Region 1
Region 2
Al Kelly PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net
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 kevin.robinson@technometalpost.com
Region 3
Liberty Brown 275 Vigilante Trl. Bozeman, MT 59718 406-581-7216 mbareg3@gmail.com
Paul Kemper 303 S Yellowstone Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718 814-490-3653 p.kemper.54@gmail.com
PRESIDENT
Stephen LePage
2574 Divide Rd • Lewistown, MT 59457 mbaregion4@yahoo • 406-535-5636
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Koelzer
80 Jansma Lane • Manhattan, MT 59741 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com • 406-570-7997
Region 4
Michael Prater 416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown, MT 59457 406-461-6949 Michael.prater@live.com
Jess Wagner 201 Big Sky Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 406-939-3458 jess_wagner2@hotmail.com
Region 5
Ben Buller 4143 King Ave East, Billings, MT 59101 406-672-5616 buller_ben@yahoo.com
Ken Schultz 302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 406-598-8550 schultzy@iwks.net
Region 6
Tristan Manuel 48538 Anderson Rd, Havre, MT 59501 406-399-5114 tristan.manuel@gmail.com
Nick Siebrasse 4996 Bullhook Rd., Havre, MT 59501 406-390-0402 bowdude@mtintouch.net
Region 7
EVEN YEARS
Rick Miller PO Box 2336 Colstrip, MT 59323 406-749-0292 grrizzz@q.com
Bob Morgan P.O. Box 1995, Colstrip, MT 59323 406-749-0706 robertredface@gmail.com
Cliff Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com 406-788-9009
Mandy Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - camoquilter@gmail.com 406-750-9953
Rich Smith PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com 406-281-8846
Stephanie Prater 416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown MT 59457 - mthuntress406@gmail.com 406-461-6949
ODD YEARS
Mike Shepard 351 7th Ave East N., Columbia Falls, MT 59912 406-250-9806 – michaelshepard7@gmail.com
TJ Smith 2238 Ridgeview Drive, Billings, MT 59101 - sarchery@bresnan.net 406-690-5676
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.
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 5311 161 Ave SE, Kindred, ND 58051
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.
Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Tresurer, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT Mark Schwomeyer
60 Hruska Ln • Lewistown, MT 59457 markschwo@gmail.com • 406-350-0173
Claudia Davis
PO Box 426 • Helena, MT. 59624 mtba@mtba.org • 406-404-6168
SECRETARY
Jerry Davis 25 Middlemas Road • Helena, MT 59602 pipelinejerry@gmail.com • 406-475-2226
PAST PRESIDENT
Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane • Stevensville, MT 59870 mbaregion2@gmail.com • 406-777-2408
MAGAZINE EDITOR
Julie Jensen 5311 161 Ave SE • Kindred, ND 58051 jjensen44@mac.com • 701-361-9197
For all those who purchase the plate, the MBEF would like to invite you to send us a photo of your plate on your vehicle.
Be creative, include yourself, pets, family, trophies of all sorts, etc. Photos will be posted on the website. www.mtbowhuntermuseum.org
FROM
Legislative: Jess Wagner • TJ Smith Kevin Robinson • Jerry Davis
Tentatives: Jess Wagner • TJ Smith Rick Miller
Financial: Claudia Davis • Stephen LePage Cliff Garness
G
reetings from your editor. 2021 was quite the year. I am anxiously awaiting the MBA Convention! It’s time to get together again, and I am looking forward to meeting a lot of fine folks.Landowner/Sportsman: Tristan Manuel • Jess Wagner Rick Miller • Stephanie Prater
Nominations: Nick Siebrassel • Stephen LePage Awards: Marlon Clapham • Brian Koelzer Cliff Garness Membership: Nick Siebrasse • TJ Smith Claudia Davis Convention 2022 Brian Koelzer • Stephanie Prater
Magazine: Julie Jensen • Brian Koelzer Jerry Davis
Carp Shoot: Kevin Robinson • Marlon Clapham Jerry Davis • Cliff Garness
The Montana Bowhunters Association donated money and manpower to transplant bighorn sheep from the Missouri River Breaks to the Little Belt Mountains in 2020. In an effort to keep you updated, over the winter a lion got very good at killing these sheep. Luckily that lion was killed. This spring had very good lambing. MT FWP biologists decided to enhance this new herd with another capture and release in 2021. The MBA was again invited to assist with this supplemental capture. In addition to a large group of FWP personnel and volunteers, our 2nd VP, Mark Schwomeyer, and I were in attendance and we captured several ewes and a few rams. We are fortunate to have the lead biologist on this project giving a presentation at our banquet this year. Be sure to attend to see exactly how the MBA is helping to establish a new sheep herd here in Montana.
I am writing this before the MT FWP Commission will have voted on and set the rules for the next two years. This will be published after they have made their decisions. I want to assure you that we took the information you provided through the survey and developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for the Commission to review. We can only hope that they took these recommendations into consideration when making their decisions. Thank you again for your efforts in contacting the Commission and FWP.
I am very excited that we are finally having a convention. It has been two years since we have been able to hold our biggest fundraiser and we have accumulated lots of great prizes. Although the MBA is still financially sound, our coffers have gotten low, so I expect each and every one of you to bring your checkbooks and spend way too much money while enjoying a good time with fellow bowhunters.
This may be news to some of you, but my wife is a big fan of sitting on a beach and doing nothing. To me, this is a form of torture. I do not enjoy getting sunburnt, large crowds of people, and sand getting everywhere, including my butt crack. So, when my wife proudly announced she was taking my family, including my in-laws, and the Zink family (long-time MBA members) on a relaxing beach vacation, I started plotting against her. Both the Zink family and my “no good for nuthin” father-in-law are really into bowfishing, so I found a gentleman in Miami that runs a business called “Arrow Assault” and he specializes in iguana and stingray bowfishing (separate trips.)
I threw the idea out for a vote to the large group of travelers and everyone was on board, literally. One call to Captain Donavan and I booked it.
The Zinks decided that since we were going bowfishing, we might as well go after some gators. My son, Mitchel, seemed very excited at this opportunity and the next thing you know that was booked for them. Yet again, the Zinks came to my rescue with the idea of frog gigging. Well, that trip was also booked.
If you have lost track: my wife’s five-day, relaxing, sunbathing, fruity drinking, do-nothing, beach vacation now had four hunting trips planned. I pride myself on being a very thoughtful and considerate husband, so I decided that was enough.
First was the bowfishing for stingrays: We decided to go early and eat at a restaurant located at the marina where we were going to meet Captain Donavan of Arrow Assault. We enjoyed a nice meal on the water where we were able to see some manatees, which If you did not know, you should NOT lay down on the dock and pet, as it is frowned upon by Floridians, the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Poseidon, in general. After a beautiful sunset and a short boat ride, we were throwing arrows with reckless abandon. The
target species was stingray, but we were also allowed to shoot at barracuda and ballyhoo. We were not allowed to shoot at sea turtles or sharks, both of which we did see.
The following morning, we met at a different landing for our iguana hunt. The main technique was the blowgun, although I requested to use archery equipment. Frankly, using the blowgun was as or more enjoyable than using the bow, I know this concept is hard to understand. Upon pushing off from shore, we noticed an iguana perched on a partially submerged jet ski. Luckily Brenda Zink was ready to try and with the blowgun, shot low and buried her dart into the fiberglass cowling of the abandoned jet ski. When she pulled on the line to retrieve the dart, it returned and buried right into her left forearm. The first blood on this hunt, not a small amount, was not that of an iguana, it was Brenda’s. Things improved dramatically after that initial setback. We were constantly throwing arrows and darts. It took a while for us to get used to using a blowgun, but the learning curve was quickly overcome and we were soon hauling in iguanas.
The following day we drove several hours to a gator hunting operation. Several alligators were killed over two days of hunting by several different means. Only one was killed with archery equipment, so I will focus on that as this is the MBA newsletter. We would drive around looking for gators on the bank and when they slid into the water, we would cast large weighted treble hooks. Eventually, we hooked into one and my son, Mitchel, played the gator on rod and reel for 20 min. At one point, the hook dislodged from the gator and we were crestfallen, but after a few more casts we had him back on the line and Mitchel had brought it to shore. If you have never killed an alligator or any reptile for that matter, they do not die easily. Your goal is to sever the spine at the base of the impenetrable skull, after that you will shoot a gun into the brain stem to ultimately kill it. With only three arrows and a large skeptical crowd of observers, Mitchel made a perfect shot and the well-placed arrow collapsed the alligator.
Moral of the story: if there is a will, there is a way to find an outlandish bowhunting adventure to supplement your family vacation. Get out there and enjoy!
In my previous President’s Message, I falsely stated that my Father-inlaw, Edwin Evans, paid $80 to purchase his used Darton bow on eBay. In an effort to maintain journalistic integrity, I have to apologize to Mr. Evans and inform the MBA membership that he paid Ebay $70, including shipping and handling. I sincerely regret not fact-checking my sources and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused either the MBA or Mr. Evans himself. I hope I am not sued for libel.
Hey everyone I hope this finds you all well and that your 2021 season was a great one. 2022 is rolling in like a freight train and January is slipping away fast! As you are all aware there is plenty going on outdoor wise in our great state right now. Some good things, some not so good things, and a whole lot of question marks...
On the bright side we are ramping up for a great convention the weekend of April 1 over at Fairmont Hot Springs and after two years of not being able to have one, I am super excited to see everyone! We’ve got a ton of great raffle items, live and silent auction items, and some incredible seminars. Top it off with a prime rib dinner and a soak in the pools and I’m not sure how you could spend a better weekend unless you were hunting! Get your tickets and reserve your rooms early so you don’t miss out. Whitetails are dropping and some cat quotas are still open so I’ll be sneaking around the woods as much as possible but I am looking forward to some warmer weather and spring bear hunting.
Hope to see as many of you as possible at Convention!
Cheers, Brian Brian Koelzer
As I write this FWP is taking comments on their latest season setting proposals. Proposals that in my estimation will go towards gutting the season structure that has evolved to responsibly manage elk in Montana for the last several decades.
The current FWP Director is advocating these regulation changes in the name of “simplification”. My question to the Director, why cannot FWP wait until the New Elk Management Plan has been released before making such wide scale changes. Who is to say some or many of these changes will not serve the new Elk Management Plan and will have to be changed back? How much elk research data will be lost for future analysis because of all these HD changes?
If you have spent any time in going through these proposed changes you may have concluded, as I have, that this is not simplification, it is simply change for change’s sake. Yes, no doubt some of these changes are needed from a wildlife and hunter management standpoint. But as a Region 3 CAC member I listened to FWP biologists and managers give the reasoning for the proposed hunting regulation changes during a recent Region 3 Zoom meeting. What I came away from that meeting with is that, in large part, many of these tenative changes to season structure and HD boundaries have no real biological or hunter management justifications. It really makes little sense to me.
One of my concerns is the unbundling of the 900-20 limited archery only permits back into 22 separate HDs and making those HDs either general archeryonly season or unlimited archery-only permits. Since these HDs were combined into the 900-20 HDs, we have seen a significant increase in bowhunter interest throughout the nation. Now with unlimited or general season archery there will no longer be a limit on the number of nonresident bowhunters that can hunt in a specific HD. Add to that the harvest of a world record elk in Southeast Montana and you have a recipe for a lot of bowhunting pressure in these newly unbundled HDs. Increases in bowhunting pressure will quite likely lead to the degradation in the bowhunting experience for the Montana hunter.
The Director has stated that some of these changes will help FWP wildlife managers reach elk objective numbers. It seems to me that some of the most contentious regulation changes will do little to mitigate the actual problem, that of elk concentrations on private lands caused by “Harboring” and limited private land access by public hunters.
In the new HD 535, limited permits will be discontinued on private land and a general season will be applied to private lands only. On public lands limited permits will continue with a 50% decrease in those permits.
Now at first blush this may sound like a solution. Put more pressure on private land elk to move them to public lands and at the same time limit pressure on public land to motivate those elk to leave private land.
That could be the case if there were guarantees that this new season structure would mean more public hunters on private land instead of it leading to more commercialization of our resource. NOTE: In the Montana Constitution elk and all wildlife are to be held in Trust for the citizens of Montana.
The problem is that hunting on these private lands are reserved for the wealthy landowners who want to Harbor elk, leased to deep pocket nonresident hunting groups, or leased to private land outfitters. By removing the limited permit structure there will be no controls on the number of nonresident hunters that can purchase a license. This will equate to increased clientele for private land outfitters, more opportunities for nonresidents, and less private land accessible to Montana hunters. Quite likely this type of structure will lead to more private land being leased. The proposed concept is just a bad idea.
In a legislative hearing I heard Senator Galt describe how he manipulates elk on his land during the shoulder season to make sure they stay on his property so he can maximize outfitter revenues. Be assured that private land outfitters and others who lease private land for hunting will work to keep elk on private land for the same reasons that Senator Galt does.
This structure will not work towards lessening concentrations of elk on private lands. It will most likely lead to higher concentrations of elk on private lands.
The FWP has stated that the new elk management program is due to be released sometime in 2023. The elk plan will look at the issues we currently have with elk distribution and population and consider both biological and sociological methods that should be used to lessen the problems of elk concentrations on private lands. Why can’t, or should I say by the time you read this, couldn’t the FWP Director wait for the release of that elk plan? I will let you decide that, but I have my suspicions.
Ijust wanted to talk about what is happening with my position in MBA. The board agrees with me that my position as paid Administrative Services should not be the Treasurer on the Board of Directors. The Governance committee is working to change the by-laws, so they reflect this change. The position of Treasurer will be filled with a willing member of MBA. Don’t worry, this new treasurer won’t have to pay bills and process memberships. That will still be my job as a paid contractor. The Treasurer will be the chair of the Finance committee and be my contact on the board. This person will make sure our funds are being used to the best benefit of the organization. If you think you could fill this position, please contact Brian Koelzer, 1 and let him know you are interested. Or if you want to serve on the Finance Committee let Brian know.
This is a great organization who cares about preserving Montana’s history of bowhunting and archery seasons. Join the leadership team and be a part of leading this wonderful, diverse group of bowhunters.
This will be my last article for this magazine as you will be hearing from the new Treasurer in the next issue.
REGION 1
REGION 1
AL KELLY
REGION 2
MARLON CLAPHMAN
KEVIN ROBINSON
REGION 3
LIBERTY BROWN
PAUL KEMPER
REGION 4
MICHAEL PRATER (NO REPORT)
JESS WAGNER
REGION 5
BEN BULLER (NO REPORT)
KEN SCHULTZ
REGION 6
TRISTAN MANUEL (NO REPORT)
NICK SIEBRASSE (NO REPORT)
REGION 7
RICK MILLER
BOB MORGAN (NO REPORT)
REGION 2
My fellow benders of the bow,
Ihope the New Year finds everyone well, with visions of bowhunts and time afield dancing in your heads. I am excited to get out and do some elk hunting this year as is my Beautiful bride. My problem is getting to be that I only have so much vacation available and so many trips I want to make. Throw in some kids scattered across the western United States and you are probably right in assuming that there are just not enough vacation days to get to everything I would like to. Keeps a guy busy which I guess is a good thing. Hope everyone took the time to send comments to our game commissioners during the tentative session. The times, they are a-changing, and if we don’t stay diligent, it may not be going the way we would like to see it. Pay attention as there is some strong action from those who would like to see ranching for wildlife as the new deal. (Read that to say the Kings game.) I am partial to our present big game model in which the wildlife belongs to everyone. Think about this trend and watch out, they are coming after us.
Convention is coming up and I hope to see a lot of you there. One of my favorite events of the year. Keep’m sharp.
MARLON CLAPHAM KEVIN ROBINSON
Ihave been a little out of touch with some medical issues with my back and hips so I haven’t been able to attend all the meetings I used to attend. Thanks to Kevin for stepping up and filling in for me. So at least I have a little to report. We are in the middle of another Tentative session. Time sure gets away from me this time of year with the Holidays and the end of hunting season. We had to jump right into the FWP planning meetings and with the new FWP Director and his directives put us into overdrive right off the bat. There seams to be a push from the Governor for major changes in policy and Commissioner personnel. Thanks to fast acting bulletins and information, we got a jump on a very bad proposal from the FWP Director. With the MBAs and other groups responding to his proposal sent to the Commission and the Director, he backed off and tried to come up with a better plan. So, the last few weeks and the regional meetings working with all sportsman and sportswomen’s groups the commission is looking at a lot of information before the final proposals are put out to the public for final comment. It has been a long-drawn-out process and hopefully there will be something coming out that we can try to live with. As we are a little ahead of the final outcome, we have to wait.
It is also time for Even Regions to vote for your Area Reps. I’ll be going ahead and put my name on the ballot for another term. Kevin Robinson is our other area rep. for region 2 and does a great job. I look forward to working with him again.
We here in Reg. 2 will be hosting the 2023 Convention up at Fairmont Hot Springs, so we will need to keep that up-coming event on our agendas.
The MBA will be putting on the Teen Bowhunters Camp this June. Libby members will be hosting to help Jerry and Becky Doyle put it all together. They have a lot of items gathered up and most of the funds raised so they are in fairly good shape there.
The Convention for this April 1st – 2nd will be at Fairmont as long as Covid slows down. So, if we all stay safe and healthy, I hope everyone can make it.
The Carp Safari will be June 11th at Canyon Ferry. Put that on your agenda as it is a great time to shoot a few carp and shoot the bull around the campfires.
Stay in touch it’s always good to hear from you. Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight
Kevin Robinson
appy new year! I hope everyone had a great 2021 bow season and got out as much as possible. As I write this it is the last day of the bow season for me here in Missoula. I was able to get out and poke around the woods today for my annual “last day of the season hunt”, but my freezer is full so I left my bow at home. Fortunately, we as bowhunters in Region 2 have great opportunities to hunt HD260 and surrounding districts for whitetails until January 15th. As you all know, there have been many proposed changes by FWP to modify hunting district boundaries, regulations, and quotas. One proposal was to “simplify” the regulations by removing the opportunity to draw an extra buck tag for HD260 (Bitterroot and Missoula River bottoms) and HD290 (Ovando-Helmville archery zone). From what I have gathered from the recent FWP Region 2 meetings, those opportunitieswill still be available! A huge win for bowhunters! All of the comments and discussions by those opposing those changes really made a difference.
Our 2022 MBA Convention is a go! This will be my second convention as a regional representative and I’m excited about that event. The Carp Safari is also scheduled for June 11th this year so get your campsites reserved early at Hellgate Campground on Canyon Ferry. Again this year’s Carp Safari will have solid gold trophies for all of the category winners that are pound for pound worth more than any cryptocurrency out there. Stay warm this winter and see you at Fairmont Hot Springs!
Kevin M Robinson
This winter there has been a lot of discussion regarding the newly proposed FWP Elk Management Policy. Hopefully everyone that wanted, had an opportunity to comment.
FWP recently conducted flight counts in HD’s 301, 309 & 311. Below are the results and comments from those flights. If you have any comments or concerns, please reach out to our Region Commissioner, Pat Byorth, CommissionerRegion3@mtfwp.org (406) 548-4830.
HUNTING DISTRICT: 301 and 309
COUNTS: We observed 714 elk in HD 301 and 309. This places the elk herd over objective (Objective = 500 elk, objective range = 400-600). Ground-based classifications indicated 42 calves per 100 cows, a high calf ratio, but one likely to decline somewhat during the winter due to natural mortality and a hoof infection present in some calves.
MANAGEMENT: There have been increasing annual game damage complaints from landowners on this winter range. As subdivision has increased, elk are wintering on smaller remnants of agricultural open space with a shift from Bear Canyon toward Little Bear, and elk numbers appear to be increasing. Thus far, MFWP has tried to handle complaints through expanding the antlerless hunting season in HD 309, issuing B licenses in HD 301, and through individual game damage program responses.
During this year’s hunting season regulations adjustment, there were several public comments related to HD 309 and HD 301. HD 301 is 87% public land and is very accessible to hunters with networks of roads and trails throughout. It is managed conservatively to balance hunter opportunity with
elk presence on public lands, but its private lands can experience rampant game damage. HD 309 is the weapons-restricted hunting district drawn around the greater Bozeman area. It is 95% private land, and it was created in 2005 with two objectives: 1) to encourage liberal harvests of elk and deer to prevent urban wildlife concerns and 2) to do so safely. As a weapons-restricted area, achieving harvest can be challenging. Some landowners in HD 309 wanted to have exclusion areas, or to get out of HD 309 entirely, to allow them to shoot rifles. Some smaller property owners are concerned with safety and being near rifles.
The variety of public responses indicate management action is needed in HD 301 and HD 309, but that different publics may desire different actions for different reasons. Given the need for more conversations and outreach throughout the Bozeman community, to include discussions of HD 309 boundary changes to the north and west sides, no proposal will be floated to change HD309 or HD 301 this year. However, at the next opportunity, there are changes which could be discussed. One possible proposal which has met approval of some is to expand the boundaries of HD 309 to include more private lands in HD 301, and to keep it as a Weapons-Restricted Area except for properties of 160 acres or greater which could be allowed to use rifles for deer and elk hunting. Although the exact property size of a cut-off could be subject for debate, the ideal landing place to changes in HD 309/301 will continue to balance safety with the need for liberal wildlife management in this developing environment.
COUNTS: Together, we counted 2,719 elk. This flight places HD 311 within numerical objective. The objective for the north end of the Spanish Peaks is 2,500 elk, with an objective range of 2,000-3,000. However, note there are two separate herds, one of which was not described in the 2005 Elk Plan. The N. Spanish Peaks herd was described in the 2005 Elk Plan. It generally resides east of the Madison River and south of Highway 84 but will move north of Highway 84 where they can contribute to crop damage and brucellosis risk to cattle. The Red Mountain herd was not described in the 2005 Elk Plan. It generally resides within HD 311 on the private land west of the Madison River and is non-migratory. Data from GPS-collared cows suggested some overlap between these herds.
MANAGEMENT HISTORY: The N. Spanish Peaks herd began exploratory movements north of Highway 84 in winter 2009. By 2015-2016, more than 1,000 elk ventured north of Highway 84, increasing game damage and brucellosis risk across dozens of small properties and agricultural lands. For two years, there were >30 eligible game damage complaints and hunts. With relatively small parcels involved, few elk were harvested, leaving landowners and hunters frustrated.
In August 2017, MFWP proposed, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted, a shoulder season regulation which allowed antlerless elk harvest in the north half of HD 311 (north of Highway 84) on private and public lands until February 15th. The objective of the shoulder season was not necessarily to achieve a numerical reduction, but to assist in the elk distribution challenges when elk moved to the north side of Highway 84. Preliminary data indicate elk distribution has indeed changed, with more elk south of Highway 84, the objective and desired outcome of the shoulder season strategy. This change may be in part due to elk moving away from hunter pressure but could also be due to lighter winters these recent years. This year, on the day of the Flying D count (1/19/22), there were 1,135 elk north of Highway 84. By the time of the MFWP flight (1/23/22) there were just 298 left. The open hunting season likely provided pressure to redistribute these elk to the south.
For the 2020 hunting season, the shoulder season regulation in HD 311 was adjusted to include HD 311 in the unlimited 397-00 elk B license package with neighboring districts HD 312 and HD 309. It also allowed the 397-00 elk B license to be valid for early season hunting August 15 until the start of archery season on private lands only north of Highway 84. This proposal was supported by local landowners, especially those concerned with management of the Red Mountain herd.
In this area, shoulder season hunting shows more harvest opportunity than game damage hunts only. The population remains within objective, and the current management strategy for HD 311 appears to be working.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS: In 2021, MFWP launched a statewide effort to simplify hunting regulations. One of the expectations of this effort was to remove portions from hunting regulations. HD 311 has long been managed with a portion (HD 311 was split along Highway 84) for mule deer and for elk management. To remove this portion, a preliminary proposal was vetted to allow the north half of HD 311 to become its own unique district and the south half of HD 311 to merge with nearby HD 301 due to regulations similarity. However, HD 301 represented a different elk herd with management issues of its own, and upon further vetting through the public process, concern arose about future management need in HD 301 and that that hunting opportunity would become limited if the south half of HD 311 were to be combined with HD 301.
Responding to public comment, the new proposal going before the F&W Commission this February will be: 1) the north half of HD 311 could become a stand-alone district with all the current regulations (including shoulder seasons, 397-00 elk B license, and mule deer B licenses) and 2) the south half of HD 311 could become new HD 304. New HD 304 could have standard mule deer (eithersex mule deer during archery season, antlered buck thereafter, no B licenses), white-tailed deer (eithersex white-tailed deer on general license, antlerless white-tail on Region 3 B license), and elk regulations (brow-tined bull or antlerless season-long, either-sex elk for youth/PTHFV, no shoulder season, no B licenses).
Other adjustments to HD 311 and HD 304 were proposed based on elk movements. One change is to incorporate a part of old HD 333 into HD 311 in the Sappington Bridge area. Elk in this area, north of State Route 359, move back and forth across Highway 287 generating game damage and brucellosis concerns. If this change passes, then future adjustments to the flight report in this area will include greater detail about elk use in this area. Another change is proposed in the Big Sky area to a) create a simpler boundary between districts and b) “draw in” the range of a wintering herd of about 200 elk into the Spanish Peaks. These elk winter in the Big Sky and Dudley Creek area and could be placed in the same hunting district for future management. The change amounts to about 20 square miles removed from HD 360 and placed into new HD 304.
Liberty Brown 406-570-4280
mbareg3@gmail.com
Hello from Region 3!
Ihope everyone had a great hunting season and has been able to get their lives back as things settle down. This year was Jordanne’s first with an elk tag in her pocket, and we busted our butts trying to fill it–having arguably our best season to date. So many close calls, so many great memories, and so many lessons learned. We didn’t kill an elk, but I asked Jordanne to be my wife and gained a hunting partner for life.
After a tough 2021 legislative session, I think I can speak for everyone that we were ready for a break. After FWP released the most recent proposals, we realized there’s no rest for the weary. Now more than ever, we need to be vigilant and engaged at all levels to protect our bowhunting heritage.
Paul Kemper
MICHAEL PRATER JESS WAGNER
FWP is proposing big changes to archery elk hunting in our state. These changes include breaking up the 900 bundle, increasing rifle permits by 50%, and issuing unlimited permits in the former 900 districts. Most hunters can get behind breaking up the 900 bundle. Otherwise, the only proposal that seems to be mostly supported by hunters is the proposal that would force a permit holder to hunt only the unit that their permit is valid for. These changes will have big implications for future elk hunting if they are passed. Some of the best trophy elk units in the state will have the upper-age class bulls removed within a couple of years. The 10% NR cap won’t apply in these units anymore, so they will likely see a lot more pressure from NR hunters. These units were already getting increasingly crowded every year, and that trend is likely to continue at a much faster rate. Removing the limited permits will likely result in more private lands leased to outfitters and hunt clubs. Hunters who have been waiting for years to draw a coveted rifle permit are likely to see their draw odds get much worse because many hunters will start to apply for rifle permits on their first choice since they will be guaranteed an unlimited archery permit on their second choice. It seems the best option to me would be to wait until the new elk management plans are released in 2023 before making such drastic changes to elk management. The MBA will continue to fight to keep the limited permits in place.
I have been spending a lot more time sending comments to FWP commission members and CAC members than I would care to. It is the part of hunting that isn’t any fun, but I think it is very important if we want to ensure quality hunting experiences for us and future generations. Keep sending in those comments! On the bright side, we finally get to have a state MBA convention again. I look forward to seeing you there.
JessnWagner
Greetings All,
Hope everyone had a fun and rewarding hunting season this past year with Family and Friends! 2021 is finally behind us and we can move on into 2022. Even though deer season has ended and we are in the final weeks of the late season shoulder elk hunts, there are still hunting seasons going on. Many of you are still out hunting and trapping for Mountain Lions, Coyotes and many other fur bearing animals. Goose season is a real favorite with several of you. Whatever you may be hunting, be very careful!
We are faced with some critical upcoming hunting regulation changes that are really going to challenge how we’ve hunted in Montana over the past several years. It’s going to be critical that all of you do your part to reach out to your local
Legislator and FWP reps to share your concerns with them. They are asking for feedback, so let’s give it to them. The MBA has been in communications with our members asking for feedback so we can share our concerns as well. if we stand by and allow these changes without a challenge, it could mean the end of “Public Land Hunting” as we’ve known it. I’ve always said, the one greatest thing about Montana is the ability to be able to hunt public lands without being overpopulated with other hunters. This will change if these proposals pass. It is also not the way to lower the elk herd populations. So, if any of you have ideas, please either share with your local Legislator or myself to pass on! Let’s not go down without a Fight! “Protect Montana’s Hunting Rights”!
On a fun note! The MBA will be having our MBA Convention coming up on the weekend of April 1st through the 3rd in Fairmont Hot Springs. We have not been able to have the convention for the past 2 years due to the COVID epidemic. It is a great time for bowhunters and hunters alike to get together and have a lot of fun. We have auctions, awesome speakers, seminars and booths from several vendors. Please come and join us for a great weekend and a nice getaway. I bet every one of you could use a getaway!
Last but not least, it’s getting to be that time of year for you to be thinking about putting in for tags in state and if you are planning an out of state hunt. Know your deadlines, because the good lord knows it seems to change on a regular basis.
Like I always say, “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter”!
Ken
Hope this finds you healthy and enjoying the winter season. This is the perfect time to begin planning for that dream bowhunt you’ve been kicking around in your head. The planning process remains in the idea stage until a tangible commitment of some kind is made. For me, the lifelong dream of hunting Dall Sheep started to become a reality when my two sons said it was time to make it happen. I had just retired and was in good enough shape to enjoy the sheep challenge, so I agreed. The time was right – game on!
From that point, all aspects of the trip started to take shape. Through absolute blind luck, we crossed paths with a biologist who gave us key information on reputable flying services. From that info, we booked with a seasoned pilot who was a perfect fit for the trip we envisioned. He was even my age and gave me some old guy advice about pre-hunt training and what to expect physically. From there licenses and airline tickets were purchased. With monetary commitments now in play, the dream hunt was going to happen. I couldn’t help smiling every time I thought about it.
The willingness to take that first step from concept (in your head) to reality (money invested) is what is needed to kick-start the dream adventure.
My advice is not to wait too long as life waits for no one.
Regarding what has been happening in region 7, I would say that the new “Elk Management Proposal”
is what has gained most Montana elk hunters attention. The newly appointed FWP Director (Hank Worsech) has taken a very radical position in his recommendation to the newly appointed FWP Commissioners. I know most of you are aware, so I won’t going into a long explanation. I think the interview that Director Worsech did with Montana newspaper columnist Tom Kuglin (Helena) said it all. Director Worsech told Tom that he felt that elk management in Montana had favored the public trust doctrine for too long and that it was time for private landowners and the outfitter industry to be able to capitalize on over objective elk populations. He mentioned the problem was caused by too many Democrat governors and their FWP appointees.
Yep – to me that pretty much tells the story. His management proposal is solely political not science based in any aspect. I hope you all took the time to write opposing comments to the commissioners and the FWP wildlife department (they are keeping tally of the responses).
In my opinion, hunting districts 704 and 705 would be the most impacted by the new proposal. As written, the elk archery permits on the Ashland District - Custer National Forest would be unlimited and would add a bunch of new rifle permits and licenses that would also be valid (with archery equipment) during the archery season.
Proposed Permits and Licenses that would be valid during archery season on the Custer:
• General Elk License – unlimited for spikes and antlerless elk
• 799-20 – 340 (up 115) rifle permits
• 799-21 – Unlimited archery permits
• 799-00 – 600 antlerless licenses
• 007-00 – 800 antlerless licenses
If you bowhunt either of these two public accessible HDs and those numbers do not raise your blood pressure, you might want to see a doctor?
Hopefully enough opposing public comment will stop this craziness from becoming a reality.
The MBA has been actively involved in trying to keep our elk management based on the public trust doctrine. If we lose the fight and the FWP folks give up their ability to manage private land elk (unlimited either sex licenses) we will be officially starting down the privatizing road that too many other states before gone down before us. For the sake of our kids and grandkids, I sure hope not.
Hope to see you all at the convention in Fairmont Hot Springs on April Fool’s Day (hope that’s not a bad omen?).
We needed each other even more this year, after the stresses of lives that I hope everyone sent in comments for the various FWP proposals that were out there. In the coming weeks, we will be at the mercy of the FWP and the commission to shape what our hunting seasons may look like not only next year, but for future seasons as well. Even though COVID is still around and affecting us all in different ways, we will be having the MBA Banquet this year at Fairmont Hot Springs. I am excited to be back to somewhat normalcy and to see you all again soon. I expect to hear some of the hunting stories that have been accumulating over the last couple of seasons, along with some smiles and laughs. Please make sure to get your write ups in for various awards. We are always looking for more folks that share the passion of bowhunting, for Directors-at-large, Regional reps as well as officers. If you have an interest, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us about what that commitment may be. Look forward to seeing everyone, Happy 2022 and we will see everyone in Fairmont in April!
and Mandy Garness Region 4 DALHowdy! If you like snow, come to the north Flathead Valley. We are in the depth of winter. Have had several responses to my last article on the lack of ethics of our TV hero hunters. Many of them define the word I have used for 50 years–SLOBS. If I had my way, the majority would be banned from hunting anywhere in the world. But we all know how the judicial system works...as the animals I hunt are invaluable to me, even at soon to be 73, but sometimes the law is ignored. As with you all, I am extremely concerned about the current FWP head and his philosophy, not to mention the FWP Commishs. Many years ago, on Swan Mt., I had a threatening note left on my truck. WHY? Simple, I was hunting spring bear behind a gated, kelly-humped road that was being used by the Swan Mt. Outfitters, current owner of which is now a FWP Commissioner and did I stop hunting there–hell no! Lands were USFS, and my buddy, now deceased and I hunted it, parked right beside the MOGA rig. They never messed with me again. A story about this at a later date. Since then, I have had little regard for those prostitutes who hunt using a MOGA with big money. As you see, they are politically trying to force us little people out of the picture. After all, who do you want to make decisions on hunting, some elected idiot who walks the party line, or a TRAINED wildlife manager. Simple choice to me. WE MUST STAY ENGAGED TO ENSURE OUR HUNTING PRIVILEDGES. Please do so. Happy Winter
OLDE Bowhunter....
Years ago my son and I walked into one of my favorite fishing holes from days long past. We found that erosion over the many years had moved the stream bed and the sweet spot no longer existed. As I thought about stream erosion, an inch or two a year and some years maybe several feet, the result was predictable.
I am retired and in my September years of life. I hobble around like the old goat that I am. My days of “spot and stalk” for big game ungulates have come and gone. I’ve got many wonderful hunting memories and could just fade into the landscape like my old fishing hole and be content. But I can’t do that.
It is those hunting memories that push me. It is hunters new to the sport, wide eyed and excited to the core of their being, that push me. I remember those days. I know that I am not alone in this. We want to share this feeling, this humbling conclusion to the hunt. Our children, our grandchildren, our grandchildren’s grandchildren, and the young hunter down the street, must have the same opportunities we had…to experience the excitement, the fulfillment, the joy.
Erosion happens slowly over time, going unnoticed right before our very eyes. Erosion of our bowhunting heritage isn’t as noticeable as stream erosion, but it is every bit as final. The MBA is responsible for the bowhunting seasons we have in Montana. The MBA also shoulders the responsibility to shore up the banks to end erosion before it happens.
This is a direct quote from our website, “The MBA would not exist without individuals and families who feel just as passionate about bowhunting as our founders did in 1973. We face many challenges and we need a strong membership to meet those challenges…We all play a role in the success of the MBA… in the success of bowhunting in Montana.”
Membership has many different meanings and all are needed and necessary. Yes, we need volunteers for the Board of Directors and various other things, but we also need members just to help play the numbers game that must be played. The Board of Directors can work as hard as possible and erosion will still happen. It takes the help of a strong membership to stop the erosion.
When talking to fellow bowhunters ask them to join the organization that is responsible for the Montana bowhunting seasons. Ask them to spread the word by asking all their bowhunting friends to join the MBA. Help support our financial strength by making a trip to the annual MBA banquet this year. If there is a conflict in your schedule donate the cost of the tank of gas you would have used to attend. And, as important as everything, take the time to vote on all the MBA ballots sent to you. Your vote gives needed direction.
Your grandchildren and my grandchildren appreciate your support, your input. Thank you for being a MBA member.
TJ Smith
Tues/Wed: Adult set-up/ Kitchen set-up/ 3 D course setup including tree stands and ground blinds/ practice range setup/firewood if applicable/ fire containment set-ups/ showering facility/ any outside vendors meet (toilets/supplies/targets/donations, etc.) the campers may come early if needed for volunteering or scheduling/traveling conflicts.
Wednesday evening at 8pm is Adult group meeting. This is where we double check everything and make sure we are set to receive campers Thursday morning, last moments for sanity (just kidding!) NO alcohol, tobacco, marijuana etc. the kitchen will be set-up providing meals for volunteers.
Thursday Morning 8 am: Receive campers from parents at pre-determined meeting point; ideally 1 mile or so, on entrance to camp location. Group meeting with campers/parents/all camp volunteers. double check any last-minute paperwork etc.
Welcome, general discussion of safety, camp in general, etc.: break into teams, all gear except bows and packs loaded into camp vehicles for transport back to camp, parents are free to go to the camp and then leave unless previously arranged for volunteering or camping close by, the attendees and their pre-assigned teams and Team Leader (adult volunteer for camp duration) will hike to camp and will start getting to know one another on this trek. Upon arrival at camp, each team will set-up their wall tents, may pick where they would like to set-up within confines of pre-determined camping area, set up their personal belongings, assist other teams in need.
10:00 am -12:00 pm: Eequipment check and practice field time. A licensed and insured bow tech will go over each individual’s archery equipment to ensure participant safety and may make changes on an individual basis if parental approval was given.
A pre-signed release by parent is requested but not required.
IF NOT AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY EQUIPMENT CHANGES FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE ATTENDEE WILL BE ISSUED AN MBA GENESIS BOW AND ARROWS FOR USE DURING CAMP. Teens will use practice field so volunteers and Leaders will be able to assess and assist as needed. Field Range Etiquette will be in place.
12:15-1:00: Lunch (see team assignment sheet posted at kitchen for team duties)
1:15-3:15: INSTRUCTION PERIOD: this time slot may be a group activity or individual team activity, please see attached list of instruction ideas that have been employed previously or new ideas.
3:30-5:30: 3-D Range, practice field, The Team on Dinner duty will go out first followed by the other Teams. This is a fun time that should also include instruction on safety, tree stand safety and harness use by each Team leader.
(Two targets are set-up at tree stand, blind has one target,) target angles, shot placement, yardages, etc. binos and range finders may be used if brought. Scores kept and posted on Kitchen board (this always leads to good rivalries between Teens and Adults.
6:00-7:00: Dinner - prepared and served by Team on Duty, other teams will do clean-up duty/ garbage duty/ etc. as listed
7:15-8:15: Blood trailing practice. two to three blood trails will have been setup during dinner. Teams will learn blood trailing techniques and work together to recover animals (antlers or hides) usually three trails on the 3-d course, one from tree stand, one from ground blind, one from standing position
8:30-9:45: campfire/hunting stories (showers)
10:00 pm: TENT TIME
Friday 8am-8:30: Quick breakfast (breakfast team to kitchen at 7:30)
8:30-9:00: T eams will pack their own individual lunches for the day and prepare for in the field training.
9:00-12:00: Team Leaders will take teams on a hike and use this time to teach GPS/Mapping skills, animal identification and tracking/habitat, wind and terrain usage for hunting prowess, etc. each team Leader will pack a cell phone for pictures, (a handheld radio for emergency communication/sat phone/ spot whichever) bear spray, etc.
A GPS co-ordinate will be provided for the lunch meet-up spot where Jerry meets the teams to go over hunting calls, etc. during lunch break. Each team will need to record three GPS locations on the way to the assigned location and make notes of observations at that spot and take pictures. These observations/lessons will be shared in the group meeting later at camp.
12:15-2:00: Hike back to camp and rest/free time (usually have game warden appear here)
2:00-4:00: INSTRUCTION PERIOD: this time slot may be a group activity or individual team activity, please see attached list of instruction ideas that have been employed previously or new ideas.
4:10-5:45: 3-D Range, practice field, The Team on Dinner duty will go out first followed by the other Teams. This is a fun time that should also include instruction on safety, tree stand safety and harness use by each Team leader. (Two targets are set-up at tree stand, blind has one target,) target angles, shot placement, yardages, etc. Binos and range finders may be used if brought. Scores kept and posted on Kitchen board (this always leads to good rivalries between Teens and Adults). Targets will have been moved.
6:00-7:00: Dinner - prepared and served by Team on Duty, other teams will do clean-up duty/ garbage duty/etc. as listed.
7:00-7:30: Flint and Steel competition- Fire starting (teams needed to collect fire building material while out on morning Hike)
7:30-9:00: Group Campfire and Special Guest Presentation- ideally we have a Guest Speaker who teaches the Teens something hands on like calling/bow making/ string making/etc. we ask the guest speaker to bring supplies for each Teen-Hands on (nothing like 20 Teens trying to blow on mouth reeds at the same time! lol)
10:00 pm: Tent Time
Saturday 8am: Teams are on their own for breakfast, may take sack breakfast or DIY at camp.
First two teams out for mock hunt, remaining. Two teams in camp for Treestand Safety Demo and practice. Switch out as Hunt Teams come in.
Lunch will be after final teams are in from Lunch
12:00-1:00 Lunch and Hunt discussion/photos/videos/etc.
1:15-3:00: INSTRUCTION PERIOD: this time slot may be a group activity or individual team activity, please see attached list of instruction ideas that have been employed previously or new ideas.
3:00-4:00: TEAM CHALLANGE- Shelter Building, each Team will work together to build a natural Shelter. There will be prizes awarded after Judging by Leader/Volunteer Staff according to a set of pre-determined guidelines.
4:10-5:45: 3-D Range, practice field, The Team on Dinner duty will go out first followed by the other Teams. This is a fun time that should also include instruction on safety, tree stand safety and harness use by each Team leader.
(Two targets are set-up at tree stand, blind has one target,) target angles, shot placement, yardages, etc. Binos and range finders may be used if brought. Scores kept and posted on Kitchen board (this always leads to good rivalries between Teens and Adults). Scores for the Week will be tallied and Awards issued at WildGame Banquet
6:00-8:00: WildGame Banquet and Awards Ceremony/Special Guests (Wild game donated by individuals, we previously have had elk/deer/lion/bison/fish/moose).
8:00-9:30: Campfire/ Hunting stories
10:00 pm: TENT TIME
Sunday 8 am-8:45: Breakfast, assigned teams etc. 9:00-12:00: GROUP WORKDAY: Landowner relations and work as arranged by Landowner 12:00-1:00: Group Lunch
1:00-4:00: Complete Camp Breakdown pack-up by Everyone
4:00-5:00: Parent Pickup, some will need to leave earlier for travel reasons
GENERAL CAMP DISCUSSION:
These times are very lenient but allow for some structure and seem to fit the overall plan well. Giving the TEENS Ownership in the camp and how a camp should be kept in Bear country, how to organize and setup camp etc., and in General with Leave no Trace ethics is practiced throughout the camp and Leaders/Volunteers have the responsibility to teach these things.
We will need a licensed medical person in attendance, who will keep the Teens and Adults medical information on hand and secure at all times, along with a medical emergency plan for the Stimson Property.
We have previously divided the TEENS into 4 groups of 5, each with a leader or make corrections, usually depends on number of girls attending. That also means we have TWO women volunteer for the Girls’ Team and One man for each of the boys. (If we have to setup individual tents due to covid regulations, we will separate the girls from boys on opposite sides of camp.)
The Leaders live, eat, breathe with their respective teams. This has shown to be a very positive thing creating unity, respect, and a team comradery that has shown to provide long lasting mentorship/friendships.
Other Volunteer Staff fulfill emotional needs/requirements/ bonds as needed
We have done activities such as hide cleaning and stretching, flint knapping and Atlatyl, emergency med in the field on the way back to camp on Friday, simulated bear attacks, mapping and GPS with the forest service, sign posting for Block Management on private/public hunting areas, issued tags to the kids at the Thursday morning meet and greet, then followed up by Game Warden appearance to check tags during mock elk hunt, and Q&A with local warden, fishing Camp makes sure we get group license from FWP), creek swimming, Flu Flu shooting, cast iron cooking, etc.
Jerry will be one of our Mock Elk Callers, we will need one more (can show up just for the weekend) the Teams will utilize all of their learned skills to call and spot and stalk a Bull Elk Target, each TEEN gets one shot, then the Hidden(safely) Elk, will come to the group and discuss their shot placement and do a blood trail to recover the animal, Second team to each Elk will pack out the target.
Generally, the Med person assists Beckie with kitchen and Camp MC duties.
We have a trailer that we setup for the kitchen with outside tent/awning and stoves, water, wash station etc. inside we bring a chest freezer/generator/ice chests/ shelving/ table etc. snacks and beverages are Always available to the entire camp at will, locked up during the night with garbage.
We prepare easy foods for large groups from scratch, the Teens really love creating meals their peers devour.
We expect our volunteer leaders to come prepared to share their knowledge and we do not have a written up, exact doctrine to follow, rather an idea list of things to cover, a guideline for everyone. each excursion is designed to teach, and share time gets the info passed around rather well. Roger Licht would be an amazing tree stand safety instructor as Marlon and Mary won’t be able to travel. Jackie will volunteer as one of the Girl Teen Leaders, so we need one more. The medic could also fill this role as well. We have funds to pay a medical person, just need to find someone.
I can answer any other questions and have some volunteers coming from the Bitterroot to assist.
Jerry is unable to be a group leader with his med issues, however he’s invaluable in set-up, archery equipment and shooting, Friday lunch discussion, blood trailing, and Mock Hunt. We have some returning Teens who will be able to be mentors, possibly Leaders, age depending. I look forward to the camp as do many Teens who have been waiting!
Thanks,
Beckie Doyle, 406-531-4060, suladoyle@live.com
to students and bowhunter education instructors alike. These traits describe a special person I have had the privilege of knowing and becoming friends with the majority of my adult life. (That equals a lot of years.) Enter, Dave Yeats, from Columbia Falls, MT.
When someone mentions “the bucket list” it’s usually in the context of things they would like to do or achieve at some point in their life. They may even talk about a “5-year plan” with some other ideas they add on as time passes, that they want to achieve. So, what do you do when you don’t have those 5 years to complete what you desire? You most likely get a bit creative and really prioritize what you can get done in a lot less time. Usually, this is driven by something far beyond anyone’s control. In Dave’s case, it was an inoperable glioblastoma brain tumor.
With Dave’s diagnosis, he and his wife Luci had some hard choices to make in a very short time. But in their usual “we can do it” way they set about doing the “revised” bucket list items. One of those bucket items was to make another trip out to Wild Horse Island State Park on Flathead Lake. He and Luci as newlywed youngsters had made their initial voyage to the island in a canoe some 46 years earlier in life. As they relived their early adventure, they felt lucky to have made it back to the mainland without capsizing the canoe. (Flathead Lake has long been known to have some pretty nasty waves when the wind picks up).
My wife Pat and I were honored to help with checking this item off their bucket list. We gladly volunteered the use of our boat for the journey across the lake. The challenging part was finding the right day that Dave was feeling up to the trip after going through two rounds of chemo and the weather needed to cooperate as well. Dave and Luci decided to pick the Monday on Memorial weekend in May 2021 to make the journey. It was a wonderfully warm bluebird day and I was sure hoping we would be able to spot some sheep not too far from the shoreline as Dave did not have the stamina to hike very far. The stars aligned as we began the hike up the trail. We didn’t have to go far before a herd of 18 ewes with a couple of lambs came across the trail and down the hillside right past us. We were so excited for Dave when those sheep appeared when they did. We all got some great pictures as they passed by. Then, Dave said, “that was neat but I would like to see some nice rams.” To that I replied okay let’s go on up the trail and see what we can find, all the while thinking, I hope we can find some rams. As we made our way over a small rise and after hiking about a half mile, we spotted a group of six rams bedded on the hillside. After glassing them for a while from our cover of timber, they started getting up one by one and slowly started feeding our way. As we were enjoying our lunch, next thing you know we were among them as they fed right by us. Now we were really excited for Dave as we did find a nice group of rams and we took some great photos. As we made our way back down the trail to where the boat was beached, we were all talking
about how neat it was to see the sheep and what a nice day it was only to have one more special surprise. Another large herd of rams and ewes show up just a couple hundred yards from the boat. There were a couple of rams that were very large in this group and really piqued Dave’s interest in this herd of sheep. It was special to see that new enthusiasm in Dave come out right then as we could see he was tiring from the amount of hiking we had already
“that was neat but I would like to see some nice rams.”
completed. It was a wonderful end to our day on the island before we had to head back out on the water for the trip home. What a treat and precious time for Dave and Luci to revisit Wild Horse Island that they had visited when they were newlyweds. Pat and I felt so fortunate to be able to spend this special time with our friends Dave and Luci.
Dave had accomplished a few other special bucket list items throughout his life as a bowhunter in search of big game to challenge his skills. For those of us in the bowhunting community, in this case, that means getting a special license for each of the big three in Montana; Moose, Goat, and Bighorn Sheep. Over the course of his hunting lifetime, Dave was lucky enough to draw a license for each of them. He then proceeded to harvest each of those coveted special draw animals with traditional archery equipment. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment in itself for one of these animals, let alone doing it for all three. All of them are wonderful representatives of their species, with his Bighorn ram being exceptional.
Along with enjoying bowhunting seasons for many years, Dave has been involved in teaching Bow Hunter Education classes for over 40 years. With that amount of class time, Dave has inspired a multitude of students. While we first met Dave through the Montana Bowhunter Association, Pat and I were two of those fortunate students.
He was recognized as a volunteer instructor in the eyes of the state when Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks sponsored the Bowhunter Education Program in 1987, though Dave had taught BHE classes before that. He was one of two people still teaching in Region 1 from the original group of MBA members that gathered one evening in Kalispell in 1979 to create a plan for teaching bowhunter education to the public. This group chose the IBEF (International Bowhunter Education Foundation) manual as guidance for the classes. Dave has been teaching a class every year since and has been “the go-to guy” for teaching Bowhunter Education classes in the Columbia Falls area for quite some time.
Dave and Luci were longtime members of the local Flathead Valley Archers club for over 25 years. He also had a couple of awards he earned over the years:
• Game Warden Award given to an instructor for dedication to the program by the wardens in the Region 1
• 5 years through 25 years MT FWP Service Awards for teaching the BHE Program
• 30 years MT FWP Service Award for teaching the BHE Program
• 2021 Instructor of the Year Award in Region 1
Dave’s never-ending enthusiastic outlook on life is a true inspiration to everyone he came in contact with. His endless optimism for sharing information with students and the opportunities that exist for them in the outdoors was hard to deny.
Dave treated everyone he met with genuine openness and respect. He shared a tremendously positive attitude with his students, fellow bow ed instructors, and most importantly, his wife Luci. He continued to work diligently every season trying to get Luci lined up on an elk. His perseverance and “can-do attitude” were amazing. Dave was always appreciative of time spent in the outdoors. Whenever he talked about his time spent in the outdoors, it was always a success story, regardless of whether an animal was harvested or not. This speaks volumes to the old question: “Is the glass half empty or half full?” For Dave, the glass was always full. Another positive lesson taught by Dave Yeats that we could all learn from.
As an instructor, mentor, friend, and Luci’s loving companion, Dave is deeply missed but will always be remembered. What’s on your bucket list?
weekend of April 1st
be back in the saddle at Fairmont Hotsprings located just outside Butte, America. We have a fun filled weekend planned for everyone in the family. Live auction, silent auction, vendors, seminars, shooting, and a prime rib supper on Saturday are just a few of the things on the list of fun. We have a mountain of great prizes to win in the raffle drawings, games, and auction events that will be going on throughout the day Saturday. Canada bear, Florida Alligator, and African Plains game hunts are on the list as well as a pile of bows we are going to raffle. From targets to turkey calls the silent auction will have something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to swap stories with some of the best bowhunters in state over a cold “bottomless beer” during social hour before the banquet and test your skills at arial targets with flu flu arrows outside during the day. All monies raised will continue to go towards “Promoting and Preserving” archery hunting in our great state. Without you, our great members and donors, we would not have the opportunity to hunt big game 10 months a year with bow in hand. Get your tickets and rooms booked early online or over the phone. Bring your swim trunks, trophies, and anything else you want to show off in the display area! See you there, MBA Board of Directors. >>----------->
My name is Mike Barrett, I live in Dayton Wyoming which is only nine miles from Montana. I bowhunt Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Idaho whenever I can get tags in these four states. I have shot traditional bows since 1966, so I get in a lot more walking and exploring than the average bowhunter due to my inability to stalk and limited mental capacities along with having been born in the 1940’s.
I love to walk and try to go where other people might not. I cannot go by an overhang or cave without crawling inside and looking around. I always have a camera and never hesitate to use it. Along the way, I have come across many unique and interesting things which I would enjoy sharing with you in my “Treasurers” presentation at the MBA Convention. Some of my discoveries include a huge elk antler grown into a tree, a very, very old grizzly skull, a lion killed by another lion, and many arrowheads just to name a few of the things. See you at the Fairmont.
I am a resident of SE Montana, a bow hunter since the early 1980s, and a member of MBA since 2005.
I started antler hunting when, at the age of twelve, I lucked into finding a big deadhead whitetail while checking fences. This was very exciting and soon I was trying to repeat my success. Quickly antler hunting was more than just a hobby, but a passion, and over 40 years later I am still looking for antlers every chance I get. I started keeping track of the antlers I found almost thirty years ago, and in that time, I have averaged finding a little over 300 antlers a year. In forty-plus years of collecting, I have managed to compile an extensive collection of antlers that features many large and unusual antlers from nine states. The collection of antlers has been featured in the Billings Gazette and John Deer’s Furrow magazine.
This is the buck I shot this year and the five sets of antlers. First archery whitetail.
I’ve used a tree saddle for a few years for whitetail hunting here in Montana and hunts in the Midwest with some success. Through my trials and errors, I’ve learned a few things along the way that could be useful to anyone interested in learning more about the advantages and simplicity of tree saddle hunting.
A few things that will be covered:
-Equipment Overview
-Safety Advantages
-Hunting Scenario Advantages and Disadvantages
-Equipment Options and Accessories
-Tricks and Tips for Beginners
-Saddle Hunting w/ Compound Bow vs Traditional Bow
-Self filming tricks and double sets
Greetings Team MBA,
My name is Ken Schultz and I have been a resident of Montana for the past 29 years. I live in Billings, Montana with my lovely wife. I have been the Region 5 representative for the past 5 years. I have been and avid archery hunter for the past 29 years. I have been blessed with the opportunity to harvest several big game animals over the past 20+ years with my bow. I truly have a passion for bow hunting and have encouraged many friends over the years to take up the sport. I have been a member of the MBA for the 14+ years.
I was born and raised in Central North Dakota. I relocated to Wyoming in 1983 for my job and lived there for about 10 years until moving to Montana. I was the Director of Operations for Hardee’s restaurants until my retirement. After 35 years, I felt it was time to do something different. I have been working in the agriculture industry over the past 6 years and have really enjoyed working with growers and ranchers in the tri-state area.
My wife and I recently had the honor of adding a new son-in-law into the family. We have 5 beautiful daughters and 5 wonderful son-in-laws. Along with that, we have 16 beautiful grandchildren from the ages of 20 years to 1 year old. We are truly blessed!!!
When I was approached concerning this adventure, I thought about the opportunity to impact the bow hunting industry as well as meet many fellow archers who share the same Passion. I feel as President, I can have a positive impact as well as share some knowledge gained over the past 20+ years. I would be honored to be a part of Leadership in an organization that I have respected for some time.
Sincerely, Ken Schultz
I have been bowhunting for 50 some years, starting in 1968. Strictly with my bow since 1984. I have been truly blessed hunting with my bow. Merri my wife for 43 years has bowhunted with me for most of that time. Our daughter Cecelia has bowhunted with us since she turned 12 except when she left for collage for three years.
I have been an MBA member since the eighties, served as an area rep. reg.2 and president for 2 terms. A senior Pope & Young member for years.
I have hunted several different states back when I could afford it. Alaska for moose and caribou, Wyoming for mule deer and antelope, Idaho for black bears. I drew a big horn sheep tag in 1994. I have hunted elk, whitetail deer, mule deer, antelope, black bears and mountain lions in Montana with some success on all.
Lately the family has turned to spending the spring and summer shooting carp round Helena.
I retired in 2010 with a back injury. So now I volunteer with a group of others where we work with youth. I handle most of the archery getting kids to shoot bows. We put together youth camps taking kids to the woods and teach them fishing, archery and other conservation stuff about the outdoors. Along with Jerry and Beckie Doyle we put together the MBA Teen Bowhunting camp to teach youth about elk hunting with a bow. It is one of my favorite memories.
I will be running for area rep. for another term to continue working with the current board. I like to stay informed to try to help keep Montana’s Bowhunting what it was meant to be, the way our founders worked so hard for.
Marlon ClaphamAs a region 2 MBA representative I haven’t had much if any feedback from region 2 members about how I’ve been doing, so no news is good news! Vote for me again and I’ll keep up the good work!
Keving Robinson
My name is Justin Doll. I grew up in Glendive, Montana and currently live in Great Falls. Spending time in the outdoors has always been a way of life for me. My interest in archery, specifically bowhunting, began getting more serious in high school; and has only continued to build. I bow hunt throughout various parts of the state and can honestly say that bowhunting is my preferred method of chasing game. Outside of hunting, my pastimes include camping and exploring different areas of the state with my wife, Andrea, and our dog. I’ve also recently gotten into shed hunting.
The reason I’m applying for the region 4 representative position is because I truly love and appreciate the amazing opportunities and generous bowhunting seasons that we currently have in place. I know that not everyone truly values how much work went into creating the special set of circumstances that we’re lucky enough to enjoy, and I would like to aid MBA in ensuring that we continue to preserve that way of life, for both my generation and those to come.
My name is Tristan Manuel, I am a 26 year-old bowhunter from Havre, MT and I appreciate the opportunity and your consideration to be a Region 6 representative along with Nick Siebrasse.
A little about myself, I was born and raised in Havre, MT. Although I have lived in Bozeman and Billings for a few years in college, I have spent the majority of my life on the Hi-Line. I grew up working with my dad and grandad on our family ranch south of Havre. Growing up in the country I have always been immersed in the outdoors in many respects, the primary being hunting, and bow hunting more specifically. I started shooting a recurve bow about 15 years ago and have hunted with traditional equipment since 2015. I have been fortunate to have several mentors that have guided me along the way. In addition to the pursuit of game with archery equipment, I also have the privilege to be a part of the bowhunter education program in Havre. I am very thankful for organizations like the MBA who have done so much to protect our way of life for both me and my family. Again, I am honored to have the opportunity to get more involved in the MBA.
My name is Nick Siebrasse and I am running for my second term as area representative in region 6. My wife and I operate a small ranch south of Havre. We raised four outdoors loving kids and most of our free time is spent with bow in hand. If not bow hunting we are working at our craft to become better at our passion. I am proud of MBA’s accomplishments over the years and especially grateful that once again we have kept crossbows at bay one more time. I believe that the great bow seasons we enjoy are due too in a big way to the efforts of past and present MBA members and leaders. I will try to live up to that standard for the next term, and beyond.
Nick Siebrasse Havre MT
Hello everyone, my name is Cliff Garness and I live in Great Falls. I have sat on the MBA board the last 4 years as a Region 4 Director at Large (DAL), which I shared responsibility and the DAL position with my wife Mandy. Previous to the last 4 years, I was your Region 4 Representative for a number of years, prior to a short hiatus from the MBA board.
I have been bowhunting for the last 35+ years and have been a lifetime member of the MBA for over 10 years. If I had to pick a favorite animal to pursue with my bow, it would be whitetails. However, you will also find me in the woods and prairies pursuing turkey, bear, elk and pronghorn with my archery equipment most of the time.
I would like to continue to sit on the MBA board as your Region 4 Director at Large. I cannot think of a more important time to be an active member and participate in an organization such as the MBA to ensure our archery hunting heritage and our archery opportunities for our future generations.
Along with Cliff, I’ve been a Region 4 Director at Large for the past 4 years. I’ve hunted for 30 years and also serve as an officer for the Great Falls Safari Club International chapter. I’m passionate about bowhunting, building memories with family and friends all over Montana as well as trips to Canada, Hawaii and South Africa. It is important that we continue to engage and encourage new hunters. I’d like to offer my time and experience to continue to serve the bowhunters of Montana to preserve, promote and protect our opportunities.
As a lifetime student of the outdoors, I continuously seek opportunities to engage with people and learn more about the natural world. Hunting is not only a season, it’s a reason for me to get outside and one of many ways to enjoy many seasons, in many places. I seek the opportunity with MBA to stay connected year around on greater topics than my individual pursuits; to work together preparing, conserving, creating opportunity, learning, or teaching. I want to ensure that my enjoyment is an opportunity for many young archers to come. I’ve been an archer for most of my life, from shooting dad’s targets with a fiberglass longbow, manufacturing compounds, to recently committing to traditional and continuing a family heritage. Bowhunting is a young endeavor for me (about 5 years) with intermittent harvests of small to large game.
Jeremy HarwoodMy name is Stephanie Prater, I am a 4th generation Montanan sportsman, currently residing in Central Montana. From the time I was a little girl, I spent time in the woods collecting mushrooms, shed antlers or rocks with my family which led me to eagerly take hunters education as soon as I could. While I’ve been hunting all my life, the last 15 years I have primarily bow hunted. I’ve been lucky enough to take antelope, elk, deer, turkeys and many exotics and African species with a bow and arrow over the years. I chose to serve on the MBA board the last few years to help represent a diverse spectrum of bowhunters, landowner and other outdoor user groups. I hope to continue to serve and help direct and support the future of bowhunting in our amazing state.
Born and raised in small town Miles City, Montana; I’m a Montana lover at heart!
My passion for the outdoors has been instilled in me since I was a little girl, spending most all of my summers camping and fishing. As a young adult I found my love for hunting and little did I know how much the love for that sport would grow. I moved to Bozeman in 2014 and married my husband Lucas Zemlicka in 2017. We have spent the last 7 years living the Montana dream of shed hunting, camping, the outdoors, and most importantly bow hunting.
We welcomed the perfect most important little piece to our family, our daughter Payten in February of 2021.
I’m looking forward to a position on the board with the Montana Bow Hunters Association so I can help spread the love for our sacred bow hunting wrights in Montana and educate those who don’t know how hard we work for them.
2022 MBA Election Ballot
Even Year Election
President: o Ken Schultz o Write-in________________________
2nd Vice President: o Write-in________________________ Treasurer: o Write-in________________________ Area Reps: Region 2: o Marlon Clapham o Kevin Robinson o Write-in________________________ Region 4: o Jess Wagner o Justin Doll Region 6: o Nick Siebrasse o Tristan Manuel o Write-in________________________
Even Year Director at Large: (limit 4) o Cliff Garness o Mandy Garness o Stephanie Prater o Alishia Zemlicka o Write-in________________________ o Write-in________________________
Odd Year Director at Large: o Jeremy Harwood o Write-in________________________
Iwould like to thank the MBA and Steve LePage for assisting me as a disabled bow hunter. More accurately, a long-time bow hunter who had to stop bowhunting many years ago due to combat injuries suffered over in the desert that caught up with me more and more as I aged. I managed to fish and rifle hunt, and was even able to work as a fishing guide, but what was missing was simply shooting arrows at a target and secondary harvesting an animal with my bow. I missed the peace of mind, the sight, smells, and Zen of simply sitting in the wild and watching nature at work close up. Part of me was missing.
I was in a VA program for disabled combat vets in which they offered archery as a way to combat PTSD and it all clicked. I had long read about the disabled bowhunter provisions in MT law but never explored the program until last summer. I was put in contact with Steve who by providence lives a short way from us. I bought a draw lock and we tried to utilize it with my trusty Martin Lynx from 1982 but no luck. After consultation with Marlon Clapham, the MBA offered to buy a new bow that would work with my draw lock.
I spent the next few months practicing and getting used to the contraption, how it worked, how to shoot from my track chair, anchor point adjustments and all the requisite repetitive muscle memory retraining. I soon got decent groups from thirty yards and set my limits as such. Steve invited me to take a doe or cow from one of his blinds and I showed him just how rusty I was by missing two sitter does! Back to the Block behind the shed for me.
Later in the season I was able to do a solo hunt on a ranch in Sand Springs. I had an antelope tag and my general deer tag to fill and the alfalfa field was filled with deer and antelope at sunrise. I sat and waited for the animals to all go off to bed and then started in on my track chair with my bow and rifle, but determined to use the bow if at all possible. I found where the antelope were going in and out and set up. Within an hour they were back and a nice buck presented a decent but close 10yard shot. I prayed the most intense prayer of thanks one can imagine as I reached him. Then his horns fell off as happens with late season goats! The mule deer were a different story as the forty odd head had bedded in a coulee off the property. As the sun fell, they started to make their way back but too late for my comfort so retrieved my rifle and took a fine old 4x4 that was worn out and past his prime. Sort of like me, or so my wife claims! Many of our “yard deer” had contracted blue tongue so we left those alone.
I guess the point of all this is to not just express thanks but to also convey that bow hunting is more than just a sport, more than a way to harvest some meat, but rather a passion. In my case, a lingering passion of mine and that of so many others who cannot participate any longer due to physical restraints.
As for the third rail of bowhunting, crossbows, I am a bit torn. I would not use one myself but then again, I am for accessibility for all sportsmen. It sort of reminds me of the ongoing battle of sorts between fly fishermen and spin/bait fishermen. We do have fly only sections of rivers in Montana which do serve to protect the trout from treble hooks and swallowed bait. I recall the same sort of mild conflict between traditional archers and those who used compound bows 40 some years ago. In the end, we are all sportsmen and infighting will at some point hurt us all. I can see the advantages of a crossbow for many as my brother-in-law uses one in Minnesota for deer hunting as he can’t draw a bow any longer. But I have to side with the MBA on this issue. The argument that crossbow approval even for disabled sportsmen will get out of control as the medical cannabis program did is valid. After all, every government program habitually expands or can be abused. Crossbows do offer advantages that many find unsporting. But one must not conflate personal ethics with how one hunts within legal constraints. Shooting a pheasant on the ground rather than out of the air is legal, but to me unethical in so far as I would never do so. MBA’s disabled archer program goes a long way toward mitigating such divides. Not just in terms of PR but at the individual level. I have the motivation to get out there where I belong in the fall. I have a new set of goals to accomplish and will do so, God and the wind direction willing. As such I would like to reiterate my thanks and look forward to many more years smelling the sage and slinging some arrows.
Bob Bergquist Lewistown
I have the motivation to get out there where I belong in the fall. I have a new set of goals to accomplish and will do so, God and the wind direction willing.
Pat Tabor
Vice Chair
CommissionerRegion1@mtfwp.org (406) 250-2899
Whitefish, Montana
Jana Waller
Commissioner
CommissionerRegion2@mtfwp.org (920) 222-1136
Lolo, Montana
Pat Byorthn
CommissionerRegion3@mtfwp.org (406) 548-4830
Bozeman, Montana
KC Walsh
CommissionerRegion4@mtfwp.org (406) 599-9556 Martinsdale, Montana
Brian Cebull
CommissionerRegion5@mtfwp.org (406) 860-7416
Billings, Montana
Lesley Robinson Commission Chair
CommissionerRegion6@mtfwp.org (406) 301-0787
Dodson, Montana
William Lane
CommissionerRegion7@mtfwp.org (406) 778-2155
Ismay, Montana
fwpwld@mt.gov
Become a Business Member of the MBA and be listed on this page every issue! For membership visit www.mtba.org. Active
Ace
Buffalo
Capital
Crown
Elk
Flaming
Hurst
Kimzey
Kutawagan
Libby
Matablas
Mountain Copper Creations
Pronghorn Custom Bows
The Push Archery
Sage Game Calls
Schafer Silvertip Custom Bows
The Stickbow Chronicles
Toelke Custom Bows
Twite Realty
Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets
Tom Gilmore 507 W 9th St
Libby MT 59923 406-293-3131
59604 406-539-3936
59601 406-443-2978
Kalispell MT 59904 406-752-6116
406-765-7580
Choiceland SK S0J 0M0 306-428-2032
Libby MT 59923 406-293-4641
Willem Frost PO Box 1559 Lephalale Limpopo 0555 27116794664
Jim Clapham PO Box 426
Herb Meland 2491 W 42nd St
Tim Nebel 70659 Murphy Road
Milltown MT 59851-0426 406-880-9411
Casper WY 82604 307-234-1824
Flushing OH 43977
Cody Moulton 753 Bowman Road Hamilton MT 59840 435-640-8041
Dave Windauer 357 Roberts Rd Columbia Falls MT 59912 406-892-0580
Rob Patuto 821 West Shinglemill Rd Sandpoint ID 83864 208-610-3795
Dan & Jared Toelke 31345 Lost Creek Ln Ronan MT 59864 406-253-4949
Mark Twite 8015 Indreland Road Missoula MT 59808 406-880-1956
Terry L & Dylan Zink PO Box 1272 Marion MT 59925 406-253-4670
INDIVIDUALMEMBERSHIP
OneYear$25.00 ThreeYears$67.00 Life$500.00
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
OneYear$30.00 ThreeYears$85.00 Life $750.00
JUNIORMEMBERSHIP (Under18) OneYear$5.00
CLUBMEMBERSHIP
OneYear$45.00 ThreeYears$120.00
BUSINESSMEMBERSHIP OneYear$45.00 ThreeYears$120.00
OVERSEASMEMBERSHIP Add $10.00 a year to membership choice for addedmailingcosts
Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.
• The MBA is the organization the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks consults on bowhunting issues that affect Montana bowhunters.
• Montana has the best bowhunting seasons of any of the western states. We are continually working to keep these.
• The MBA is active in the Legislature to protect and fight for our hunting and bowhunting seasons and rights.
• The MBA produces a quarterly magazine informing you of local, state, and national bowhunting issues and events, and publishing great stories and pictures
• THE MBA NEEDS MEMBER NUMBERS AND YOUR YEARLY DUES TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT WHAT YOU ENJOY EVERY YEAR. ISN’T WHAT YOU ENJOY EVERY FALL WORTH $25 A YEAR TO PROTECT?
What the MBA has done for you?
• Worked to get the first archery season started in Montana. Along the way, we’ve increased the seasons to what you enjoy today.
• Worked to establish archery bear, lion and sheep seasons.
• Worked to establish archery antelope 900 tag and August 15th opener.
• Worked to establish archery only areas and hunting districts.
• Proposed a special archery wolf season and endorsed the highest quota of wolf harvest possible.
• Actively protects hunting & bowhunting seasons in the Legislature year after year.
• Defended our archery seasons against the “Crossbows & Muzzleloaders” threats throughout the years.
• Created the Modified Archer’s permit that now allows those with handicaps to use modified archery equipment to hunt; which kept any need for crossbows out of Montana and defended our archery seasons against other crossbow threats throughout the years.
• Re-established the archery season after it was left off the regulations one year.
• Actively works with FWP to protect archery seasons, our resources, and expand archery opportunity in Montana year after year.
What can you do for bowhunting in Montana?
