MBA Winter 2011

VOL. 39 #2 WINTER 2011

inside this issue: Officer & Regional Reports Morgan’s Story Part II Why Volunteer Making the Best of It.

www.mtba.org

www.mtba.org

MBA

MBA

Regional ional R Representatives epprreesentat e

Region 1

Al Kelly Paul Martin

PRESIDENT Jason Tounsley 8630 Longmeadow Dr. • Billings, MT 59106 jtounsley@msn.com • 406-679-1434

1ST VICE PRESIDENT Joelle Selk 6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602 jselkmt@3riversdbs.net • 406-475-3023

Region 2 Region 3 Region 4

VACANT 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 Cliff Garness Doug Krings

2ND VICE PRESIDENT Jesse Nelson 407 N. Teton • Bozeman, MT 59718 sharpstx@gmail.com • 406-580-1952

Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8

PAST PRESIDENT Jim Gappa Billings, MT jsgappa@msn.com • 406-655-8263

MAGAZINE EDITOR Joelle Selk 6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602 jselkmt@3riversdbs.net • 406-475-3023

WEB DESIGNER Lyle Hebel www.pixelelk.com

MAGAZINE DESIGN K Design Marketing, Inc. Kimberly Kinsinger 15275 Thayer Rd. • Lolo, MT 59847 kim@kdesignmarketing.com • 406-273-6193

Great Falls, MT ....................................................................406-788-9009 obsession_archery@yahoo.com 107 Duck Haven Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 ........................406-350-0451 doug@alliedsteelmt.com

Brad Zink

3536 Summerfield Circle, Billings, MT 59105......................... 406-699-0126 region5mbarep@hotmail.com

Don Stein

1625 Northern Heights Drive, Havre, MT 59501 ....................406-265-8099 dr.camo@bresnan.net 2885 Old Highway Road,Chinook MT 59523...........................406-357-4119 mweber@itstriangle.com

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

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923..............................................406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net 3160 Airport Road, Kalispel, MT 59901 ................................406-261-4456 paulhm@dishmail.net

Rex Rogers

Colstrip, MT ......................................................................406-740-3077 rr_tradbow@yahoo.com

VACANT

AT LARGE DIRECTORS EVEN YEARS Cory C. Benge

P.O. Box 10024, Bozeman, MT 59714 – bengebow@yahoo.com.......................................406-220-3337 105 West Main, Winnett, MT 59087 – lkj@midrivers.com................................................406-366-2247

Levi Johnson Steve Kamps

P.O. Box 192, Lincoln, MT 59639 – kamps@linctel.net ....................................................406-362-4907

Roger Peffer

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

Steve Schindler

134 Sawney Drive,Glasgow, MT 59203 – sas@nemont.net...............................................406-228-9024

Steve Sukut

900 Hall Terrace, Glasgow, MT 59230 – sksukut@nemont.net..........................................406-228-9898

ODD YEARS Adam Barker

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

Ray Gross

355 Antelope Dr., Dillon, MT 59725 – Ray_gross@bresnan.net.......................................406-683-2046

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 SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 30 SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15 Stories, photos or cartoons should be sent to Joelle Selk, 6963 York Road, Helena, MT 59602 or email to jselkmt@3rivers.net. All materials are the

opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All photos will be placed in the MBA Photo Album and can be viewed at the annual conventions. Any questions as to policies of the MBA please write the President or Vice President.

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

4 5

the from EDITOR PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A

Jason Tounsley

s you all know, we are reviewing our options to reduce the magazine/newsletter costs.

During the course of the fall, we received 229 survey responses from our members, which was the best return we’ve had on a survey - ever. Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the survey; we’ve posted the results for your review on the website under the Resources tab.

1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Joelle Selk 2nd VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Jesse Nelson

6 7 8 10

LEGISLATIVE REPORT TENTATIVE REPORT

Steve Kamps REGIONAL NEWS

JACK CREEK PRESERVE FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE WHY VOLUNTEER — Al Kelly

11 13 14 15

MORGAN’S STORY PART 11 — Teri Kelly MAKING THE BEST OF IT — Steve Sukut BUSINESS MEMBERS MEMBER GALLERY

About

THE COVER

Greg Munther put in 10 days of hunting and climbed two hours straight up to shoot this ram at 20 yards. The ram was 7 1/2 years old with 36 inch horns and 16 inch bases.

The results indicated that we should retain some form of the printed version of the magazine. A significant portion of the membership replied they would accept online updates but wanted to retain a printed annual convention “mega-issue” (83 members). The second highest response (82 members) came from those who prefer quarterly printed updates, including a mega-issue. Last, 64 members stated they would prefer an entirely online quarterly magazine. Half of the respondents stated they’d be willing to pay more to continue receiving the magazine. These were interesting results and the Board has considered your input with all the weight it deserves.

President Jason led the discussion after a vote was called whether to retain the current quarterly printed magazine based upon the survey results. Here is what he had to say, “I will urge you all to honestly take the time to listen to the viewpoints of others and how changing the format of the magazine will affect the effectiveness of what they are doing to continue the MBA’s mission. It is fairly easy to make the arguments from a financial or work load point of view to change the format of the Magazine but when experienced, involved board members share the opinion that this change would negatively impact their ability to carry out the work of the MBA then that cannot be dismissed.”

These are wise words, indeed, and they illustrate the critical importance of carefully balancing our fiscal well-being with our ability to effectively communicate our actions with our members (and likewise receive valuable input from our members). When the vote was tallied, the Board opted to retain the printed format of the magazine, and to continue the discussion of how we might transition to a more economically feasible format. Now, I need to be brutally honest, folks. This keeps us in the same bind as we’ve been in and we’ll struggle to print a worthwhile newsletter which keeps our costs in check. Our current plan is to print the convention mega-issue with three other scaleddown issues for the coming year. In doing so, we aim to cut our costs in almost half and become more efficient in how we deliver information to you.

In regards to our online presence, we have begun to post each issue on-line and plan to increase that material and provide more frequent updates. If members find the website postings

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Winter 2011

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FROM THE EDITOR

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are an effective communication tool, we may be able to gradually transition to electronic issues rather than printed ones and save even more money. Over half of survey respondents stated they’d like to direct more funding to political pursuits. A significant portion also wanted to dedicate more to youth programs and member recruitment. All of this rolls into fostering our mission, but only if we can actually parlay limited funds towards these worthwhile efforts.

We’re standing at a crossroads now, and we can use all of the input and help that our members can offer. We need your input regarding what quality of printed magazine you can accept while still receiving worthwhile information from us. Do we need a quarterly printed magazine, or could we move to a twice-a year offering with more frequent email and website updates? I know how effective we can be via electronic methods, because we’ve proven that during the legislative sessions.

In addition, we need connections within the printing business so we can find the most economical way to print the format of magazine you want. Please take the time to email or call me or your local Board member. We need more specifics of what you’d like to see in the way of continuing our printed magazine and/ or transitioning to a greater electronic presence on our website.

Joelle Selk “Editor at large”

2012 Award Nominations Be thinking about who you are going to nominate for this year’s awards:

Bowhunter of the Year Richard Conklin Award Special Achievement Paul Schafer Award MBA Literature Award

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 4 WWW.MTBA.ORG

PRESIDENT’S

A

message

nother big game season has now come to an end. Logically, it seems to me to be the perfect time to sit down and reflect on the past few months and decide what I should focus on to make next year’s season better than this one. Along those lines, it seems I constantly read friends’ Facebook posts or overhear conversations about how more time in the gym, more time at the range, a new bow, new broadheads, or some other new gadget is the key to a more successful and therefore more enjoyable season. After pondering this over for the last few days; however, it seems the most successful and enjoyable seasons I have experienced have been those that I have spent the most time in the woods, preferably in the company of a select few of my closest friends and family.

Now that seems like a simple plan, just spend more time in the outdoors scouting and hunting. But the downfall of the plan is its deceiving simplicity, because the devil is in the details. It seems like these days, time is an increasingly valuable commodity. You have to make a concerted effort to put time aside for such frivolous things like time in the outdoors when you should be working, spending time with the family, or other such responsible and noble endeavors. That is what I will do next year, though. I will make time in the woods with friends and family a priority, because these days, more than ever, I believe you have to.

On a less philosophical note… about the time you all read this we will just be starting the 2011 tentative season, I will leave the particulars to Steve Kamps, our tentative committee chair but it will be an interesting one I am sure. The recommendation of the Elk Archery Working Group will be evaluated by the Commission and may or may not be put out for public comment. I did serve on this working group and had planned on providing an update of what the product of that committee was however at this time it is still evolving and with the lag time of printing and delivering this newsletter I do not want to create and/or add to any confusion over the committee’s recommendation as it evolves so I will leave it for the Dept. to explain at the Commission meeting on the 8th and 9th of December.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Convention this year in Butte, should be a good one. Lucas, Joelle and the whole crew from region 3 have been putting a lot of time in and I am sure the results will be one of the best conventions to date. See you all there.

P.S. Now that I have my article written I think I’ll grab my bow, head west and try to zip an arrow through a wolf… I’ll let you all know how it turns out.

Jason Tounsley

First Vice PRESIDENT’S message G

reetings and salivations! Doesn’t that seem like a fitting salutation after a successful hunting season? I’m thoroughly enjoying fresh venison on a regular basis and it sure makes me thankful to live in Montana! From the looks of our Member’s Gallery, I’m not the only one who collected meat this year, so congrats to all and enjoy!

You’ll notice I’m wearing multiple hats this issue, as I’m also occupying the editor’s position. Denver Bryan has decided to step down from the Board due to personal reasons, and it was logical for one of us on the magazine committee to step up, so here I am. I think you’ll find this issue an interesting collection of the wide assortment of projects keeping the Board busy this fall.

In reviewing this issue, I would say it’s a fine synopsis of our most current legacy work. What do I mean by that? Well, you’ll find information on the new archery bison opportunity in Jesse’s report, you’ll find the analysis of the magazine survey in my editor’s report, Steve Kamps has an excellent report on Tentatives proposals, and we’ve included stories and pictures focusing on fostering youth and making the most of whatever bowhunting opportunities come your way. What we’re talking about here is our bowhunting heritage, and the legacy which we create for ourselves and those who come after us.

The issues which we faced this past year have sorely tested us. From the legislative session, to the Elk Archery Working Group, to trying to decide what direction to take with the magazine, it’s all been quite gut-wrenching at times. It’s very important stuff, and the decisions we make will set the tone for bowhunting for many years to come. We need your continued input in order to maintain our proud heritage while developing the agility we need to meet the challenges to come.

We welcome your suggestions, both critical and encouraging, and use them to guide our actions. Some famous person said, “Though we are small, we are mighty,” and I believe those are words the MBA should live by. With that, I invite you to enjoy the newsletter and all the blessings of the holiday season.

Joelle Selk

A

little over year ago I clicked on my computer, logged on to the MT FWP website, did some research, and before leaving the site decided to check the draw stats on the available areas lingering there. I fully expected to view a laundry list of unsuccessful ones, but instead I found a surprise. FWP had made a deposit in the successful category of a West Yellowstone bison either-sex permit; a rare opportunity that carried an unusual weapon restriction. The only allowed means of taking a bison was a center-fire rifle using 150-grain bullets or larger, making bison the only MT big game species for which archery equipment was restricted. Out of six states and two Canadian provinces that offer fair-chase bison hunting opportunities, MT was the only one that excluded the use of archery equipment. This seemed like an unnecessary regulation and left the persistent question of “why?” in my mind.

I’ve lived in Bozeman my whole life, and am very familiar with the two units along the boundary of Yellowstone National Park where bison hunts take place. With this in mind, and armed with my personal experience of taking bison with archery equipment, I felt the hurdles facing archery bison hunting in these two units were surmountable. I called Jason Tounsley, our President, and we discussed the option of adding archery equipment to the “acceptable means” list. After a short amount of research, it became apparent that this was not necessarily the FWP Commission’s decision but a legislative issue. If it was going to get changed in the near future, we needed to move quickly with the legislative session already in progress. Jason took the ball and ran with it, calling Senator Kendall VanDyk, who was eager to step up to draft the bill and champion the MBA’s efforts. With the efforts of many, it sailed through the legislation and was passed into law, giving the FWP Commission the authority to decide whether archery equipment could be acceptable equipment. We owe much gratitude to multiple MBA members who drove to Helena on multiple occasions for meetings and to testify on behalf of Senator VanDyk’s bill.

Although the legislative step was a critical one, we were far from having archery equipment added to the regulations. Armed with information from a recent successful MBA membership survey, we began working with the Department and Commission in hopes of

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Winter 2011

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SECOND VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT

continued from page 3

With the bison tag draw in mid-August, FWP and the MBA were left with a tight schedule to notify the successful applicants and get tag holders through the class. In order to better accommodate the successful applicants, we decided to offer the class in multiple locations around the state. Currently three hunters have taken the class, including one bull hunter and two cow hunters, with two more wishing to participate. With the 2011/12 bison season still in its first few days and unseasonably warm weather hitting the area, only one hunter has taken a bison.

The big question remains….will some fortunate hunter harvest a MT bison with a bow this season?

Jesse Nelson

MBA

legislative REPORT

Court Challenge to Anti-Poaching Law Several legislative sessions ago, the MBA was instrumental in getting the anti-poaching law passed. It provides for restitution values for illegally taken wildlife and sets the threshold for a felony unlawful possession of game animals. This law is critical to protecting our wildlife resources and providing due process and restitution in poaching cases.

Recently, the 22nd District court in Billings upheld a challenge to the constitutionality of the trophy poaching restitution law. The challenge was filed in State v. James Ike Rainey, State v. Mark Gary Morse, and State v. Lenard Lee Powell which are separate cases involving related defendants in poaching incidences.

On October 5, 2010, the Defendants in the above case, James Ike Rainey, Mark Gary Morse, and Lenard Lee Powell were charged in the district court of Big Horn County, Montana, with offenses including unlawful possession of a game animal, a felony, as specified in Mont. Code Ann. § 87-3-111 (2009). The charging documents describe various illegal hunting practices and the possession of unlawfully-taken deer and elk. In July, August, and September 2011, the Defendants filed pleadings requesting that the court declare Mont. Code Ann. §§ 87-1-111, 87-1-115, and 87-3-111(5) unconstitutional.

FWP has filed an application with the Montana Supreme Court, asking for a stay of proceedings and a request to override the lower court’s decision. FWP has called upon MBA and other sportsmen’s groups to file an amicus curiae to support their actions. According to U.S. Supreme Court Justice William H. Rehnquist, amicus curiae is “a phrase that literally means “friend of the court” -- someone who is not a party to the litigation, but who believes that the court’s decision may affect its interest.” It is certainly within the interest of all sportsmen in Montana to defend the right of the State to protect our wildlife resources, and to penalize those who violate wildlife laws.

The MBA will support FWP however possible in urging the Supreme Court to review the ruling issued by the district court. It is extremely important that we get this case overturned lest we have no recourse in future poaching cases. We must ensure that our interests are protected, not those of rich poachers who can buy themselves good lawyers to wrongly influence the courts.

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 6 WWW.MTBA.ORG

© Bruce MacQueen / photoXpress

getting archery equipment for bison hunting adopted into the 2012 hunting regulations. In order to show our commitment to the success of this endeavor, we proposed a mandatory class for any individual drawing the tag who wished to use archery equipment. The class would be put on by FWP with volunteers from the MBA assisting with the education. Fortunately, we received very little concern from the Commission regarding using archery equipment for bison, and our proposal was adopted in August. This set the stage for the use of archery equipment during the upcoming bison hunts.

MBA

tentatives REPORT

Steve Kamps

T

wo years have gone by and it’s time again for FWP’s Tentatives season setting process. Many of you may have already participated in an early scoping opportunity in which FWP asked for input on what changes sportsmen would like to see for our upcoming seasons. FWP will be using this input as well as data driven suggestions from their biologists and staff, and input directly from the FWP Commissioners to generate Tentative proposals that we will see and be able to comment on in December.

Most of these proposals are unknown to us at the time of this writing.

Once they are released, the MBA will be there providing comments and guidance on those proposals that affect our membership – the bowhunters and sportsmen of this state.

The MBA had requested that FWP create an early archery mule deer opportunity that would open August 15th in the “backcountry” hunting districts (HDs 150, 151, 280, and 316) where there is already an early September rifle opener. However, with mule deer populations in these hunting districts tending to be down currently, support for the proposal has been lukewarm. We may decide to wait for a better time for this opportunity. Stay tuned.

The MBA is also supporting the need for a hybrid mountain lion season in Region 2. The current permit system has not been effective in harvesting enough lions and does very little to manage the female segment of the population that drives lion numbers in the first place. The hybrid season would seek to provide equity amongst houndsmen by providing the permit system during the first half of the season for trophy hunters and the unfilled permits would be put toward a quota system for the second half of the season providing opportunity for those who just want to be able to hunt lions. The hybrid season will provide a more consistent harvest so FWP can manage populations more effectively and produce some harvest of female lions that is essential in managing populations, as well as help provide much needed relief for struggling ungulate populations in Region 2.

We also expect some proposal(s) to come forward regarding the archery elk permits in the Breaks and the 22 Districts outside the Breaks. As you will see in Jason Tounsley’s article, an archery elk working group was formed to make suggestions for changes in those districts and some changes are likely to be proposed through the Tentatives process. The MBA will be highly involved, as this directly affects bowhunting and our members, and the proposals may or may not improve the situation in the affected districts.

Some folks may still not be aware, the MBA was successful in getting the archery bison season through both the Legislative and Tentatives process and the first opportunity to hunt bison with a bow in Montana will take place this winter. As you will see from Jesse Nelson’s update, we have worked with FWP to provide a mandatory archery bison training course. There may be some modifications proposed to the bison hunting season or the training course made through the Tentatives process this winter.

The first wolves were harvested by bowhunters this fall during the first ever archery wolf season. Congratulations to those fortunate bowhunters and may the wolf season continue for many, many years to come. As a direct result of the recent work of the MBA, we have also been able to enjoy the first ever archery-only seasons for both bears and lions over the past several seasons as well.

We’ll have to see what this next Tentatives Season brings. Watch for our email updates and make sure the voice of bowhunters are heard loud and clear.

Steve Kamps Photo by Don & Lori Thomas

Tentatives Chair

Winter 2011

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MBA

regional NEWS

Region 1 AL KELLY PAUL MARTIN

Region 3

C

hange –“transitive and intransitive verb to become different, or make something or somebody different” I hate change. The big “C” word; we all hate it when it directly affects us. One thing you can count on not changing is the dedication and persistence of the MBA in representing you, the members.

However, change is ongoing and the times are changing once again. We are in the midst of attempting to figure out how to transition from solely a print form of our magazine to a method to communicate with our members that meets economic demands and still keeps our members informed. With today’s online technologies and social networks, the MBA is looking for ways to take advantage of all ways to reach and inform members who prefer the information age of technology without leaving our members who prefer the world of print behind. This won’t be an easy transition… some mistakes and missteps may be made as we try “new fangled” ways.

However, like everything the MBA does, we will make our best effort to ensure all of our members are able to participate and stay informed.

Regardless of how we communicate to our members, what doesn’t change are the efforts that are put into preserving and protecting the sport of bowhunting in Montana.

Al Kelly Montana

LYLE HEBEL LUCAS ZEMLICKA

Paul Martin

BOWHUNTER — 8 WWW.MTBA.ORG

H

ello all, here we are again at the end of another hunting season, with the exception of lion and wolf season.

This has been a season of increased predator sightings and encounters, not only in Region 1, but Regions 2 and 3 as well. Everywhere we hunted we saw and heard reports from other hunters of these incidents. Wolf kills and grizzly encounters were the main themes this year, from calves and fawns killed in the spring, to the elk chased and killed on the forest service road right below camp. The actual numbers of these predators in Region 1 has finally surfaced. According to Jim Williams, Region 1 biologist, we have 44 packs of wolves (averaging 7 per pack) and 1000 grizzlies (yes, that’s three zeros).

These numbers really put things into a different perspective. If I may quote Dr. John D. “Jack” Frost, who has dealt with them for over 50 years, “You have to kill 60% of them annually in order to just keep them in check.” I hope everyone goes out there and attempts to fill their wolf tag. This is the hunt that should never end. See you at the 2012 Convention!

Paul Martin

I

would like to start by congratulating all Region 3 and MBA members who were successful in this year’s hunting seasons. I am aware of many individuals in Region 3 that had outstanding seasons and put meat on the table. As we gear up for the upcoming tentative season I want to remind all members to be active in voicing their opinions to their Region Representatives.

Region 3 will be hosting the 2012 MBA Convention this year and we are expecting a great convention. The convention will be held March 30th through April 1st at the Butte Copper King Hotel & Convention Center. The Copper King has recently been remodeled and should make for a great venue. We are currently lining up guest speakers and exhibitors and gathering donations. If you would like to exhibit at the convention or make a donation please contact Lucas Zemlicka (406-580-9560) or Lyle Hebel (406-539-3195) or email info@mtba.org. As in the past, convention and raffle tickets will be available online and through the magazine.

Lyle Hebel and Lucas Zemlicka Lucas Zemlicka

Legislative:

Joelle Selk, Chair Adam Barker • Steve Kamps Cliff Garness • Jason Tounsley Mark Weber • Jesse Nelson • Ray Gross

Tentative:

Steve Kamps, Chair Adam Barker • Don Stein • Joelle Selk Paul Martin • Rex Rogers • Doug Krings Jesse Nelson • Ray Gross Jason Tounsley

Financial:

Steve Sukut, Chair Mark Weber • Paul Roush Jenn Schneider • Brad Zink

Landowner/Sportsman: Lucas Zemlickas, Chair Cliff Garness • Don Stein Cory Benge

Nominations: Awards:

Joelle Selk, Interim Chair

Roger Peffer, Chair Jenn Schneider

Membership:

Steve Schindler, Chair Rex Rogers • Doug Krings Cory Benge • Lucas Zemlicka

Merchandise: Jenn Schneider, Chair Cliff Garness

Convention 2012:

Lucas Zemlicka, Chair Jenn Schneider • Joelle Selk Cory Benge • Lyle Hebel Paul Martin • Jesse Nelson

Magazine: Joelle Selk, Chair Al Kelly • Lyle Hebel Rex Rogers • Steve Sukut

Website:

Lyle Hebel, Chair Paul Roush Joelle Selk • Rex Rogers

Carp Shoot: Joelle Selk, Chair

Bow-Ed:

Al Kelly, Chair Don Stein

At Large

DIRECTORS

ROGER PEFFER It was hot in region 4 during the fall archery season. Although I had a bull tag for the Highwood Mountains, I chose NOT hunt certain days because I knew that it was so hot that I would not be able to get an elk out in a timely fashion. I was not willing to take a chance of the meat spoiling. I finally did manage to connect with a nice bull on Roger Peffer a day I was hunting with a friend. The elk was shot about 9 am and was more than 2 miles back. After waiting 30 minutes, we tracked it out and found it a short distance away. That is when the work began. For two hours we worked like crazy, sweating bullets, butchering meat. But in the end, the bull was completely boned out and stuffed into game bags and t-shirts to keep the flies off. It was amazing how much the meat cooled in that time. We stored it in the shade as we packed loads up to a ridgeline. An uphill breeze kept the afternoon temperature down. It was then a fast run out to the truck to get a game cart. We maneuvered the heavily loaded cart across a ridge and down a steep hogback to a hiking trail and then to the truck. I have an old upright refrigerator in my garage for storing meat until I can cut it. At the end of the day, it was stuffed with elk meat. I am proud to say we did not lose any meat and we are now enjoying some mighty fine eating.

Unfortunately, I heard of two elk that did not make it out of the woods. Please, out of respect for the animal, don’t let the meat spoil. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting meat off the bones when it is hot. Just skinning the elk and getting the meat off bones and into game bags will make a huge difference in getting the meat cooled down.

You need to know what you are doing when it is warm and you must work fast. Have a plan in place BEFORE the animal is down. Have butchering tools with you in the field.

Your pack will be heavier but it will be worth it if you drop an animal. This is much less of an issue in the rifle season when temperatures are lower. Although this year I nearly stepped on a rattler on opening day of rifle season! ACK! I have packed many animals out on my back, but as I get “a little” older I have a deep appreciation for my game cart. I managed to keep it pretty busy this year. My elk was several miles back, my buck was at least 1.5 miles, and my antelope was ¾ of a mile from the road. My wife wonders- Why can’t you find animals a little closer to the road? Hey- at least I’m finding animals! I also use my cart to haul tree stands back into the timber.

As the fall hunting season winds down I thought you might appreciate some information on the Region 4 harvest. Although elk numbers are healthy across the region, FWP Region 4 reported a below-average harvest for elk and mule deer at the region’s Augusta check station. Last winter, FWP observed about 3,200 elk in the Sun River elk herd. The desired objective is 2,500. In hunting district 422, along the Rocky Mountain Front from haystack Butte south to Highway 200, FWP counted about 2,000 elk - well above the objective. These results mirror conditions in north-central Montana. White-tailed deer numbers checked so far at the Augusta check station are running above both the five-year and last year’s average. Decreased numbers of mulies led to a reduction in the number of doe permits across the region.

Finally, my hat is off to the convention crew for all their hard work and efforts in planning that event. Please grab all your friends and head to Butte for this year’s convention. The MBA needs your support. Donations for this event are always appreciated! See you there!

Roger Peffer Winter 2011

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JACK CREEK PRESERVE FOUNDATION

WHY VOLUNTEER

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 14, 2011

We’ve all had people and experiences in our life that have helped us become the person we are today.

Contact: Katie Alvin, Executive Director, 406-995-7550

FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE FREE HUNT TO DISABLED VETERAN For the seventh year, the Jack Creek Preserve Foundation will be giving a hunt for either elk or black bear to a U.S. veteran that was wounded and disabled while serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

The Jack Creek Preserve, a 4,600-acre wildlife preserve near Ennis, Montana, consists of wild and scenic mountain country that has been set aside to conserve and protect wildlife and its habitat. The major focus of the Foundation’s mission is to provide opportunities that give young people a deeper understanding and involvement with habitat and ecology, wildlife management, ethical hunting, hunter conservationists, and bowhunting. Among the Foundation’s board of directors are representatives of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Pope and Young Club.

Rich in natural resources, the landscape provides a wildlife corridor between the northern and southern portions of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The Foundation directly supports young hunters and others by offering bowhunting opportunities for elk, deer, and black bears. Hunter success is generally about 30%. A 7X7 elk was taken in 2008 that scored 385.

The opportunity to participate in one of these high quality hunts will be given free to a U.S. military veteran that was wounded and disabled while serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan. The 2012 hunt will be for archery bull elk, rifle cow elk, or spring bear (bow or rifle).

Assistance is potentially available from the Foundation to help with travel expenses or with the purchase of the license if needed. The JCPF is able to accommodate a veteran that may have suffered severe physical disabilities. Cabin lodging will be provided and Foundation personnel will assist the hunt recipient to insure that he or she enjoys a truly outstanding hunting experience.

The deadline to apply for the hunt is Feb. 1, 2012. Applications can be downloaded from www. jackcreekpreserve.org, or obtained by request via e-mail info@jackcreekpreserve.org or regular mail (Jack Creek Preserve Foundation, P.O. Box 3, Ennis, MT 59729).

Moontana

BOWHUNTER — 10 WWW.MTBA.ORG

Some of those people in your life may have been giving of their time just because they enjoyed sharing their knowledge or love of what they enjoyed. Bowhunting is one of those life pursuits where volunteers make a difference. The MBA is fortunate that many of our members give their time and talent to represent bowhunters and help keep alive the sport we all love so much.

We also have members who give their time to encourage young people in the sport of archery and bowhunting.

One such experience I’d like to share happened this summer at the Thompson Lake Baptist Archery Camp in Lincoln County on Upper Thompson Lake. The camp is held for youth ranging in age from 11 to 14 years of age and consisted of many different classes and activities including Montana Bowhunter Education Certification, 3-D Archery range shooting, Gopher Hunt, BigFatDaddy Crawdad Hunt, Bowhunting Skills & Tactics, Shooting Form & Technique, Treestand Placement, Game Calling Clinics, Bow Construction, Arrow Construction, Blood Trailing, Fishing & Canoeing, Survival Skills and Map Reading.

The camp was staffed with many knowledgeable and skilled outdoorsmen eager and willing to share their skills and experiences to benefit the fledgling bowhunters, which brings me to the person who this story is about. One of those volunteers was Rich Hjort, a long time MBA member. Rich has been a member since 1978 and has spent a couple of terms on the board as an At-large Representative. Rich was instrumental in getting bowhunters education introduced in the Libby/Troy area. As the senior instructor, Rich leads a group of volunteers who themselves have been enriched by the experience of volunteering. Having spent time with Rich volunteering at other events to promote bow hunting, I can attest to the fact that I have a hard time committing to giving away precious time, because like most of you I am just plain busy. But what I always find is that once I get moving and get involved in the planning and execution of whatever event, class or whatever it is we’re doing, I get far more out of it than I give and I walk away at the end of it feeling great that I’ve done it.

I didn’t get to share this particular volunteer experience with Rich but we spoke of it around the campfire one evening after a 3D shoot. I couldn’t help but envy the excitement and satisfaction Rich expressed for the time spent that week. If you see Rich, ask him about it. He has some great stories to pass on about the amazing volunteers that spent time showing a great group of kids what an awesome sport bowhunting is. More than that, he can tell you that when you take time to volunteer, more often than not you’ll take more from the experience than the people who’ve benefited from the effort you’ve made.

Al Kelly

A few years ago

By Teri Kelly

I wrote a story about my granddaughter Morgan Williams. At the time, Morgan was seven and she wanted to hunt in the worst way; she couldn’t wait for her turn to bag some game. Over the next few years she tried for squirrels but was never able to actually kill one so she could get her picture in the MBA magazine holding it up proudly like she’d seen many times.

This spring we took Morgan with us to the MBA carp shoot in Helena where she had what she claims was the best weekend of her life, she was in a band, she was crowned Carp Princess, she got to shoot at some fish and even winged a few, she won a bow fishing reel and …… she shot her first gopher.

We arrived early in the week so we had time to relax, enjoy the spring weather and hunt gophers. Over the next few days we made many trips out to hunt, stalking silently, trying to outmaneuver and outrun the often elusive gophers. One minute they’d be standing there on the edge of the hole, chirping and taunting us as we tried to creep close enough for a shot, and then in the next moment they’d be gone quick as a flash only to pop up again in another area. Morgan diligently stalked them, determined to bag a gopher that week.

Slowly she’ d creep thru the grass staying low and quiet, intent on getting close to her quarry. Behind her gophers would run back and forth from hole to hole continuing to taunt and tease. She’d move forward…they’d dive down…then pop up and lead her on a merry chase round and round the meadow.

© amelie / photoXpress

After many hours and several days of stalking and more than a few frustrated moments we decided to go on one last hunt before the festivities of the Carp shoot began. I let Morgan take the lead and I watched with pride the determination on her face and in her movements. She took several shots to no avail. I suggested we go back to camp and hang out with papa, but she was determined so we continued on. We saw a gopher standing on the edge of its hole and Morgan slowly creeped forward taking soft, small steps. The gopher became somewhat edgy and dodged down the hole. Morgan stopped and became still, she waited ever so patiently. Soon the gopher popped its head up and crawled to the top of the hole. Morgan now had her arrow nocked on her 24# custom Toelke longbow and wood arrows made by Mike Vinion. Slowly, she raised her bow and took aim. I held my breath as she let her arrow fly…it covered the ten yards swiftly, directly hitting its mark. Gopher down!! Then she screamed…I got it, I got it! And I screamed….you got it, you got it. And then she ran for papa….she ran all the way back to camp yelling for him….Papa, I got one, I got one, PAPA I GOT ONE!

M

Morgan and papa Al Kelly hurried back and we all retrieved the gopher together, admiring her prowess with the bow and retracing each step of her first successful hunt. We then went back to camp and took at least two dozen pictures. We made some great memories that weekend and as Morgan gets older I hope she will continue her love of archery and bowhunting and I look forward to sharing many more hunts with her. Morgan turned eleven this year and is anticipating that this spring she’ll be able to take Bow Hunters Education and hunt for bigger game. She may go on to harvest much bigger game. When she does, I’ll write more stories, but Morgan will always remember her first game taken with her bow.

11—

Winter 2011

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

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Montana

BOWHUNTER — 12 WWW.MTBA.ORG

By Steve Sukut

With a hard winter

and an EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) outbreak this year, deer hunting in Northeast Montana wasn’t what it historically was this fall, but I did manage to take a buck while hunting with a few of my hunting buddies. I was on the ground, sitting on a little one-legged stool, on the receiving end of a short two-on-two push. It was the last drive of the day, and I was contemplating the three hour drive home, when I saw some deer coming my way.

A nice 140 inch class five point was following a little buck and two does down a trail, and when he stopped broadside 20 yards away, I had my spot picked on his chest. When hunting with traditional bows, the idea is to pick a little spot, a single hair if you can, and shoot at that. All my focus was on that spot, but as I sent an arrow from my Stalker recurve at the big buck, the little guy (who I thought was gone) picked that time to jump out from behind a juniper, right into the arrow’s path! He took the arrow right in the chest- the Woodsman broadhead almost chopped the top of his heart off, and it died within 40 yards. The big buck just wandered off, unaware that his life had been saved by sheer luck.

I sat there with my mouth open, stunned, then bent over and started giggling. My first thought was, “There goes my only buck tag,” and that was followed by, “Who the hell is going to believe this?” I was chuckling, shaking my head when I looked up, and saw a huge rattlesnake about 3 feet away, wriggling right at me. I totally freaked out, leaped to my feet, and shot him before I even thought about it.

I had about four gallons of adrenaline floating through me, and when the snake didn’t appear to be expiring quite fast enough, grabbed a log and beat it over the head until I was sure that it was very dead, indeed. I was shaking and panting and my heart was hammering, so when I tried to sit back down on the little chair thing, I missed it and fell flat on my ass. I almost rolled over the river bank into the Missouri. So, I’m all done with bucks this year, but at least I’ve got a tale to tell!

Sometimes, memories and fun stories are just as rewarding as a big rack… that’s my story and I’m sticking with it!

Montana

Winter 2011

13—

BUSINESS 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 May 2011 24/7 MUSCLE & FITNESS

Kelly Kimzey

ARCHER’S ROOST

Steven Battaglia

ATLAS CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Tony Nieter

435 South Atlantic

Dillon

MT

59725

406-925-3485

PO Box 429

Hardin

MT

59034

406-672-5945

46 Village Loop Road

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-253-7027

BE THE DECOY

Mark Renner

PO Box 5151

Bozeman

MT

59717

www.bethedeccoy.com

BIG SKY ARCHERY

William Farris

120 Pollywog Lane

Belgrade

MT

59714

www.bigskyarchery.com

BRUCE’S QUICKLUBE

Bruce Metcalf

1111 E Front St

Butte

MT

59701

406-782-6124

2710 Broadwater Ave

Helena

MT

59602

406-449-3111

84 Williams Drive

Dillon

MT

59725

406-380-0986

PO Box 9936

Kalispell

MT

59904 www.mtcrownphoto.com

BUFFALO JUMP ARCHERY

Judy Adams

C. DOUGLAS WEBB

C. Douglas Webb

CROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

M & L Layne

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

FIRST CLASS OUTDOORS, LLC

10 Grassy Flat Road

Roundup

MT

59072

661-317-0001

FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB

PO Box 5083

Missoula

MT

59806

406-544-2169

FLATHEAD VALLEY ARCHERS

PO Box 1282

Kalispell

MT

59903

5348 Florence Carlton Loop Florence

MT

59833

406-273-2210

1105 Spurgin Court

Missoula

MT

59804

406-327-4800

GREAT FALLS ARCHERY CLUB Rick Maynard/President

PO Box 3653

Great Falls

MT

59403

406-453-1158

K DESIGN MARKETING, INC.

15275 Thayer Rpad

Lolo

MT

59847 www.kdesignmarketing.com

LEWIS & CLARK ARCHERS

PO Box 6271

Helena

MT

59604

LIBBY ARCHERY CLUB

PO Box 755

Libby

MT

59923

MAKOSHIKA BOWMEN

PO Box 781

Glendive

MT

59330

MONTANA HISTORICAL SOC LIBRARY

PO Box 201201

Helena

MT

59620

POLSON AMBULANCE, INC.

PO Box 838

Polson

MT

59860

2491 W 42nd St

Casper

WY

82604 www.pronghornbows.com

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION David Allen

5705 Grant Creek Road

Missoula

MT

59808

406-523-4500

ROYAL ELK SEWING

703 Goldenwest

Belgrade

MT

59714

406-388-9780

115 Rocky Cliff Lane

Kalispell

MT

59901 www.spiritquestarchery.com

3312 Rome Lane

Stevensville

MT

59870

406-370-5311

1299 Fort Ellis Road

Bozeman

MT

59715

406-924-4494

31345 Lost Creek Lane

Ronan

MT

59864

406-676-5150

3170 MT Hwy

Philllipsburg

MT

59858

406-859-0297

1865 Hwy 2 E

Havre

MT

59501

406-265-4572

Dan Tracey

2214 Tschache Lane

Bozeman

MT

59715

406-586-0100

Bernie & Dorothy Smith

3036 Cheyenne Drive

Colstrip

MT

59323

406-748-4119

John Wilson

945 Lorraine St

Billings

MT

59105

406-256-4909

Rich Wormington

280 HWY 14A E

Lovell

WY

82431

307-548-6292

GAME TRAILS WILDLIFE STUDIO GARRAMONE BUILDERS

Steve Brett Don Garramone

Sam & Kim Kinsinger

Tim Brester, Eric Henslin

PRONGHORN CUSTOM BOWS

Herb Meland

Marvin Hansen

SPIRIT QUEST ARCHERY SIMMONS SHARKS

Dave & Brandy Oligee

SPORTSMENSACCESS.COM

Joe Esparza

TOELKE TRADITIONAL ARCHERY

Dan Toelke

TROPHY’S ONLY TAXIDERMY WESTERN TRAILER & MARINE SALES

Clyde Thomas, Jr.

WHOLESALE SPORTS #144 BOZEMAN WILD THINGS PRESERVED TAXIDERMY WILSON BUILT CONSTRUCTION YELLOWSTONE BOWS

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 14 WWW.MTBA.ORG

406-377-1572

406-883-5778

MBA member ASHLEY HARTSOOK with a bull she took during the 2011 season. It’s her first ever bow kill!

REX ROGERS shot yet another gorgeous whitetail this year.

Hey, Rex…how do you keep those animals so clean?

DAVID CRONK’S first bear taken over a wallow. David made a perfect quartering-away 30-yard shot with a 15-yard recovery

FRED SICHTING from Libby lets the air out of another nice whitetail buck. Now that’s a wall-hanger!

MBA member JASON ZEMLICKA with a public land whitetail he took in the 2011 season.

It’s a LEWIS DOUBLE! Billy and Shana set up 100 yards apart next to a big alfalfa field and shot their bucks about 10 minutes later. Both bucks went down within sight of their stands.

LEVI JOHNSON with his beautiful “coulee country” mulie DIANN MARTIN killed her first archery buck this year. The deep snow tells the tale of her commitment – Way to go, Diann!

TERI KELLY’S first ever bow kill, a nice fat whitetail taken with a custom Toelke 45lb “Whip”

Winter 2011

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