BLAST FROM THE PAST

Blast

from the Past

This issues Blast From The Past takes us back to 1985. G.L. Buck Damone was our President. Our membership was approaching 1200 members. We were in the middle of a Legislative Session, where the FWP along with the Outfitters Association were looking to get the nonresident combination licenses increased above the 17,000, looking at 3000 to 10,000 more out-of-state licenses. In another piece of legislation, there was a bill to add 5000 General A deer tags on top of the 17,000 combination licenses for HDs in 500, 600, and 700 areas. There was also a bill to allow the FWP Commission to auction off a sheep license annually with the proceeds going toward a sheep habitat and transplanting projects. Buddy Lundstrom wrote a bill to address the problem of airplane’s used in spotting or harassing wildlife. Looking to get the 24-hour rest period after being airborne before one could hunt.

On February 14, 1985, House Bill 751, to allow the use of crossbows during the archery season, was heard before the House of Representatives Fish and Game Committee. With opposition from the MBA, a landowner from Glasgow, Elliot, and opposition from the FWP, the bill was killed on the floor 88 to 10 vote. The first of many votes to keep the crossbow out.

Another bill, Senate Bill 255, to allow Blackpowder Rifles to be used in the special shotgun/archery seasons passed the Senate and moved to the House to be heard in March.

House Bill 911, which was a new trespass law, was drawing a lot of attention in the Roundup area. This looked to be the birth of the 50 square inches of Fluorescent Orange paint on the fences. It was stressed that the hunters still needed to gain written permission to access private lands. Senate Bill 302 expands the previous law to prohibit the shooting across any federal, state, or county road right-of-way.

The Convention was held in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn and Don Davidson chaired the event. Jim Jarvis and Dick Idol were seminar speakers and John Maggie McGee was the guest speaker at the Banquet.

That was about all I came up with for 1985. I hope you all enjoy the Blast From The Past. it’s fun to go through old issues looking for some highlights to bring back some old memories.

Marlon Clapham

The MBA Board thanks everyone who voted this year in our annual election. We appreciate your engagement. To that end the MBA Board would like to announce the results of the 2022 election.

President – Ken Shultz, Billings

2nd Vice President – Stephen LePage, Lewistown

Treasurer – Mandy Garness, Great Falls

Area 2 Representative – Marlon Clapham, Stevensville

Area 2 Representative – Kevin Robinson, Missoula

Area 4 Representative – Jess Wagner, Lewistown

Area 4 Representative – Justin Doll, Great Falls

Area 6 Representative – Nick Siebrasse, Havre

Area 6 Representative – Tristan Manuel, Havre

Even Year Director At Large – Cliff Garness, Great Falls

Even Year Director At Large – Stephanie Prater, Lewistown

Even Year Director At Large – Alisha Zemlicka, Bozeman

Odd Year Director At Large – Jeremy Harwood, Helena

Next year we will be electing the 1st Vice President, Secretary, Area 1, 3, 5 and 7 Representatives, and Odd Year Directors at Large.

Thanks again for voting. Your MBA Board.