Vol. 46 #1 Fall 2018

VOL. 46 #1 Fall 2018

Regional News – PAGE 6 Member Spotlight – PAGE 12 2018 Canyon Ferri Carp Safari Highlights – PAGE 14 The Last Night to Hunt – PAGE 18

Return service requested Montana Bowhunters Association PO Box 23611 Billings, MT 59104

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

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

REP VACANCY

Region 2

Neil Maier

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 ........................................... 406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net

nam56@yahoo.com

Barrett Haugan 560 Clovehitch Rd., Belgrade, MT 59714 .......................... 406-539-0602

80 Jansma Lane, Manhattan, MT 59741............................ 406-570-7997

1ST VICE PRESIDENT 134 Sawney Drive • Glasgow, MT 59203 sas@nemont.net • 406-228-9024

rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com btreasurestate@aol.com

Region 4

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd., Lewistown, MT ...................................... 406-535-5636

Roger Licht

mbaregion4@yahoo.com PO Box 189, Stanford MT 59479.... 406-566-2693 — Cell 406-366-1580 Licht.Roger@yahoo.com

Region 5

Ken Schultz

Richard Lewallen 4234 Audubon Way Drive, Billings, MT 59106..................... 406-690-0854

302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 ............................. 406-598-8550 schultzy@iwks.net rpdlew@aol.com

Nathan Veit

P.O. Box 288, Malta, MT 59538 ......................................... 406-654-7640 nathanveit95@yahoo.com

REP VACANCY. Bob Morgan

2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Mark Schwomeyer 60 Hruska Ln • Lewistown, MT 59457 markschwo@gmail.com • 406-350-0173 TREASURER

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

Beckie Doyle P.O. Box 136 • Conner, Mt 59827 mybluewalker@yahoo.com • 406-531-4060 PAST PRESIDENT

Joelle Selk P.O. Box 1995, Colstrip, MT 59323..................................... 406-749-0706 robertredface@gmail.com

REP VACANCY

AT LARGE DIRECTORS

ODD YEARS

110 Sage Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 - paulhmartin99@gmail.com........................... 406-261-4456 355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com......................... 406-660-1019 PO Box 160803, Big Sky MT 59716 - kdbrown7@msn.com..................................... 406-321-1059 2031 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102 – twingrim@bresnan.net.................................. 406-252-3620

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

PUBLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES

FALL ISSUE, DEADLINE, July 15 WINTER ISSUE, DEADLINE, October 15 SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 15 SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15 Stories, photos, or cartoons should be sent to Al

6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602 jselkmt@gmail.com • 406-422-6798 MAGAZINE CO-EDITORS

Jerry Davis 725 Middlemas Road, Helena, MT 59602 - pipelinejerry@gmail.com..................................406-475-2226 Seth Rogers 1425 Prickley Pear, Billings, MT 59105 – srogers@lamar.com.............................................406-670-5435 Rich Smith PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com.......................................406-850-3010 Drew Steinberger 1901 Mountain View Drive, Great Falls MT 59405 - drew@prcountrycomforts.com..............406-351-2152 Cliff Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT. 59404 - cgarness@sletteninc.com...............................406-788-9009 Mandy Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT. 59404 - camoquilter@gmail.com.................................406-750-9953 Paul Martin Ray Gross Kent Brown John Grimstad

PRESIDENT

Marlon Clapham

Steve Schindler

Brian Koelzer

EVEN YEARS

officers

16200 Roman Creek Rd., Frenchtown, MT 59834 .............. 406-546-6013

Region 3

Region 7

MBA

4455 Hoover Lane • Stevensville, MT 59870 mbaregion2@gmail.com • 406-777-2408

REP VACANCY

Region 6

www.mtba.org

or Teri Kelly at PO Box 23611, Billings, MT 59104 or email teray1979@yahoo.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All photos will be placed in the MBA Photo Ablum and can be viewed at the annual conventions. Any questions as to policies of MBA please write the President.

MEMBERSHIP INQURIES

Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Tresurer, PO Box 23611, Billings, MT 59104 or call 406-697-7668, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.

Teri and Al Kelly PO Box 219 • Libby, MT 59923 teray1979@yahoo.com • 406-293-2900

WEB DESIGNER

Liberty Brown Branding Iron Marketing Brandingironmarketingllc.com • 406-581-7216 MAGAZINE DESIGN

K Design Marketing, Inc. 1613 South Ave. W. • Missoula, MT 59801 kim@kdesignmarketing.com 406-273-6193

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

Fall 2018

1

EDITOR’S NOTE

Teri Kelly, with Alyse and Lily Wyman

H

oly cow is it August already! I’m not sure where the time goes but it seems like I just wrote the last article. We’ve had a very busy summer in the Kelly household and I expect the remainder of the year will be just as busy. My favorite season is coming up. Fall! I love the cool mornings and the warm afternoons and I’m looking forward to hanging out in my ground blind.

I can’t think of a much better way to get away from the busy day to day of life then hanging out listening and watching the various critters that wander by. And if I happen to harvest one…bonus! I’m probably what you’d call a “casual hunter” if there’s such a thing. I bring a good book with me and I usually spend the time thinking about important things, like grandkids and what they may want for Christmas. I like sitting in the blind either watching the sun come up or go down. I get just as much enjoyment out of the listening and watching as I do the harvesting, so whether I go home with something or not, it’s still a day well spent.

As usual, we are always in need of material for the newsletter so please send us your stories, photos, articles, recipes, ideas…anything you’d like to share with other bowhunters.

Happy Fall!

Teri Kelly

Secretary’s Message

H

ello. The Teen Bowhunting Camp will be over when this edition comes out. I cannot express enough how much help everyone has been and the effort Marlon put in to this year’s camp! What a great amount of support we had and my heartfelt thanks to all.

Good luck to everyone during the upcoming bow season!

Beckie Doyle

Beckie Doyle

2

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 46 #1 Fall 2018

2018 Canyon Ferry Carp Safari Highlights

14

PAGE

18 PAGE

18

PAGE

On the Cover

VOL. 46 #1

Fall 2018

2

Teri Kelly

SECTETART’S MESSAGE

Kara Koelzer Mother’s Day Saskatchewan bear 2018.

5 months pregnant.

19 13-16 Hoyt carbon spyder vpa broadhead

Beckie Doyle

14 2018 CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI 18 THE LAST NIGHT TO HUNT

Mitchell R. LePage

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

THANK YOU TO SUPPORTES OF

Marlon Clahman

TEEN BOWHUNTING CAMP

5

Marlon Clahman

1ST VICE RESIDENT’S MESSAGE

SteveSchindler

19 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

2ND VICE RESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Mark Schwomeyer

4

Regional Ne Member Spotl ws – PAGE 6 2018 Canyon ight – PAGE 12 Ferri Carp Safari High My Last Day lights – PAGE 14 to Hunt – PAG E 18

EDITOR’S NOTE

6 REGIONAL REPORTS 9 BLAST FROM THE PAST 12 MBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

FWP COMMISIONER CONTACTS

20 MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM 21 MEMBER GALLERY

Steve LePage

Fall 2018

3

Montana Bowh unters Assoc PO Box 23611 iation Billings, MT 59104 Return servic e requested

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

OFFICER’S REPORTS

MBA

Committees

PRESIDENT - MARLON CLAPHAM 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - STEVE SCHINDLER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER TREASURER - JENN SCHNEIDER (NO REPORT) SECRETARY - BECKY DOYLE

Legislative:

Jerry Davis, Chair

Steve Schindler • Ray Gross Marlon Clapham • Richard Lewallen

Tentatives:

Ray Gross, Chair Paul Martin • Mark Schwomeyer • Steve Schindler John Grimstad • Kent Brown • Marlon Clapham

President’s

Message

Financial:

Jerry Davis, Chair

H

ere it is just past the 4th of July as I write this and summer has finally arrived. I know everyone is busy with vacations and going to the lake with the kids and cooling off, just kicking back. The farmers are doing their best to get the Marlon Claphman hay up between rain storms and when they are in a hurry they break stuff. So, Merri and I try to help them out repairing or building new to get them back out in the fields.

So far neither of us drew any special big game tags so no hunting plans are taking place. We will just go about hunting around here and looking for new places to set up on the whitetails.

Joelle We have however been chasing the carp all over the Helena area lakes, whenever the wind doesn’t blow us off the lake. Merri and Cece have some true trophies for the picture wall. I think they have a half dozen carp over fifteen pounds, ranging up to 23 pounds.

I must apologize for not showing up at the Carp Safari dinner and trophy awards. We got caught in the wind and were walking out to the highway to catch a ride back to camp. By the time we arrived it was past eight o’clock and everything was over. It took us until Monday morning to get our boats back to the dock. Thanks to Jerry and Beckie Doyle for staying the extra day we finally got both boats on the trailers. Then on the drive home we were both caught in snow storms before we got home. Spring time in Montana. Joelle and the rest of the Carp Safari Committee did a great job get everything set up and organized. The weather held out for most of the day and I think we took a lot of carp out of the lake. We left ours in the lake where we tied up the boat for the night, we did get about four dozen.

By the time this newsletter gets to everyone our Teen Bowhunter Camp will be over. There is a full agenda for the campers and we planned new things for them to enjoy. I want to thank all the sponsors for the donations. Without them we wouldn’t be able to put this camp on for the MBA youth. We have clubs from across the state and all the Bowhunting organizations helped out with the finances it takes to pull it off. THANK YOU MBA business, the board will be working on a survey for the membership with several questions where the members can get involved in. We will be watching the Legislation Secession this winter and there may be issues that we the board will want your input. Jerry Davis does a wonderful job keeping us informed with the goings on. He needs our help when things start happing fast and we need to keep up with our comments and get the information he needs when he asks for our help. So stay tuned.

Marlon Clapham

Jenn Schneider • Seth Rogers Ray Gross • Neil Maier

Landowner/Sportsman:

Mark Schwomeyer, Chair Neil Maier • Bob Morgan • Barrett Haugan

Steve Schindler Nominations:

Steve Schindler, Chair Al Kelly • Paul Martin

Awards:

Selk

Marlon Clapham, Chair Al Kelly • Steve Schindler Rich Lewallen • Marlon Clapham

Membership:

Marlon Clapham, Chair Jenn Schneider • Seth Rogers • Ray Gross Kent Brown • Barrett Haugan • Kent Schultz Joelle Selk – Membership Assistant

Convention 2019-Region 4:

Stephen LePage, Cliff & Mandy Garness, Chairs Committee to be determined

Region 5 —2020 Fairmont Region 3 —2021 Fairmont

Magazine:

Al & Teri Kelly, Co-Chairs Steve Schindler • Joelle Selk Brian Koelzer • Jerry Davis

Website:

Liberty Brown • Jenn Schneider • Lyle Hebel Beckie Doyle • Steve Schindler

Carp Shoot:

Joelle Selk, Chair Roger Licht • Stephen LePage

Bow-Ed:

Al Kelly, Chair Brian Koelzer • Bob Morgan • Mark Schwomeyer Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham

Youth Membership:

Becky Doyle, Chair • Roger Licht This is a new committee and will involve the youth from every region for their input. All area reps. will try to recruit youth from their region to get involved with the MBA’s decision making process. This will mostly be done through the e-mail contacts. They may want to attend the Board Meeting on occasion and we can get them ready for the future. We will try to keep their ages from 16 to 25 or so.

Reg. 1 – Vacant Reg. 2 – Jackie Doyle, Callie Stevens Reg. 3 – Vacant Reg. 4 – Vacant Reg. 5 – Vacant Reg. 6 – Vacant Reg. 7 – Vacant Reg. 8 – Vacant

4

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

OFFICER REPORTS Steve Schindler Mark Schwomeyer

First Vice President’s

Report

S

ummer is in full swing and over all the moisture level is fair to good. Here in Northeast MT it is still dry, but not nearly as bad as last year, sitting a water hole for antelope will probably still be a safe bet. I hear rumors of winter kill and there was some for antelope and deer, but not in the severe category at all. The floods along the river systems are raising havoc and will have an impact on the upcoming hunting season. Some alfalfa fields are completely wiped out and replanting is expensive and may not happen this year. A friend of mine lost 3 ladder stands for deer with the floods, at one of the stands the entire huge cottonwood tree was washed away stand and all. So, things are always changing so check your area out well before bowseason, the alfalfa field the deer were using last year may be gone.

We had a pretty good time at the Carp Safari, and most everyone shot lots of carp.

I’ve been to some very good carp water over the years and have shot lots of carp, for sheer numbers Canyon Ferry has to be at the top of the list. Wow, a target rich environment for sure. Our Directors meeting held the Friday before the carp safari went pretty smooth. Not only do the Directors of the MBA have to deal with monitoring the FWP and dealing with the management of our big game animals, they have to run the business of the MBA; they set budgets and deal with all the problems of running a newspaper; allocate money for Kids programs that deal with archery and of course, making sure we generate enough money to pay for all this. Being an Area Rep or Director at large or one of the VP’s and the office of President has a lot of responsibility and is an absolute honor to serve.

Along with my usual promotion of the various 3-D shoots held around the state by different bowhunting clubs, I want to urge everyone to pay some real serious attention to who is running for our state offices as well as our US state offices. Take some time to learn what these guys think about concerning our hunting and fishing. These are the people who either make life difficult for us or help us. Do yourself a favor vote for someone who has your interests in mind. If you like to hunt you are going to need a place to hunt. Those places a slowly slipping away and believe it or not there is a group who actually want to privatize our public land. It is very important for you to send people to Helena or Washington DC who want to help you.

Second Vice President’s

Report

W

e are counting down the days here in central Montana, honing our skills and prepping our gear. We’ve had an abundance of moisture through June preceded by record snowfalls.

Hopefully that translates into record antler growth! Archer and I took a trip to Canada in search of black bear. We saw several and had a few opportunities but didn’t make it happen. We did come home with several new friends and even more memories.

This bowhunting thing is really catching on! We just had a bowhunter safety field day with 40 future bowhunters from across the state! I wonder if our membership reflects the same increase?

Our local archery club (Lewistown Bowhunters Association) started Thursday night cookout at the range with burgers and hotdogs. Attendance is a bit lower than expected, but with baseball and swimming everyone seems busy. We are ramping up for our annual Bonanza shoot and free pig roast on August 11 just in time for some last-minute practice before Antelope season. Hope to see you there.

Have a great archery season!

Mark Schwomeyer

Steve Schindler “Landon The Little Man” Hyme Anderson Wacky Jackie And her little man Live so happy Because they can

Great big smiles Brighter than their red hair Can be seen for miles Boy what a pair

Enjoying their hills, Going out and about.

Seeking new thrills Without a doubt

Tracking their pray They don’t give up Till end of the day When they load the truck

Giggles and squiggles as they hunt Way out in the hills Its pure love to put it blunt

Landen’s fast asleep Jackies gassed out, But Tucking him in nice and neat A good day no doubt

Fall 2018

5

REGIONAL REPORTS REGION 1 AL KELLY

REGION 2

REGION 1

REGION 2 NEIL MAIER

REGION

REGION

1

REGION

2

REGION 3 BRIAN KOELZER BARRETT HAUGEN (NO REPORT) REGION 4 STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT REGION 5 RICHARD LEWALLEN (NO REPORT) KEN SCHULTZ REGION 6 NATHAN VEIT REGION 7 BOB MORGAN

1

4

REGION

8

3

4

2

REGION REGION

7

REGION

8

REGION

5

3

REGION REGION

7

5

NEIL MAIER

AL KELLY

A

Friends, s I write this summer is in full swing and so far, mine has been awesome.

We’ve been carp shooting, camping, hiking in Glacier National Park, fishing, swimming, shooting and gone to several 3D shoots which are always a great time and a fantastic way to not only spend quality time with friends and family but to also keep in tune for the upcoming season.

You can’t go wrong when you’re spending your time under the Big Skies of Montana. Family, friends, kids, dogs and the great outdoors….you can’t go wrong with that combination.

We’ll either be in, or pretty close to archery season by the time you get this issue so now I’ll start the annual hunt planning; where to hunt, what tags did I get and what new gear to purchase. The tag selection is easy this year because, I unfortunately, did not draw any. Maybe next year. We’ve had a few fires already in our area this year and unless we get some moisture it may be a dry hunting season.

With that in mind, be very careful and pay attention to any restrictions and the conditions in your area.

Have a great hunting season and don’t forget to send in those harvest photos and stories!

Al Kelly Al Kelly

6

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

6

Neil Maier

T

he warm weather has hit and that means the fall is just around the corner.

By the time you see this several youth camps will be completed. The drawing for the ATV will be August 15th. It is also the start of Antelope season.

The fall election will be in November. I don’t think this season ever ends. Be asking the candidates questions of what they stand for and will do.

A little good news on the political front. The Federal Omnibus bill has passed and there is some good news in it. There is a fire fighting funding fix in the bill. The forest service will no longer have to borrow money from the budget to cover cost.

If the cost exceeds the budget the rest will now come from the natural disaster funds the same as hurricanes and floods.

The forest service has a new tool to expedite environmental review of common forest practices.

It also streamlines the review to approve projects.

There are also improvements in stewardship contracting. The good neighbor authority also improves working agencies in road improvements and fire restoration.

Federal land transactions Facilitation Act. This act now is permanently reauthorized. A new category has been added to this program to allow purchase of lands to allow better access to federal lands for hunting and fishing and other activities.

Conservation funding has been increased for fiscal 2018 to address back logs on road, federal refuge systems and conservation and wetland restoration.

There have been several other additions to the bill that make improvements.

Neil Maier

6

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 4

REGION 3 REGION

REGION

1

1

4

8

2

REGION

3

4

2

REGION REGION

7

REGION

8

REGION

5

3

BRIAN KOELZER BARRETT HAUGAN

W

inter lasted until June, then it rained every day until July, and now it’s finally summer. The grass is neck deep everywhere and hopefully, full of some delicious nutrition that will make horns grow to gargantuan proportions and the venison be extra tasty!

The Carp Safari was great in the morning then got a tad bit blustery for the afternoon. My group had to tow a couple participants across the lake after their boat broke down. The wind was just starting to pick up at that time and I wasn’t so sure their craft wouldn’t be swamped somewhere out in the middle of the lake. Marlon blew to the other side of the lake and didn’t even make it back for supper!

Either everyone who drew special tags are keeping it on the down-low or I just don’t know anybody who got lucky. I drew a Wyoming mule deer tag good for archery season and I’m hoping to be able to connect in early September since baby Koelzer is due Sept. 23. (yeah, yeah poor timing I know.) My wife, Kara, did manage to connect on a great 19 13/16” black bear up in Saskatchewan on May 13. Just so happened to be Mother’s Day Sunday and an unforgettable one at that!

By the time you read this antelope season will nearly be upon us and summer coming to an end. Seems the days go faster and faster anymore.

Good luck you all of you this fall and remember every day spent in the woods with a bow and arrow in hand is because of the MBA and its awesome members!

Be safe, take a kid hunting, and above all have fun!

>>>------------>

Brian Koelzer

6

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

6

REGION

REGION REGION

7

5

STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT

pleased to announce that my son Mitchel took first place in his age category for this event.

Since we were in the mid-west we decided to take the opportunity to book a trip with Peoria Carp Hunters bowfishing the Illinois River in an attempt to eradicate the legendary “flying carp” that have invaded the river systems there. After hundreds of shots taken, I am afraid to report that there are still a few swimming around. Having dozens of carp jumping almost constantly taught me a great deal about flock shooting and even more about the phrase “they were jumping in the boat.”

Although we had to miss the MBA Carp Safari, it was an experience that I will not soon forget.

I did hear about a few local guys drawing moose and sheep tags here in Lewistown. My family simply gained additional bonus points.

Remember to support nearby local archery clubs by attending a few shoots this year. The practice will pay off this fall. The Lewistown Bowhunters Association is having their Bonanza Shoot August 11th and 12th. There is camping, fun shoots and a free pig roast. I hope to see you there.

Dan Moore

Stephen LePage Stephen LePage

W

e are now in the heart of the 3-D archery season. It is a perfect time to work out all of the kinks before pronghorn season starts midAugust. I have been fortunate enough to attend a couple of them. The Bridger Bowmen put on a nice one day shoot and my family enjoyed the event greatly. We also took a road trip to Wisconsin and attended the Pope and Young Rendezvous. This three-day event was filled with everything from bowfishing with the Muzzy pro-staff to an adventure race with weighted packs and multiple targets. I am

W

ell spring has come and gone, and I think someone forgot to wake the bears up for the spring season.

It was still fun out hiking around; nothing like spring time in MT. Hats off to Joelle and her crew for putting on yet another great carp shoot, weather was on our side for most of the day, lots of carp. Looks like I lost my spot in front of the boat to my grandson.

Permits are out and summer is here and fall not far away, hope everybody has a fun and safe summer.

God bless our troops.

Roger Licht

Ken Scultz

Brian Koelzer

Dan Moore

Northwest Motorsports carries the G3 boat lineup for your hunting and fishing needs. Outfitted with Yamaha outboard engines for industry leading performance and reliability.

Check them out at Northwest-Motorsports.com or call 406-293-9990

Fall 2018

7

REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 5 REGION

REGION

1

6

REGION

1

2

REGION

8

REGION

REGION REGION

3

7

5

8

3

H

Ken Scultz

Ken Scultz

4

REGION

REGION

8

2

REGION

7

REGION

5

3

NATHAN VEIT

Nathan Veit

W

ell, as I write this, it is officially summer here in my neck of the woods. That means it is time to shoot some carp during the evenings, and scout for the quickly approaching season on some of my free weekends. I was not able to attend the carp safari this year but heard it was a blast and look forward to making it next year.

Spring bear here in Montana was slow for me this year. Only spotted 2 bears in 15 days of hunting but was able to sneak 30 yards from a decent one before I had some unfortunate luck as I went to draw my bow. That’s bowhunting though, and I enjoyed myself while I was out in the field this spring so that’s what counts.

I am looking forward to the upcoming season and the preparation it takes to be ready for it. With antelope season starting in a month I can hardly wait. I wish everyone the best of luck, especially the ones with that once in a lifetime tag in their pocket.

H

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

7

5

i, we attended the traditional bow hunters shoot the middle of July.

Lots of old faces, with recurves and long bows in their hands. We always meet new people at the shoot. My son, grandson and I had a great time shooting our bows. We went up the hills and through the trees but could not lose the mosquitoes. Finding arrows in the lush cover can be hard sometimes, it sure is easier to find arrows in the target. There were guys from Illinois and Idaho. They had heard about the shoot through Facebook.

They were quite a few ladies shooting and youngsters also, we all had a great time. There were also people flintnapping and making bows, we made a bow for one youngster and you should’ve seen the smile on his face. Also had a great feast Saturday night, with plenty of food for everyone.

On a different note, it sure is green down here in Colstrip country. The ranchers are putting up hay, where they haven’t had hay before. We did have plenty of moisture in the form of snow this winter. I’ve seen a few nice bucks and a bull elk in velvet. The angus cattle sure look black in them green fields. The antelope got hit a little hard this winter, but everything else should be doing OK. It sure is green here, it is just beautiful.

The fish are biting, that’s also good.

May the good Lord bless you guys and gals this summer 749-0706

Bob Morgan

Bob Morgan

Montana

REGION REGION

BOB MORGAN

Nathan Veit

8

6

REGION

REGION

REGION

REGION

Greetings all, opefully everyone has had great success with tag drawing this year so far. I know the last of the tags will be drawing around the July 16th time zone, so good luck. If you haven’t got your bow out and started practicing and fine tuning, the time is now. Early Antelope season starts on August 15th and then things really start happening after that.

We’ve had a really wet spring in this area and with the moisture and awesome nutrients, I truly believe that there will be some nice racks running around this year. Please visit our website and see all the activity opportunities that are out there.

Region “5” MBA helped out with the “Big Sky Youth Event” out at the Blue Creek Shooting Complex on August 4th with over 100 kids so we should have a report in the next issue! Kid events are always a great time and we are always looking for volunteers to help. Please be sure to contact the MBA if you want to help with any future events.

Like always, “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter”!

1

4

2

REGION

REGION

6

REGION

REGION

KEN SCULTZ RICHARD LEWALLEN

REGION

REGION

4

REGION

REGION 7

REGION 6

ARCHERY SEASON

BLAST FROM THE PAST

is just around the corner...GET READY NOW!

This issue brings us to the year 1979. The MBA just had their first full blown Convention December in Great Falls with around 200 dinner tickets sold. They showed hunting movies, had bugling contests, photography contest, bow raffles, door prizes and Roger Rothaar was their guest speaker.

The elections put a new president Lee Pool in for the out-going president Jerry Karsky.

Located in the historic Kessler Brewing building. Hwy 12 West end.

Helena 406-449-3111 buffalojumparchery.com

Other events for 1979 was the passing of HB 247, it provides the Montana Fish and Game Commission the power to establish seasons for the Bowhunting of Moose, Sheep and Goats by special permits holders. A bill like this took a lot of effort and expense. Spearheading the passage of HB 247 was Jim Wantulok. Other issues that the MBA got to move forward was the passage of several new Archery only hunting areas.

260 was made into a two deer area, 290 was made either sex and 311 was also made either sex. Area 284 was made into archery only for deer elk and bear. Areas around Augusta 404,421,444 and 450 were opened to either sex.

MBA member Richard Conklin passed in 1978 and the membership dedicated 1979 Newsletters in his memory.

The Newsletter editors started to put in a profile of a member for the first time. The very first member profile was for Gene Sherman who started Bowhunting in 1960 at the age of forty.

The FWP had just allowed Bowhunting for Elk and he fell into the new way of Bowhunting. Gene’s arrows were responsible for many big game critters demise as elk buffalo whitetail and mule deer.

Another interesting bit of information that I found were several photos of a successful Scot Koelzer with a lion and a Yukon Moose. If Brian had dark hair he would pass for his Dad. I love it. Then I came across Rosey Roseland and he sill looks the same as the last time I saw him.

It’s a good time going back through all the old issues to see the MBA grow. I miss seeing some of the old timers I met over the years and enjoy meeting the new members at every convention. In a few years I’ll come across their stories and photos in our newsletters and renew those memories. I hope you like going down memory lane with me as much as I like writing it.

Marlon

Blast from the Past

Fall 2018

9

REGIONAL REPORTS

KENT BROWN JERRY DAVIS CLIFF GARNESS MANDY GARNESS JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT) PAUL MARTIN RAY GROSS SETH ROGERS (NO REPORT) RICH SMITH (NO REPORT) DREW STEINBERGER (NO REPORT)

DirectorsAt Large

H

ey! It’s election time again. Is everyone excited?

One of the advantages of living without TV is that I haven’t had to endure a single misleading and slanderous political attack ad in the last three election cycles. Pure Bliss.

Nonetheless, we do have an election in the near future and the decisions we make on the State level can directly affect our lives as bowhunters.

Many people make a conscious decision to live in Montana due to the outstanding outdoor opportunities available, often suffering a significant financial penalty to do so. Yet, with our dedication to hunting, fishing, hiking and winter sports, we seem to consistently elect people whose political agenda diametrically opposes our own; anti-public land, anti-access, anti-MDFWP and anti-habitat.

Many of us probably tend to generally vote along party lines due to issues we find compelling, such as gun rights and various social issues. My own personal litmus tests probably center on hunting and public land issues. I once sat down and added up the private properties I’d lost access to through the years and like many of you, I needed all ten fingers and a couple toes. Even those of us with seemingly secure access to private property, know full well that we are only one death, one inheritance, one retirement or estate sale away from exclusion. Looking to the future (yes, life will go on after we die), our children and grandchildren will most certainly be relegated to hunting on public land with the unwashed masses. Against this backdrop, those representatives that seem to hate public land and access, wildlife habitat and absolutely despise Montana’s Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks suddenly seem rather sinister.

As you all know, the MBA is always actively protecting our interests during the legislative sessions. If you go to the MBA website and look up the Fall 2017 issue of our newsletter, you can find an excellent recap of the 2017 legislative session by Jerry Davis, listing bills, contents and outcomes. History is probably the best predictor of the future and while challengers make promises, incumbents have voting records.

If you can spare 10 minutes between Desperate Housewives and Dancing with the Stars, there are a couple resources readily available to check your incumbent’s history. Google Montana Wildlife Federation’s Legislative Voting Record and you will find several pertinent bills, their contents and voting records. Likewise, go to the Montana Sportsmen’s Alliance website for a more in-depth scorecard. Some of these bills may be of little interest to you personally, but use Jerry Davis’s 2017 article as a cross-reference and I’m sure that you will find some bills and votes that will make you sit up and take notice.

While our votes in national elections may be inconsequential, our decisions in state elections do directly impact our lives as bowhunters. As the old knight told Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade, “choose wisely”.

Kent Brown

www.pronghornbows.com 307-234-1824 evenings 2491 West 42nd Street Casper, WY 82604

10

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

M

BA was privileged a number of years back to be asked to sit on OneMontana’s Common Ground group, a group dedicated to bridging the gap between Montana Landowners and Montana Sportspersons. This group is comprised of representatives from various agriculture and sporting organizations throughout Montana. To this end the Common Ground group created a pilot Master Hunter certification program in 2018 with the goal of having a pool of qualified ethical hunters from which a participating landowner could call on to help manage big game on their lands.

Using hunters with this certification a landowner will have confidence that they will be allowing a public hunter who possesses strong ethics, an understanding of agriculture, who also has advanced hunting skills, and who is effective.

Those with certifications they will have an opportunity to harvest game on private lands previously closed to the public.

OneMontana’s first pilot Master Hunter certification course was completed on June 10th.

The course took place over 6 weekends with indoor classroom sessions at the new Element hotel in Bozeman and the field classroom session at the Jack Creek Preserve near Ennis.

On June 28th the Common Ground group met to discuss the final Master Hunter certification course student evaluations to the future of this pilot NGO program.

As can be seen from the brief synopsis below this was a pretty intense course with a large time commitment on the part of the candidates as well as instructors.

On the first weekend participants learned about the history of wildlife conservation in the US which included the history of the North American Model of wildlife conservation and the history of hunting culture and ethics of fair chase.

The second weekend included practical sessions aimed at the individuals becoming proficient with a GPS as well as some other outdoor skills including learning how to properly prepare for the care of game in the field.

A landowner panel discussion was presented on the third weekend.

This panel was made up of 8 farm and ranch operators around the state.

Panel discussions focused on agriculture in the global economy, issues that affect farm and ranch operations, reasons why panel members chose to farm and or ranch, impacts of hunting and wildlife on farm and ranching operations and what hunters can do to improve relationships.

The second to the last weekend was spent on hunting techniques including care of game in the field and hunting access lead by a team of public and private land access professionals.

Finally the last weekend was spent at Jack Creek working on shooting skills with the Staff of 406 Precision and ending with a Fireside Chat with Jim Posewitz.

On that same weekend all attendees where then required to pass a final exam and participate in a final practical GPS exercise.

The course evaluations have been submitted by all attendees. Judging from the evaluations the course has been a success but additionally there were several comments and recommendations made by students that will improve the program. The final assessment will be made after hunting season with input from both the hunters and the landowners.

At a very basic level this program is meant to ensure that hunting continues into the future.

How you may ask? Well there is a lot of pressure for landowners to sell the rights to hunt on their properties to the highest bidder instead of allowing the public access to the wildlife. Selling those rights to an outfitter or hunting club means that the stress of dealing with hunting season will be significantly reduced while at the same time income will be generated.

Paul Martin

But this is a double-edged sword. As this trend continues more and more hunters will be priced out of the sport of hunting. With fewer hunters there will be less support for state sponsored hunting programs and quite possibly the anti-hunting community may achieve a majority voice in the management of Montana’s wildlife populations. This could possibly swing to the point of not allowing hunting of the public’s wildlife, either on public or private lands.

So it behooves both the sportsperson and the landowner to reach some level of cooperation to ensure the general public hunter has access to the state’s wildlife.

The biggest issue farmers and ranchers have with public hunters are their thoughtless behaviors such as leaving gates open, driving over crops or off road, rutting farm road, wounding game and not following up, and a host of other bad actions. To educate and create hunters without those thoughtless behaviors the Common Ground group developed the pilot Master Hunter certification program.

So with the help of cooperating landowners and thoughtful hunters the Common Ground group hopes to ensure the future legacy of hunting in Montana.

Next year we also hope to have a bowhunting option.

And before I forget, it was a pretty good Carp Safari until the wind kicked up. But I think everyone that was looking for carp in the morning found plenty.

It was a hoot.

To all of those that came for the Carp Safari, Thanks.

Jerry Davis

I

hope that you all had better luck in the FWP drawings than most of the folks we know did. Usually we hear of dozens of special draw permits by now but have heard of very few this year. Cliff was lucky enough to draw a special turkey tag this year and on the first afternoon of sitting in the blind together, Cliff shot a nice tom with his bow.

A few friends and family went to Saskatchewan bear hunting with our longtime sponsor/donor, Kutawagan Outfitters, this spring and some were successful, some were not successful (by choice), but all had a great time. The Great Falls and Lewistown bunch is continuing to prepare for the next banquet to be held in Great Falls, March 29-31, 2019 at the Best Western Heritage Inn and information will be posted on the website as items get finalized. We’re working on adding a trail camera photo category to the Photo Display, so be sure to save a few good ones before deleting your cards. Good luck to all of you in the remaining FWP drawings and good luck this hunting season.

Shoot Straight!

Cliff and Mandy Garness

REGIONAL REPORT

S

houlder Problems and the whereabouts of the Cocobolo 3D Killer Last fall hunting from my tree stand I was starting to experience difficulty drawing my bow. Becoming more than a concern, just think about it, if you›re like me, that I live for bow hunting and you can›t pull back your bow. By Feb. I was experiencing horrible pain in my right shoulder and couldn›t even draw back a light poundage bow.

Not ever having any should injuries was puzzling and high time to seek some professionalism. My daughter Pamela recommended I see a massage therapist here in town that helped her with some minor injuries which she acquired from equine events. After returning from the trip to California for my mom›s 100th birthday, I got an appt. with Ray at Health First Clinical Massage. The appt. went well and on Ray’s torture table the pain was excruciating, as he explained what he was doing and that my body was dehydrated and that my muscles were actually stuck together from so many years of not drinking enough water and the repetition of drawing the bow.

I now as a rule thumb drink about one half my weight of water in ounces every day, for me that’s like 80 ounces and only water counts.

Ray also advised that I take turmeric root powder every morning to keep inflammation down in your body. Starting my road to recovery in March presented some minor problems, with my traditional bows all in at least the high 40’s in pounds, that I needed something a touch lighter to retrain my muscles. At the Spring 3D shoot at the MBEF property I learned my good friend Al Kelly had won the Cocobolo bow in the 2018 MBA banquet that I had donated in 2017. Remembering that bows weight was 44lbs at 28 inches I begged Al to sell it back to me with the promise I would donate it back to the MBA at some year, with that, good guy Al agreed to sell it back to me at the the Traditional Fawn Creek shoot in Libby. Since then that bow has helped me enormously and as of the writing of this report I feel 90% recovered and in great shape for bow season. Once again Thanks Al. July 29th the Flathead Valley Archers finished up the 4th Annual PreSeason Count down shoot at the MBEF property, with the best dinner ever and a fun time with a lot of good people, even though I had to kill a few thousand hornets and wasps to keep things running smoothly. Check out the photo of our south-west entrance, the 29-foot arrow appropriate for a bow hunting organization, and the 1900 series 4x4 Ford tractor asset of the MBEF to accommodate the many chores of the property. Let›s all get out and kill a big one.

Thanks much >>>>----------->

Paul Martin

I

can’t believe that as I write this report, July is almost over. The elk and antelope limited draw tags are out. I heard an elk bugling when I was camping with my grandkids last week. The Beaverhead is still fishing good. What do I do; Start scouting for elk, set up blinds for antelope, do the backpacking trek to a high mountain lake that is on my bucket list, or take another float on the Beav? What a great dilemma! We are so fortunate to live in Montana. And that is why we need to fight for our public lands and oppose those politicians who want to transfer federal lands to the states, where they can be sold off. Oppose privatization and commercialization of wildlife. We as an organization need to be engaged and individuals need to be informed and participate. Good luck this season and may it be memorable.

Ray Gross

Dillon, Monta

Ray Gross

Paul Martin

Fall 2018

11

MBAHEADER MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

MBA Member Spotlight Steve LePage Where do you live? Lewistown, MT What do you do for a living? I am a trophy husband.

What is your age (and can I publish this)? I am 45, I think. When did that happen?

What one piece of advice would you like to pass onto a new bowhunter?

BHow about two? Firstly, I would like to state that nothing that is worth while comes easy and bowhunters must accept failure. Try not to get frustrated and be persistent. If you keep at it success will come.

When did you start bowhunting?

When I was 15 years old. That means I have been bowhunting for 30 years.

Tell me about your first bowkill.

I started shooting my father’s compound bow that I found in the basement and after only a year’s practice, I figured I should go bowhunting. We lived on a small farm and we had alfalfa fields which were visited by a few deer almost every night. I hunted as much as I could, but the does that I relentlessly pursued had figured me out. I paid no attention to wind direction, I did not know the finer points of tree stand hunting… I was basically clueless. After three years of complete and abject failure, I found myself 30 yards away from a fawn. She knew I was there as I had already shot underneath her twice. My third arrow was true and I was in awe as she mulekicked then bolted. I listened to her run about 40 yards through the dry fall leaves and I heard her skid on the ground. I sat down and shook for 15 min. I still have the framed photo of me with that fawn and it is one of my favorite hunting memories.

Secondly, I used to excessively beat myself up when I wounded an animal. It was so bad that I would want to quite bowhunting and take up golf, gourmet cooking or needlepoint. If you bowhunt long enough, you will wound and not recover an animal. Do your best to make a perfect shot, make every effort to track it well, but if you fail…put it out of your mind and move on.

Who is your bowhunting mentor or idol?

Edwin Evans. I first met my Father-in-law when I was 24. When I asked his permission to marry his daughter, his response was, “You are after my elk spot!” Prior to meeting Ed, I had only killed a handful of animals. His giving nature and willingness to teach me and my family has been invaluable.

Tell me about your favorite bowhunting memory?

I have too many to single one out, so I will tell you about my children’s first bow kills.

Describe your dream hunt.

I believe it would be bowhunting Bezor Ibex in Turkey. My wife and I are doing it this December. We are a little nervous, due to the political unrest of the region, but it is something that we have wanted to do for a while now. I hunted this species of ibex in New Mexico once (they were introduced years ago) and failed miserably. The locals in New Mexico call it North America’s toughest bowhunt and I believe them. I scared myself constantly and worked my butt off for two weeks. During that two weeks, I got into bow range of only two nannies. I have never seen such miserable terrain or an animal with such acute eyesight, split second reaction time and the ability to effortlessly ascend and descend vertical cliffs. I look forward to bowhunting them in their native country.

My daughter June was eight and we were at the MBA Carp Safari.

She had been working very hard to kill a carp, but she was not pulling enough weight to penetrate the scales. We were ending the day and she was still unsuccessful and quite upset about it. Her and I were thick in the weeds and we came upon a carp with it’s back out of the water sleeping. We walked right up to it and with her arrow inches away from the fish she shot. I immediately jumped on the arrow and drove it into the fish. The carp exploded soaking her and, in the process, I fell into the mucky water. It was a great day.

Why do you support the MBA? They are doing the work that protects my life long passion.

How many bows do you own?

I have two compounds and three recurves. I do not collect them. When I purchase a new bow, I give my old one to someone who is interested in bowhunting. I did keep the first bow that both my children started shooting shortly after they could walk: a Bear Lil’ Kodiak recurve. I plan on giving it to my first grandchild. Gosh, I am getting old.

12

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Fast forward a couple of years and when my son Mitchel turned eight it was his turn. We had been bowfishing with the Zink and Garness families. Someone had discovered a shallow pool loaded with carp.

Only a 10-foot wide opening connected it to the lake. Mitchel was allowed to try solo before anyone else, as he had not shot a carp yet. I was at his side and I grabbed his riser and lowered it to account for the refraction of the water. I told him to shoot and he got the fish! I

MBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

was happy, but he was not satisfied. I had been guiding his riser and, in his mind, it was not his fish. Only a few arrows later, he did it all by himself. He made me very proud that day. After Mitch got his fish all by himself, we let the remainder of the youth get after them while the adults guarded the entrance to the main lake. It was complete and utter chaos. We were kicking carp back into the shallows and laughing the entire time.

Who are your favorite bowhunting partners?

For me bowhunting is a family endeavor: Edwin Evans, Amy LePage, June LePage and Mitchel LePage. I have been fortunate enough to bowhunting with some wonderful friends, but they shall remain nameless to protect the innocent.

Do you have a funny or exciting story to share?

This one time, at band camp… I was hunting the edge of an alfalfa field in a blind. A large bull and about 15 cows entered and started working toward my blind. It became apparent that the bull was going to pass out of range as the cows fed within 20 yards. Two cows became annoyed and stood on hind legs to flail each other with their front hooves. I had seen whitetail do this often, but never elk, so I was amazed by the sight. The bull, who was at 80 yards, came running over to them as if to break up the fight, another strange sight. I capitalized on the opportunity and shot the bull well. He sprinted about 20 yards and then realized he did not want to leave the cows. He fell over dead. All of the cows were confused and stood there staring at the bull. I quickly came to the realization that I had in my possession, a cow tag. I knocked another arrow and shot a cow. She had the same reaction to being shot as the bull did. She fell over dead 20 yards away from the bull.

With this much meat down, I came to the conclusion that I needed help. Ed Evans was in a treestand less than half a mile away, so I decided to ruin his hunt. Ed is always playing pranks on me and I decided it was his turn, so when he climbed down from the treestand I told him I shot two elk. A spike, which I had seen go down and a cow that was hit “too far back and a little low” and would require much tracking. I could not wait to see the look on his face. He sighed in disgust that I had ruined his evening hunt and said, “Let’s get to work.” As this was the largest bull I had killed and I forgot my camera, I casually asked if he had his camera. He said no, but we already had plenty of pictures with me and a spike. I stated that I thought we could go get the camera. He said it is almost dark anyhow. I again insisted we go get the camera. After much arguing I had to tell him that it was a big bull and that they were both dead right next to each other, making for an interesting photo opportunity.

He would not even let me have that one prank. I believe it was 3:00 AM when we hung the last quarter of elk in the cooler.

Tell me about “the one that got away.”

Which one? The most recent one was last fall. There was one whitetail that I was hunting here at my house. He was almost exclusively nocturnal, as I had only seen him once during daylight. I placed game cameras around and saw that he was visiting almost every night and I was just waiting for the rut. Late October, he would periodically show up at last light and I started sitting for him. One evening he and another buck walked under my tree stand and I drew on him. He caught me drawing my bow and I never saw him or captured his image on the game camera again. Shortly after that encounter, my neighbor shot that buck with a rifle and I was able to view the antlers. That buck unofficially scored 152.

Do you have any secret bowhunting tricks to share?

No, it would not be a secret if I told you.

If you have a member you would like to be featured in “Member Spotlight”, please contact Steve LePage at mbaregion4@yahoo.com.

Fall 2018

13

2018 CARP SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS HEADER

2018 Canyon Ferry Carp­ Safari

Winners Board

This year’s Safari featured mixed conditions with warm temps and increasingly challenging winds. Our winners hauled in 623 fish for a total biomass of 5,200 pounds.

Following are the winners in each of the categories: Team Most Fish – Sarah & Jeremy Allegrucci – 156 fish

Adult Most Fish – Lonnie Wirtz – 86 fish Adult Big Fish – Jerry Doyle – 11 lbs. 3 oz.

Adult Small Fish – Dean Towarnicki – 2 lbs. 1 oz.

Youth Big Fish – Colter Zink – 9 lbs. 13 oz.

Youth Small Fish – Drakken Crawford – 2 lbs. 8 oz.

Past Carp Princess Brenda Zink crowned this year’s princess, Larkynn Crawford, who carried out her duties with regal dignity.

We had adult and youth raffles, with John Zink winning the Block target and Remi Lloyd and Chloe Cotton winning the Hurricane targets.

A carpacious amount of thanks goes out to local MBA members who faithfully helped schlep fish at the weigh-in and cooked burgers for the awards ceremony. Joelle extends a hearty thank you to Jerry and Claudia Davis, and Steve Schindler for cooking, Teri Kelly fro photography, Roger Licht, Marvin Drake, Craig Marr and Gail Delp for weighing and counting fish, and Jim and Pam Gosink for their donation of our youth targets. Thanks again to Scott Reed for the plaque construction and to AMS Bowfishing, who donated the Retriever reels for the youth winners. Everyone’s donations and assistance netted us $860 in profits this year. Thanks to all for your support of the MBA!

14

Montana

BOWHUNTER

Roger Licht and Gail Delp weigh-in WWW.MTBA.ORG

2018 CARP SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Adult Big Fish – Jerry Doyle – 11 lbs. 3 oz.

Adult Big Fish – Jerry Doyle – 11 lbs. 3 oz.

Adult Most Fish – Lonnie Wirtz – 86 Fish

Youth Small Fish – Drakken Crawford – 2 lbs. 8 oz.

Adult Small Fish – Dean Towarnicki – 2 lbs. 1 oz.

Team Most Fish – Sarah and Jeremy Allegrucci – 156 Fish

Fall 2018

15

2018 CARP SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS HEADER Carp kids with capes

Morgan Williams

16

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

2018 CARP SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

Larkynn Crawford, Carp Princess

Carp Princess Larkynn Crawford and John Zink

Chloe Cotten with Hurrican Target

Remi Lloyd with Hurrican Target

Fall 2018

17

The

MEMBER STORY

Last Night to Hunt By: Mitchel R. LePage - 2016

It is the last day I have to get one. Or else I can’t think of it, the sorrow, the pity of going home empty handed.

Oh Look! One, two, three, four deer! One big buck: three points on one side and one on the other. I think he lost it protecting his land. I thought that I would get it right now. Zip! I shot, I missed and they all ran away. I keep doing it for hours. It is already dark, I head back to camp accepting defeat and I am very sad. My story doesn’t end there. Here’s where the story gets exciting.

The next day I was cutting down hawthorn, a nasty tree with spikes like a cactus, in my yard. One doe shows up and I see a spark of hope. I ran as fast as I could and I told my dad. He said to shoot it! I run, grab my bow and my blaze orange. While I run I check my arrows one broadhead tight. Finally, a good shot and I take it, looks like I hit it perfect, I see it go and fall down. I run as fast as I can, my dad goes slower than a sloth, but I show him it.

On the last day I killed it, my first deer!

THE END

Thanks to all who supported the Teen Bowhunter Camp As this issue goes to print the MBA is hosting the MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp. We’d like to thank all those who donated time, supplies, equipment and materials to put on this awesome opportunity for our young bowhunters.

We’ll have a report and photos in the next issue. Here are some of the donors at the time of printing and for those that donated after this issue has gone to print, we thank you and will get you in the next issue.

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Rapp Family Foundation

Pope & Young Club

Safari Club International

Bob Shields

Montana Bowhunter Education Foundation

Mike Chouinard

Traditional Bowhunters of Montana

Cabela’s

Five Valley Archery Club

4 H Five Heart Club of the Bitterroot

Libby Archery Club

The Lazy J Cross Ranch

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Team Shirts

Youth Conservation Education Expo

Montana Bowhunters Association

Thank you to the MBA Members who donated time to be guides for the kids Jacklin Doyle Jerry Doyle, Neil Maier, Brad Zink, Dan Eden.

The rest of the team Beckie Doyle, Keri Anderson, Arline Chapman, Merri Clapham for putting up with me while I gathered the sponsors and run all over the place. There are others who have contributed to pulling this event off and I Thank every one of them also.

Marlon Clapham

CONTACT NUMBERS

FWP Commission Members fwpwld@mt.gov

District 3

District 1

Shane Colton Billings 406-259-998

District 4

District 2

Logan Brower Scobey 406-230-2188

Dan Vermillion, Chairman Livingston 406-222-0624

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

District 5

Richard Stuker, Vice-Chairman Chinook 406-357-3495

Tim Aldrich Missoula 406-241-7164

Active as of Ma 2018

Become a Business Member of the MBA and be listed on this page every issue! For membership visit www.mtba.org.

James Brown

PO Box 96

Richey

MT

59259

406-773-5509

Buffalo Jump Archery

Judy Adams

P.O. Box 5581

Helena

MT

59604

406-539-3936

Elk Creek Family Outfitters

David Hein

1021 Toole Circle

Billings

MT

59105

406-670-4366

First Class Outdoors, LLC

10 Grassy Flat Rd

Roundup

MT

59072

661-317-0001

Halloran Knives

9 Triview Lane

Great Falls

MT

59404

406-217-7012

Hammer-em Outfitting

P.O. Box 472

Stanford

MT

59479

406-366-5042

Hardin Middle School

611 W 5th St

Hardin

MT

59034

Libby Archery Club

P.O. Box 755

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-7174

Libby Sports Center

204 W 9th ST

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-4641

Matablas Game Hunters

Willem Frost

P.O. Box 1559

Lephalale, 0555

South Africa

27116794664

Moody’s Dirty Laundry

Jay Moody

221 W 9th St

Libby

MT

59923

406-291-1609

Montana Historical Society Library

PO Box 201201

Helena

MT

59620

406-444-3485

Northwest Motorsports

Tom Gilmore

2318 Granite Creek Rd

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-3131

Pronghorn Custom Bows

Herb Meland

2491 W 42nd St

Casper

WY

82604

307-234-1824

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

David Allen

5705 Grant Creek Road

Missoula

MT

59808

406-523-4500

Spirit Quest Archery

Kevin & Kim Friedman

115 Rocky Cliff Rd

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-756-5455

Tricon Commercial Construction

Jason Catron

385 Old Corvallis Rd

Hamilton

MT

59840

406-381-9672

Western Trailer & Marine Sales

Clyde Thomas, Jr.

1865 Hwy 2 E

Havre

Mt

59501

406-265-4572

Yellowstone Country Bear Hunters Assoc.

Joe Kondelis

4116 Temple Xreek

Cody

WY

82414

307-899-0461

Tom Hallora

Fall 2018

19

HEADER

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

What the MBA offers you: Expanded hunting opportunities through working with FWP and commissioners to preserve and expand bowhunting seasons Unified voice during legislative sessions to protect seasons and access programs while opposing efforts which seek to limit the role of FWP in managing wildlife Fellowship with others who are interested in shaping the future of bowhunting Quarterly magazine keeping you informed on local, state, and national bowhunting issues, bowhunter education, events, and great hunting stories

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

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP One Year $30.00 Three Years $81.00 Life $750.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

$5.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP

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

Join Today!

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

20

ontana M

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

1

L to R new MBA member BRUCE FELZ, SCOTT KOELZER, JOHN BERGER with Saskatchewan bruins all shot on the same night

JUNE AND MITCHELL LEPAGE flying carp

5

MERRI CLAPHAM 23 pound small mouth buffalo carp

8

4

7

2

CELCELIA CLAPHAM 18.5 pound common carp

3

CLIFF’S GARNESS 2018 Spring Turkey

TREVOR MCGURRAN with a 20 15-16 North S askatchewan giant

6

MERRI CLAPHAM 19.5 pound common carp

9

AMY LEPAGE FLYING carp

JAKE GARNESS Saskatchewan Black Bear with Kutawagan Outfitters 2018

Your picture could be here

10

STEVE SCHINDLER with a carp double

11

BRIAN KOELZER

12 Fall 2018

21

WHY EVERY MONTANA BOWHUNTER SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING THE MONTANA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION • 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?

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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.

Photos by Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside

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What can you do for bowhunting in Montana?

Join the MBA at www.mtba.org to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting.

Spring 2015

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