Vol. 47 #1 Fall 2019

Montana Bowhunters Association PO Box 426 Helena MT 59624 Return service requested

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

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First Elk with a Bow for a Young, 14 Year Old Bowhunter PAGE 14

2019 Convention Highlights

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High Mountain Home

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

Mike Shephard

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 ........................................... 406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net 351 7th Ave E N, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 ....................... 406-250-9806 michaelshepard7@gmail.com

Region 2

Neil Maier

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

16200 Roman Creek Rd., Frenchtown, MT 59834 .............. 406-546-6013 nam56@yahoo.com

kevin.robinson@technometalpost.com

Region 3

Liberty Brown

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

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

Brandingironmarketingllc.com btreasurestate@aol.com

Region 4

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd., Lewistown, MT 59457 ........................... 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

Jenn Schneider

Ken Schultz

5509 Sunny Cove Billings MT 59106 ................................ 406-697-7768 jennk40@msn.com 302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 ............................. 406-598-8550 schultzy@iwks.net

Region 6

Nathan Veit

PO Box 288, Malta, MT 59538........................................... 406-697-7760 nathanveit95@yahoo.com

REP VACANCY.

Region 7

Bob Morgan

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

REP VACANCY EVEN YEARS

Seth Rogers Jerry Davis Rich Smith Drew Steinberger Cliff Garness Mandy Garness

AT LARGE DIRECTORS 1425 Prickley Pear, Billings, MT 59105 – srogers@lamar.com.......................................406-670-5435 725 Middlemas Road, Helena, MT 59602 – pipelinejerry@gmail.com............................406-475-2226 PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com.................................406-281-8846 1901 Mountain View Drive, Great Falls MT 59405 - drew@prcountrycomforts.com........406-351-2152 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com...............406-788-9009 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - camoquilter@gmail.com..........................406-750-9953

MBA

officers PRESIDENT

Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane • Stevensville, MT 59870 mbaregion2@gmail.com • 406-777-2408 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Brian Koelzer 80 Jansma Lane • Manhattan, MT 59741 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com • 406-570-7997 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

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

Claudia Davis PO Box 426, Helena, MT. 59624 grmaclyde@gmail.com • 406-461-9618 SECRETARY

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

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

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

ODD YEARS

Paul Martin Ray Gross Richard Lewallen John Grimstad

www.mtba.org

110 Sage Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 - paulhmartin99@gmail.com...................... 406-261-4456

K Design Marketing, Inc.

355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com.................... 406-660-1019

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

234 Audubon Way Drive Billings, MT 59106 – rpdlew@aol.com.......................... 406-690-0854 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 or Teri Kelly at PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 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 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-461-9618, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.

ARCHERY SEASON

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

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

Helena 406-449-3111 buffalojumparchery.com

Fall 2019

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EDITOR’S NOTE

MBA

Committees Legislative:

Jerry Davis, Chair Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham Richard Lewallen • Joelle Selk • Stephen LePage

Tentatives:

Ray Gross, Chair Paul Martin • Mark Schwomeyer Stephen La Page • Marlon Clapham

Financial:

Chair Claudia Davis • Jenn Schneider Ray Gross • Neil Maier • Rich Lewallenier Teri Kelly, with Alyse and Lily Wyman

Landowner/Sportsman:

A

s usual summer just flew by with projects still on the outstanding list at the Kelly household. I think home improvement projects tend to fall into the death and taxes category, they are inevitable whether you want them or not. Some recent changes at the MBA. We welcome Claudia Davis as our new treasurer for Jenn Schneider who has decided to step down from that position after many years of great work. Fortunately, Jenn did not step down far and will assume the role of a Region 5 Representative. Both of these ladies have been, and will continue to be valuable assets to the organization. With that change comes an address change for the main mail for the MBA. Please note that the address for Montana Bow Hunters Association is now PO Box 426, Helena, MT 59624.

The Kelly household did not draw any special tags this year so we will continue to forge ahead on projects until opening day upon which time we will cease and desist and spend as much time as we can enjoying the woods. We did have a few friends who drew moose tags in our region so I would imagine that we’ll lend support there as needed. Have a great hunting season and don’t forget to send me your harvest photos and stories.

Teri Kelly

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

Nominations:

­Chair Al Kelly • Paul Martin • Cliff Garness

Awards:

Brian Koelzer, Chair Al Kelly • Rich Lewallen • Marlon Clapham

Membership:

Marlon Clapham, Chair Jenn Schneider • Ray Gross Barrett Haugan • Ken Schultz Joelle Selk – Membership Assistant

Convention 2020-Region 5 Rich Lewallen, Ken Schultz and Jenn Schneider Chairs To be determined Region 3- 2021 Fairmont Region 1- 2022 Fairmont

Magazine:

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

Website:

Liberty Brown • Jenn Schneider Beckie Doyle • Kevin Robinsone

Carp Shoot:

Joelle Selk, Chair Roger Licht • Stephen LePage • Cliff Garness

Bow-Ed:

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

Youth Membership:

Becky Doyle •Roger Licht, Chairs 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 Reg. 3 – Vacant Reg. 4 – Vacant Reg. 5 – Vacant Reg. 6 – Vacant Reg. 7 – Vacant Reg. 8 – Vacant

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TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 47 #1 Fall 2019

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PAGE

12 PAGE

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PAGE

On the Cover

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Teri Kelly Marlon Clahman SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

Beckie Doyle

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1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Claudia Davis

High Mountai n Home PAGE 12 2019 Conven tion Highlights

PAGE 14 First Elk with a Bo a Young, 14 Year Olwdfor Bowhun ter PAGE 18

Cliff and Mandy Garness

15 BLAST FROM THE PAST 16 2019 CANYON FERRY CARP HIGHLIGHTS 18 FIRST ELK WITH A BOW FOR A YOUNG, 14 YEAR OLD BOWHUNTER

Hunter Eden

Brian Zoelzer TREASURER’S MESSAGE

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14 HAWAII AXIS DEER BOWHUNTING

REGIONAL REPORTS YOUTH COMMITTEE REP

Jackie Doyle

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BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

20 MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM 21 MEMBER GALLERY

12 HIGH MOUNTAIN HOME John Berger with a true Saskatchewan giant! 22 2/16

Kevin Robinson

sted

Return servic e reque

Montana Bowh unters Assoc iation PO Box 23611 Billings, MT 59104

Fall 2019

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

OFFICER’S REPORTS

PRESIDENT - MARLON CLAPHAM 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - BRIAN KOELZER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER (NO REPORT) TREASURER - CLAUDIA DAVIS SECRETARY - BECKIE DOYLE

President’s

Message

Marlon Claphman

T

ime sure seems to get away from us. Time once again to start thinking about the political side of our passion. The Tentative issues are already showing up with early issues. Our Region Meeting has shown us that we have several issues that we will be working on including Breaks Permits and other license drawing issues. We will keep everyone abreast as we get closer to the meeting with the Commission. The Board is working on getting the wording right and who to contact at this time.

Our summer activities were a huge success. The Youth Expo at the Teller Wildlife Refuge in early May went off as another well. The MBA helps sponsor the expo and we drew several youths to attend the MBA’s Teen Bowhunter Camp. We had a few new hands to help with the kids, from Region 2 new Rep. Kevin showed up and was surprised at how busy our booth was. Of course the whole Doyle family helped as usual. Then we went to the Shooting Expo where kids can shoot all kinds of firearms including archery equipment. The 4H group brought the Teller Archery trailer and set up another booth next to the MBA booth and let the kids shoot 3D targets. Both booths were very busy and I thank Hunter Edens and Hyme Anderson for lending a hand with the kids shooting and setup of the booth.

The Carp Safari once again was weather impeded. Cold and rainy, but everyone’s spirits were high. We didn’t slay a bunch of carp but the camp fires burned well into the night every evening. Many good hunting stories were told and retold through out the evening. Roger’s fish fry had many participants and the fish never ran out. Joelle put together a good crew and they cooked for everyone and the awards went to the winners with thirteen fish being the winner in both categories. Merri and I didn’t get blown off the lake into some hidden bay this year and got back for the festivities.

The MBA’s Teen Bowhunter Camp was moved to a new area further north toward Missoula on the Ruffatto Ranch. There were 18 kids in attendance and it was a great group campers. We tried a few different activities this year and everything was well excepted. We took all the campers to the Knapp In, where these guys showed us how to knap arrow heads and other tools. Several of the kids really got involved. Another fella was making Self bows and let the kids shoot several of the bows he had. They also got to try their hand at throwing the atlatl, spear chucking at its best.

Jacklin Doyle has a more in-depth wright up for the camp and the goingson.

Next will be the Magruder and Scripps camps. The MBA will have the archery for the kids at both camps. That will take us to the end of July and we will be gearing up for Antelope and the early seasons. Hope everyone drew some special tag or has a hunt in the works. So far, we have drawn the same as every year, “O”. Well much hay to put up so Merri will have to get to work, I guess.

Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight.

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Marlon Clapham

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Sectretary’s Message

H

ello all! It’s been a busy summer so far and gearing up for an even busier fall! We’ve completed three youth events this year and each one reminds us of why we give back to our communities. Parents, grandparents, and the youth all show great appreciation for our endeavors and it is so amazing to see these youngsters turn into young adults and start giving back! Our grandson is copying these great qualities because the kids all just take it in stride that Landen is part of the events we volunteer at and in turn we watch him at 4 years old try to help others learn how to shoot a bow, and start a fire with flint and steel, and how to set up a wall tent among so many other things. It makes my heart warm. I’m thrilled that our daughter Jackie, has taken the lead in many of these events and shown great leadership qualities.

Jackie worked closely with Marlon this year to plan the Teen Bowhunting Camp and I look forward to seeing her grow within this organization.

I guess my point, with bow season rapidly approaching is, get the family involved, take the youngsters to the adventure, whatever it is. The best thing about archery is every single family member can participate at their individual level and be successful together as a family. Happy adventures to you all this coming bowseason!

Beckie Doyle

OFFICER REPORTS

First Vice President’s

Report

S

o, I just finished listening to the first two episodes of The Montana Bowhunting Podcast last week and I must say I was impressed. Dane Rider, Paul Kemper, and Austin Rogers are the hosts and it’s great to listen to these young gentlemen discuss archery and bowhunting in Montana.

Episode 2 was an interview with past MBA and TBM president Mark Baker and it was enjoyable and informative to listen to his recollections of what he and the board were up to 25 years ago. They say you learn about the future by studying the past and I have a huge amount of respect for those that have been willing to step up and donate their time over the years to try and “promote and preserve” our archery opportunities. Some of the most prominent names in bowhunting history were either born here or moved here because of our opportunity. Many of those same individuals were or have been active in the MBA and helped shape what we all get to enjoy right now. I had the privilege of getting to sit down and have breakfast with Bob and Judy Windauer last weekend up in Whitefish and he gave me his newly released book on the life and story of Paul Schafer. I’m half way through right now and it is an excellent read. If you are interested in a copy check out Schafer Silvertip Bows website.

Although years pass and pressing issues come and go the MBA has always tried hard to represent and be the voice of Montana’s bowhunters. Not always an easy task because believe it or not bowhunters tend to be a little opinionated ….Crossbows, muzzleloaders, lighted nocks, trail cameras, lighted sights, definition of legal archery equipment, public lands, access to public/private lands, breaks elk (our great grandkids will probably be arguing about breaks elk hunting), and the list goes on and on. Everyone has and is entitled to an opinion and it’s up to us on the board to do our absolute best to represent what the majority of our members want and are asking for. The surveys we email out are a very important and efficient way for us to keep up on current topics so please take the few minutes and get them done when they pop up in your inbox. If you are not getting the surveys please get a hold of Liberty or Claudia to update your info.

By the time you all read this hunting season will be upon us. Good luck to everyone and take a kid hunting this fall! I’ll leave you with this quote from the one and only Fred Bear: “Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk. Immerse yourself in the outdoor experience. It will cleanse your soul and make you a better person.”

Keep’em sharp,

Claudia Davis

Treasurer’s Message

M

BA has a new Treasurer! Jenn Schneider has retired as Treasurer to spend more time with her growing family and I have been appointed to fill her very capable shoes. I am Claudia Davis, from Helena, and I will be taking over the bookkeeping and membership duties. I am married to board member Jerry Davis. I recently retired from Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) as administrator. PPLT is a non-profit in the Helena area working with land easements, community conservation and trail development. My experience in the non-profit bookkeeping field will be a great addition to our board. I also volunteer on the boards (and keeps the books) for United Methodist Women and Last Chance Public Radio in Helena.

Jerry and I have two adult children and two grandchildren. I enjoy camping with the grandkids, fishing, boating, and dining out. I like to sew in my spare time and am catching the quilting bug.

I will be getting the mail for MBA in Helena so please make note of the new address. PO Box 426, Helena, MT 59624.

I am very excited to attend the next board meeting and get to know all of the wonderful people who are passionate about bowhunting in Montana.

Claudia Davis

Brian Koelzer

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.

Brian Koelzer & Bowen

Photos will be posted on the website. www.mtbowhuntermuseum.org

Fall 2019

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REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 1 AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD REGION 2 NEIL MAIER KEVIN ROBINSON REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGEN (NO REPORT) REGION 4 STEPHEN LEPAGE ROGER LICHT REGION 5 JENN SCHNEIDER KEN SCHULTZ REGION 6 NATHAN VEIT REGION 7 BOB MORGAN

city area. It is time to read up and learn what you can about this awful disease and its effect on our ungulates. Our way of life in our area has just took a huge hit. Please take time to understand this problem and what you can do to help keep it contained. You know the old saying, ignorance is bliss; in this case, ignorance can be deadly.

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Mike Shepard

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AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD

Al Kelly Friends, hope everyone is having a great summer. Always so much to do that it seems to go by faster than I can get everything I want to do squeezed in.

Not that I am complaining, as I never have time to get bored. I am thankful to live here in the last best place.

I also felt that with all of the public land access we pretty much have it made when it comes to hunting. Then the wolves moved in. They put a serious hurt on our game populations. And with an ever-increasing presence of grizzly bears in our neck of the woods, it has really put a hurt on the enthusiasm to hunt our area. This is putting hunters from our region at odds with hunters from other regions, looking for a better place to hunt in other regions. There is a lot of discussion on this problem at this time so look for information on these issues being disseminated and give your input. Hopefully you participated in the recent survey. And to top it all off CWD has landed in Libby.

I

Yep CWD is in region 1. As of the writing of this article 5 deer have tested positive in the Libby

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ope you are all having a great pre-season getting ready time. Latest is those pesky permits… still waiting for that elusive sheep one, and no moose. My neighbor has complained about FWP and the bonus system for years. He yelled at me several weeks ago. He finally pulled for Eureka’s Pinkham Creek area, BUT, his wife also pulled the moose tag for Talley Lake. So they have 2 no less to fill, if not all eaten by our predator community. Then to add insult to injury, he pulled a Breaks bull tag, rifle. I know of many who have pulled the big 3 and even 3 in the same year in past years, but this does make me wonder about the permitting system.

My eye doctor in Columbia Falls, now retired, has put in for moose for 60 plus years and still not drawn. I would be happy to just get a B tag. So other than that, we also have someone travelling from Columbia Falls beating the big bad wolf parade in Region 1. Just a thought, I called the newspaper, after the glowing report in the Interlake, and asked the reporter if he knew which group or groups he was being backed by.

Reporter had no clue, but those of us who are very engaged know it is BGF or SFFW, 2 Utah based groups that do not have my best interests at heart.

Behind the scenes they push for destruction of the North American Model of game management, and privatizing all wildlife, thus making it a rich man’s sport. So be careful when you jump is all I am saying.

Other than that, for those who may care, my wife has battled a rare form of breast cancer since Oct 2017. A whole year plus of hospital and doctors. At the moment, she is 99.9 cancer free with God’s help. Believe me, it puts a very different spin on our life. So get ready, be careful and always portray our sport as ethical and responsible bowhunters.

Mike Shepard

CWD

WWW.MTBA.ORG

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NEIL MAIER KEVIN ROBINSON Hi All t has been a rough year so far and I have not been able to get out and shoot much. It has been a busy year teaching Bow Hunter Education in the Missoula area. There were 3 online only field courses in the Missoula that I helped with. There were over 203 students signed up for these 3 field courses. What was the most interesting was where they came from. Of the three field courses that we ran here in Missoula, 44% of the students traveled more than 75 miles from the Missoula area to attend. The farthest were from Bulverde Texas, Illinois, and Bellingham Washington. The Texas and Illinois people flew in the day before the field course and flew out the afternoon after of the field course. The person from Bellingham came to my classroom course.

The rest came from in-state. Bozeman, Butte, Columbus, Libby, Great falls, Kalispell just to name a few. The reasons varied from No instructors in the area, no field course offered for online students or the online field course was filled up and no others were offered. I know the Missoula area has been losing instructors due to burn out from trying to keep up, or they are getting older and no longer want to teach. We handed out several applications to become instructors. Many were people from outside of the Missoula area that were interested in teaching. I hope they fill out the applications and do become instructors. Please welcome them on board and help mentor them.

We had many comments from these students that they really enjoyed the field course and complimented the online course.

I will be out scouting since I have my truck engine repaired now. Ouch. Looking forward to hunting season.

Shoot straight and have a fantastic season.

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Neil A Maier

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ummer is flying by with work and weekend fun with friends and family. Antelope opener is right around the corner and although it seems like I do more antelope spooking than antelope killing, it’s nice to dust off the stalking skills and have the knives sharp and ready for the long season ahead.

I had a blast at the carp shoot this year. My fingers were raw from all the shooting but they certainly didn’t smell like fish; the carp were on to us! I boated a few and shot at what seemed like hundreds. We shared camp with some of our Northern brethren (Canadians) and they seemed like they had a blast. I guess they don’t let carp across the border into Canada, weird.

I’m learning a lot from the 900 elk permit saga, I exclusively hunt the western part of the state and really haven’t paid much attention to the situation in the last few years. The surveys have been really helpful understanding the concerns of all MBA members on the topic.

REGIONAL REPORTS

Kevin Robinson My three year old son has been flinging arrows all summer and it has been so fun to see. I changed up some things with my shooting as well and I’m killing foam in my yard nightly!

The antler growth looks pretty darn good right now for the local bucks here around Missoula and the Bitterroot and I’m guessing the bulls are the same. The numbers around 290 look to have done okay despite another tough winter in the Blackfoot Valley.

I hope everyone is shooting arrows daily and having a great summer, our time will be here soon!!!

I’m not sure what I was thinking 10 years ago when my wife and I set August 15th as our wedding date. Antelope hunting with my bow has become one of my favorite things to do and I’ve had some pretty good success over the last few years. This year however, I’m trying to figure out how to navigate the Antelope opener in conjunction with our 10 year anniversary and stay married to see an 11th. I guess I can always beg for forgiveness later.

I’m still getting my feet wet with regard to the whole region representative thing. Thank you for the opportunity. At my first meeting as region representative, the main issue we discussed had to do with Breaks archery permits.

The general membership recently voted to continue to support archery permits in the Breaks but there has been an increase in the number of resident hunters that applied for the permits as their 1st choice but did not draw.

The MBA just sent out a survey and early results support some form of a “hunt where you draw” option. While others suggested that we not take a stance. Please feel free to reach out to me via email (mbareg3@gmail.com) if you have feedback regarding this or any other issue you may have concern for.

Have a great 2019 hunting season!

I am sure by now that everyone is aware that 900-20 tags were not a 100% draw for residents. I have heard a bunch of complaints from people here in Lewistown. The MBA board is working on a tentative proposal for FWP to remedy this problem and your input on the issue has been evaluated through an online survey. I hope you all replied to let your opinions heard.

My family has been doing a bit of bowfishing with limited success. Unfortunately, we have had some equipment failures. I blew up a traditional bow that I won at the Carp Safari and my daughter blew up her compound while bowfishing. Here in Lewistown there was a meeting with MBA board members, guides/outfitters, landowners and a few FWP commissioners. The outfitters are favoring keeping the shoulder seasons and are pushing to have unlimited 900-20 and breaks elk permits. Nothing was resolved, but we are attempting to came to some consensus on the issues at hand. Please remember, the MBA is working hard to protect your interests!

Stephen LePage

Liberty Brown

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LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGAN

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don’t have a great deal to report at this time.

Had a great summer and I’m spending time up in Alaska fishing. I was pretty lucky in tags this year as I drew a once in a life time moose tag. Stay tune for the rest of the story!

Roger Licht

PS - the fishing is a little slow, but the beer is cold.

Stephen LePage

Liberty Brown

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can’t believe how fast this summer is flying by and that archery season is almost here. Heck, by the time you read this some may already have meat in the freezer.

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ven though the Carp did not cooperate, I had a blast catching up with everyone at the Carp Safari.

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owhunting is something that goes back as far as my memories do. My Dad picked up the sport when I was little and I quickly realized that it was something I could do too. He put a Purple Heart kinderbow in my hands at age 5 and I was hooked. As a family, we traversed the state every summer accumulating a mound of medals and trophies for 3D archery shoots and the smell of sage and the hot summer heat still reminds me of those days. I shot my first deer with a bow at 12 and the next spring at age 13, took my first black bear with a bow in Canada. The high school years took a toll on the amount of time spent in the sport, but on my 21st birthday, I was out in the mountains chasing down elk and it’s one of my favorite memories.

My time spent in tree stands greatly outweighs the number of animals harvested, as most hunters, but I always emerge better than I entered, connecting with the outdoors. Teaching my kids to shoot a bow gives me great joy and I am excited to have something to enjoy with them the way I have with my Dad. I have served on the board of the MBA for the last 9 years as the Treasurer while having babies reduced the amount of time I spent in the field, I still felt connected to the people and the sport and look forward to getting more time in the mountains with my kids now that they are getting bigger. I would like to continue service on the board as a region 5 representative, as I feel the experience I’ve collected the last 9 years is still of some value to the board. Thank you for allowing me to serve the membership of the MBA.

Jenn Schneider Fall 2019

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REGIONAL REPORTS

Region 5 continued from page 7 Ken Schultz

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hope everyone has had a fun spring and early summer so far! There has been lots of moisture in the area which leads to the possibilities of nice antlers and plenty of nutrition for the critters.

Hopefully all the young fawns survived the cold, wet weather this spring. Once that sun pokes out, there should be plenty of tall grass for them to hide from predators.

We should be seeing the final drawing of tags soon if not already. Good Luck to all and hope you have a successful draw in the areas you applied for.

We are looking forward to the Big Sky Youth Event again this year at the Blue Creek Shooting Complex. Last year we had over 100 kids come and had a great time working them on bow handling and shooting. Pictures to come!!!!

By the time this article hits, there should be a survey coming out on Survey Monkey to all members concerning the issue of limited tags mainly in the breaks area. There has been some concerns raised with not being drawn and we are trying to do our part to help resolve. Doing these surveys helps us to get feedback from all of you.

This is very important to us and we really appreciate those of you members that participate.

As some of you know, we are hosting the 2020 MBA Banquet and Convention which will be Fairmont Hot Springs next year. I had the pleasure of attending this past year’s event and had an awesome time. The Great Falls team did a fantastic job! We are looking for volunteers/helpers to help with all the coordinating and work involved in the huge undertaking. Please contact Richard Lewallen, Jen Schneider or Ken Schultz if you are willing to help. Should be a ton of fun!

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

Ken Schultz

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ummer is coming to an end and fall will be here before we know it. The weather and temperature have been mild, and we have had plenty of moisture so far, leaving the country side green which is unusual for this time of year.

Hopefully this good weather and plentiful food will last and have a good effect on antler/horn growth for this fall.

One issue that has just come up recently is the proposed changing of breaks elk permits from a drawing to unlimited OTC tags again. I know a few people are upset that they have not drawn this tag in the past, and had to forfeit hunting the breaks for a year when they used to always be able to hunt there every year. I am personally against the proposed change as the quality of hunt would greatly decrease, as would the bowhunting experience with the increase of hunter to hunter conflicts. Most people I have talked to on this issue are in agreeance that it is wise to keep the breaks in a draw system.

I hope everyone got the tags that they applied for this year and that some of you got that tag of a life time that you’ve been waiting for. With archery antelope starting in exactly one month from the time I wrote this article, anticipation is high to get out and hunt. Time will tell if all that practice and scouting has paid off for you this fall. Good luck and happy hunting.

Nathan Veit

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

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BOB MORGAN

Bob Morgan

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ain, rain,’rain, mow the lawn, mow the lawn. Now hot, hot, hot, With yellow sweet clover everywhere. I thank the Lord for this

day.

We have had bears and a mama mountain lion with two cubs in our small town of Colstrip this spring, enter at your own risk. The lions were spotted around our lake so they had to close the walking path around Castle rock lake. My fishing buddy George was fishing one morning and he floated by the Lions, and mama growled and ran over the hill, he was just a little surprised. I was driving out to do a job out in the country at a friends house and thought I saw a black calf on the road, but it turned out to be a huge black bear. The mayor of Colstrip sent me a picture the other night of a black bear he saw not far out of town. Rain, sunshine and green grass has a way of bringing animals out and about.

The elk and deer are in full velvet and looking good.

We all had a great time at the second Montana selfbow jamboree in late June. We have decided to do it every two years, so keep that in mind. Some bowyers from Arkansas and Missouri come up and help with the jamboree, And also bring osage staves to make the bows from. It’s a good time to help introduce others to bow hunting and bow shooting.

My bow hunting grandson got a new bow and he’s excited about going deer hunting and so am I.So let’s grab a friend and go do this. Just remember CBS: close, broadside and standing still. And God is good all the time.

Bob Morgan 749-0706

REMINDER:

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Nathan Veit

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Greetings All,

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REGIONAL REPORTS JERRY DAVIS CLIFF GARNESS MANDY GARNESS JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT) RAY GROSS RICHARD LEWALLEN PAUL MARTIN SETH ROGERS (NO REPORT) RICH SMITH (NO REPORT) DREW STEINBERGER (NO REPORT)

DirectorsAt Large

The Future of Limited Archery-Only Elk Permits in Montana

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s I write this it is still a couple of months before the opening of Archery Elk hunting season in Montana but there is a lot going on right now that may have an impact on future archery seasons in Montana.

Of greatest concern at this time is the future of both the breaks and the 900-20 Limited Archery-Only Elk permits. The story with me began in late spring when I received word that a movement was afoot to eliminate all Limited Archery-Only Elk permits.

Many supporters of such a campaign, in my opinion, are those that seek to profit from hunting activities. They would like to see a greater number of nonresident hunters allowed to archery hunt the breaks as well as those hunting districts (HDs) included the 900-20 permits.

MBA members, in general, do not support the elimination of Limited Archery-Only Elk permits. This is based on a survey MBA did in December of 2018 where we asked members “In 2009, the Missouri Breaks Elk Permit was established to address the issues of overcrowding. Do you feel the MBA should continue to support the limited permits in the Missouri Breaks in the upcoming legislative session?” 84% of respondents said they wanted MBA to support those permits.

One of the problems that we are seeing as time goes on since the establishment of the Limited Archery-Only Elk permits is that “local” individuals are no longer guaranteed 100% success of drawing this permit if it is their first choice.

This is causing a great amount of concern statewide among bowhunters.

Some options have been suggested and in fact the MBA surveyed it membership in early July and asked this question.

“For the last few years in some hunting districts (HDs) not everyone who has applied for an Archery-Only Elk permit has been drawn even though it was their first choice. MBA is considering various options to resolve this problem.

Which of the following options would you prefer?”

Response options were 1) Do nothing, 2) Increase permit numbers, 3) Require that the holder of an Archery-Only elk permit only hunt elk in the HD for which they were drawn, or 4) Require that the holder of an Archery-Only elk permit only hunt bull elk in the HD for which they were drawn. Permit holders would be allowed to hunt cow elk in all other HDs not requiring a special permit. Additionally comments were also allowed.

Of those that responded as of this time 34% thought we should do nothing, 8% thought we should support increasing the permit numbers, 24% thought we should support requiring that the holder of an Archery-Only elk permit only hunt elk in the HD for which they were drawn, and 34% thought we should support requiring that the holder of an Archery-Only elk permit only hunt bull elk in the HD for which they were drawn with permit holders being allowed to hunt cow elk in all other HDs not requiring a special permit.

Comments were allowed and they were all interesting. They included suggesting that only traditional equipment should be used for a portion of the season, removing the Limited Archery-Only Elk permits altogether or at least from the 900-20 area, only allow those that live near a HD to apply for that HD, remove rifle hunters from archery only seasons (I assume reference to early shoulder seasons), increase the number of Archery-Only elk permit HDs to include Region 3, make hunters choose a weapon, future limits of the number of nonresident hunters, breakup 900-20 and 700 into several smaller HDs, make the western side of the state one HD and if you apply for western HD you are assured of draw but that is the only HD you can hunt in, increase the percentage of nonresidents from 10% max to 50% max, increase the quota for Limited Archery-Only Elk permits for residents and decrease for nonresidents, remove compound bows from legal archery equipment, and making a special Archery-Only Elk permit for HD380 .

But as I said above I think it is safe to say that the large majority of MBA membership supports Limited Elk-Archery permits in some form or another.

A little history may be in line so to better understand the issue. With the help of a friend of mine in Eastern Montana and from my own experience here is what I know of the history of the limited Archery-Only Elk permits.

Prior to the limited Archery-Only Elk permits many unlimited ArcheryOnly Elk hunting districts (HDs) in eastern Montana were experiencing a high volume of archery hunters who were pursuing elk, both resident and nonresident hunters. Many bowhunters complained that often their sneak would be interrupted by other bowhunters sneaking on the same animal(s). This created tension among bowhunters. These encounters greatly degraded the archery hunting experience for many.

Limiting Archery-Only Elk permits was and is used to minimize those tensions and to improve the quality of the bowhunting experience.

FWP established permit quotas by estimating the number of permits that could be issued while keeping complaints at a minimum. That number then became the number of limited permits that would be issued. In my opinion the concept has worked.

Having grown up hunting in Fort Peck I am somewhat familiar with the Breaks HDs. I came to bowhunting later in life after my children were grown when I finally had the time to learn the sport though I have been shooting a bow most of my life. My first bowhunting experience was south of Glasgow prior to there being a quota on the number of archery permits in each HD. Though I enjoyed getting back to the old stomping grounds where my Dad and myself used to rifle hunt in the late 50’s and early 60’ I found the experience a little unpleasant due to the number of bowhunters. I did see a lot of out of state plates but I think there were large numbers of resident hunters also.

After the implementation of limited Archery-Only Elk permits I applied for and was drawn for one of these permits. I found that there were far fewer archery hunters and the hunting experience was much improved over the hunting I had prior to quotas being established for these HDs. FWP also decided that any HD that had a rifle limited Bull permit drawing would also have a limited Archery-Only Elk permit drawing. These 22 HDs are part of the 900-20 grouping. Initially quotas for the 900-20 HD were set to ensure that 100% of residents that applied for a 900-20 permit would draw one of those permits.

In recent years the economy was improved and the number of resident bowhunters has increased markedly. With improved economy many more resident hunters have found it once again affordable to drive across the state to hunt elk in Eastern Montana. Add to that the increase in resident bowhunters and it is obvious that if the original intent of these limited permits, minimizing tensions due to overcrowding in the Archery-Only Elk permit HDs, is to be preserved not every resident that applies for one of these permits will be successful every year.

The question is how we will resolve this issue. On July 18th in Lewistown representatives from MBA, TBM, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, MSA, and MWF will meet to discuss this and elk management in general. Hopefully some useful solutions will be developed that the FWP Commission can adapt which will preserve our special limited Archery-Only Elk hunting opportunities in Montana.

Stay tuned.

Jerry Davis

Directors At Large continued on page 10

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DirectorsAt Large

continued from page 11

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ow that a majority of all the tags have been drawn, hopefully everyone can now concentrate on the upcoming bowhunting season. For those of you that drew one of the many coveted area tags, no matter the species, good luck and please share stories and photos of your experiences and harvests.

The weather has been favorable and not too hot and dry yet, so that has been good around region 4 for the camping, hiking and scouting. There are still some archery shoots this summer, so get out, support the local clubs and have fun with friends and family while doing it.

I am sorry we could not be at the Carp Safari this year as it is always a great time, but hopefully next year the schedules works in our favor and we can see you all again at Canyon Ferry.

Good Luck, Shoot Straight and Enjoy our Outdoors.

Cliff and Mandy Garness Ray Gross

Richard Lewallen

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made a road trip to Dillon last week and as I looked around and noticed the Tobacco Root Mountains to the east, Pioneer Mountains to the Northwest, Snowcrest Blacktails to the south and the peaks around Lima to the west, I realized that I archery hunted elk in all these mountains.

I had a feeling of gratitude for having the blessing of time to be in those places with my father, my son, and friends through the years. September is a great time to be there with the fall colors, blue skies, and fall equinox snow storms that suddenly transform the landscape to a winter wonderland.

The elk and moose are rutting and are vocal. I remember the many elk encounters in different places and the occasional successes.

Anyway, we are blessed to live in a state with public lands and public wildlife and an opportunity to archery hunt every fall. Each moment is a blessing and our attitude and outlook can turn it into a trophy moment.

Good luck this fall. Shoot straight.

Richard Lewallen

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AS I sit down to draft my article, July is almost over. I did a river floating trek on the Blackfoot River with two old buddies I went to high school with and now I am gearing up for a river trip on the Antigun River in Alaska. When I get back archery antelope season will be open and elk and deer archery season will soon start. We are so fortunate to live in Montana.

Public comment and input for the season setting process for the 2020 and 2021 hunting regulations is beginning. There is discussion of the limited archery elk permit regulations. The reason for the limited archery elk permits was crowding.

The limited permits, limits non residents to 10% of the number of permits. There is discussion about increasing the number of permits to assure that all residents get drawn. The intent of the limited archery elk permits was not to have a 100% draw for residents, just to have a high percentage of residents drawing. The archery elk permit system is working as well as can be. Every legislative session bills have been introduced to over turn the permit system, bypassing the FWP season setting process with public meetings and input. Some bills have passed out of committee and we, with the help of other organizations, have had to rally to defeat these bills on the floor of the house or senate. If we give a reason to open up this process again we will give those who want to overturn the limited archery elk permits another chance to do just that. 100% draw for residents was never part of part of the regulations. Raising the number of permits to have 100% resident draw would increase the number of hunters and negate the reason for the permits. And an alternative of only hunting in that HD for elk will be opposed by many, just pitting some that support the permits against others that support the permits.

Those who want to overturn the permits will love it. I strongly suggest doing nothing. I have fought this battle and we were lucky to get the permits, don’t jeopardize it! Good luck this season and may it be memorable.

Ray Gross

f you remember just a few reports back that last year FWP reported 51 dead Grizzly bears and it looks like at the time of writing this report we are off to another pile of dead bears that FWP has to kill because of property damage or loss of livestock such as chickens, Yep chickens are considered livestock so the bear has to die. I understand that chickens are important to a lot of people but it doesn’t seem right in any way to kill the bear and not one sportsmen or sportswomen benefits from this environmentalist’s Paul Martin action.

I hope this is the year Wyoming starts the ball rolling with conducting a Grizzly hunt and Idaho, Montana follow their lead. I also believe it is high time to elect sports men and women into office, that can only become a good thing for our way of life in Montana. E-bikes are becoming more and more popular across the world and I hope to see more tolerance for them behind gated roads, but for the most part Forest Service is treating them the same as a gas powered motorcycle which is about as fair as killing a grizzly for killing a chicken or calling a crossbow the same as a compound or traditional bow.

I think with some good guide lines for E-bikes this could happen soon.

Our state has thousands of miles of roads behind these gates to our public land unless you can hike or ride your mountain bike or horse in to where ever it is you are trying to go. That’s great if you can physically do that or can afford to keep a horse, so let’s say to be allowed on these roads you need to be 55 years or older with the exception for handicapped to have pedal assist and motor not to exceed 750 watts. I see this as a safe and sane approach to allowing people to stay in the game.

Paul Martin

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WWW.MTBA.ORG

B O WH U N

Youth Committee Rep

2019 Teen Bowhunters Camp - That is a rap!!

This years Teen Bowhunters Camp was help on the Raffoto Ranch in Stevensville MT. Thank you so much to the Raffoto Family for allowing the 2019 Teen Bowhunter’s base camp be held on your ranch!

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A Teen Camp Thank you!

TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP

A S S C I ATI O

Once again we had a very successful camp! We couldn’t do without the kind and generous businesses and sponsors who provide money, goods, food and locations to make this camp possible; the volunteers who give so much time and energy to make the camp a success and to the campers who come to learn and with their enthusiasm and appreciation of this opportunity, remind us all to be excited about bowhunting, they make all of the work worth the effort.

Ruffatto Ranch for the use of the ranch! Cabela’s, Sage Calls they donated elk reeds to everybody and did a good campfire seminar. Teller Wildlife Refuge bought all the 3D targets for us to use so we didn’t have to rent them and the Bitterroot 4H threw in targets as well.

The Rapp Family Foundation and Western Montana Chapter Safari Club International. Their donations are the first in and it gives us funds to get the ball rolling each year. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation bought us a life size bull elk target for the elk hunt.

Teller Wildlife Refuge, The Cranmore Agency Inc. Hamilton, Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, Montana Bowhunter Education Foundation, Bitterroot Auto Sales, Outback Fire Fighting, The Plumer Inc., Libby Archery Club, Don Helmbrecht, Gary Koehler, Zink’s Big Sky Archery Targets, Sportsman Wear House, Team Shirts, Delbert Blake from Domino’s Pizza for Sunday lunch. Special thanks to Jerry and Beckie Doyle for all the moose meat for the entire camp.

Saved us a ton of money.

We also need to thank the folks who helped set up the camp, Gunner Ulberg, Damon Anderson, Rylie Clark, Hyme Anderson. Our Camp guides, Dan Edens, Jacklin Doyle, Alex Sorenson, Hunter Edens, Hyme Anderson. Our two Elk buglers for the hunt. Jerry Doyle and Martin Hampa. The cooks, Beckie Doyle, Keri Anderson, Debbie Doyle.

I’m sure there will be someone left out but this is what old minds could remember.

LET’S TALK BOWHUNTER’S CAMP!!

This year we had a wonderful bunch of young adults from all over Montana! We had 4 groups: Team Marston lead by myself Jackie Doyle and Kari Anderson, Team Ashbie - Alex Sorenson, Team Tip-Mont - Dan Edens, and Team Mongols lead by Hyme Anderson and Hunter Edens.

Each team had 5 members, not including the guides with the exception of the girl’s team who started with 1 girl. I want to give a huge thank you to the 2 young gentlemen who joined our team, Hunter Hoover and Adam Anderson. These two young men joined the girl’s team and helped make it a great team. We had 18 boys and 2 girls for camp this year.

The campers had to set up their own wall-tent and a huge shout out to the boys who helped the girls team set up the tent, inside out, then take it down and set it back up again lol. It was a great learning experience. The groups all took turns helping in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

They learned how to start fires with flint and steel tools using tender. We had a 3D shoot competition, learned how to get in and out a tree stand safely using the proper safety gear and how to use reads from Sage Game calls who came to camp and taught about elk calling and DONATED about 50 calls to our camp!! We sat around the fire and told hunting stories, played games to test their hiding skills, practiced shooting from many different positions, learned some survival skills, built shelter’s, went on a scouting trip, a 3D elk hunt and blood trailing in the daytime and at night.

We also got to go to the Flint Knapping they had at the campground where we all go to learn new things. Everyone got to try their hand at throwing the Atlatl, shooting self bows, and making arrow heads! It was a great learning experience for us all. We all enjoyed shooting the 3D range we had set up.

A word from Camper Rylie Clark: Montana bow hunters camp is important to me because it teaches the youngsters about how to be more successful and safe when out in the woods I personally love going to camp because of the brotherhood all of the campers form after partaking in exercises like helping a hunting buddy get out of the woods with a broken ankle or starting a fire to keep the other person from freezing to death.

Thank you, Rylie for your thoughts.

This year we had some prizes to give out to some of the campers. We had a camper of the day who were voted on by their peers and then the guides got together and talked and, picked one who they thought stood out from them all. We had 4 campers of the day. Thank you to those campers who stepped up and did a terrific job helping others. Those 4 individuals are Kieya Goodwin, Hunter Hoover, Adam Anderson, and Hunter Edens. Congratulations to you four on your outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, and encouragement you give to others!

the Biologist for coming up and teaching the campers about what Block Management is and how it works and teaching the kids about what being a wildlife biologist is all about!

Thank you to Howard Hill Archery and Jason Ekin who came up and helped show the kids about proper bow equipment safety and a Thank you to Jerry Doyle, Dan Edens and Alex Sorenson who helped the campers with their equipment also.

We had a wonderful group of young adults this year. A huge shout out to all the people behind the scenes. They put in lots of hard work and dedication. Thank you to all the guides and team leaders, cooks, and camp support members. This year is one we will not forget. Thank you to all of our sponsors that donated the items for our campers: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Doe and Arrow Archery, Sportsman’s Wearhouse, Outback Firefighting, Bitterroot Auto, and all the other sponsors for everything!!

The next generation of Bowhunter’s coming up is an amazing bunch of people who will help Bowhunting continue for many more years. They take it seriously and it is a passion they all have and love. Being able to be one of the Team Leaders was a wonderful treat for me. I love being able to teach the next generation about my passion and passing on the flame to the next generation. Watching them work together and encouraging one another is a great feeling as a mentor. Seeing all the hard work pay off brings joy and happiness to us all.

There was so much laughter and good vibes this year that when it was time to leave no one wanted to. However I am so excited for NEXT YEARS camp that I cannot wait!

There will be new and exciting elements to camp. We will be hosting camp in the Libby Montana country where it is a whole new world for some!! The country up there is a lot different than the Bitterroot where camp has been in the past years. We are super excited and cannot wait to start planning next year’s camp!!

If you would like to be apart of next years 2020 Teen Bowhunter’s Camp as a camper, guide, youth leader, cook, sponsor, donator, set up crew, or a teacher of something to do with the backcountry and bowhunting please contact my-self Jackie Doyle @ 406-274-3716, Beckie Doyle 406531-4060 or Marlon Clapham @ 406-777-2408.

I look forward to seeing you all this coming bow season and at next years camp!!

If you would like to join the Montana Bowhunter’s Youth Committee please get ahold of me and I would love for you to join me!!

Remember shoot straight and aim small miss small

Jackie Doyle

406-274-3716 hukshuntin@msn.com Region 2 Youth Committee Leader

Thank you to Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Tyler with the Block Management and Rebecca

Thank you all.

Fall 2019

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MEMBER STORY

High Mountain Home

by Kevin Robinson

Oh,

the comfort of familiarity. Like the feeling of slipping into a favorite pair of boots, the smell of a familiar old bar or the feeling of settling into the worn out seat of an old pickup truck. In this case, the familiarity of one particular high mountain drainage in the heart of elk country is what I’m speaking of.

I’m not sure of the number of days I’ve spent in this place, but I’m guessing I could elk hunt it blindfolded if I had to. I always smile when I stumble upon the old remains of past elk kills and reminisce about that particular hunt, never forgetting the pack out on our backs. Or walking past the same twisted up pine with a chest high knot on its trunk. Day after day, on our way back and forth to camp, we would rub that big knot for good luck. Or the times when it seemed like there were a thousand elk scattered up and down the drainage and, conversely, the times when not a single elk was seen, smelled or heard.

Familiarity, and the sheer beauty of the place, guarantees my return every year.

Most of my adventures into this corner of the world have been spent with the same friend and hunting partner over the past 20 or so years. Together we’ve worn plenty of boot leather exploring this drainage, nearly escaped death when a 2 a.m. wind toppled tree came crashing through the center of our tent, chased plenty of bugling bulls and even shared my first bow kill bull in this alpine paradise. There are literally hundreds of creek drainages and canyons similar to this one scattered throughout the Montana, but none hold such intimacy for me as this one.

One of my most memorable adventures into this paradise was a solo endeavor a few years back. Temperatures forecasted to reach the mid-70s during the day were ideal for my planned ultra-light five-day solo hunt. This meant bringing minimal gear and leaving anything resembling comfort at home. Usually, this lack of comfort rears its head midway through a clear night after the cold finds its way into my “summer rated” sleeping bag. Although day time temps were warm, the nights were downright cold. Those cold nighttime temperatures could prove to be a crucial part of my solo hunt success, knowing that my partner was not there to help.

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BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

This adventure started the frosty morning before opening day. My plans were to leisurely head up the canyon using my mountain bike to tow a trailer, then strapping on my pack and hiking to a predetermined camp. A four hour trek would put me at a camp a half mile from where I would be hunting the next day, opening day. With my bow on my pack and my trailer full of food and gear, I headed down the trail with the sun on my back and a smile on my face.

After five miles of single track I set my bike aside and continued on foot for a few more off trail miles, not forgetting to rub the lucky tree on my way by. It felt so good to be in this place again, especially seeing that the only prints left in the dust of the old pack trail were left by elk.

This canyon is not unlike many others that were carved and formed by receding glaciers thousands of years ago. There is a slow, medium sized creek that snakes its way down through the meadows and is periodically damned by beavers. Patches of overhanging willows throughout its course seem to bother only a handful of fly fishermen that make the trek to catch the small brook trout hiding under the cut banks. These glacier carved canyons tend to have a gradual climb from the valley floor to a headwall at the furthest upstream end, usually with a lake or two. Full of small benches and hidden meadows, it seems like an elk paradise.

After bushwhacking my way uphill and up canyon, I finally arrived at a suitable, tent-sized, level piece of ground. I set up my small one man palace, relaxed and planned a short scouting mission for the evening. I knew exactly what my plan for the next morning was, so I chose to keep my intrusions to a minimum and glass a different area from a location I knew would not disrupt any potential “target” elk for the next day. After a short hike, I settled in for my sunset scout on a large boulder at the top of a scree field. The canyon was very still, but I could easily make out through my binoculars that there was indeed some recent elk activity. The scattered benches and meadows were all dotted with wallows and smeared with mud holes. It was obvious to me that, even from a half mile away, they had been battered and used recently by elk. As I made my way back to camp I was surprised by two young bulls feeding their way down the bench toward my camp. They noticed me a few seconds later and, judging by their exit, were also surprised by what was mostly likely the first two legged critter they had seen all summer. After a good, hot meal in camp, I crawled into my sleeping bag, excited knowing there were at least two bulls in the area. Even though I knew the place so well and had studied it so often, I looked over the stained and creased topographic map of my favorite little canyon by the light of my headlamp until I fell asleep.

MEMBER STORY

There are many advantages to hunting the backcountry with a partner, like the ability to have a caller and a shooter and the extra manpower to breakdown and pack out a bull elk, to name a few.

In my situation I could have used a second alarm clock or a boot to the ribs to wake me from my opening day cocoon. I frantically awoke to the shock of sunrise outside of my tent. My plan to be glassing the hidden meadow at first light was spoiled by the silent alarm of my cheap $15 T.J. Maxx wristwatch.

I dressed as fast as I could and quickly headed toward the meadow. I glassed the meadow as best as I could from inside the timber and could tell by the heavy frost that elk had not fed in that particular

I seem to always feel these same familiar emotions as the dust settles after success. Happiness for simply the experience, thankfulness for the opportunity to hunt such an awesome animal . . . meadow the previous night. I decided to slowly stalk through the timber up canyon on the bench in hopes of catching a bull still feeding on the many small, grassy meadows that dot this area. The sign was there and I caught the whiff of elk numerous times while sneaking in the shadows. It felt like déjà vu, but I had actually made this familiar loop many times and, on one particular morning twenty years earlier, I arrowed my first bull on it.

I eventually made my way to a small, dried up pothole of a lake set against a cliff band at the very head end of this bench. The dried mud was torn up with multiple sets of tracks and all of them seemed to be from bulls that had most likely spent their summer here. I decided to sit against the cliff wall and settle in for a much needed breakfast and coffee.

By 10 o’clock opening day I had not heard a single bugle, nor had I produced one myself. I’d been hesitant about breaking the peaceful silence with a squeal through a plastic tube, but after getting a

quick response I was smiling from ear to ear.

So, after hearing this one lone bull responding to my call, I slowly packed up and headed toward the bull. I figured he was 300 plus yards away and I cut that distance in half before I bugled again. He was apparently feeling the same, as his quick reply was closer than I had expected. I saw his big 6 x 6 silhouette above me a moment later and he was moving on a path to an opening that was out of my range. As he angled downhill and behind a large snag, I quickly moved toward the opening I had hoped he would cross. I stopped short of my goal when he reappeared from behind the snag, leaving me pinned behind a small clump of waist high brush. He kept coming though and, as he walked around another snag, I came to full draw expecting a broadside 30 yard opportunity. Instead, he hit the brakes, locked up by the movement of my mid-morning shadow cast upon my downhill side. After a short standoff, he turned tail in an explosion. I glanced downhill to my right and noticed the perfect shadow of a bow hunter at full draw.

Instead of feeling discouragement, I was ecstatic.

Opening day, miles from any road and in the middle of elk country, it doesn’t get much better for an elk hunter, especially after a heart pounding close encounter with a bugling bull elk. It was near noon when I sat down to have a snack and have a chance to replay the encounter in my mind. I thought about how lucky I was to be able to experience these September adventures in such a beautiful place.

Sitting there crossed legged, with my pack off and an arrow nocked, I gave another half-hearted squeal from my bugle tube, hoping to try my luck again at another unsuspecting bull. I must have decided to have a snack and daydream extremely close to a bedded bull, judging by the closeness of his reply. I barely had enough time to stand up and draw before he was within range. The surprise of not only how close he was, but by the downwind approach he made toward me, put doubts of success in my mind.

His nose did not fail him, however, as he turned broadside and downwind to me, muscles tensed for a quick exit. I was already a step ahead of him, as my arrow already won the race against the wind.

The bull collapsed as the arrow broke his spine and severed the artery just below it.

I sat down to gather myself before I approached the young 5 x 6. From the first bull I took in this canyon, to my last, I seem to always feel these same familiar emotions as the dust settles after success.

Happiness for simply the experience, thankfulness for the opportunity to hunt such an awesome animal and relief for a quick and, relatively, painless death, when compared to nature’s other options.

My thoughts, however, slowly changed to the next phase and, after a few quick, photos the work of dismantling the bull began.

After breaking down the bull and hanging the deboned meat in trees, I stood back in the shade for a short rest. As I rested I thought to myself that I might have patience while solo hunting, but there was nothing patient about taking apart a bull elk by myself. With the 75 degree midday sun beating down and being six plus miles from the truck, sometimes it’s easier to split the “patience” up between two elk hunters. However, I alone owed it to the elk and the responsibility to move that bull’s meat off of the mountain and onto ice, as quickly as possible. The relaxing part of my solo backcountry hunt was over, but I never dread the final push of a successful elk hunt.

After a day and a half of hauling meat off the mountain I was finally at the home stretch. I did stop and pause at the end of the last big beautiful meadow before the trail took me into the timber.

When heading into, and up, the drainage the view at this particular spot is the first real view of the dramatic canyon and its craggy peaks that tower both sides.

I stood there straddling my bike, breathing hard and heavy with the sweat of the day’s work on my skin. I gave a quick thanks to my familiar mountain playground and then returned back to finish the final push home. Soon I’ll be heading back to this awesome paradise with high hopes of chasing bulls and enjoying my high mountain home away from home.

Fall 2019

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MEMBER STORY

Hawaii Axis Deer Bowhunting

by Cliff and Mandy Garness

Our bowhunting trip

to Hawaii started over a year ago. The trip started off as a bowhunt for axis deer for just the two of us to Maui with Pat Fisher of Hawaii Safaris. Pat guides for various game on multiple islands, but our main focus was the beautiful and elusive, white spotted, rust colored axis deer. Little did we know that the next six months would have our plans change and morph to much more than just a bowhunt for axis deer; it became a vacation and bowhunt with family and friends. Our final plans were solidified and would have us fly into Maui, then hop a flight to Honolulu where we would sight see on Oahu for 4 days, before returning to Maui for 5 days, of which, 3 days would be spent hunting.

For those of you that want to skip right to the end of the article for the climax of the story, or to scan the article for the successful harvest photos, I can save you time, as Mandy and I were not successful at harvesting any axis deer. With that being said, the experience and the things we got to see were incredibly amazing and much more than a successful hunt/harvest.

On Oahu, our rental house was closest to Kahaluu, on the east side of Oahu. We enjoyed breathtaking views of the sunrise each morning, watched locals catch octopus for the day’s fishing bait when the tide receded and we swam and snorkeled, all steps from our door. OKAY, OKAY… We may have enjoyed a few adult beverages while having all this fun on vacation.

Pearl Harbor was first up on our list of tourist attractions, so a full day was spent there. While the USS Arizona Memorial was closed, we did get to take a guided boat tour past the memorial. We also toured the Battleship USS Missouri, which now watches over the USS Arizona and is a memorial to all those who have served. Lastly, we walked through the USS Bowfin Submarine.

It did not take me long to realize while touring the Bowfin, that there is no wasted space in a submarine and that all the head knockers and hatches are not made for a 6’3 guy such as myself.

Our time on Oahu came to a quick close, but Mandy and I were getting excited to head to Maui and do some hunting for axis. The plane landed in Maui, we got our luggage and rental car and headed to meet up with our guides for an afternoon hunt. Mandy and I would be splitting up for better opportunities on our 3-day hunt. I wanted to shoot my bow before hunting, so I shot at 30 yards and barely hit the target; I was shooting left and low.

I tightened everything down and quickly realized my sight was loose from the bow riser. That afternoon we snuck up to within 5 yards of a smaller male boar hog, then within 20 yards of another boar. While we saw multiple axis that afternoon, no great shot opportunities were presented. Mandy had

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an opportunity during a stock on a beautiful buck the first evening, but the adrenaline rush got the best of her and he walked away unscathed.

The next morning, we were back meeting our guides long before daylight and I would be hunting a different location. As the axis slowly made their way to us, I envisioned this amazing animal hanging on my wall and the exceptional meat in my freezer. I knew all my yardages and was ready for Pat to stop them if need be. I kept remembering in my head “axis are like whitetail on crack”.

As the 31” axis buck came by, Pat stopped him and my arrow was gone. The arrow seemed to take FOR EVER to cover the 45 yards. At the time I expected to watch the big buck duck into the arrow from seeing or hearing it, he instead was frozen in his posture and the arrow went right under his brisket and right behind his front leg. I was absolutely in shock at what had just happened, but meanwhile, the rest of the herd was still feeding in the field and slowly feeding our way with another buck in tow of approximately 28”. While I had the same opportunity to shoot the 28” buck, I passed to hopefully have another opportunity at the 31” buck. Unfortunately, this was the last time the axis took this trail. We spent some time spotting and stalking on them, but with 30-40 animals in the herd, I was unable to slip close enough undetected with that many eyes, ears and noses.

Mandy spent some time hunting a former pineapple plantation, sneaking along the roads and looking down into the adjacent gorge. Since the grass was taller than she is, several times she could hear that an animal was nearby but had no idea where until seeing the grass sway as it bolted away, never to appear for a shot.

We spent the middle of the days and our last day regaling the family with our hunting stories back at the condo, watching the sea turtles from the balcony, snorkeling and paddleboarding. While we were not successful at harvesting an axis, we had a great time and look forward to going back to Hawaii Safaris in 2021.

A couple of days as the winds picked up, we wondered how we had found somewhere windier than Great Falls to vacation. While we understood thermals on the mountain, we had not really considered or researched trade winds on an island. We’ll certainly consider that when booking where to stay during our next trip.

For any of you that wish to hunt Hawaii, I can tell you we had a great time and was well worth the experience. The great thing about Hawaii is that you can spend several days sightseeing with the significant other who does not hunt, but also hunt, therefore you get the best of both worlds and all are happy.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Blast from the Past Blast From The Past 1986 MBA 1986 Buck Damone was the president at the time.

Buddy Lundstrom was writing the president’s message for Buck, He had a blood vessel in his brain rupture causing him to fall off a roof. Buck went through surgery and was on the road to recovery.

The 1986 MBA Convention was held in Butte with M.R. James from Bowhunter Magazine was the guest speaker.

MBA member Don Hettinger drafted Legislation to make it mandatory for first time Bowhunters to take Bowhunter Education.

The MBA went to the Commission to look into an 800 elk permit Bowhunting only for the breaks. First and only choice, 100% draw.

The muzzle loaders were trying to obtain an area in HD 170 for muzzle loaders only and eliminate the bowhunting in the area.

We started a Montana record keeping book for Bowhunters.

Mike Shepard had some interesting facts on the growth of Bowhunting in Montana. In 1953 there were 535 bow tags sold.

By 1956 that number tripled to 1453. In 1968 it doubled again to 2865. Doubled again in 1972 to 6528. In 1973, 3814 new Bowhunters joined the ranks, another 2641 joined in 1980 bring our numbers to 13945. By 1983, 18639 were on the books and by 1985 we topped out at 20323. A very fast-growing sport back then.

Dwayne Gardner had a Robertson recurve stolen and was looking for help finding it. (Are you sure you just didn’t set it down when you were napping on the hillside, forgot you were hunting and walked back to your truck without it. Maybe.)

With hunting season just around the corner here is a recipe for Bowhunter’s Sign Stew. I bring this up so while you are out in the woods you will have to find most all these ingredients.

Submitted by Wayne Pfipps from Colorado Bowhunter

BOWHUNTER’S SIGN STEW 2 cups of Elk droppings (fresh if possible) 1 cup Deer droppings (alfalfa Flavored) 1 Tbls. Elk scent (cow elk-in-heat scent) 1 Tlbs. Camo paint (color optional) 1 patch of elk hair from rub 1 dozen Deer tracks (large ones if possible) 6 Elk bugles 1 portion of a favorable breeze 1 dozen parts of Good Luck 1 Tbls. Of positive thinking 1 page (for flavor only) of words you use when you missed that 7x7 bull at ten yards because you didn’t fully nock your arrow and dry-fired!!!!

In a large bowl thoroughly mix the first 6 ingredients over a low heat. Gently stir in the remaining ingredients one a time until it reaches a consistency that compares with your feelings when you are the only one in camp yet to score. This stew is good for two things, 1- To coat the bottom of your shoes, 2Fill your hunting buddy’s hat with after you’ve heard for the 36th time how he scored the P&Y Bull AND the 4x4 Mulley the 1st morning and is wounding why it’s taking you so long to get anything. You may find additional ingredients will make this more to your taste but nevertheless it will give you food for thought while you’re in your stand.

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

HAPPY BOWHUNTING AND MUCH SUCCESS !!!!!

Fall 2019

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2019 CARP SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

17th Annual

Canyon Ferry Carp­Safari This year’s Carp Safari featured historically challenging conditions with cool temps and the carp cruising in the depths. Despite this, 17 individual entrants and 16 teams braved the elements to compete for the coveted winner’s plaques.

Following are the winners in each of the categories: Team Most Fish – Soda Smith team - 13 Adult Most Fish – Mike Prescott - 13 Adult Big Fish – Steve Winscot – 10 lbs. 1 oz.

Adult Small Fish – Mike Prescott – 2 lbs. 7 oz.

Leader Board

Youth Big Fish - no carp submitted Youth Small Fish – no carp submitted

p

Carp Cam

Past Carp Princess, June LePage, crowned this year’s princess, Melody Braden, who carried out her duties with regal dignity.

Multitudinous thanks to MBA members who faithfully helped weigh fish and assisted with cooking brats and burgers for the awards ceremony. Joelle extends a hearty thank you to Jerry Davis, Roger Licht, Steven LePage, Marvin Drake, Craig Marr, Gail Delp, Ilana Brody, Becky Doyle, and Marlon and Merri Clapham. Thanks again to Scott Reed for the plaque construction and Teri Kelly for photography.

Everyone’s donations and assistance netted us $950 in profits this year.

Thanks for supporting the MBA!

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2019 CARP SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS ss Carp Prince den Melody Bra

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Fall 2019

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PAUL SCHAFER AWARD WINNER

First Elk with a bow for a young, 14 year old Bowhunter

by Hunter Edens

“I got to put my tag on my first ever 6x6 Bow Killed Bull Elk.”

In September of 2018 I was bowhunting with my father. We were in the truck and came across a herd of elk out in a meadow.

My dad pulled the truck over and parked. We got off the road and immediately heard the elk bugling.

Together we hiked out on the edge of the meadow.

After a few calls the bull came in but offered no clear shot. Then he headed back to his cows so my dad and I left the elk alone and we headed back to camp to have some lunch.

That evening we headed back to the same area. We made a few calls and heard nothing, it was silent around the meadow and the wind was kicking up. In a moment when the wind slowed, we heard an elk bugle. We played the wind and moved in to put a sneak on the bull. The six point bull moved into 40 yards with 7 cows in tow. They were coming in pretty fast when my dad bugled and the bull stopped. I was at full draw and settled the pin behind the shoulder. And just as I released the bull stepped forward. The arrow pierced through the elk but I noticed that it was a little far back. I was sure that I hit the liver and the bull begin walking away. Dad and I gave it some time before we went to look for the arrow and first blood. We found the arrow and as we looked at it we realized it did hit the liver.

We backed out and went to get some friends to help. We went back to the arrow to start from there. By the time we got back it had been hours, we searched until well after midnight before we called it a night. As we drove back to camp I began to think of what other kinds of animals that may find the elk. Just two years ago in the same area we had a Grizzly get on a cow my dad arrowed near a willow thicket. When dad and I approached

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the dead cow elk the Grizzly was already on it. The bear made sure we had no intention of reclaiming the cow.

Thinking about the past we were up before dawn to two inches of new snow. Several other friends and my mom joined us in the search for my bull.

We went back where we had last blood and found only one spot about the size of a quarter under the snow on a log. We all decided to do the grid search and make ever larger circles. We all had radios so we

could communicate. As one of my friends and I were walking back to the truck my mother called over the radio and reported that she could see the elk down by a tree. “I have found your Elk, congratulations buddy”. When I walked back to find mom I looked up in this swampy meadow with a lone Lodgepole tree and there under the tree was the bull. So that morning I got to put my tag on my first ever 6x6 Bow Killed Bull Elk.

CONTACT NUMBERS

FWP Commission Members District 1

District 3

District 2

District 4

Tim Aldrich Missoula 406-241-7164

fwpwld@mt.gov

District 5

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

Dan Vermillion, Chairman Livingston 406-222-0624

Shane Colton Billings 06-259-998

Logan Brower Scobey 406-230-2188

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

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

Active as of Julyl 2019 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

Hammer-em Outfitting

P.O. Box 472

Stanford

MT

59479

406-366-5042

High Mountain Spirit Quest

115 Rocky Cliff Rd

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-756-5455

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

Mountain Copper Creations

Jim Clapham

4085 Old Marhsall Grade Rd

East Missoula

MT

59802

406-880-9411

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

UDAP Industries

Mark Matheny

1703 Waterline Rd

Butte

MT

59701

406-581-4856

Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets

Terry L & Dylan Zink

P O Box 1272

Marion

MT

59925

406-253-4670

James Brown

PO Box 96

Richey

MT

59259

406-773-5509

Bram Donovan

830 10th Ave SW

Great Falls

MT

59404

Dale Morigeau

34938 Canyon Mill Rd

Ronan

MT

59864

Kevin & Kim Friedman

406-396-7145

Fall 2019

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HEADER

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

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

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

SEND TO: MBA, PO BOX 426, HELENA MT 59624 • PH. # 406-461-9618

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1

TOM MORTON Saskatchewan 2019 |19 5/16 Hoyt bow magnus broadhead

4

7

10

2

BRIAN KOELZER 19 12/16 P&Y

5

MIKE PRESCOTT Safari 1

8

JIM NEAVES Safari 1

11

JIM MORTON Saskatchewan 2019 20 2-/6 bears paw recurve copy

3

COOKIE with a Saskatchewan bear 2019 20” pronghorn longbow

BOB MORTON Saskatchewan 2019 20 8/16 Hoyt bow magnus broadhead copy

6

JUNE LEPAGE with a carp

BRIDGER KAMPS had to keep spooking a grizzly bear away in order to retrieve and drag out his 5x6 mulie buck.

Now that’s dedication.

9

12

MIKE PRESCOTT Safari 2

JIM NEAVES Safari 2

45 pounds of carp we got.

I got these in late July.

MARLON CLAPHAM

Fall 2019

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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?

• • • •

•

•

•

•

•

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

•

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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