President’s Message

Greetings All,

Hoping this letter finds everyone in good spirits! As we go into the Legislative Season, there are a couple of bills that I would like to talk about. Obviously, the most important is the Crossbow Bill again! We are facing another introduction attacking our Archery Season and need to “Team up” and stand strong to protect the rights of bowhunters and our precious 6-week season. I have received a preliminary copy of the bill and it’s a lot of the same information. At the time I was writing this letter, there had not been a number assigned to it yet. “I commit that we will fight hard on this bill”. Watch for communications with updates and when to share your thoughts with the commission.

Another bill that we have taken a stand on and supported is HB-243 (Hunter Education re-introduced). Marilyn Marler (House District 90) was the leader who introduced this Bill. As many of you know, the Field Day and hands-on training have been eliminated from the program. Everything had gone online for convenience and due to Covid. As we try to build a relationship with landowners to have access to hunting, they’ve shared their concerns with hunter ethics and practices. Trust has to be built back up with them and one way to do so is Hunter Education. Our young hunters for the future need that training from experienced trainers who have put a tremendous amount of time into these programs. Let’s get behind it!

Recently, I had the privilege of being asked to represent the MBA on the Elk Management Citizens Advisory Group Panel. Stephanie Prater and Chuck Rein helped to facilitate the Panel. They did an A\awesome job! This panel consisted of leaders from several other groups such as Farm Bureau, Montana Stockgrowers, BHA, MWF, Montana Sportsman for Fish and Wildlife, MOGA and Property Environment research Center. The goal of all the groups and facilitators was to build up that relationship to help achieve one common goal. “Manage the Elk herds in Montana”. We discussed Shoulder hunts, Damage hunts, Stricter laws for Trespassing and other Bad Behaviors by Hunters and Landowners, Local Elk Working Groups established, and the subject of Expanded Hunter Education in Montana. I can say I learned a tremendous amount sitting and sharing around the table with a group of leaders. I believe it is a step in the right direction and hopefully we can keep the momentum going!

Let’s all do what we can to protect our rights as Hunters in Montana! We only have one shot at it sometimes, so we can’t let our guard down! I’ll leave you with that and remember “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter!”

Ken Schultz