corner and I’m excited for both. My first convention was in Kalispell in 2006, if I remember correctly. Since that time I’ve only missed one convention and look forward every year to seeing old friends and meeting new ones. I’ve heard some really great speakers over the years, attended some awesome seminars, won a few prizes, bought a few bows and in general had a really great time. I encourage anyone who’s not been to one to attend. Please remember to get your live mounts and photos ready to display and take the opportunity to nominate bowhunters for the special awards including: Bowhunter of the Year, Conklin Award, Paul Shafer Award and the MBA Special Achievement Award.

Joelle Selk MBA’S TRACK RECORD AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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2nd VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Steve Schindler TREASURER’S MESSAGE

Jenn Schneider

9 12 18 22 25 34 41 42

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

Joelle Selk

It’s been about a year now that I’ve been more involved with the magazine and each issue I learn a little more and enjoy working with the committee and members to put out a quality product. I appreciate the articles, stories and pictures, please keep them coming as we always need material. Hope to see you all at the convention in Missoula!

REGIONAL NEWS BULLETIN BOARD THE THREE C’S — Gary Carvagal

Teri Kelly

2013 CONVENTION MY HUNTING PARTNER DIANN

Paul Martin MEMBER GALLERY BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

THE COVER

Kim Blaskowski 2012 spring bear, BowTech compound.

Montana

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Denver Bryan/ Images on the Wildside

About

PRESIDENT’S T

message

he MBA is firing on all cylinders these days in preparing for the Convention and participating in the 63rd Legislature. It’s an exciting and challenging time to be sure.

The Convention is March 22-24 at the Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park in Missoula.

That crew always puts on a great event, and this year will be no exception. Stan Rauch, a life member, is our keynote speaker and he’ll put on a great show featuring his many hunting travels. You’ll find information regarding raffles, auctions, seminars, and reservation details in the midsection of this issue. Many thanks to all those who have generously donated thus far.

As always, the legislative session is challenging all of our resources and proving that member input is extremely crucial to guiding our decisions. Many of you have provided input via our alerts and survey and we welcome your ongoing opinions.

You’ll continue to receive weekly alerts throughout the remainder of the session and can see our current watchlist on the website.

One of the things I’d like to accomplish during my tenure is to reclaim the history of the MBA. We’ve already begun this, thanks to the efforts of last year’s convention crew in producing our Founder’s video and digitizing our past newsletters. This was a Herculean effort, and I can’t thank enough all those involved in those projects. I feel we need to continue this effort in order to provide a constant reminder to all current and prospective members regarding everything the MBA has done and continues to do to preserve and promote bowhunting.

One of the reasons I want to take on this project is that it has become glaringly obvious to me that bowhunters have again begun to polarize around single-issue topics and have completely lost sight of the breadth of topics which the MBA is working on day-by-day and year-by-year. During our recent sports shows in Helena and Billings, it was apparent that many bowhunters don’t know who we are and most of those have no idea how they got the generous archery-only seasons which we now enjoy. They literally think that FWP just handed those opportunities to them and are completely unaware of the years of blood, sweat, and tears which the MBA has put in to champion and protect those seasons.

This is why I shake my head when people write to us stating how disgusted they are that we don’t agree with them on a particular issue and therefore are terminating their membership. Talk about missing the forest for the trees! Montana’s bowhunting opportunities are unparalleled anywhere else in the country, in terms of length of season, number of species we’re able to hunt and archery-only seasons.

We all know this and, unfortunately, sometimes take it for granted. That’s why the MBA is so necessary and why our efforts have been vital to bowhunting during the past three decades. That’s why I feel so strongly about reminding us about our past accomplishments and our current efforts during the legislative and tentative processes. And that’s why you’ll be seeing a great deal more from me regarding our history and accomplishments, and why every Montana bowhunter should belong to the MBA.

Joelle Selk

Spring 2013

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MBA’s Track Record and Accomplishments Enhanced Archery Seasons • • • • • •

Archery-only wolf season (2012 Tentatives) Archery equipment allowed for hunting bison (2011 Legislative) Archery-only mountain lion season (2010 Tentatives) Archery-only fall bear season (2010 Tentatives) Archery-only bighorn sheep season (2008 Tentatives) Archery-only pronghorn antelope season (2004 Tentatives)

Tentatives Accomplishments • • • • •

Updates throughout each cycle informing members of proposals which impact seasons and quotas Removal of HDs 420 and 455 from limited elk archery bundle (2012) Removal of HD 441 from 23 Outside the Breaks limited districts (2010) Supported limited elk archery permits in the Breaks (2007) Adoption of Permit To Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE), providing accommodation for persons with disabilities to modify archery equipment (2002) • Supported trophy restitution proposals during Tentatives cycles • Support biologically sound quotas to optimize bowhunting opportunity during every Tentatives cycle

Legislative Accomplishments • Updates throughout each session keeping members informed of legislation which impacts our opportunities and seasons • Spearheaded bill adding bison to the list of species which can be hunted with bow and arrow and confirmed the Commission’s ability to set rules governing archery bison hunts (2011) • Supported bills urging the delisting of wolves from the Endangered Species Act • Passage of bill allowing for establishment of archery-only lion, black bear, and wolf seasons (2009) • Supported ongoing funding for the Habitat Montana program (2005) • Supported ongoing funding of Block Management Program (2005) • Defeated bills proposed in numerous sessions allowing crossbows during archery-only seasons (1984, 1995, 2003, 2009) • Encourage bills increasing land access for hunting every session • Supported trophy restitution laws (Federal and State legislative cycles)

Member Benefits • Quarterly magazines with updates of MBA efforts • Promotion for dealer members in each magazine and during the convention

Montana

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SECRETARY/ TREASURERS’ Times are a changing that is for sure. As I sit here to write this the state legislature is in full swing and there are a few bills that are game changers for sure.

I have good feelings from some of them and near nightmares from others. As I said the times are a changing. In reality times do change but I don’t see why our ideals have to change and our ethics and morals. One thing we all have to keep in mind about bowhunting, it is a short range sport. Why we have bow season seems to be a lost thought.

When bow seasons were first fought for and implemented the Bowhunter was not a hunter who was going to have any dramatic affect on animal numbers. It was hard to hunt with a bow and success was, and is limited to the stealthy and patient hunter.

Horn Porn is a term you hear often these days and it’s going to be the death of us, mark my words. Pursuing the biggest and craftiest buck or bull seems to be only a natural endeavor. Now we have people growing deer and to some extent, elk, just to get the big horns and in their minds rock star notoriety. It’s as sure as the sun is going to rise tomorrow that if a B&C whitetail and a spike were standing side by side and I had a shot I’d take the bigger deer every time. I am not advocating that we all start shooting small deer or elk or whatever, but do we have to elevate the taking of large deer into a science near cloning and genetic culturing.

C

an’t wait to see everyone at the Convention, sounds like the Missoula crew is hard at work to make this a great one!

Everyone needing to renew should have received a postcard the first part of January, this is the system we will use alongside the e-mail notices for renewals. Hopefully, this catches anyone who would’ve otherwise fallen through the cyber cracks. E-mail communication is still the most effective and inexpensive way for us to communicate, so make sure we have all your information.

Our membership management software is proving to be valuable as we continue to see steady membership numbers and not large swings where people weren’t being notified of renewal dates. Thanks for your continued support, quick responses to the surveys, and hoping to see lots of you in Missoula.

Jenn Schneider 406-697-7668

Give the critters the habitat they need and the fittest will survive. It’s an absolute fact that big record book animals are something very rare and special. When you can go out and grow your own they become somewhat blasé at least in my mind. 20 some years ago if you were to see a picture of some huge deer with a tangled thick mess of horns that seemed to have no end you would immediately start drooling and gaze in complete wonderment, NOW, we see something like that and it almost turns our stomach because my first reactions is that it was grown in a pen and fed nothing but growth hormones and probably steroids. I don’t want that to be my first reaction, I would like to stare and drool again. I wasn’t sure where this piece would go when I started it but I just let my mind wander and started to type trying to keep up with it. Times are a changing and again we have to keep our roots and where we started firmly planted or we will no longer survive.

Steve Schindler Spring S pring 22013 013

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Montana

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MBA

legislative REPORT

The 63rd Legislative Session has been just as ridiculously

busy as most, and we’ve not had a breather since it began. We’ve got 35 bills on our “hotlist,” with another 60 queued up for potential review. This has been the norm for the past few sessions, requiring constant vigilance by sportsmen’s groups in monitoring issues impacting land access, game and predator management, FWP Commission and Department authority and, of course, bowhunting-centric issues.

I’ve been sending out weekly alerts and updated watchlists to keep all of you apprised of our activities. We rely on direct member input to guide our stances on each bill, whether we gain that by survey responses or emails. Things move very quickly, and this session we’ve seen several bills traverse the hearing process and votes on the floor within a week’s time. In those cases, we’ve had to act quickly in communicating our stance to the committee and your quick emails and phone calls have been crucial to our impact. If you’re missing out on our alerts, please make sure to get your email address to your regional rep so we can get you in the loop.

Now, on to the most recent survey results, which have driven our actions this session. I’ll include a bit of commentary regarding each of the surveys, since were unable to include the comments in this issue, and I’d like to respond to some of the comments. Each of the surveys, along with comments, is posted on the website for your review.

HB 151 - “Requiring the Issuance of Archery-Only Elk Permits at 2007 Levels” Our most recent survey involved HB 151, which would return archery elk permits to 2007 levels. We needed a quick turnaround on this survey, since we knew the hearing would come up quickly.

We received a response from 30% of the members within a week, which is likely an MBA cyber-speed record. That response directed us to oppose the bill unless amended to exclude the Breaks. The bill was tabled in the Senate Fish and Game Committee.

Following are the survey results: 1) Do you support or oppose this bill?

• Support 42% (98 people) • Oppose 58% (129 people) 2) If the bill were to be amended to exclude the Breaks HDs (410, 417, 620, 621, 622, 700, 701) and align with the MBAs historical stance on limited archery elk permits, would you support or oppose it?

• Support 60% (136 people) • Oppose 40% (90 people) 3) Should the MBA actively try to work with the bill Sponsor and propose such an amendment?

Montana Bowhunters Association 2012 Survey

O

ur primary survey this fall queried members regarding multiple issues. Many of these issues have been asked on past surveys, which prompted some members to ask why we wanted to repeat the questions.

Quite simply, we repeated the questions because they are still relevant (i.e. they continue to come up during the tentative and legislative cycles) and we recognize our member demographics are changing as younger bowhunters join our ranks. Due to these factors, we were interested to know how opinions might be shifting on several core issues.

By and large, our historical stances continue to find support among the membership. Members continue to support the Block Management Program, responsible ATV use, and generally protecting archeryonly seasons from the encroachment of crossbows and other advanced technology. Notice I said “generally” on this last point. We are starting to see a shift towards acceptance of some electronics during the archery-only season. In fact, some members thought the “electronics on bows and arrows” question was too strictly defined, and wanted some ability to delineate exceptions to that rule (i.e. lighted nocks or bow cameras). Since the trend in other states has shown that electronics do not stop at lighted nocks, we felt that we had to limit the question to a yes or no response in order to accurately gauge the overall attitude towards allowing electronics.

Some members felt that the MBA should not become involved in broader issues, while others felt it is appropriate, since other issues certainly impact archery seasons. Suffice it to say that we definitely see the importance of having a broader focus during the legislative and tentative processes, as I mentioned above in my legislative report.

Finally, some members commented we need to focus more on increasing membership. That work is ongoing, and to that end, we co-host the Bear Shoot every summer and participate in sport shows around the state. We also rely on our current MBA members in the field to help in building membership. There’s no better testimony than that of a fellow hunter or huntress! Without further ado, I’ll let you get to the survey results.

continued on page 10

• Yes 62% (141 people) • No 38% (85 people)

Spring 2013

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MBA

legislative REPORT

continued from page 9

Survey Results: Number of Active Members that Completed Survey: 323 (53%) (878 Total Members, 599 Active Members)

1) Gender Male - 95% Female - 5% 2)

Age - See spreadsheet online for age breakdown

6) New law proposals regarding off-road ATV use have been presented in past legislative sessions. The laws consist of charging higher fines for those who use ATVs in off-limit areas, giving more law enforcement departments jurisdiction to arrest offenders, and requiring larger license plates. The laws aim to discourage trailblazing and game violations. Should the MBA assist in promoting these proposals?

Yes - 73.7% No - 26.3%

3)

FWP Region

1 - 12.1% 2 - 18% 3 - 26% 4 - 13.3% 5 - 12.1% 6 - 7.4% 7 - 4.3% 8 - 0.9% NR - 5.9%

4)

In recent years, efforts have been made to increase participation and the number of acres enrolled in the block management program. Would you support having to purchase a Block Management stamp in order to hunt on block management parcels if it directly increased funding and access to lands through the Block Management Program?

Yes - 80.5% No - 19.5%

5)

If yes to question 4, how much would you pay?

$10 - 52.3% $15 - 14.4% $20 - 33.3%

7)

FWP has historically called upon the MBA to assist in establishing the standards for legal archery equipment.

In 1999, the Commission informed the MBA they had grown tired of dealing with new single equipment concerns during each tentative process, and requested the MBA draft a singular proposal defining legal archery equipment. The Commission adopted the MBA’s proposal in 2000, which included a “no electronics” stance. The MBA has since been asked by some bowhunters to consider supporting exceptions to the “no electronics” policy during the archery season. Do you think the MBA should support the adoption of electronic devices attached to bows and arrows during archery season?

Yes - 30.8% No - 69.2%

8) The MBA is often asked to support the use of crossbows during archery season. Crossbows are only legal during the general season. Individuals can modify archery equipment to accommodate their disability under the Permit to Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE) for use during the archery season. In support of this, the MBA has set aside $500 per year to assist individuals in the set up of a modified bow. The MBA opposes inclusion of crossbows during the archery season. Do you agree with this stance?

Yes - 94.6% No - 5.4%

Joelle Selk Montana

BOWHUNTER — 10 WWW.MTBA.ORG

Legislative Chair

NOTICE TO MBA DIRECTORS & MEMBERS OF ANNUAL MEETING Notice is given to all of annual meeting of MBA members at the Holiday Inn Downtown Park Side, Missoula, Montana, starting at 8:00 a.m. Proxies for directors will not be accepted, and all directors are expected to attend. Members will have the opportunity give input on current issues, and to bring new topics to be discussed at that time. All members ar encouraged to attend the meeting and participate.

March 23, 2013 • 8:00 a.m.

Holiday Inn Downtown Park Side Missoula, Montana

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 11—

Spring 2013

MBA

regional NEWS

MY SUGGESTION

I

have a suggestion….but first I’d like to replay last season’s hunting and the ongoing legislative session.

Al Kelly

Region 1 AL KELLY PAUL MARTIN

Friends,

Hope everyone wintered well. This week the weather was extra nice and it gave us a little tease of times to come. Pretty soon there will be plans for spring bears, turkeys, 3D shoots and horn hunting. While all this promise of good times to come sounds great, and is great, the very reason we choose to live in the last best place we call Montana is coming under attack. There are those who would sell every opportunity you cherish just to make a buck. The sport of bowhunting as it has evolved in Montana is still a sport of challenge.

The MBA has a long history of the few, working for the benefit of the many.

For those that participate, thank you.

For the rest, enjoy your time afield and consider what level of involvement you would be comfortable with to keep what we have. Everyone can do something.

Sign up a friend as a member. Write to your representatives to voice your opinion.

Teach Bowhunter education. Help out a land owner who is hunter friendly. These are just a few of the ways you can help the cause. Nobody has to do it all; everybody should do something. It is how things get done.

Hope to see you all in Missoula for the convention.

Al Kelly Montana

BOWHUNTER — 12 WWW.MTBA.ORG

As for the 2012 bowhunting season, can you spell smoke without any R’s? With our country on fire, September became one of the most unhealthy months to be out in the woods, as we have had in other years such as 2000, when bow season was even delayed until the 15th of September. Here is where I would like to blame somebody for all the particulate that we got to breath last year, but first I must say that these opinions are mine and not the MBA’s. The blame starts with the environmental groups that lobbied together and got so many of our logging operations shut down, right at the time of the pine beetle infestation, when good sound management of our forests really needed to pick up, and utilize this great renewable resource. Instead we watched this resource go up in smoke. The rest of the blame I put on ourselves, for allowing things like this to happen, which is one of the reasons I try to stay involved with the bow hunting opportunities in our state.

In each legislative session someone or some organization is trying to change things their way or even take something away that we feel is unjust. Don’t get me wrong, not all of the bills are bad, some just need a lot more attention than others, which directs me to the topic of technology. Mostly, the technology of archery equipment that is available today and possibly what is right around the corner. Right now, I can’t

imagine my compound bow needing any more speed or more improved accessories than it already has. For the past several years, I was able to hunt and execute a well placed shot, and the animal was mine.

So my suggestion is that all who have not tried traditional equipment, to give it a try.

Just the history alone of this equipment is worth learning about, so check out what your local archery shops might have or look up one of our bowyers in the state and see if they have anything of your liking. Even if you don’t want to hunt with traditional equipment, target practice, carp shoots, or wing shooting is a kick in the “you know what” with a recurve or longbow.

Save technology for things like National defense, health care, and smart energy, and OH yeah, predator control. Did you think for a second that I wasn’t going to complain about the wolves?

Paul Martin Paul Martin

Region 2

Region 3

MARLON CLAPHAM

Time once again for all of us to meet up in Missoula for the annual convention.

The Convention Crew has been very hard at work putting the final touches on everything. My hat’s off to all of them. It’s been a pleasure working with them.

By now everyone is aware that we’re deep in the Legislative process. We have had several issues that needed a quick response, and I feel that the membership responded on the surveys to help give the board direction. I’m sure Joelle will have all the updates in her column, so I don’t want to steel her thunder.

I believe that most of us have wrapped up our hunting for this season, and what a bow season it was for us. My wife Merri just gets better every season. She was the only one in our hunting party to harvest a buck this year, along with several does. All the bucks I saw will be bigger next season right, let them grow another year I say. I also got to be part of several youths harvesting their first bow kills. I don’t know who gets more excited, them or me.

We here in Reg 2 are gearing up for Bow Ed. Missoula has already got one class under their belts. So hopefully we will have a few new members in the near future. I think once folks find out what we are and what we stand for they are happy to be part of a great thing. We just have to talk to them and invite them to become an MBA member.

SEE YOU ALL AT THE CONVENTION IN MISSOULA.

H

Lucas Zemlicka

LYLE HEBEL LUCAS ZEMLICKA

ere we are once again staring down the barrel of another MBA convention.

I know the convention crew has been working hard getting it all organized and from the looks of it they once again have some great donations and guest speakers.

If you haven’t attended a convention in the past I highly recommend doing so.

It’s always a good time hanging around other bowhunters who are passionate about the sport, swapping lies and dropping some cash to help out a good cause. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there.

Over the last couple years the MBA spent a tremendous amount of time working with legislators, FWP, etc. to give bowhunters in Montana the opportunity to hunt bison with bow. It’s just another example of the many things the MBA has done to give the Montana bowhunter more opportunity. Speaking of opportunity, if you live in region 3 and want to make a difference in Montana bowhunting the MBA is looking for a Director at Large/Regional Rep from region 3. If you or anyone you know wants to make a difference in Montana bowhunting fill out an application and get on the MBA board. It’s a great way to get your voice heard and have an influence on what effects bowhunting around the state.

With this being a legislative year there is a ton if stuff going on right now. Joelle and the rest of the legislative committee have been working their tails off keeping up to speed on all the bills and tracking their status. When the MBA sends out their “watch list” take a few minutes and read through it. Whether you agree or disagree with the MBA’s stance let us know how you feel and why. We are always eager to hear what our members are thinking because that is what helps us shape what we do tomorrow. I urge you to get involved and stay involved. Often times you will be surprised how much influence one person can have by getting involved. Even if it’s just sending a quick e-mail or making a phone call, get ahold of your legislators and board members and voice your opinion.

With a wolf tag in my pocket and a couple inches of fresh snow last night, I’m going to load up my pack, strap on my snow shoes and see if I can find a wolf. It’s going to be hard picking up the rifle and leaving the bow at home, but if it means the difference between killing a wolf and not killing a wolf I have no problem knocking the dust off the rifle. Good luck to the rest of you that are out wolf hunting. Urge friends, family, enemies, strangers, etc. to get out and do some wolf hunting too. Let’s do our part in controlling predator numbers

Lucas Zemlicka Photo by Don & Lori Thomas

Marlon Clapham

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Spring 2013

Region 4 CLIFF GARNESS

Region 5 Region 8 BRAD ZINK

As I write this, it was 50 degrees today in Great Falls, so it is hard to believe

I hope everyone had a great hunting season.

it is February. The convention is being hosted at Missoula in March, so please plan on attending another great convention.

The convention will be coming back to Great Falls next year, so I look forward to working with you all to help make it a great success for the MBA in 2014.

The legislature is up and running again.

Boy, every session is very challenging for hunters. Every hunter needs to pay very close attention. I would like to THANK our legislative committee for the many hours they spend.

Don’t forget to mark on your calendar that your bucks-n-bulls tags are due March 15th. The legislative session is in full swing, so please check your emails and help the MBA (and yourself) in supporting/ opposing some of the legislation bills.

I will see you folks on the 3D archery shoot circuit very soon.

Cliff Garness

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 14 WWW.MTBA.ORG

See you at the convention.

Take a kid hunting.

Brad Zink 696-0126

region5mbarep@hotmail.com

PRESIDENT’S COMMENT: Jerry Davis is a member located in Helena and is heir apparent to the Region 8 representative slot. Although he still must be voted on by the general membership, he has been endorsed by the board and has been serving as our legislative liaison at hearings.

Following is his report.

M

uch of my time in January has been spent watching and testifying before Montana’s 63rd Legislative Session. I have a few observations.

During this year’s session the theme appears to be introducing legislative law that bypasses the FWP Commission.

Passing laws that create regulations hampers the ability the Commission has to manage hunting, fishing, fish and wildlife.

Trying to create regulations through legislative law is not an efficient way to run our government. Commissions and boards were formed through legislative law which gives them the authority to create rules and regulations.

These boards are made up of citizens who are knowledgeable in the issues surrounding the regulated entity for which they are responsible. Previous legislative sessions thought it better to form regulations by those that understand the issues than to form regulations through a political process that can be insensitive to underlying issues. Yet this legislature seems to think it appropriate to create rules and regulations through legislative law to manage our fish and game resource.

During this legislative session we have seen at least a couple of bills such as HB 26 Lighted Nocks and HB 151 Eliminate Breaks and the 22 OD Limited Archery Permits that should have been heard in front of the FWP Commission and not the legislature.

As of my writing I do not know what will happen with these bills. But I do know that the 63rd Montana Legislature was not the forum for either of these issues. Both lighted nocks and limited archery permits should be issues heard in front of the FWP Commission. Whatever their decisions those decisions should not be undercut by the Legislature.

I also find it interesting that outfitters and guides have gotten bills sponsored to eliminate regulations created by legislative law and delegate those regulation making authorities back to the board that oversees outfitters (SB 274 Revising Laws for Outfitters and Guides). My understanding of this bill is that it would delegate those regulation making authorities back to the Montana Outfitters Board. I think I might agree with the outfitters on this one.

Yet the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association has deemed it appropriate to support HB 26 and HB 151. It seems that preventing regulations through legislative law should be a place for common ground between sportsman and outfitters.

Now to discuss some legislation we will be seeing during the 64th Session of Montana’s Legislature. During this Legislative Session FWP has conducted several constituent meetings with interested parties. I attended many of these meetings. During the last meeting I attended FWP provided information concerning future FWP budgets.

Information provided painted a dismal picture for the future management of Montana’s fish and game. As I write this FWP has taken measures that allows them to use Federal monies previously thought not available for fish and game management. But this is only a stop gap measure that will keep fish and game management budgets in the black until 2017. Without additional future income FWP’s budget for fish and game will be in the red. This will have severe consequences for all sportsmen and sportswomen.

FWP is the agency responsible for safeguarding Montana’s fish and game resource.

The costs of law enforcement, biologist, technicians, vehicle and fuel, to name a few, are what this portion of FWP’s budget pays for. As we all know the cost of vehicles and fuel has been escalating.

Legislative: Joelle Selk, Chair Jerry Davis • Adam Barker • Steve Schindler • Marlon Clapham Cliff Garness • Mark Weber

Tentative: Steve Kamps, Chair Adam Barker • Joelle Selk • Paul Martin • Steve Schindler Marlon Clapham

Financial: Brad Zink, Chair Mark Weber • Jenn Schneider Jerry Davis

Landowner/Sportsman: Al Kelly, Chair Cliff Garness • Lucas Zemlicka

Nominations:

Steve Schindler, Chair Adam Barker • Mark Weber • Steve Kamps Al Kelly • Paul Martin • Lucas Zemlicka • Lyle Hebel

Awards: Roger Peffer, Chair Al Kelly • Steve Schindler Cliff Garness • Jenn Schneider

FWP personnel for the most part have not had any cost of living increases in several years. FWP stated that some of their biologists were on food stamps. I find that unacceptable, these dedicated public servants should at least receive a living wage. FWP wardens get some of the best law enforcement training in the state. But because of the extreme demands on them during hunting seasons and low salaries they often move on to other law enforcement agencies within the state that pay much better.

Lyle Hebel, Chair Lucas Zemlicka Jenn Schneider • Roger Peffer

FWP will have to increase pay of their personnel if they are to have any hope of retaining quality personnel.

Convention 2013:

Because of the above budgetary concerns FWP will most likely have a bill sponsored by a legislator next session requesting an increase in fish and hunting license fees.

Personally I think it is about time for an increase in license fees.

Gary Carvajal, Chair Jenn Schneider • Joelle Selk Steve Kamps • Lyle Hebel Lucas Zemlicka • Marlon Clapham

Happy Trails to All

Membership:

Magazine: Al & Terri Kelly, Chair Lyle Hebel • Steve Schindler Joelle Selk

Jerry Davis

Website: Lyle Hebel, Chair Joelle Selk • Jenn Schneider

Denver Bryan/ Images on the Wildside

Carp Shoot: Joelle Selk, Chair

Bow-Ed: Al Kelly, Chair Marlon Clapham

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Spring 2013

At Large

DIRECTORS

T

ADAM BARKER

his is a very exciting time of the year ---- New Year, new opportunities. I’m always refreshed after the Christmas break because the when the calendar flips over I have endless possibilities that lie ahead. Not a single denial letter in the mailbox from hunting applications yet. A handful of apps are Adam Barker already in the mail, and they all could be winners! It’s a great time of anticipation as the various draw dates inch closer. Will it be a sheep or a moose, or possibly a great deer tag? You can let your imagination go anywhere because this could be “THE YEAR”.

Very different philosophies, but all know folks in both camps.

Obviously, I’m trying to tie this into how the MBA is part of the process and comprised mainly of folks in the second group.

Without the leadership volunteers and the membership’s guidance – I think our archery hunting in MT would look a lot different.

Now things will be different 5-10 years down the road, but at least you’ll know you were a part of shaping it. Let’s continue to make the effort to try and get others to shoulder the load, and do our best not to trip our brother, so to speak, over minor details.

Thanks for another great year in the MBA, and please enjoy the rewards at the convention. You may be the proud new owner of trophy Mountain goat or elk permit, and not even know it yet!

At Large

DIRECTORS SETH ROGERS

The other not-so-glorious action is either the legislative or tentative session in gear – depending on the year. Both have highs and lows, and always seem to cause some trouble along the way.

Yet, it doesn’t do any good to just complain or pretend it’s not going on. That is the fastest way to get yourself into a perpetual cycle of frustration and pessimism. Over time, when things you enjoy doing change, and they always will, you can take a couple of approaches.

You can sit back and let people dictate to you how you’re going to participate in your leisure activities. More simply put – do little or nothing on the front end or during the process to affect the outcome. Lots of people do this.

You can get involved and try to be part of the mix – have a say in what the final product will look like. Few people do this.

By far the first approach is more popular. Unfortunately, this lends itself to almost a sort of self-pity, where the individual feels like they are some kind of victim. Even more, it seems they link the perceived injustice to the folks that take the second approach.

The second group generally seems to be able to make the most of whatever end product is reached --- even if it’s not exactly what they were after when they first decided to get involved. Also, more often than not, there is a feeling of some form of ownership over the outcome that will probably spur them along in continuing to participate in the process – EVEN if they didn’t like the process or the outcome all that much.

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 16 WWW.MTBA.ORG

I

t looks like it’s going to be another mild winter, but makes it nice for getting out and doing a little stump shooting. It can’t hurt the recovering deer and antelope in eastern MT either.

Unfortunately, we did get some nasty weather the weekend of the Great Rockies sports show, so we didn’t get as many new members signed up as we would have liked...

Be sure to get your buddies signed up or renewed.

See you all at the convention!

Seth Rogers

Adam Barker

STEVE KAMPS

This bison season has been an historic one for the MBA and bowhunters. Last year the MBA was able to get the adoption of our first archery opportunity during the bison hunting season.

While no hunter shot a bison with a bow and arrow during last year’s public hunting season, I’m told that four lucky bowhunters have been able to harvest bison this season. This includes MBA member Ward Roberson from right here in Lincoln.

Congratulations Ward! He is the first MBA member to shoot a bison with a bow here in Montana’s hunting season. It’s a great thing to see MBA members benefitting from the hard work the MBA put in to getting this opportunity. You the members asked for the opportunity to hunt bison with archery equipment, and the MBA was successful in convincing the Legislature and FWP that it was time. This is in no small part due to the extra efforts of Jesse Nelson, along with help from Brian Koelzer along the way as well. So a big thank you to these guys! Hopefully there will be many more successful bison archery harvests to come. I won’t say much more at this time, as I know Jesse is planning to put an article together for the next magazine once the bison season is complete.

As of January 26th 108 wolves have been harvested and 63 more have been trapped for a total of 171 wolves. This surpasses last year’s total harvest of 166 wolves, but as we all know there are still plenty of wolves out there to harvest and trap in order to bring a balance back to our predator prey populations. We still have all of February to get out there and make a difference.

It’s a great time to get out and work off some of those holiday calories too. House Bill 73 which would allow hunters to shoot more than one wolf and use electronic calls has sailed through the House and is now to the Senate as of this writing. The MBA is supporting this bill and with any luck hunters may be able to take advantage of it still here in February before the wolf season closes.

Some of you may remember at the Billings Convention in 2011 when Mike Barrett gave a great seminar on spot and stalking mule deer. He also spoke briefly about tracking mountain lions and had a few close range pictures he had taken. I remember him making the statement that he thought bowhunters could track lions and harvest these elusive predators. Well, I got to thinking about this and decided he might be right. Last year I tracked one lion and did get within range but he spotted me first. Then a friend found a big lion-killed cow elk, so I decided to sit downwind of that elk in hopes the lion would return for a snack. I sat for short periods in the morning, midday, and then that evening a beautiful big female lion came in right before dark and sauntered right by my hidden position on the ground. She never even knew I was there, and I was able to take this great predator with a bow on the ground.

Steve Kamps

Fast forward to the 2012 season. I wanted to give tracking another try to prove that it could be done. While I’m sure it’s been done by other bowhunters, it was something I hadn’t done and wanted to accomplish. I had put on plenty of unsuccessful miles and had been busted by at least two lions while on their trail, when I discovered a lion in my deer hunting area. Now I know one lion can kill more deer in a single year than all the hunters put together in this area. So now I had a goal to track a lion down AND a cause to help the deer populations in an area I like to hunt.

I won’t go into great detail over the days that followed, but I was able to call this lion in to a tree stand at 10 yards (and didn’t get the shot if you can believe that – let’s just say more so than deer, lions understand predators including humans can be up in trees), tracked him to within 7 yards where I suddenly smelled him (he had been sprayed by a skunk very recently), and tracked him to 6 yards where I spotted him peering out of a thicket at me. After he exploded from that thicket I began tracking him again when his tracks suddenly disappeared. Yep, you guessed it, he was in a short and very barren aspen tree a mere 12 feet above my head. He held tight while I cleared my bow of the brush, drew, and made the shot. Talk about some amazing close encounters with lions. And I am here to tell you, it’s extremely exciting to track these great predators and get that close. I can now also say that Mike Barrett was right. It is a good way to hunt lions with a bow while enjoying the outdoors and helping control predator populations in areas you hunt deer and elk. I highly recommend it to anybody who is up for the challenge.

Hey, don’t forget the new deadline as of last year to apply for the buck and bull tags is March 15. And remember if you have an 11 or 12 year old, they must have taken their hunter education class before that date to apply. Good luck and see you at the Convention in Missoula.

Steve Kamps

continued on page 18

Spring 2013

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At Large

DIRECTORS

continued from page 17 ROGER PIEFER

I

was doing some research on-line last month and came across some very interesting information…

Hunting/fishing has been and continues to be a huge source of spending in the U.S. each year. Below are the stats for TX, WY and MT. The $76 billion spent annually is a major source of revenue for many small communities… This does not include revenues from other wildlife activities (like bird or wildlife watching) of activities like hiking, or skiing. Outdoorsmen influence the economy of our country in numerous ways- jobs in manufacturing of equipment, hospitality (food and lodging) and more. Be sure to remind your state representative of the importance of hunting to Montana’s economy.

Approximate gross value of hunting and angling by sportsmen in Texas, Montana and Wyoming in the USA (US$ millions). Source –Congressional Sportsmen Foundation (CSF) www.sportsmenslink.org

State

Spend

Jobs

Salary &wages

Texas Montana Wyoming

$6.6 billion $721 million $676 million

106,000 11,500 9,500

$236 million $270 million $236 million

Federal/State Taxes $1.4 billion $520 million $137 million

Multiplier effect $11.6 billion $1 billion $916 million

In total sportsmen in the USA spend approximately US$76 billion/year on hunting and fishing activities that generate approximately 1.6 million jobs and US$60 billion in federal and state taxes. If the US$76 billion spent on hunting and fishing were the Gross Domestic product (GDP) of a country, sportsmen as a nation would rank 57 out of 181 countries (CSF 2004).

Do your part to support bowhunting opportunities in MT by supporting MBA. Call a friend and get them to sign up. Come to the MBA convention and get involved. Sit in on the seminars. Come to the general membership meeting and get to know some other members… Who knows? You may find a new hunting buddy! (BTW- I am looking for someone to go pig hunting (TX or OK?) with and Black Tail deer hunting on Kodiak Island- Let me know if you are interested!) The convention is a great time. Bring your spouse, kids and friends. Buy some raffle tickets and bid on a hunt. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Don’t forget to send in your nominations for the Bowhunter of the year, Conklin award and Literary award.

Roger Pieffer MBA Regional Meeting Announcements Region1 - Friday, March 15th 2 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at FWP, Kaplispell Region 2 - Wednesday, March 20th @ 7pm - 8pm at Frontier office 114 E 4th St, Libby Region 4 - Thursday, March 14th @ 6:30 pm at Amigo Lounge, Great Falls Region 5 - Stay tuned for meeting announcements..

Region 8 - Wednesday, March 13 @ 5:30pm at Bert and Ernie’s Region 3, 5, 6 & 7 - Stay tuned for meeting announcements. * Regional rep contact info/phone no’s can be found on page one of this magazine.

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 18 WWW.MTBA.ORG

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Spring 2013

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Montana

BOWHUNTER — 20 WWW.MTBA.ORG

Spring 2012

21—

The Three C’s

by Gary Carvajal

It is not the big decisions you make in life that determine your destiny, it is the little decisions that determine how our lives turn out.

For example, my being happily married for over two decades has little to do with the fact I set out to be married and happy.

It is more due to the fact I asked her out when she came by my office late that afternoon….the rest, as they say, is history.

Because of her, we ended up in Colorado first and through that, fifteen years ago, here in Montana. Moving about as we did for years, building hospitals, and stores in malls all over the country, it seemed we were always on the move, about the time the boxes were unpacked, it was time to start packing all over again.

One of the things I always did upon moving to a new town, after the first round of boxes were unpacked, was to go out meet the neighbors. This was door to door for several doors in any direction up and down the street, and behind as well.

Call me curious, but that habit has paid more dividends over the years than any other thing I could have done. There is value in meeting your neighbors, getting to know who may be counted on, who may be troublesome.

We came to this neighborhood, by a little decision, again. It was, ”Let’s take this road and see where it goes.” Ends up, there was a house for sale, a deal was struck and here we are. Once we settled into our home in Missoula, I went door to door, on a Saturday afternoon introducing myself to our new neighbors.

My bride would await my return and the report of who we were living with in the area.

I had already joined the Montana Bowhunters Association a couple of years earlier when we first hit town and that was the beginning of the three C’s. Turns out that my next door neighbor was the first of the three C’s I would meet. Through him I would meet the other two. Three men with the same first name, who would by the law of little decisions, would impact my life more than I could have ever imagined.

Charles Culver was my new neighbor and over the years has become by all definition my best friend. He would probably see our relationship as far more one sided, as I am always the one borrowing or using something of his, including his good nature. It is rare he needs anything of mine, except my strong back. All in all, a finer man I have never met. He is

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 22 WWW.MTBA.ORG

as hard a working man as I have run across, just watching him makes me tired. His commitment to his family is unwavering and awe inspiring. He never complains or seems to have anything but good days. He is a fine man with whom to share a camp. Charles was serving on the MBA board when we met; it was through him I came to be more than just a member.

Through fine men, one is introduced to other fine men.

Charles Culver introduced me to Charlie Whitfield and to Charlie Johnson, all three of these men with the same first name, all three, long time members of the Montana Bowhunters Association.

Through these men, I have met and come to know some of the finest people in the world, they just happen to bowhunters, Bowhunter Education Instructors and MBA members.

Charlie Whitfield

, the second C, is another man who simply cannot be described by words alone. His long life story never gets tired of being heard. As a young man, he was a private when World War Two began. Serving in Patton’s 3rd Army in Europe, through battlefield commissions, he had a rank of Captain as the war ended in the European Theater. His country called him back when the Chinese Communists overran North Korea. He commanded an Infantry Company defending a ridge for two years from the North Koreans. Sandbag Charlie as he became known, faced the hoards through the brutal conditions of the Korean winters. Sandbags were his only protection from mortars and enemy artillery on the ridgeline. When that conflict ended in a draw, then Colonel Charlie Whitfield returned to being an agent for an Indian tribe in Arizona until retirement and moving to Montana not long after the MBA was formed. The MBA awarded Charlie Whitfield as Bowhunter of the Year several years ago, those of us who have had the pleasure to know him, know why. With his passing we lost a true legend.

Charlie Johnson

is the third C of the trio. He too, served his country in the armed services and like many veterans is a humble man. His humility though allows his passion for bowhunting and the mission of the MBA to be focused. A two term president of the MBA, he still works behind the scenes on matters that affect bowhunting in Montana. It was this Charlie, the third C, who had the convincing manner to get me to take his job, when he decided two terms was enough.

My life through my involvement with the MBA had been enriched and magnified, simply because of a fortunate association with quiet, strong, committed men like the Three C’s; Charles, Charlie and Charlie. It is because of the MBA and men like these that collectively all of us have benefitted and have had our being bowhunters as a positive life experience.

Just being a bowhunter and a member of something like the MBA indicates for me, people like these are of character and committed to a vision as well as a mission of something better for the future and are convinced fighting for it is worth it.

Gentlemen, thank you for being my friends and for being an inspiration.

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Spring 2013

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 24 WWW.MTBA.ORG

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Spring 2012

Denver Bryan/ Images on the Wildside

POLICY AND PROCEDURE INFORMATION REGARDING MBA AWARDS 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 Roger Peffer, regorp77@msn.com or call 406-452-0911. by March 15, 2013 with all the information.

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.

BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR 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 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 BOWHUNTER — 26 WWW.MTBA.ORG

Montana

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. The secret vote will be taken within this body. The majority of the committee determines the Award.

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 circum-

stances 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 will 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.

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 PAUL SCHAFER AWARD & MBA LITERATURE AWARD Name:___________________________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________________________ City:_____________________________ State of Candidate:________Zip:___________ Award:

Bowhunter of the Year Award Richard Conklin Award Special Achievement Paul Schafer 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: Roger Peffer regorp77@msn.com 406-452-0911

Forms must be received no later than March 15, 2013

BANQUET INFORMATION Early Registration Information

Please register early… it helps us plan on the number of people attending, so that we have enough food and activities for everyone. Go to www.mtba.org to register online or fill out a form and return with your payment by March 15, 2013. Your tickets will be held for you at the registration desk at the convention.

All pre-registered ticket holders will be entered into FIVE drawings for prizes of $100.00 worth of raffle tickets!

Non-MBA members will be charged $5.00 admission.

35th Annual Convention March 22-24, 2013 PRE REGISTER (Before March 15th)

Get registered before March 15, 2013 & save a bunch of cash on a Great Banquet & Dinner! $45/ person or $75/couple GENERAL REGISTRATION (After March 15th)

$55/person or $85/couple Register online or download a form and mail.

Send check or Money order to: PO Box 23611 Billings, MT 59104

DINNER MENU Fresh Garden Salad with 2 Dressings Seasonal Fresh Fruit Salad Pan Seared Lemon Basil Chicken Petite Top Sirloin with Mushroom Demi-Glace Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes Seasonal Fresh Vegetable Rolls with Butter

SATURDAY NIGHT CHILDCARE is available from 5pm – 10pm at a cost of $20 Contact Gary Carvajal at 406-552-8578

35th

ANNUAL CONVENTION Holiday Inn Downtown at the Park 200 South Pattee Street

Missoula, MT 406-721-8550 MBA Room Rate $85/Night

PHOTO CONTEST Please bring your favorite pictures, matted and/or framed for display and judging.

We are featuring 3 categories:

HARVEST • NON-HARVEST OUTDOOR FUN Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 in each category. inners will be considered for MBA magazine covers.

These photos are enjoyed by all of our convention guests — let’s make it our best photo display ever!

Judging will be people’s choice.

Contact Chris Blaskowski at 406-381-3899 for more information.

BOWHUNTERS! Don’t forget to bring your trophies, shed antlers and hunting/bragging snap shots to bedisplayed at the Convention!

We all enjoy seeing them and hearing the stories.

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

Contact Charlie Johnson 406-777-2690 for more information

Spring 2013 2013 27—Spring

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35th ANNUAL

MBA SAMPLE BALLOT 2013 To learn more about these candidates and their pla orm please visit h p://mtba.org/about/ballot

CONVENTION

Elec on will be tallied and announced at the general membership mee ng in Bu e. You will receive your ballot by mail.

FRIDAY – March 22 8:00 am-12:00 pm 10:00 am-4:00 pm 12:00 pm-4:00 pm 1:00-7:00 pm 4:00-9:10 pm 7:00-8:00 pm 8:00 pm

Set-up MBA Board Meeting Manufacturer’s Row Set up by Vendors Registration Opens Manufacturer’s Row Opes Seminar – Mark Baker No-host bar/Band in the Lounge

SATURDAY – March 23 8:00-11:00 am 8:00-5:00 pm 11:15 am-12:30 pm 12:00-1:30 pm 1:30-3:30 pm 2:00-3:00 pm 3:00-4:00 pm 5:00-6:00 pm 6:00 pm 6:00-10:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:15-8:00 pm 8:00-9:30 pm

General Membership Meeting Manufacturer’s Row Opens Seminar – Stan Rauch Ladies Luncheon Kids Balloon Shoot Seminar - Don Leatham - LifeFlight Bitterroot Elk Study – Kelly Proffitt Pre-Banquet Social Hour Silent Auction Closed Banquet Banquet Meal Served Keynote Speaker Stan Rauch Live Auction

SUNDAY – March 24 8:00-9:15 am OR 8:30-9:45 9:00am-12:00 pm 9:00-10:00 am 10:00-11:00 am 12:00 pm

Bowhunter Education Meeting/Breakfast Manufacturers’ Row Opens Seminar - Tip-Mont Seminar-Kate Davis-Raptors of the Rockies Convention Ends

Admission to the convention will be $5 for nonmembers, free if you sign up at registration.

Ladies Luncheon / Seminar: $20.00 per person, includes Lunch served.

Please register by March 22.

Jewelry Making Class---Class led by and all materials provided

Ship to: PO Box 23611, Billings, MT 59104 or bring it to the mee ng.

There will be NO duplicate ballots!

Montana Bowhunter Associa on Nomina ons: Please do not fill out and send in this sample ballot.

o o

1ST Vice President All Members Vote for 1 Paul Mar n ______________________________ Write In:_________________________________

o o o

Region 1 Region 1 Members Vote for 2 Al Kelly__________________________ Dan Moore__________________________ Write In:_________________________________

o o

Region 2 Region 2 Members Vote for 1 Kim Blaskowski___________________________ Write In:_________________________________

o o o

o o

T .

O L L A B E Region 5 Region 5L Members Vote for 2 P Brad Zink________________________________ M Write SAIn:_________________________________ Region 3 Region 3 Members Vote for 2 Lyle Hebel_____________________________ Brian Koelzer __________________________ Write In:_________________________________

o o

Region 7 Region 7 Members Vote for 2 Write In:_________________________________ Write In:_________________________________

o o

Region 8 Region 8 Members Vote for 2 Jerry Davis_______________________________ Write In:_________________________________

o o o

Directors At Large - Odd Year All Members Vote Adam Barker______________________________ Write In:_________________________________ Write In:_________________________________

by Misty Herzer, Garden of Beadin’.

Fun for the Kids Kids Ballroom Shoot Saturday - 1:30-3:30pm

Montana Montana— 28

BOWHUNTER — 28 WWW.MTBA.ORG BOWHUNTERWWW.MTBA.ORG

1. You may mail your official ballot to MBA Treasurer or bring to the Banquet.

2. Only one Ballot will be sent per membership. Example: family membership = 1 vote.

3. Ballot will be publicly opened and counted by the Nomina ons commi ee at the 2013 Conven on.

4. There will be NO duplicate ballots allowed, all ballots will be color coded.

5. The vote tally of the Nomina ons commi ee will be final and binding.

RAFFLE/AUCTION ITEMS Check MBA website for updates to raffles and live auctions!!

Watch for your raffle ticket order form in February.

TENT RAFFLE $5 ea. Or 6 for $25

12x12 Canvas Spike II Tent from Montana Canvas Little Amigo Stove from Orv Riley – Riley Stoves DEFENSE RAFFLE $2 ea. Or 6 for $10

European Mount- Alpine Artestry Pac-Bag 1 - Bitterroot Valley Archery 8x32 Vortex Diamond Back Binoculars - MBA Convention Committee Custom Knapp Sack - Knapp Sack Rinehart 14" Woodland Target - Western Trailer and Marine, Clyde Thomas CONSERVATION RAFFLE $2 ea. Or 6 for $10

Double Bull Blind - Dr. Camo 1 - Day Guided Fishing Trip - 2 People - Ted Susem HECS Suit - HECS LLC $300.00 Certificate - Headwaters Seat Covers Delta Turkey Killzone Tartget - Western Trailer And Marine LEGISLATIVE RAFFLE $2 ea. Or 6 for $10

Pair Beartooth Boots – Schnees 2 - $50.00 Gift Certificates - Big Sky Beetle Works 4 - $25.00 Gift Certificates - Big Sky Beetle Works Larry Zabel Framed Print – Montana FWP Free Boil and Bleach Skull Up To: $100.00 - Bear Rug Service and Tax 1 - Growler, 2-Glasses and 1-$7.00 Gift Card- Blacksmith Brewing Company BOW RAFFLE $2 ea. Or 6 for $10

Bow from Pronghorn Custom Bows Bow from Toelke Traditional Bows Bow from Yellowstone Custom Bows $500 Certificate from Bears Paw Bows $1000 Certificate from Schafer Silvertip BowsBear Archery Compound Bow Package From Bob Wards PSE Dream Season EVO Bow - Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation LADIES RAFFLE $2 ea. Or 6 for $10

Montana Silversmiths Ladies Hunting Shirt - Prios Hunting Apparel Whitetail Original Painting - Cecelia Clapham Oil Change – Tire-Rama 2 - $20.00 Gift Certificates - Paradise Falls Casino and Resturant Custom Buckmark Platter - Grassy MT Stained Glass Art $50 - Bath and Body Works Gift Card $50 - Wal Mart Gift Card YOUTH RAFFLE $1 ea. Or 6 for $5

1 - Dozen Kids Arrows - Charlie Johnson $25 Subway Gift Card - Liberty Electric 2 - Youth Recurve - Jesse & Joey Nelson 2 - Dozen Kids Arrows - Jesse & Joey Nelson 1 - Delta Kids Target PSE Choas Bow and Accessory Package - Buffalo Jump Archery NEW MEMBER RAFFLE

Any member who signs up from January 1 to the convention will be eligible for the drawing for a Helle Eggen knife.

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS King Cobra Archery Sight - MRT’s Mercantilte 1 Dozen Custom Arrows-Wood/Alum/Carbon - Howard Hill Archery 2–20# Tanks & 5 Refills - CertificatesAxman Propane 1 Dozen Birch Arrow Shafts - Steve Gringras $25 Gift Certicate - Hamilton Packing Zwickey Broadheads - Steve Gingras HellRazor Broadheads - Steve Gingras 3–Scent Eliminator & 3 Acorn Scent - 3D Hunting Supply Pizza Gift Certificate - Fireside Pizza $50.00 Gift Card & Sauce Package - Buffalo Wild Wings 2–$75.00 Gift Certificates - H+H Meats Bucks and Belly Laughs Book - Russell Thornberry Outdoors Stampede Window Vent Shades for Chevy Truck - Dukes Accessories Antique Release & Antique Broadhead Sharpener - Dave Clarke Insurance $50 Gift Certificate - Tru Green Garmin Oregon 450 GPS & Montana Public/Private Land Ownership Topo GPS Map - Hunting GPS Maps 2–$25.00 Gift Certificates - Old Post Pub $420 in Gift Certificates - Wholesale Sports 2–Custom Knives - J. Doyle Knives 2–Subscriptions to Extreme Elk Magazine - Extreme Elk Magazine $250 Gift Certificate - Custom Bird Works Clothing and Hats - Rocky Mountain Athlete Dale and Nicole Pearson, Rich and Brook Coles Custom Pedestal - Rockin CK Woodworking Bear attractants - BoarMasters4 $25 Gift Certificates 8 Dozen-Custom MBA Arrows Wraps - OneStringer Book-Trophies of the Heart - Russell Thornberry Outdoors Antelope Decoy Set & Mule Deer Decoy Set - Be The Decoy 4–DVD’s, 2 Bow Sight Covers, 2 Bino Covers - Into High Country 2–Books-Longbow for Life - Longbow for Life Rinehart RFT Target - Western Trailer and Marine Shirt From - Custom Birdworks Custom Knife with Sheath - Montana Picks Prime Rib Dinners - Buffalo Lodge at Clark Canyon 2–Handmade Green River Knives - Bob Rector Grizzly Head Study in Bronze - The Family of William M. Davis Montana Black Gold - Black Gold 7 Pin Flash Point Sight Wildlife Prints - Images On The Wildside Denver Bryan Season One DVD Set & Ladies T-Shirt - Skull Bound Trophy Taker Drop Away Rest - Trophy Taker Bear Spray & Deterrents- UDAP 12 Packages of Various of Jerky from High Country Snack Foods Dragon Slayer Backpack From Mystery Ranch Gear From Sitka Gear

SpringSpring 2013 2013

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CONVENTION SPEAKERS

35th ANNUAL

CONVENTION

STAN RAUCH BANQUET SPEAKER Stan grew up in eastern South Dakota, where he currently lives, and started bowhunting there in 1959 when he was 14.

Following his graduation from South Dakota State University with a degree in Wildlife Management he entered the Air Force and was a pilot for 23 years, flying 185 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom in Southeast Asia followed by several years as a U-2 pilot with the nation’s high altitude global strategic reconnaissance program.

In addition to being a dedicated bowhunter for over 50 years, Stan has been actively involved in bowhunting issues and organizations for over 25 years, and in the promotion of youth and mentoring programs. During the 15 years he lived in Montana, he was part of the core group that got the ballot initiative passed that brought about game farm reform and, he directly assisted in getting the MBA initiated trophy restitution law passed by the legislature, and he instituted the Discover The Outdoors Camp which was an MBA/Montana FWP partnership program for single parent families.

Stan served on the Pope and Young Club board of directors for 14 years and was the facilitator for the North American Bowhunting Coalition, an alliance of the state and provinciallevel bowhunting organizations in North America. He was the recipient of the Pope and Young Club’s 2011 Conservation Award that is biennially presented to an individual or organization to recognize their achievement in the promotion of the future of bowhunting and hunting, the image of bowhunting and hunting, and the wise use of our natural resources.

Stan’s most memorable and enjoyable bow hunts have been those shared with special friends, and especially those with youngsters he has mentored.

Keynote banquet speaker and MBA Life Member, Stan Rauch will tell of his experiences of being a bowhunter in the west and around the world and will present a seminar on decoying whitetail deer on Saturday afternoon.

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BOWHUNTER — 30 WWW.MTBA.ORG

MARK BAKER Mark Baker resides in Livingston, Montana . . . drawn to this place since a teenager by its wild and rural appeal. His professional experiences as a hunting/fishing guide, whitewater rafting guide, logger, custom home and furniture builder, ranch hand, and museum director have reflected his interests and sense of adventure and creativity. He served two terms as President of both the Montana Bowhunters Association, and Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, and taught Bowhunter Education classes for 18 years. He is an active member of several other prominent Bowhunting and Conservation Organizations. He currently tours the country by request, entertaining groups and giving seminars and is a freelance writer promoting Classic Bowhunting and the Outdoor ethic.

Mark has produced two music CD’s ...”The Sultans of Fling”, a collection of parodied and original tunes; and “Feathers Through The Wind”, original tunes promoting classic bowhunting themes.

Mark recently released his first book “Tension on the String”, and is currently working on a second.

MBA Life Member, Mark Baker will entertain us Friday evening. Mark’s performance along with the pictures he will share are awesome. We’re in for a real treat.

DON LEATHAM

KATE DAVIS RAPTORS OF THE ROCKIES

Don Leatham is a Critical Care Flight Paramedic with 32 years of experience. He is a Life Flight Paramedic with Saint Patrick Hospital and Providence Health Care Services. He will share with you many of his experiences caring for patients in the great outdoors.

Kate Davis began life with a love of animals, especially reptiles, and at age 13 in 1973, she was rehabilitating injured and orphaned mammals and raptors with the Cincinnati Zoo Junior Zoologists Club. Right away, she began providing educational programs at the zoo and in the community, as well as illustrating their publications with pen and ink drawings and doing taxidermy work for museums (and much later at Bitterroot Taxidermy!)

He will apply his “Tricks of the Trade” when you are injured and need help. How to summon help from the Sky, when in the “Big Sky Country” of Montana or the deep river canyons of the “Gem” state of Idaho.

Life Flight Paramedic Don Leatham will talk about what can turn a great hunt into something far worse, and how to handle it.

After locating in Missoula, Montana in 1978, Kate received a degree in Zoology from the University of Montana in 1982.

She founded the non-profit educational organization Raptors of the Rockies 25 years ago, and keeps 16 non-releasable and falconry birds at the facility at her house on the banks of the Bitterroot River. Formal programs with these ambassador birds number more than 1400 for 120,000 people, young and old alike. These birds are the subjects and source of inspiration for her photography, drawings, paintings, etchings, welded steel sculptures, and writing. Her first book Raptors of the Rockies came out in 2001 and Falcons of North America hit the stands in 2008. Raptors of the West Captured in Photographs came out last summer and it won the National Outdoor Book Award and 2011 Montana Book Award. Her fourth book Bald Eagle Nest-A Story of Survival in Photographs just came out – a nest that fledged four young right here in Missoula. Kate will have four live birds on hand, plus some books for collectors of anything “raptor.”

Kate Davis founder, Raptors of the Rockies will share how raptors are an integral part of our great outdoors. She will have hawks, eagles and falcons with her. A great seminar for the whole family.

KELLY PROFFITT Kelly Proffitt is a wildlife biologist with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Kelly completed a PhD in Wildlife Biology from Montana State University in 2008 and began working for MFWP in 2009. Kelly leads the MFWP elk research program, which currently includes studies in the Bitterroot Valley, the GravellySnowcrest area, and the Missouri River Breaks.

Kelly will present a report on the Bitterroot Elk Survival and Calf Recruitment Study. Members and other interested folks will find her presentation very informative.

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LIVE AUCTION ITEMS

35th ANNUAL

CONVENTION US $6000 credit towards a twelve day bowhunting safari for plains game by two hunters and two non-hunters in the malaria-free Matlabas Bushveldt, Limpopo province, South Africa – day of arrival and departure included (i.e. 12 days and 11 nights). The $6000 credit will be applied towards the total of the daily fees and the trophy fees. Should the hunting party consist of fewer than the four people to whom this hunt is made available, or if the duration is less than the 12 days offered, the amount of the credit will be adjusted accordingly.

This hunt is available in 2013, on a mutually agreed date between 15 March and 30 October. The daily rates include all accommodation, meals, laundry, services of a professional hunter, trackers and skinners as well as trophy preparation and delivery to shipper/ taxidermist in Pretoria or Johannesburg.

Transportation to/from Johannesburg International Airport is excluded – cost $300 per couple.

This safari may be extended for additional days and/or for additional hunters and non-hunters. A maximum of four hunters plus their non-hunting spouses/family can be accommodated.

This hunt is not exchangeable for other goods and/or services.

diving and/or wing shooting is also available prior to or after the hunting safari. Details will be provided on request.

References are listed on the website, www.matlabas.co.za/ hunting, and members are welcome to contact them for views and opninions. Members of Montana Bowhunters that have hunted with us include John Beyer, Stepen and Amy LePage, Pat and Roger Allick.

This is a 100% donation to Montana Bowhunters Association.

DONATION VALUE: $ 6000 MATLABAS GAME HUNTERS P.O.Box 1559, Lephalale, 0555 South Africa Contact person: Willem or Flippie Frost E-mail:info@matlabas.co.za Web: www.matlabas.co.za Tel: (27) 829000227 (mobile) (27) 14 7790969 (lodge)

Species that may be hunted include blue wildebeest, bushbuck, bush duiker, Cape eland, gemsbok, kudu, plains zebra, nyala, red hartebeest, steenbok, waterbuck, giraffe, caracal, black-backed jackal, vervet monkey and chachma baboon. Tsessebe and sable may also be available. Prices are listed on our website www.matlabas.co.za/hunting.

There are no licenses or permits required for plains game, but permits for small cats, monkeys and baboons need to be obtained prior to the hunt if any of the members of the party wishes to hunt these species. A Conservation Levy of US$10 per animal taken will be charged and will go to the Conservation Fund of the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa.

This is one of South Africa’s prime bowhunting destinations.

The specie variety and the trophy quality are excellent. Go to www.outfittersrating.com to see how hunters rate this outfitter.

Meals are mostly traditional South African Bushveldt cuisine and of a very high standard. Venison is regularly served. Soft drinks and table wine is included, but all other alcoholic beverages/liquor is excluded.

The lodge consists of 4 thatched rooms and 2 en suite Meru type safari tents. Other features include a separate lounge with satellite TV, a unique wildlife and natural history CD and video/DVD library, swimming pool, fully equipped kitchen, daily cleaning services and a laundry service. Basic toiletries and towels are provided. Excursions and other activities for non-hunters as well as tours and/or photographic safaris at the end of the hunting safari are also available. Fishing, scuba

Montana Montana— 32

WWW.MTBA.ORG BOWHUNTER — 32 WWW.MTBA.ORG BOWHUNTER

Two Photo Safari Packages for two people: 6 day and 6 night lodging, 3 full meals daily, and 2 guided game viewing activities daily with an experienced guide on the Zulu Nyala Game reserve. There is no reserve or no minimum bid, All Zulu asks is a 50% of whatever the donation is sold for.

DONATION VALUE: $4,950/PACKAGE. Does not include: Airfare, phone calls, personal beverages, side trips, transfers, laundry, gratuities, and personal purchases.

Reservations & Booking Veena Joory or Reshmi Bahadur at Zulu Nyala Email: hvjoory@mweb.ca.za 011 27 35-562-0177 Fax: 011 27 35-562-0582 www.zulunyala.com

ARCHERY ELK HUNT JACK CREEK PRESERVE Ennis, Montana The opportunity to spend six days and five nights archery hunting for elk near Ennis, Montana on the Jack Creek Preserve is available to youth, women, or men over the age of 65, generously donated by the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation. The Jack Creek Preserve consists of 5,000 acres set aside to conserve and protect wildlife and its habitat and to provide archery hunting and conservation educational opportunities for youth. This area borders the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and is in the heart of elk country.

Eligibility: A youth hunter must be between the ages of 12 and 19 (as of the year in which license is applied for), and must be accompanied by a parent or other adult. Up to two additional family members or friends may accompany the youth hunter at no extra charge. Any woman archer is eligible, as is any man over the age of 65.

This partially-guided hunt will take place during archery season, 2012. Bulls taken on the preserve average 330, with a 385 bull taken in 2008! Orientation to the property will be provided to the winning hunter Saturday afternoon prior to beginning the hunt. Accommodations include the use of a rustic cabin on the preserve. The cabin is equipped with necessary cooking tools, bunks, and propane lanterns.

There is no electricity or running water, so you’ll have to bring water, along with your meals for the week. You are also responsible for your own transportation.

(For non- residents: if tag is not drawn in 2012, may apply again in 2013.)

The hunt is donated by the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation. The winner must contact Katie Alvin, Executive Director for the JCPF, for final arrangements. Phone (406) 995-7550, email at katie@jackcreekpreserve.org.

Fair market value of the donated hunt is $6000. Profits from raffle ticket sales will be split with the MBA 50/50.

Many thanks to the Montana Bowhunters Association for their continuing support in this partnership.

KATIE ALVIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JACK CREEK PRESERVE FOUNDATION Web: www.jackcreekpreserve.org

6-day Alberta archery moose hunt.

The list price of this hunt is $4,500, plus licenses and tax. Profits from the live auction as a 50/50. www.silverfoxoutfitters.com

HUNT AFRICA Beautiful Nambia Donated by Christlie’s Adventures and Box M Hunts Professionally guided three day, two night hunt for two hunters, trophy fees included.

Choice of two animals per hunter, duiker, steenbock, springbock, red hartebeest or warthog. Also included is a night Jackal Hunt.

Package included transportation to and from airport.

Additional days and animals can be aded to your hunt for additional cost.

Purchaser must contact Dave Mumby within five business days from purchase at boxmranch@gmail.com or call 406890-5729.

Available date are February, March, April, September, October or November of 2013-2014.

Airfare, preparatoin of trophies or shipping is not included.

Retail Value: $5,000

ADDITIONAL LIVE AUCTION ITEMS Iron Llama Game Cart Donated by Iron Llama Manufacturing Complete Set of Bowhunter Magazines Donated by John Locke Float Trip Donated by Grizzly Hackle Outfitted Fishing on Clark Canyon Donated by M&M Outfitters Wildlife-Hunting painting-done at the banquet Donated by Steve Wilson

The winner will enjoy a six-day bear hunt in Saskatchewan

DONATION VALUE: $2,800

1 — Day Outfitted Fishing on Clark Canyon Donated by M&M Outfitters

www.kutawagan.com

Spring 2013 2013 33—Spring

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My Hunting Partner Diann

By Paul Martin It was Sept. 2001, and Diann and I had met up for a hunting date in the Wisdom area. I brought an extra compound bow and release so she could try shooting a bow when we were in camp. It was day two on a late rainy morning when I got us into elk. We were in an area of heavy second growth.

The bull responded well to bugling and brought himself and his cows into bow range. During the excitement of the bull and I bugling to each other, a yearling cow came almost face to face with Diann and let loose with a very feminine bugle which rated high on the entertainment scale. It was at that moment that I noticed the spark of excitement and understanding in Diann’s eyes of why we crazy guys put so much time and effort in this great sport of bow hunting. It was only a matter of time, (very short time) when Diann began considering hunting with a bow.

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We recognize the absolute necessity of practice and conditioning as the shooters strength is providing all the kinetic energy to launch the arrow. This is not just a story but a document of troubleshooting events. The whole process has been a learning experience. Now it was time for Archery 101. Target practice: Right away we encountered problem # 1- training the eyes to allow the dominant eye to remain focused. Looking through the peep sight with the right eye Diann’s left eye would suddenly take over and the shot would be wild. We employed the blinder technique by removing the right lens of a pair of glasses and putting duct tape over the left, which fixed that problem. 2003 and finally we’re in the field with her first (single cam) bow. We spotted two rag horn bulls; I called the bulls into a fairly decent setup in a recent burn area. The lead bull came within close bow range but not exactly in the direction Diann was facing. She drew the bow but with no shot she had to let down and the bull caught her movement and took off. I realized that more schooling on hunting scenarios and exactly when to draw the bow was in order.

One of the biggest things is getting shot opportunities, learning to anticipate an animal’s actions takes experience. Onto another season. Error #23: Diann told me that she was having trouble drawing her bow, so I turned the pounds down one turn that night, which didn’t leave daylight to see exactly where the shot would go. The next morning we went out and shortly found ourselves in a great situation to arrow a yearling broadside cow at 33 yds.

I was feeling that this was going to be the day that Diann got her first elk. Visualizing the photos and easy retrieval I instructed her to use her 40 yd pin. Taking her time and executing a perfect shot, I watched the arrow stick in a log well below the elks belly, which came as more of a shock than disappointment, as we watched 200 lbs of elk meat trot off to safety. My first thought was that Diann had used the wrong pin, so we stayed put and she made several shots to confirm the massive error. Don’t ever assume that any adjustment will have the same affect on any two bows; the assumption of my experience didn’t pay off. On to the next season. Having already filled my tag I was able to give Diann my full attention. A bull was sneaking in to my calling and raking; we dropped the packs and moved up into a better setup with Diann and myself in the shade. With continued calling and raking the bull cautiously approached with Diann drawing the bow three times as the bull moved through the trees. On the third draw with judging the distance at 40 yds, a well executed shot resulted in a clean miss right over his back. This was still a success, Diann had drawn her bow and let down twice without the bull detecting movement.

After the bull ran off we determined the distance had been 35 yds, emphasizing the importance of utilizing a range finder, (I had been unable to move without the bull spotting me to be able to give her the range). Diann needed her own range finder.

It wasn’t much later before the next situation, with a rather large bull coming into my bugling. In the haste of setting up for the shot Diann (not being able to wear face paint) neglected to put her head net down. Along with a nervously shaking bow

arm Mr Big picked out her pink face and left for parts unknown.

Bowhunting lesson and possible errors #26, the importance of good camouflage. No more opportunities for that season. More practice on 3D shoots and a new cam and a half version bow to pick up arrow speed, we’re looking forward to next season. With a new hunting area we had high expectations of encountering elk. It didn’t take long for the first situation. Early one Sept.

Morning we spotted two bulls on the hillside, we moved into position. Successfully calling in one of the bulls using a cow call, the plan was to have the bull walk broadside in front of Diann to get her a 20 yd shot. Even with good planning there are multiple options of things to go awry. Instead of the bull coming up the visible trail towards the cow call, the bull took an unseen (by us) trail directly to Diann. She saw him coming and drew the bow, but not being comfortable with a frontal shot or being stepped on she started to let down the bow which resulted in the accidental release of the arrow. From my location I heard the shot and watched the bull retreat back up the hillside. I watched anticipating that any second I would see him cave in and tip over, but to my amazement after a couple of minutes he walked up the hill as though nothing had happened. Diann told me that she had hit the bull somewhere, likely high in the neck.

With few specks of blood and minimal sign on the recovered arrow we concluded it was a non-lethal shot which was confirmed the next morning when we saw the same bull again in perfect working order and then again 4 days later this same bull had 5 cows. It was this situation that led us to consider a different release. We found that Diann had more control with her thumb than with her trigger finger. One more obstacle found and overcome. During these hunting seasons we realized that her night vision was extremely limited. With a new fiberoptic sight system and a larger peep sight shooting conditions were improved in low light situations; however these two new improvements would not assist much in the next seasons situation. Once again with my tag filled I was able to play guide and caller. This time we

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Spring 2013

My Hunting Partner Diann

continued from page 35

were hunting a bull management area, so without the prescribed permit only legal spikes and cows were fair game. The next two scenarios were very amusing and because I wasn’t packing my bow but a camcorder I have them on video. The first situation I spotted a spike bull. We were able to cross a creek and advance towards him for 65 to 75 yds. Diann shed her pack and got ready for a possible shot. I started cow calling and the bull started to approach, but cleverly began to seek our wind which confirmed his suspicions and resulted in him exciting stage left.

Moving right on to scenario 2. Hearing a bull bugling in the distance we headed over the same ridge the spike disappeared over. As we moved through the park like setting I noticed movement to our left, which resulted in a hasty setup with Diann about 6 feet directly behind me. Confirmation with my binoculars confirmed that they were two legal spikes and with wind direction in our favor I had to give it a try and start calling.

Somewhat to my surprise they started to come over as though on a string. After a few minutes spike #1 was now broadside on our right at 30 yds, bull # 2 was broadside on our left at 40 yds.

With camera in one hand and continuing to call it seemed like an eternity but nothing was happening. My face in the camera still waiting for Diann to shoot I found myself telling her to draw her bow and shoot!!! Finally whatever was going on behind me bull # 2 had had enough, but bull #1 was still in place but was soon to follow his friend on the run. It was then that I finally heard Diann explaining “I can’t draw my bow with my pack on) all that time she had been trying to draw her bow. Which got us to purchase a fanny pack to eliminate problem #147 of the, if it can go wrong it will code. Then there were the problems with predators, first the wolves dispersing the elk further into the Wilderness (to which we had no feasible access) which forced us to leave that location.

The next location had a number of grizzlies during the archery season, again forcing us to leave to avoid a confrontation with a grizzly. There were also the years of uncontrolled wild fires which disrupted our season. Now 2009, Diann is on her third compound bow, a twin-cam design to pick up more arrow speed.

We are again in the situation where I have already filled my tag (with the bull Diann named Mr. Sumo), which leaves me free to exclusively concentrate on assisting her to get a shot opportunity.

With it now being the 2nd of Oct. and the rut basically being over, our hunting tactics need to change from calling the elk in to sneaking in to an ambush situation. We trekked up the mountain in the dark for almost 3 miles to a favorite wallow, the timing was imperative. Hearing some bugling during the climb heightened the anticipation. The last 75 yds with the gaining light we were extremely cautious not to bump into anything. We set up on a trail about 30 yds from the wallow. The first bull, a small 4 X 4, came in to our left at about 25 yds. Anticipating a shot opportunity we were concentrating on him when a second bull

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with a sizable but awkward 3 X 5 rack appeared farther down the ridge amongst a few cows. Within the next few minutes and the situation constantly changing the suspense was heightened by the appearance of a third bull. Still with no clear shot and three bulls and a few cows in close proximity we were worried about how long our presence could go undetected, but still anticipating that at any moment bull #1 would step into the clear for a shot. Every situation has its own uniqueness and it’s these few moments in time that we live for and remember. That’s when bull # three, a nice 5 x 5 steps into view and does exactly what you hope for, he puts his head down and behind a tree. With my heart pounding in my chest (imagine Diann’s) I whispered the words “he’s at 25 yds”. The shot was right on with the arrow buried to the fletch just behind his shoulder. The shot immediately put the elk in fleeing mode with branches breaking and dirt flying.

With both of us listening intently, after one full minute from about 80 yds away we heard The Crash. Even though the first inclination was to run to the bull my better judgment caused me to play it by the numbers. I made Diann sit down have a snack and wait 30 minutes. Then she picked up the blood trail and in a few feet the back half of her arrow. After about 80 yds she found her bull. The trials and tribulations of previous hunts had finally culminated in success. Instead of back slaps and high 5’s there were hugs and kisses before the real work begins. Weather wise it was the perfect day to kill an elk, it was cool with a slight breeze and you could see a front coming in. We de-boned the meat and put it in game bags. By the time we were done it was starting to snow, just perfect for setting up the meat. The next morning was cold and snowy as we pushed mountain bikes (our pack horses) up the trail. The initial pack down the mountain to the trail and the bikes was made all the more interesting and memorable by 5 inches of snow that we now had to deal with. There’s no better feeling of accomplishment than to be headed home with all the meat and antlers loaded in the truck. Any body’s first elk is a major accomplishment.

Now, with permission, I would like to share with you why this was such an achievement for Diann. In 1990, while at work, she suffered a traumatic head injury. After several minutes of not breathing she was revived and the paramedics transported her to the hospital. Shortly afterward she was flown to the head trauma center in Denver to begin rehab, and within a year relearning to talk (finding words), reading, writing, and driving had become some of her first achievements even while doctors were telling her that she would probably never be able to return to work. In time she did just that. With the summer of 2012 came a few more bumps in the road for my hunting partner. Diann developed cataracts in both eyes in record time to a point of being legally blind. But with today’s technology within a day of surgery you can expect full recovery as Diann did. So once again my hunting partner, grandmother of nine, will be out there next season ready to tip over an elk with her bow and arrow set.

RAFFLE TICKETS In order to streamline the raffle ticket process the MBA will be distributing a single order form at that will be enclosed with the official voting ballet. The form will be easy to complete by simply allowing individuals to choose the number of tickets they would like to purchase for desired raffles. Members will then mail their completed forms back to the MBA processing. Members may include a check alongside the order form or pay with a credit card at the event. This order form will also allow members to make reservations for banquet meal tickets. Members can start to pickup purchased raffle tickets and meal tickets starting Friday evening at the convention.

If you have any questions please email info@mtba.org or phone 406-697-7668.

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Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

What the MBA offers you:

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

Expanded hunting opportunities through working with FWP and commissioners to preserve and expand bowhunting seasons

One Year $25.00 Three Years $67.00 Life $500.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

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

One Year $30.00 Three Years $81.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

Fellowship with others who are interested in shaping the future of bowhunting

$5.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

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

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 Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

Join Today!

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

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

SEND TO: MBA, PO BOX 23611 . BILLINGS, MT 59104 • PH. # 406-697-7668 Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street: ____________________________________________ City: __________________________ State: ________ Zip: __________ Email: _________________________________ Date:______________________Telephone: (_____) ____________________________ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP* One Year $25.00 Three Years $67.00 Life $500.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP* One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

MBA HATS $15.00 each + $5.00 postage

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP* One Year $30.00 Three Years $81.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP* One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year $5.00

OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP* Add $10.00 a year to membership for added mailing costs

MBA PATCHES $2.50 each please send______patches DONATIONS

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Montana

BOWHUNTER — 38 WWW.MTBA.ORG

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

39—

Spring 2013

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 40 WWW.MTBA.ORG

ASHLEY HARTSOOK with her 2012 Montana antelope. It’s her first ever antelope.

DANIEL E. KIMZEY CSM, USAR Command Sergeant Major 172nd MMB 2012 Whitetail.

GEORGE KAMPS 6X7 bull taken Sept.

18,2012- 15 yard shot.

CHRIS BLASKOWSKI 2012 cow elk with longbow.

13 yr old BEN RAYNER first archery harvest 25 yard shot with a bow made by Brian.

LUCAS ZEMLICKA and his 2012 Montana public land elk.

PATRICK BYRNE

DARBY MCADAMS 2012 Jr Member 14 years old first bow harvest.

She built her own blind by, her self and one arrow from 25 yards.

KILEY JONS with his 2012 Montana public land elk.

41—

Spring 2013

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 February 2013 24/7 MUSCLE AND FITNESS

Kelly Kimzey

ARCHER’S ROOST

Steven Battaglia

BACKCOUNTRY ARCHERY PROSHOP

435 South Atlantic

Dillon

MT

59725

406-925-3485

PO Box 429

Hardin

MT

59034

406-672-5945

208 W Spruce St

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-8738

BE THE DECOY, LLC

Mark Renner

PO Box 5151

Bozeman

MT

59717

406-579-1771

BIG SKY ARCHERY

William Farris

120 Pollywog Lane

Belgrade

MT

59103

406-672-5945

BILLINGS ROD & GUN CLUB

William Bishop

P.O. Box 33

Billings

MT

59714

406-259-0006

BRUCE’S QUICK LUBE

Bruce Metcalf

1111 E Front St

Butte

MT

59701

406-782-6124

BUFFALO JUMP ARCHERY

Judy Adams

2710 Broadwater Ave

Helena

MT

59602

406-449-3111

CROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

M & L Layne

PO Box 9936

Kalispell

MT

59904

406-752-6116

DAHL WHOLESALE

Chris Dahl

PO Box 384

Drummond

MT

59832

406-449-1517

DR. CAMO

Don Stein

1625 Northern Heights Dr

Havre

MT

59501

406-265-8099

10 Grassy Flat Road

Roundup

MT

59072

661-317-0001

1105 Spurgin Court

Missoula

MT

59804

406-327-4800

PO Box 3653

Great Falls

MT

59403 grarchery@yahoo.com

611 W 5th St

Hardin

MT

59034

3501 W. Broadway

Missoula

MT

59808

Wendy Drake

42 Skyline Rd

Libby

MT

59923

Willem Frost

PO Box 1559

Lephalale, 0555 Africa South

MONTANA HISTORICAL SOC LIBRARY

PO Box 201201

Helena

MT

59620

PRONGHORN CUSTOM BOWS

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

RONAN POWER PRODUCTS

Shane Shima

35863 Round Butte Road

Ronan

MT

59864

406-261-1459

SPIRIT QUEST ARCHERY

Aaron Lasco

115 Rocky Cliff Rd

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-756-5455

1680 Lockwood Rd

Billings

MT

59101

FIRST CLASS OUTDOORS, LLC GARRAMONE BUILDERS

Don Garramone

GREAT FALLS ARCHERY CLUB

Rick Maynard

HARDIN MIDDLE SCHOOL K DESIGN MARKETING, INC.

Sam & Kim Kinsinger

LIBBY ARCHERY CLUB MATABLAS GAME HUNTERS

Herb Meland

SUPERIOR ARCHERY

406-273-6193

27116794664

THE LAMB GROUP, LLCS

Ben Lamb

1006 9th Ave

Helena

MT

59601

TOELKE CUSTOM BOWS

Dan Toelke

31345 Lost Creek Lane

Ronan

MT

59864

406-676-5150

276 Grantsdale Rd

Hamilton

MT

59840

406-363-2983

255 Upland Ct

Cody

WY

82414

280 HWY 14A E

Lovell

WY

82431

307-548-6292

PO Box 96

Richey

WY

59259

406-773-5509

Bruce Dunluck

1824 Riverwood Dr

Columbia Falls

MT

59912

406-471-2375

Monte Herzog

186 Road 425

Ismay

MT

59336

406-772-5724

HC 1, Box 1730

Glennallen

AK

99588

907-522-3159

985 Stillwater Rd

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-253-0487

2850 Loraine Ct

Missoula

MT

59803

406-599-1565

217 S Dixon

Anaconda

MT

59711

406-560-2193

TRAILS END CUSTOM RECURVE BOW YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY BEAR HUNTERS ASSOCIATION YELLOWSTONE BOWS

Dale Dye Joe Kondelis

Rich Wormington James Brown

Howard Jaidinger Scott and Zach Sanders Eric Siegfried Glen Wyant

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 42 WWW.MTBA.ORG

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

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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.

What can you do for the bowhunting in Montana?

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

— 44 WWW.MTBA.ORG BOWHUNTERpromote

Photos by Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside

What the MBA has done for you?