Vol. 53 #2 Winter 2025 Issue

Montana Bowhunters Association PO BOX 3515 Bozeman, MT 59772 Return service requested

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

INSIDE: Double Bulls

Regional News!

OFFICERS

REGIONAL REPS DIRECTORS AT LARGE

MBA

www.mtba.org

Regional Representatives Region 1

Mike Iten Marlon Clapham

4455 Hoover Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 ................406-777-2408

mbaregion2@gmail.com

Kevin Robinson

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

Kmrmt00@hotmail.com

Region 3

Liberty Brown

mbareg3@gmail.com

1150 Vega Rd, Helena, MT 59602 .............................406-839-6371

mestdagh.montana@gmail.com

Region 4

Justin Doll

3908 16th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405 ....................406-939-0804

markschwo@gmail.com

Ben Buller

4143 King Ave East, Billings, MT 59101 .....................406-672-5616 buller_ben@yahoo.com

Luke Pisk

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

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

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

j.doll6190@gmail.com

Mark Schwomeyer 201 Big Sky Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 ........................406-350-0173

Region 5

PRESIDENT

275 Vigilante Tr., Bozeman, MT 59718 ......................406-581-7216

Robin Mestdagh

Officers

795 5th Avenue West N, Kalispell, MT 59901 ...........406-366-5727

itenmike338@gmail.com

Region 2

MBA

3420 Lovers Lane, Billings, MT 59105 ............................406-598-6957

TREASURER

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

luke.pisk@outlook.com

Region 6

Tristan Manuel

48538 Anderson Rd, Havre, MT 59501 ......................406-399-5114

HiLineTraditional@gmail.com

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd • Lewistown, MT 59457

Region 7 EVEN YEARS

PAST PRESIDENT

mbaregion4@yahoo • 406-535-5636

AT LARGE DIRECTORS

Cliff Garness

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

Jake Garness

5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - powderslayer22@gmail.com.........................406-750-4444

Guy Stickney

32 Cottonwood Way, Miles City, MT 59301 - wallguy31@yahoo.com....................................406-951-2506

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Julie Jensen 391 Coral Drive • Belgrade, MT 59714 701-361-9197 • jjensen44@mac.com

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

ODD YEARS

Todd Anderson

616 Stephanie Avenue, Miles City, MT 59301 - tdanderson67@gmail.com.............. 406-942-0575

Brian Koelzer

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

Patrick Koelzer

1112 Park Ave #A, Belgrade, MT 59714 - pkmasonrymt@yahoo.com........................ 406-570-9450

EDITORIAL COMMENTS

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

PUBLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES

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

Stories, photos, or cartoons should be sent to Julie Jensen at 391 Coral Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714 or email jjensen44@mac.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All submitted or published photos may be used by the MBA in the newsletter,

and MBA Photo Album and/or on Facebook. Any questions as to policies of MBA please contact the President.

MEMBERSHIP INQURIES

Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBS Administrator, Bethany Baily, PO BOX 3515, Bozeman, MT 59772, or register online at www.mtba.org, or ask a member.

Bethany Baily www.mtba.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 53 #2 Winter 2025

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Ken Schultz 1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Stephanie Prater

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TREASURER’S MESSAGE

Montana Bowhun PO BOX ters Ass ociation 351 Bozeman, 5 MT 597 72 service requested

Return

On the Cover

Briggs family with Calbria’s elk

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

Mandy Garness PAST PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Stephen LePage

5 REGIONAL REPORTS 8 DAL REPORTS 13 BLAST FROM THE PAST

INSIDE : Doub le Bulls

Marlon Claphman

14 DOUBLE BULLS Taylor Walthall

19 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

20 MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM 21 MEMBER GALLERY

Regiona l News!

OFFIC ERS REGIO NAL RE DIRECT PS ORS AT LARGE

Winter 2025

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MBA

Committees Legislative: CHAIR: Justin Doll Stephanie Prater • Stephen LePage Liberty Brown

Financial: CHAIR: Mandy Garness

Landowner/Sportsman: CHAIR: Stephanie Prater Mike Iten • Justin Doll Mark Schwomeyer • Tristan Manuel

Nominations: CHAIR: Stephanie Prater Brian Koelzer

Awards: CHAIR: Cliff Garness Stephen LePage • Marlon Clapham Liberty Brown • Robin Mestdagh Jake Garness • Brian Koelzer

Membership: CHAIR: Steve LePage Mandy Garness • Mike Iten Ben Buller • Ron Aasheim

Convention 2026 (Region 5) Mandy Garness • Kevin Robinson Tristan Manuel • Cliff Garness

Magazine: CHAIR: Cliff Garness Stephanie Prater • Kevin Robinson Jake Garness • Guy Stickney Brian Koelzer

Bridger Bowman Shoot: CHAIR: Kevin Robinson

Bow-Ed: CHAIR: Mark Schwomeyer Al Kelly • Marlon Clapham Ben Buller • Tristan Manuel

Youth Membership and MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp CHAIR: NA Kevin Robinson • Robin Mestdagh

Governance CHAIR: NA

PTMAE CHAIR: Marlon Clapham Jerry Davis • Kevin Robinson

Tentatives CHAIR: Stephanie Prater Justin Doll • Mark Schwomeyer • Guy Stickney

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OFFICER REPORTS

PRESIDENT - KEN SCHULTZ 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - STEPHANIE PRATER SECRETARY - JERRY DAVIS

1ST VICE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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TREASURER - MANDY GARNESS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Greetings All,

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ope everyone has been having an Awesome hunting season so far! I have been seeing a lot of successful pics from all around the state. Pretty cool to see so many archery hunters being successful. Always remember, please send your great pics to any one of our board members and we’ll get them into the newsletter. Everyone’s emails are listed in the newsletters. We’d love to share!

As the Archery season winds down, the rifle season ramps up. Please be careful out there if you are still hunting with your bows. Be sure to wear orange while walking the woods. We don’t want to be reading any horrible stories in the news.

As winter approaches, we are starting to see the crossbow proposals start up again. We’ve been contacted by an individual to support another crossbow bill. It’s a carbon copy of the previous bills that have been proposed. We will continue to stand our ground on these Bills! As we all know, once you give an inch and allow the foot in the door, we end up like several other states around us that are regretting they ever opened that door. Many are desperately trying to get crossbows out because they have been detrimental to the wildlife population. As you all know by now, we have an awesome option called PTMAE out there. We are now getting funding from local hunters through the FWP to setup many folks with bows and draw lock systems every month. These bows can be set up for all different disabilities. Please continue to get the word out!

s you all know, archery is challenging with lots of ups and downs. This season, I spent more days in the field than I have in the past. As the season ended, a little bit frustrated, but I had resolved that success wasn’t just measured in full freezers and antler scores, but the laughs with friends, memories made, close encounters etc. My husband was able to connect on a very nice bull and so I asked if he’d tag along on “one last morning elk hunt” with a friend and I before I would hang up the bow and wait for whitetails. As we walked in the dark, Michael happened to spot a big blonde body glowing and said, “nice bull right there.” We froze and for about 30 minutes waited as several nice bulls, including a big herd bull and his cows fed past. The script couldn’t have played out more perfectly and an hour later my biggest archery bull by a lot was loaded in the pickup. THANKFUL is the word that comes to mind. Getting out one more time just might be the difference in your season. I was also thankful for having the archery season in October to find success. I know several others who share that sentiment as well.

By the time you get this magazine, FWP will be starting season setting.

Make sure you show up to meetings, send in comments and call and have conversations with your commissioners. We’ve heard some rumors of changes to 900 archery antelope tags, district combinations for elk archery permits and other potential changes. We will keep our members informed as we know more, but we need our members to get involved and voice their opinions and make sure our archery season remains “The Last Best Archery Season.” We can’t do it without your help! Thank you for all you do as our members!

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday & rest of your hunting season! >>>---------------------->

Stephanie Prater

Region 5 is hosting the next MBA Convention in Billings this year!! It will be April 3rd and 4th, 2026 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.

We are super excited about hosting and are looking for as many helpers/ volunteers as we can. If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact me at 406-598-8550. Any donations for auctions are welcome or if you have any ideas for auction items, let me know and I will follow up.

With that, I’ll stop blabbing and leave you with “Good Luck” if you’ll be out Archery or Rifle hunting the rest of the seasons. Just a reminder “Shoot Straight and Always be a Straight Shooter”!

Ken Schultz

Stephanie Prater

Ken Schultz Winter 2025

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OFFICER’S HEADER REPORT

TREASURER’S

Mandy Garness

MESSAGE

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hope you had a successful season, in harvests as well as in memories.

I’ve been lucky this year to be able to travel for leisure as well as to hunt with family and have had a great time, even with a few helpings of Tag Soup.

I would like to welcome Bethany Bailey as our new administrator.

Please reach out if we can assist you in any way with your membership and be patient with us as we work through this transition. We look forward to meeting many of you at the convention in Billings this spring.

Mandy Garness Treasurer

PAST PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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very now and then I have a bowhunting season that yields an unforeseen source of satisfaction. I have been bowhunting a long time and have shared campfires with some amazing people. Some of those people have made a lasting impact on me, mentored me and some have even learned a thing or two from me: usually very unscientific theories about game behavior and moronic unfounded tricks and techniques that have never EVER helped anyone harvest a game animal. That is why I am primarily designated as “Camp Cook.” Of course, we refer to that position by a much crasser term, which I will not mention in the pages of this prestigious publication.

This fall I was able to utilize my camp cook position during several weekends with a younger generation of bowhunters. I primarily hunt with my Father-in-Law and due to his advanced state of geriatric decline, I often feel like a spring chicken at 53 years of age. So, this fall when my son, Mitchel LePage, was coming home to hunt along with longtime bowhunting friend Colter Zink I was ecstatic to have some younger blood to bow hunt with. Due to Mitchel’s and Colter’s high school extracurricular activities, they were not afforded much time to bowhunt in previous years. Colter even played collegiate football for most of his time in post-secondary education.

In essence: this is really the first time they were available for many of the September and October weekends that are so very important here in Montana.

After years of their generation watching the TiK Tok and eating Tide Pods, I had little hope of these two young punks possessing the dedication and fortitude necessary to seal the deal on an archery elk. I am very excited to report that despite all my embarrassing attempts at calling elk and truckloads of horrible bowhunting advice, they proved me wrong and in spectacular fashion. So spectacular in fact that only my dear wife has proven me more wrong.

These young men would leave Helena Friday after a 3:00 class, drive to Lewistown and then an additional hour on to our hunting spot arriving late at night. They would then hunt from before light until after dark. They would leave after the evening hunt on Sunday to drive all the way back to Helena arriving in the early morning so that they could attend their Monday classes.

One particular weekend, Mitch and Colter were accompanied by Mitchel’s college roommate. To protect the innocent, we will call him Alex. Now Alex is not a bowhunter and was born in a very large city, but he is very open minded and was curious about bowhunting. I was highly impressed on how he could easily integrate into a rough and tumble hunting camp, especially as there were no females present and therefore even more crass than usual. My Mother-In-Law was there for a brief time, but she is even more crass than I am, so that does not count.

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This young man even shot a bow a few times producing one of the largest forearm contusions the medical world has ever seen, but that did not have much of an impact, as last I heard he had procured a used bow…I believe we now have a new archer and future bowhunter on our hands.

Although Alex went out on every bugle and evening sit that weekend with Mitchel they did not get into elk, but Colter was able to kill his very first archery bull elk (not my story to tell) and Alex was able to partake in the process of quick quartering an elk!

Mitchel and I spent several weekends, just father and son, toward the end of season. Even weekends where the weather was very poor, he was diligently pursuing elk. Him following the same pattern of leaving Helena after classes on Friday and returning to campus early Monday morning in time for classes.

As camp cook, I kept the fire burning, burned SPAM and eggs in the morning and burned hot dogs served with no buns or condiments at night, while that kid hunted hard. Several times he did sunup to sunset tree stand sits in snowstorms and windy conditions. He is a better man than I am…and it paid off, Mitchel was able to notch his tag on the last day of bowhunting season (again, not my story to tell).

So, in this, missed the deadline for submission, rambling, thought vomit onto paper, my whole point is that despite a large bioaccumulation of Tide Pods in their internal organs and mind-numbing brain rot caused by endless Tik Toks, these young men are persistent, dedicated and tough bowhunters and I admire them immensely. They are the future of bowhunting, and I think we are in good hands.

Stephen LePage Past President, MBA

Stephen LePage Furrydaddy

REGIONAL REPORTS

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Three days had passed, and I lacked the proper access to continue to pursue my quarry. The lack of access coupled with the grueling heat was enough to put the hunt on pause and return at a later date.

MARLON CLAPHMAN KEVIN ROBINSON REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN ROBIN MESTDAGH (NO REPORT) REGION 4 JUSTIN DOLL MARK SCHWOMERYER REGION 5 BEN BULLER LUKE PISK (NO REPORT) REGION 6

After several miles I finally found a suitable chunk of real estate where I erected my nylon abode. During the next morning’s jaunt, I notice what appeared to be an airplane that is perched on the highest plateau in the area. Perplexed, I sauntered over to where the air assault vehicle was and noticed that there was a five-gallon jug of water stashed nearby. The sense of hiking numerous miles in and thinking you are the only bow hunter for miles around quickly evaporated. I admired the gentleman’s ability to access such a remote area with ease.

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Upon my return to this same piece of real estate a week later, I didn’t have the approval to access my hunting area by way of this property. Therefore, I had to circumnavigate this area through clifflike coulees, brush, and grass that was shin high.

As I was descending a small plateau, I planted my trekking pole into a patch of grass, that’s when I heard it. A dry, unmistakable rattle. I froze, and just inches from where I was going to plant my left foot was a coiled demon. Startled, I let out a scared yelp. Its eyes locked onto my movement, tongue flicking, tail vibrating like a warning siren. I didn’t blink and the snake held its coil as if we were having a good ol’ western standoff. I accepted defeat and headed in a different direction.

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he sun hadn’t yet crested the horizon, but the heat was already rising off the sandstone ridges of the Missouri Breaks. It was early September, and the forecast promised another scorcher—upper 80s, bone-dry, and relentless. The kind of heat that caused your pores to ooze out most of the hydration you had so eagerly indulged.

There was a 30% chance of precipitation and apparently, I was in that area. That night I was unable to sleep due to the thunder, lightning, and modest rain. The following day only allowed the sighting of three cow elk. I stayed up late into the evening waiting to hear the cacophony of bugles.

Only one bugle was heard after 10:00 P.M. This bugle was estimated to be on inaccessible private ground. After an uneventful morning hunt, I packed up my temporary dwelling and chose to

explore a new area. This required transporting it by quads, my God given quads.

After a mid-afternoon siesta, I headed to the location of the bugle where I thought I had heard the night before. As I was traversing down the coulee, my heart was jolted by the near sounds of several sharptailed grouse quickly departing the area.

I enjoyed the pleasure of observing a calf elk playing in a waterhole. Staying still and observing where her family could be, I watched where she exited the pond and where she scampered off to.

It wasn’t 20 minutes later at around 6:30 P.M. that the canyon walls reverberated with the sweet sound of September.

After several minutes of contemplation, I executed my decision to set up in a position for an ambush.

The bugles continued to ring off the coulee’s walls, and I could hear that he was getting closer.

Finally, the last bugle he blew out was very close.

With an arrow nocked, several sweet-smelling brunettes who had his senses intoxicated trotted in front of me. I’m sure he thought he was going to have an all-night rendezvous, but it didn’t turn out as he would have anticipated. As he was chasing the brunettes, I was able to stop him, bend the limbs, settle in, and release the carbon. Both of his lungs were pierced, and he quickly expired within sight.

I exhaled, thanked God, and walked over to retrieve my arrow. Walking up to the bull who had just given its life to feed my family, I knew the work had just begun. I’ve processed close to a half-dozen bulls solo, and it never gets easier. We don’t hunt elk for comfort, but for the challenge, the solitude and to experience the raw edge of wild Montana.

Michael Iten

Michael Iten

I started hiking at 5 a.m., bow strapped tight to my pack, sweat already soaking through my shirt.

The moon was as bright as a neon sign. The elk were bugling somewhere deep in the coulees, their haunting calls echoing through the Ponderosa Pine draws. I’d glassed a herd the night before—a wide six-point, shadowed by six cows, moving through a patch of juniper-like ghosts. Filtering down to the coulees below to travel several miles for their own nourishment and hydration.

But the terrain was unforgiving. Steep ravines, tangled brush, and no water for miles. My threeliter bladder was half-empty, and the nearest consumable water source was sheltered in a Toyota Tacoma several miles away.

Mosquitoes and no see-ums swarmed and bit me like a biblical plague. They didn’t care about the heat. I thanked God for each time the breeze picked up to excavate those little spawns of Satan to their demise. They were relentless, buzzing in my ears, biting through my sleeves, and biting any available exposed piece of epidermis turning every moment of stillness into a test of will.

REGIONAL REPORTS CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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REGIONAL REPORTS-CONTINUED Draw-Loc

Jim with Doe

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MARLON CLAPHAM KEVIN ROBINSON

Marlon Clapham

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ell for us, the summer flew by and now we’re at the end of another Bowhunting Season with General Season right around the corner. My how time flies by when you’re out in the fields putting up hay.

The Whitetail rut should be right around the corner, I have a new set of 45-pound Robertson limbs for my bow, and hopefully I’ll be ready and able to take advantage of a decent buck, and the desire to even shoot at it.

I’ve heard of a few critters taken during our Bowhunting season and received a picture from one of the physically challenged bowhunters we helped set up with a Draw-Loc. Jim recently lost one of his

Kevin Robinson

arms and wanted to continue Bowhunting. He didn’t want to change his shooting style and go lefthanded, so he and his brother built a way to sit behind a tripod which supports the bow and with the DrawLoc he was able to harvest a doe. We also received another picture from Bradley who harvested a fine bull elk with his set up. Our help setting up these folks and getting them out to Bowhunt again is truly rewarding for the MBA. The Youth Camps that the MBA helps support are another one of our success stories. Libby Roberts took my place this past summer at the Magruder camp to run the archery portion of the camp. The young campers aways enjoy the archery. It was very hot and there is no shade for the shooting line so there was a lot of time swimming in the River of No Return. But as soon as it cooled of in the evening they were once again on the line shooting arrows.

There was lots of fishing where the campers learned how to tie their own flies, then catch a few fish with Fred Upchurch our fishing leader. Ever seen a dozen new fly rod fishers in one line learning how to cast.

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appy fall from Region 2! I hope everyone’s archery season was a success and your freezers are full. I was lucky enough to put a last-minute bull in my freezer and looking forward to putting a few November whitetails in there too. Not too much to report here from region 2 but anyone is welcome to reach out to me anytime with your thoughts, concerns and/or advice. Keep hammering.

Kevin Robinson

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Fred handles them with the patience of a saint.

The next Convention will be in Billings this spring and the folks there are working very hard to put on a rememberable Convention. It’s been a long time since we were in Billings for a gathering and I’m looking forward to it.

This next spring the MBA will be hoisting the newly acquired Bridger Bowman Shoot in Bozeman.

It takes loads of volunteers to put on an endeavor such as this so be looking for more information on this new event for the MBA. In closing don’t shut to door on the Carp Safari just yet. I have some ideas that will maybe get us together for a barbeque on campfire and some fishing. Loads of details to workout so be patient with me. I will make sure it will not interfere with the Bridger Bowman Shoot.

Good luck with the late season Bowhunting and be safe out there with the other firearms toters so as not to get hit by a stray bullet.

Marlon Clapham

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hope everyone had a great archery season and was able to spend plenty of time in the field.

Whether you filled a tag or just enjoyed the challenge and time outdoors, I hope it was a safe and rewarding fall for all. It’s always good to see so many dedicated bowhunters out there representing our region and our sport so well.

I wanted to share a quick update from our Region 3 biologists regarding the 900-20 antelope license. Earlier this year, during the biennial seasonsetting process, Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) began exploring a proposal to remove Region 3 from the statewide 900-20 antelope archery license and create a new, Region 3–specific 399-20 license. Based on strong feedback, this idea has advanced to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for further review.

The main reason behind this proposal is that while Region 3 has the lowest antelope populations

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JUSTIN DOLL MARK SCHWOMEYER Greetings fellow bowhunters!

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ow that archery season has come to an end for 2025, I hope everyone was able to find success this fall. It sure seems like our season seems to fly by quicker each year. Weather seemed to cooperate fairly well for me this fall, which always makes it a bit more enjoyable.

I was able to share camp and hunt with some good friends this fall. It always seems each season brings some highs and lows. For me this year, I think watching a friend put the sneak on a bull and harvest his first elk was the high point. And for a low, I’d have to say that hearing a loud “pop” while miles from the camp. A broken ankle wasn’t on my wish list for the fall, but luckily a few weeks in a boot and I’ll be good as new. This leads me to encourage everyone to revisit their first aid kits. I know in a prior newsletter Mandy had written a good article on first aid kits. I’d recommend reading her article and updating your kits… I know I have.

I know this fall is a season setting year for FWP. I would encourage all of you to make public comments on the proposals.

Liberty Brown

Thank you,,

Liberty Brown

406-570-4280 | mbareg3@gmail.com

Justin Doll

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of all the regions in the 900-series, it has consistently had some of the highest harvest numbers from archery hunters. In recent years, pronghorn numbers have declined in several areas of Region 3, yet archery harvests have increased. Many rifle districts have already seen significant reductions in license numbers—the lowest in two decades—and buck ratios in some areas are becoming a concern. With a proposed statewide increase in the 900-20 license quota (from 5,600 to 7,500), Region 3 biologists wanted to ensure local populations aren’t overpressured by additional harvest.

The proposed 399-20 Region 3 archery-only license would maintain opportunity for bowhunters while better managing local herds. The current recommendation includes a quota of 500 licenses, with flexibility between 250–750, and season dates that match the existing 900-20 season.

I’ll continue to follow this closely and share updates as they become available. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who takes the time to stay involved and informed on these issues—your participation makes a real difference.

Wishing you all a great off-season and good luck with your winter shooting and upcoming draws.

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’m back in the Midwest hunting whitetails where I grew up—something I daydream about often. It’s a special feeling coming back to where I started bowhunting. I can still picture those first archery encounters with my 45-pound Bear Kodiak, yellow-and-white fletched cedar arrows cut to about 24 inches, tipped with fourblade Zwicky Eskimos. My world was small then, and even smaller now when I look back at it with perspective. It would have been October of 1995, 30 years ago.

Hard to believe. I catch myself wondering what the MBA was up to back then. I’ve always loved bowhunting whitetails, and if you’d told that young kid he’d someday move to Montana and learn to bowhunt elk, antelope, bear, mountain lion, moose, sheep, and goat… he’d have felt like he hit the lottery. Back then I just read about those hunts and daydreamed about them while I should have been doing schoolwork.

I was talking about all this with my cousin the other day, how I missed the changing colors of hardwoods, the smell of a fresh-cut cornfield, and stumbling across a walnut or sassafras tree. Her 10-year-old son overheard us, and his reaction made me laugh: “You can hunt elk, lion, bear, moose, and mountain goat… and you’re daydreaming about deer!? You’re crazy!” He’s not wrong. I love all those things—but I still miss Midwest whitetails. I hope he gets a chance to experience them all too.

In the end, I think what matters is to go on as many adventures as you can and do whatever makes you happy.

Mark Schwomeyer

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TRISTAN MANUEL

didn’t draw much for archery season, but I did get an antelope tag and filled it with this guy.

I had an amazing time chasing them and a few issued opportunities throughout the season. I was able to chase a few deer also but never had the right one in range. I also took my daughter and her friend out for the youth hunt, and they both got their deer.

Now on to get my daughter her first elk.

I have visit with a few people about their hunts this archery season and some are happy and have seen a lot and filled some tags. Others are frustrated about the numbers of tags getting put out and not seeing many animals. I think a lot of us agree on that.

I’ve also been working on a region 5 meeting at Meadow Lark Brewing before the board meeting.

Hope everyone had a good archery season.

he season is flying by, and I was fortunate to spend many days in a tree. While the action was slow most of the season, I witnessed some neat things while out and about. I hope to find some success later in the year and share some stories with good friends over a beer during future gatherings. Until then, pick a spot, and shoot straight!

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Ben Buller

Tristan Manuel

REMINDER: Mailing Labels ShowYour Membership Renewal Date

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› PLAN AHEAD FOR ACCESS › RESPECT PRIVATE PROPERTY › PRACTICE SAFE HUNTING BEHAVIOR › TURN IN POACHERS – CALL 1-800-TIP-MONT

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› GRATITUDE GOES A LONG WAY fwp.mt.gov/itsuptous

Winter 2025

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DIRECTOR’S AT LARGE

TODD ANDERSON (NO REPORT) CLIFF GARNESS JAKE GARNESS (NO REPORT) BRIAN KOELZER

DIRECTOR’S

PAT KOELZER GUY STICKNEY

AT LARGE

B

y the time this issue is available, another archery-only season has passed by, and the holidays will be soon upon us. I didn’t hunt for myself a lot this year in Montana but had some good times and experiences helping and supporting family and friends. There is still time for me to take my bow and sit in a tree stand in frigid temps, while hoping to get a shot at a rutting whitetail buck! I have seen and heard of some great animals being harvested this fall, so please remember to send in photos and articles for future magazine issues.

Everyone have a great holiday season and hope to see many of you at the banquet in Billings April 3-5, 2026.

Cliff Garness Region 4 DAL

Cliff Garness

A

s I sit here writing up this letter, reflecting on the elk rut and gearing up for the whitetails, I’m frustrated with myself. Not about the hunts, or shot placement, or anything like that. I’m frustrated with the chances I’ve missed to promote the MBA with fellow hunters. Now I’m getting better at this but still I left a lot of opportunities on the table and now more than I think ever, we’ve got to be ready to advertise the importance of being a member! It’s amazing how many bow hunters don’t know what the MBA has done for bow hunting past and present. And if you haven’t already, I really suggest checking out the video on our website with the founders of the MBA! It’s a great watch and it gets ya fired up to keep up the momentum that all these guys worked so hard to establish!

Now about the time you’re reading this the season will be over for the most part and it’s time for us all to start gearing up for the MBA convention!

So, make it a point to reach out to people about the convention in Billings this spring, get involved if you have the ability, and I look forward to meeting those of you I haven’t there, Troy Pottenger will be there for at least one more year with his booth and that’s usually where you can find me!

I hope y’all had a great season full of memories, straight flying arrows and freezers full of meat!

God bless y’all!

Patrick Koelzer

Patrick Koelzer

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DIRECTOR’S AT LARGE

W

ell the sun has set on archery season 2025. This one seemed to pass by in a blink! As usual I’ve seen plenty of pictures of happy archers with some outstanding critters. It is such a blessing to call this great state home and be able to have the adventures that we do every fall. One fall hunting Montana’s over-the-counter critters is multiple bucket list hunts for most other folks in this great nation. We got it so good!

Work was unusually demanding for me this fall and adding the needs of two wild young boys to the mix equalled less time for me in the woods that normal.

I did get out a couple mornings for elk and did have some good action. I’m not pleased to say that I missed a nice 6x6 less than a mile from the truck on my first morning out! Unfortunately, my cousin Pat was there to witness it as well and kindly started texting family to inform them that I killed a tree which is still packing my broadhead.

Fortunately, In mid October a nice fat whitetail doe walked by and after a double lung pass through she is now in the freezer.

Last March, my wife Kara, decided to start shooting a light Schafer recurve that Paul had built for my Mom ages ago. I assumed that she would just fart around with it a little bit but was pleasantly surprised that she jumped in head first. Every day after work she’d grab that bow and head out to the targets. The seed was planted.

My Dad had several surgeries last winter and after regaining the strength to start shooting a bow again he realized that he couldn’t shoot any of his regular bows and needed a lighter one. He borrowed back the bow Kara was shooting and ultimately took a nice black bear with it in Saskatchewan. The only problem with this was Kara was without a recurve. I called Dave Windauer and told him to put Kara on the waiting list for a Schafer Silvertip and without hesitation he offered to send one of his daughter Josie’s old bows for a loaner during the wait time. A couple days later a beautiful 38# recurve showed up in the mail and Kara was back in action.

She shot nearly every day all summer and became quite proficient out to 15 yards. After getting arrows figured out and some stands hung on a nice property we have permission to hunt the season was upon us!

Several opportunities presented themselves during September and a few shots were missed. The learning curve from modern to trad is steep so our practice shifted from shooting focused to mental preparation. Training yourself to find and focus on the smallest spot possible is easier said than done.

October ticked by and the last evening of archery season Kara and my Dad were posted up about 250 yards apart on the edge of an alfalfa field. The wind was inconsistent and deer movement was pretty light. Just before sundown a big cow moose walked along the riverbank and ended up passing my dad at 4 yards.

At the same time 3 young bucks crossed and walked right by Kara. She practice drew on the last one focusing on a small spot on its chest. A few minutes later she saw another deer coming and got ready. She drew just as he got to her lane but he paused forcing her to hold for longer that normal. Focusing on his chest he took one more step and the arrow was on its way. The shot was 8 yards and recovery was 30 yards. Her arrow passed completely through with just the fletching holding up in its hide.

To say she was excited was an understatement! She called both me and my Dad so we got out and headed her way. After a short but steep drag we took pictures and she field dressed her buck. The rain started pounding down on us as we loaded her buck but nobody cared. It was a great way to close archery season.

Top: Kara and Brian Bottom: Kara and Scott

Brian Koelzer

D

rought, torrential rainfall, fires, EHD - This season has had it all and that’s just part of the ups and downs of bowhunting for me. Bowhunting is such a lovely emotional rollercoaster combined with mental and physical exercise. I really can’t imagine what my life would be like without it. I busted the slump this archery season.

I hadn’t shot at a big game animal with my bow since 2020 when I was fortunate to take a bull elk opening week. I had lots of days and hours in the field in the seasons since, but the right opportunity just never presented itself. I was able to capitalize on this year’s opportunity on another bull elk. I feel very blessed. I really had started to wonder if I had lost whatever ability/luck that had afforded me shot opportunities in the past. Also, the question was really burning in my mind, “Will I be able to make the shot if I get one?” Luckily for me, I did. God Bless Bowhunting. God Bless Montana. And of course, God Bless the MBA!! I hope all of you got out and enjoyed this hard-fought opportunity we are blessed to experience. n to preserve and protect.

Good luck this fall and aim small, miss small!

Guy Stickney

Guy Stickney

Winter 2025

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2025 CONVENTION DONORS

2025 CONVENTION DONORS

Thank you to these donors as well: Brian Rayner Don Helmbrecht Great Falls Archery Club

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Libby Archery Club Colleen & Steve Garness

Sonja Anderson Glen Osborne

Wenzel Family Michael Downer

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Blast from the Past

Another two-week hunt was planned and the pickup loaded with gear. It was a long drive to the trailhead and packed was a few groceries, four cases of beer, two bottles champagne, and two bottles of cheap wine. By the time we left the highway we were feeling no pain and the refreshments were running through, we had to water the bushes so to speak. I shut off the truck and jumped out, next thing I heard was Monty is screaming at me calling me names that I’ve never heard before.

A loud grinding noise, the truck comes to an abrupt halt, the door flies open out comes all these beer cans, two bows and one MAD Monty. Over the next three days we got two nice bulls.

Monty was a very serious and very successful hunter, never bragged about his trophies. Monty touched a lot of lives and will be missed but never forgotten.

Dino Fanelli writes: As I sit here trying to put this issue together the thought of Monty walking through the door enters my mind more than once. Monty was like that; he would stop in on his way by or call at any given time, “Hi Deno, this is Monty…” He always had his ears open. Every time something came up, in Montana or in another state, Monty was on the phone relaying info to other organizations and Bowhunters. The sport of Bowhunting meant everything to him, and he would do whatever it was to ensure that it was compatible to Bowhunters.

December 1995 In Memory of Monty Moravec – A Good Friend

August 1st 1995 the Bowhunters of Montana lost a great ally, and the Montana Bowhunters Association will mourn his loss more than most.

Monty Moravec passed away last August 1st and is more likely than not in a special place that God has set aside special for him where the hunting will always be good.

Monty has been a long supporter of the Montana Bowhunters Association, Five Valleys Archery Club, The Traditional Bowhunters of Montana and numerous other state and national organizations. He was instrumental in getting Montana’s Bowhunting Community involved in Camp Make a Dream, where he donated 16 custom made Monarch Longbows. He also got the MBA and Traditional Bowhunters involved for further donations.

Monty was one of the most outstanding Bowhunters of our time. His pursuit of big game led him to many places most of us only dream about. He had the highest set of ethics and held the sport of Bowhunting with admiration. He was always interested in fellow Bowhunters stories and was proud to congratulate them on their success.

The following are some of the stories his Bowhunting companions wrote for the newsletter in December 1995. I’ll try to give a few highlights.

George Withey writes: Monty was a Special Friend. An elk hunt with horses packing in and Monty with no experience with horses, he had killed a cow elk and we brought the horse to the elk to pack it back to camp. The saddle had slipped around to the belly of the horse just getting to the elk. Monty was trying to calm the horse and hold the pack when the horse bit him on the shoulder. I had to refrain Monty from putting his elk tag on the horse.

There were other sides of Monty that maybe most never knew about. He had interests in many activities. He did everything full speed ahead until he mastered the endeavor he was taking up.

Lewis Matelich writes: I’m not sure what it was that attracted me to Monty. I vaguely remember him from high school. He was sort of quiet and uninvolved with academics and school activities. He was the brother of “Deb”. A wild, fun seeking, way outgoing friend of my older brothers. I didn’t get to know Monty until he started dating a friend of mine and took up residence at the Snow Bowl Ski Area. That’s when I learned that Monty was anything and everything but quiet. Not the greatest of skiers but he had the need for speed.

Our close relationship started twenty years ago when we both took up a new sport together “Kayaking”. Monty was either upside down or swimming, but aways managed to get back in the boat and try again, and again. It was one of the attributes I loved about Monty. When he put his mind to doing something he did what it took to “Master” the event. Weather it was bird hunting, fishing, skiing, kayaking and eventually his true love Bowhunting, he did whatever it took to excel.

Lastly Monty was as honest as the day was long. His word was Golden. However, sometimes his stories, which were also as long as the day had to be taken with a grain of salt.

Remembering back Monty always had that almost mischievous sh%$-eating grin. Forever Remembered, Monty.

I know this was a bit long, it’s thirty years since we lost Monty.

I worked with him setting up 3D shoots with the 5 Valleys, setting up fundraisers and numerous FWP meetings doing our best to hold the Bowhunting in Montana together. Putting this together brings back memories of the MBA working through our early years and how we stuck together to make happen what we all enjoy Today.

Hope this brought back a few memories from yesteryear for you also.

Marlon Clapham (Historian) Winter 2025

13

MEMBER STORY

DOUBLE BULLS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

By Taylor Walthall

Taylor with her bull - left Taylor and Joel packing out -top

Do you smell that? Elk!

We dropped to our knees just in time to hear sticks cracking and saw three cow elk meandering across the hillside 35 yards behind us. My heart was pounding. Joel motioned in question form to see if I could get a shot off. No. Dang it. There was no way I could get my body turned to draw back without being seen. Too risky. But it was the closest I had been to elk while out elk hunting. So, we sat quietly, heads turned just enough to watch them with our peripheral vision, as they sauntered past. Remarkable how these huge animals could move so stealthily through the timber, practically unnoticed except for their distinct smell and few small cracks of twigs underneath their powerful hooves.

It was a beautiful, crisp, fall morning. We were hunting public land in Montana. Close to home, it still seemed like moving mountains to arrange time for my husband, Joel, and me to get out in the woods together. Between work schedules and raising our 4 children, the pace of life seemed, at times, to be wilder than the wilderness itself. Except while hunting. Moments shared in the woods with my best friend and hunting partner are some of my favorites. Having had the chance to pursue elk over the last 14 years, the ghosts of the forest have always had the advantage. Although, my husband has taken elk with his bow, and I’ve taken deer, grouse, and even a black bear, I’ve yet to even draw my bow on an elk. Most elk hunts would end with, at most, a fleeting glimpse of a patch of tan vanishing in the forest. This morning, we remained hopeful for an opportunity to see and possibly harvest one of these elusive animals. This hunt for me meant so much more than the chance at my first elk. It was the adventure, the excitement, the workout, the precision, and the food source on which to help raise our family.

We exchanged smiles of excitement once the cows have passed. The first rays of daylight were beginning to illuminate the woods. We sat quietly for a few minutes waiting to see if there were other elk following behind. No others came. Hoping to get a response, Joel cow called. Almost immediately from higher up the mountain came the unmistakable, most magnificent sounds in the forest, the sound of a bugle! And then another and another. There were at least three bulls several hundred yards above us!

The top of the mountain came alive with competing bugles from several bulls. I’ve never heard anything quite like this. Pinching myself that this moment is real, I looked at Joel, and we made a quick plan of attack. “Tay, we’ve got to get higher up this mountain,” he said. Barely wasting time for a

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nod in agreement, I had my pack on, bow in hand, and we started our ascent.

Trying to make up ground quickly yet still trying to minimize our own noise was a feat in and of itself. Joel would occasionally let out a cow call in hopes of both enticing the bulls and concealing our own identity. It worked.

In hot pursuit, we were closing the gap. Hearts racing and the periodic glances towards each other, our eyes were smiling with uncontainable excitement and joy. Then an unmistakable shift in sound. Bugles stopped, only to fill the woods with a startling CRACK! Then another, and another.

The earth-shattering noise was the clashing of antlers! In awe, we looked at each other and realized this was our time to close the distance. With the bulls fully engrossed in fighting each other for leadership of the harem, we were not on their radar. The wind was drifting down the mountain in our favor. But not for long. We knew it would be shifting soon. Timing would be everything.

Trembling with excitement, we tried to make up ground while the thrashing of antlers was concealing our noise and movement. When the bulls took a break, so did we. Waiting, listening. Crack, crack…. we moved.

Silence…. we stopped. This game of cat and mouse continued for 45 minutes.

Oh, how we wanted to crest the top of the ridge and witness this amazing spectacle with our own eyes. But it was just as magnificent to hear this anthem and imagine what was taking place just over the ridge. With the fight still raging, we knew we were close. I estimated 80 yards, and just out of sight over a small ridge. Time for one last move. Joel motioned and mouthed silently for me to move up another 20 yards, while he stayed put to call if needed. I snuck up the mountain just a little bit more. I spotted what appeared to be the best tree I could find that would provide some cover, while still allowing me good shooting lanes. I dropped to my knees, knocked an arrow and tried to control my overwhelming excitement and nerves with a few deep breaths.

I had been in position no longer than one minute. Miraculous when you think about it. Had either one of us been moving just one minute longer, this would be where the story ends. But as God would have it, the stars did align this day.

The thrashing of antlers stopped again. I waited, my eyes scanning the horizon furiously for the slightest hint of movement, a brown body, antlers, anything to give me the advantage. Out of literally nowhere, 30 yards directly in front of me, emerged the most beautiful, majestic bull elk I had ever seen.

The heavy, muscular body quite literally the size of a horse, with the most symmetric, thick, gorgeous set of antlers tipped back just enough to clear

MEMBER STORY some trees, began walking straight towards me! He was breathing heavily from the long-winded fight but still moving with grace.

My entire body was trembling, and my heart felt as if it was thumping so loudly that it alone would alert this beautiful beast to flee. I was literally thinking, ‘how on earth am I going to draw my bow back? He’s walking straight towards me and only 30 yards away.’

I pulled myself together to take a quick surveyance of what I had to work with. The bull amazingly walked into 15 yards, where there were two very small, immature pine trees. I made a split-second decision to draw back when his head was behind those pines. At that moment, he turned broadside and started contouring across the mountain. Taking aim, my shooting lane was clear, the bull was unaware, the moment surreal.

‘SWISH.’ I let my arrow fly. I had a perfect broadside shot at 15 yards.

I could not believe what just happened. I knew it was a good shot. The bull lurched forward, moving into darker timber. And then, within 50 yards, he fell over. I had just shot my first elk, with my bow, hunting with my husband on National Forest. And he was just huge! A big, beautiful, symmetric 6 x 6. Before I even had time to fully process what just happened, the unthinkable unfolded.

Still visibly shaking from excitement, nerves, and complete awe and shock, I remained unmoved from my ambush spot. Thankfully so. Within two minutes of my shot, the second bull in the brawl appeared 30 yards in front of me in the exact same path as my bull. No wonder the fight went on for so long. This bull was equally matched and just as majestic as the first, only with two freshly broken off brow tines.

Unaware of the scene that unfolded minutes earlier, this bull walked the same line straight towards me. Only he walked to seven yards in front of me!

Frozen in place, I was completely awestruck and humbled to be so close to the mighty wapiti, king of the forest. We locked eyes, and as he stared straight at me, he lifted his head ever so slightly as he let out a soul shaking, groundbreaking bugle in my face! It was still cold enough that I could see his breath float into the abyss of the forest as he triumphantly announced his presence. I could freeze this moment forever. Unreal.

And just like that, he too turned broadside and began walking toward my bull that is now lifeless on the ground. Joel had an arrow knocked and was poised and ready. This bull continued a few more steps, stopped and flashed his antlers just enough to make your drool over their size, width, and beauty.

THWACK! Joel had made a beautiful 30-yard broadside shot. The bull spun around and ran East into a thicket of pine trees and out of sight. I watched, trying not to let my emotions cloud the focus I needed to mentally track where this bull ran. I could see where the shot hit him, and knew he’d be down quickly.

Surreal. That’s what this hunt, this moment, these elk were. We had just done something incredible. Husband/wife archery hunt on National Forest and shot two huge bull elk within minutes of each other.

Joel rushed at me, and we both burst with excitement! He pulled out his phone to capture the feelings that were swirling in such a whirlwind all around my brain.

With a huge smile, he asked, “Tay, what just happened?”

With hands trembling and jaw dropped in awe, I said, “I just shot a huge bull elk with my bow, AND so did you!”

“Let’s go get them!”

As I approached my bull, the flood of emotions consumed me. Shock, awe, tears of joy, praises that God gifted us these beautiful creatures and this amazing hunt. What a beast! Absolutely beautiful in every way.

Blessed and thankful beyond words.

After we got my bull quartered and the meat cooling, we went to track Joel’s bull. Following the blood trail, we were led into a thicket of jack pines and blowdown. And there he was, beautiful and massive, yet completely entangled in logs and branches. We cleared the branches from his antlers, enough for a much-needed photo shoot, and then the work began.

Joel and I worked tirelessly against the clock to get the elk quartered and the meat cooling as fast as possible. The weather was on our side today, and it was the first cool day in over a week. We were on a steep north facing slope, but still, time was of the essence.

Knowing it’s a lot of work to pack one bull out of the woods, let alone two bulls, we knew we needed to call in reinforcements. We used our satellite phone to connect with a couple good friends who share our passion for hunting. You truly know who your friends are when you satellite message them to see if they are willing to hike into the mountains and drive themselves to pure exhaustion hauling out excruciatingly heavy packs, and they don’t blink an eye before a resounding, “Yes. We’ll be there. Need us to bring in anything else?”

By late afternoon, we were placing the last of the meat into game bags when we heard familiar voices in the woods. Four of the most

genuine, kind, strong friends showed up ready to pack the elk out with us. I had never known what a heavy pack felt like before this. We all made multiple trips up and down the mountain with overloaded packs. My muscles were trembling under the weight and fatigue with every step, but I couldn’t help but continue to smile at this once in a lifetime adventure. One last trip up the mountain to get the remainder of the meat and the heads. I was determined to carry my elk head out. I shot it, and I was going to find the strength to do it. The way the elk head was placed in my pack left the giant antlers hanging down to have to crouch over at the waist and lift them high enough to clear even a 6 inch log. The constant weight crushing my joints and relentless bending forward was taking a toll on my body and my pace. But on the bright side, I could just stand up with a slight bend backward and be resting, balanced on my antlers.

Eventually, I made it down the mountain to the trail.

It was now dusk, and I could see what appeared to be the faint outline of a horse. Joel had messaged another friend who had previously offered to help pack out any elk we shot with his horses if the logistics worked out.

Hallelujah! I had never been so excited to see horses! After arranging meat in panniers to keep the weight for each horse even and reasonable, the horses started the trek out of the woods in the dark, followed by the rest of us on foot with headlamps. Two miles later, we were back at the truck, with two Pope and Young bull elk, thanks to so many helping hands and hooves. Dehydrated, exhausted, and weak, we drove home with full hearts, huge smiles, and the most incredible memory of our date with double bulls down!

Winter 2025

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BUSINESS MEMBERS

“The Knife You’ll Hand Down.”

Cudaway Knives Handmade in Montana.

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With over 4000 members, WUM was organized in 1983 as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit to coordinate/support members’ efforts to develop projects, to enhance/sustain and improve Walleye and warm water fishing opportunities for future generations.

Become a member of the largest warm water fishing organization in Montana. Local chapters are in: Big Horn Basin, Billings, Circle, Crooked Creek, Flathead, Fresno, Gallatin/Madison, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Jordan, Malta, Miles City, MonDak, Plentywood, Upper Missouri River, Upper Yellowstone and Wolf Point.

Visit https://montanawalleyesunlimited.net for more information on how to join Walleyes Unlimited of Montana.

The mission of WALLEYES UNLIMITED OF MONTANA is: •

• • • • • •

• •

The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes or to foster national or international sports competition under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code.

Improve and conserve walleye and other warm water fish in suitable bodies of water.

Organize and educate fisherman to promote walleye and warm water fishing.

Develop and maintain forage fish programs in suitable bodies of water.

Support building and maintaining suitable warm water fish hatcheries and develop a hatchery program which can accommodate the needs of warm water fishing.

Support any worthwhile fishing, hunting, wildlife or recreational program organized for pleasure or other non-profitable purpose.

Dedicate its members by social and educational means to the conservation and propagation of warm water fish; to support true sportsmanship in a lawful and legal manner among those who fish; to promote and encourage good fellowship among sportsmen; to encourage support of fish and game laws; to work for the respect and knowledge of the just rights of property owners and to work for, support and encourage a close, friendly relationship between property owners and sportsmen.

Dedicated to introducing youths to fishing; educate them to become ethical and responsible sportsmen that respect and conserve fish and wildlife, respect and preserve our public lands and public access and abide by fish and game laws and acknowledge the just rights of property owners.

Have a positive presence in our local chapter communities through participation in worthwhile projects and activities.

NOTICE Mule deer fawn shot, left to waste on Billings Rod and Gun Club archery range

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 5 Enforcement responded on Sept. 2 to a report of a mule deer fawn shot with an arrow in the hindquarters and left to waste on the property of the Billings Rod and Gun Club archery range.

Warden Courtney Tyree believes the fawn was shot at least a week ago. Club staff noticed the smell of decomposition and discovered the deer, which still has the arrow protruding. The property is about a mile west of the airport.

Anyone who has information connected to this incident is encouraged to contact Warden Tyree at 406-860-7814 or ctyree@mt.gov, or visit the tipmont website at

https://fwp.mt.gov/enforcement/tipmont.

You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

MEDIA CONTACT FWP Region 5: Chrissy Webb, Chrislin.Webb@mt.gov

Winter 2025

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BUSINESS MEMBERS

LIBBY

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

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CONTACT NUMBERS

Region 1

Region 5

CommissionerRegion1@mtfwp.org 406-438-1714 Kalispell, Montana

CommissionerRegion5@mtfwp.org (406) 438-2551 Billings, Montana

Ian Wargo

Brian Cebull

Region 2

Region 6

Jeff Burrows

Lesley Robinson

CommissionerRegion2@mtfwp.org (406) 438-1148 Hamilton, Montana

Commission Chair

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

Region 7

Region 3

William Lane

Susan Kirby Brooke

CommissionerRegion7@mtfwp.org (406) 438-0143 Ismay, Montana

CommissionerRegion3@mtfwp.org (406) 438-0460 Bozeman, Montana

Fish & Wildlife Commission Members

Region 4 KC Walsh

Commission Vice Chair

CommissionerRegion4@mtfwp.org (406) 438-3625 Martinsdale, Montana

fwpwld@mt.gov/aboutfwm/commission

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 November 2025 B2 Builders

Brady Brown

31 Midway Bridger Rd

Bozeman

MT

59715

brady@b2buildersmt.com

406-600-2926

Buffalo Jump Archery

Judy Adams

P.O. Box 5581

Helena

MT

59604

adamsjg2000@yahoo.com

406-539-3936

Cudaway Knives

Morgan Keenan

96 Laura Loise Lane #5

Bozeman

MT

59718

Elk Creek Family Outfitters

David Hein

1021 Toole Circle

Billings

MT

59105

heinline@bresnan.net

406-670-4366

Frontier Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Michael Jensen

45 Broken Spoke Ln

Great Falls

MT

59404

mjensen@frontierpt.com

406-781-6318

Hamilton Advanced Dentistry

Daniel Wharton

129 Copper King Ct

Hamilton

MT

59840

dwharton@hadmt.com

Horizon Hunting Safaris

Maryke Du Prezze

The Farm Rooipan, 357 LQ

Lephalale

Limpopo 0555

South Africa

JB’S Les Schwab Tire

Brennan Schmidt

Box 431

Candle Lake

SK

S0J3E0

Canada

Kutawagan Outfitters

Kellen MacDonald

PO Box 744

Libby

MT

59923

kellen.r.macdonald@dealers.lesschwab.com 406-293-7797

Libby Sports Center

Ardell Filler

204 West 9th St

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-4641

Mountain Copper Creations

Jim Clapham

4085 Old Marshall Grade Road East Missoula

MT

59802

mtncop@mtncoppercreations.com

406-880-9411

Mountain Top Traditional Arrows

Rod Kelley

51 Brown Rd

Sand Coulee

MT

59472

rodmt406@gmail.com

406-736-9999

Schafer Silvertip Custom Bows

Dave Windauer

357 Roberts Rd

Columbia Falls MT

59912

schafer@cyberport.net

406-892-0580

Toelke Traditional Archery

Dan & Jared Toelke 31345 Lost Creek Ln

Ronan

MT

59864

toelketraditional@gmail.com

406-253-4949

Twite Realty

Mark Twite

8015 Indreland Road

Missoula

MT

59808

newhomes@montana.com

406-880-1956

Wilderness Survival Systems

Angela Keck

2544 S Dakota St

Butte

MT

59701

angela.l.keck@gmail.com

406-660-2001

Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets

Terry L & Dylan Zink PO Box 1272

Marion

MT

59925

zinksbigskyarcherytargets@gmail.com

406-253-4670

Winter 2025

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HEADER

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

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

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

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

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

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

$5.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP

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

Join Today!

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBS Administrator, Bethany Baily, PO BOX 3515, Bozeman, MT 59772, or register online at www.mtba.org, or ask a member.

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

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

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

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

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under18) o One Year $5.00

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

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

PAYMENT TYPE o Check

o Money Order

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

Credit Card #_____________________________________________________ Exp. Date___________ CVV ____________ Signature________________________________________________________ This is a gift membership from________________________________________________________________________________ 20

WWW.MTBA.ORG

MEMBER GALLERY

RON CORTESE Elk COLTER ZINK’S first bow elk

ERIC PAVLACK Arrowed these 2 bears the last day in Alberta 30 minutes apart.

NICK SIEBRASSE, Canadian Black Bear

BILL BRIGGS Montana Archery Snhiras Bull Moose 2024

CABRINA BRIGGS first archery elk 2025

GARRET BACKMAN with his 2025 antelope

JEFF KENNEDY 2025 buck

BILL SIEBRASSE, Canadian Black bear

MICHAEL PRATER 2025 Bull Elk STEPHEN LEPAGE elk

MITCHEL LEPAGE’S elk and quarter elk

SCOTT KOELZER buck

CASEY MARIANA Winter 2025

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