Vol. 48 #3 Spring 2021 Issue

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

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

LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS BIGHORN SHEEP RESTROATION PROJECT PAGE 11

Your MBA at Work!

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

Mike Shephard

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

Region 2

Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 ..................406-777-2408

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

mbaregion2@gmail.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 mbareg3@gmail.com btreasurestate@aol.com

Region 4

Michael Prater 416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown MT 59457 .................. 406-461-6949

Jess Wagner

Michael.prater@live.com 201 Big Sky Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 .....................406-939-3458 jess_wagner2@hotmail.com

Region 5

Jenn Schneider

Ken Schultz

jennk40@msn.com 302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 ......................406-598-8550

Nick Siebrasse REP VACANCY. Rick Miller

Bob Morgan

officers PRESIDENT

Stephen LePage 2574 Divide Rd • Lewistown, MT 59457 mbaregion4@yahoo • 406-535-5636 1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Brian Koelzer 80 Jansma Lane • Manhattan, MT 59741 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com • 406-570-7997 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 mtba@mtba.org • 406-404-6168 SECRETARY

Jerry Davis 25 Middlemas Road • Helena, MT 59602 pipelinejerry@gmail.com • 406-475-2226

4996 Bullhook Rd., 59501 Havre Montana .................. 406-390-0402 bowdude@mtintouch.net

Region 7

MBA

5509 Sunny Cove Billings MT 59106 ...........................406-697-7768

schultzy@iwks.net

Region 6

www.mtba.org

PO Box 2336 Colstrip MT 59323....................................406-749-0292

PAST PRESIDENT

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

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

EVEN YEARS

Cliff Garness Mandy Garness Rich Smith Stephanie Prater

AT LARGE DIRECTORS 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 PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com......................... 406-281-8846 416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown MT 59457 - mthuntress406@gmail.com............... 406-461-6949

ODD YEARS

Paul Martin Ray Gross John Grimstad Richard Lewallen

110 Sage Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 - paulhmartin99@gmail.com...............406-261-4456 355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com...........406-660-1019 2031 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102 – twingrim@bresnan.net.....................406-252-3620 234 Audubon Way Drive Billings, MT 59106 – rpdlew@aol.com..................406-690-0854

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 Julie

Jensen at 5311 151 Ave SE, Kindred, ND 58051 or email jjensen44@mac.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All submitted or published photos may be used by the MBA in the newsletter, and MBA Photo Album and/or on Facebook. Any questions as to policies of MBA please contact the President.

MEMBERSHIP INQURIES

Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Tresurer, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Julie Jensen 5311 151 Ave SE • Kindred, ND 58051 jjensen44@mac.com • 701-361-9197

WEB DESIGNER

Liberty Brown Branding Iron Marketing liberty@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

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

Spring 2021

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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 • Rich Lewallenier

Landowner/Sportsman: Mark Schwomeyer, Chair Bob Morgan • Barrett Haugan Jesse Wagner • Stephanie Prater

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s I send off each article of this month’s content to the MBA newsletter designer, I am so worried that I forgot something. Probably a picture of my harvested animal from last fall--oh that’s right, I have not learned to hunt--yet! Please be easy on me for the first few issues, and let me know what I can do to improve.

I am so proud of my North Dakota children, Kristen Haugan, Kara Koelzer, and Andrew Jensen. They didn’t grow up learning the sport of hunting. They moved to Montana, married great hunters, Barrett Haugan and Brian Koelzer and, began their journey of hunting. We have enjoyed great meals of elk, venison, antelope, and mountain lion. We have seen so much beauty!

I am so in awe of all the hunting pictures and stories from everyone. MBA members have such a passion for the conservation and ethics of Montana outdoors.

My husband Paul and I hope to move west soon so we can watch our kids and grandchildren grow up in this life. Montana life has made a huge impact on us. We are also looking forward to learning to hunt with the help of our sons-in-law. Hopefully, one day Paul and/or I will have an article or a photo in the MBA newsletter!

Please feel free to begin sending me your next stories and pictures any time. You don’t have to wait until I am begging. My email is jjensen44@mac.com.

Julie Jensen

Nominations:

­ rian Koelzer, Chair B 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 2021-Region 3 To be determined Region 1- 2022 Fairmont

Magazine:

Al Kelly, Chair Julie Jensen, Editor Joelle Selk • Brian Koelzer • Jerry Davis

Website:

Liberty Brown • Jenn Schneider Beckie Doyle • Kevin Robinsone

Carp Shoot:

Joelle Selk, Chair Nick Siebrasse • Cliff Garness

Bow-Ed:

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

Youth Membership and MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp

Marlon Clapham, Chair This committee will involve a combination of board members, MBA members and youth from each region.

All area reps. will try to recruit youth from their region to get involved with the MBA’s decision-making process and planning for youth events. This will mostly be done through e-mail contacts but MBA members and youth members will be welcome to attend the Board Meeting if they are able to do so. The goal of this committee is to increase involvement and awareness of youth bowhunters and encourage future participation in the MBA. Youth ages 16 to 19 are encouraged to participate as well as any active member over the age of 19.

Reg. 1 – Al Kelly (Region 1 rep)

Rich Hjort (MBA member) Reg. 2 – Jackie Doyle (MBA member) Jerry & Beckie Doyle (MBA members) Reg. 3 – Vacant Reg. 4 – Jess Wagner (Region 4 rep) Reg. 5 – Vacant Reg. 6 – Vacant Reg. 7 – Vacant Reg. 8 – Vacant In accordance with the By-Laws any member can be on a Committee without being on the Board of Directors. They just cannot stand as the Chairman.

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BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 48 #3 Spring 2021

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Julie Jensen

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Stephen LePage

1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Brian Koelzer

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SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

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Jerry Davis TREASURER’S MESSAGE

Claudia Dav REGIONAL REPORTS BLAST FROM THE PAST 2021 MBA TEEN BOWHUNTING CAMP

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LITTLE BELT MOUNTAINS BIGHORN

SHEEP RESTORATION PROJECT

Stephen LePage

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MBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

18 MBA NEW OFFICER BIOS 21 LEGISLATIVE REPORT 22 2121 CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI 23 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

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FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

24 MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM 25 MEMBER GALLERY

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Your MBA at Work!

LITTLE BEL T MOUN

ce requested

Jason Hegg 2020 bull

TAINS BIGHORN SHEEP RESTROATI ON PROJEC T PAGE 11

Montana Bowh unters Associatio PO Box 426 n Helena MT 59624

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Non -Pro fit Org. U.S. POSTAG E PAID Permit # 120 Bozeman, MT 59718

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— GENE WENSEL

Spring 2021

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OFFICER’S REPORTS

PRESIDENT - STEPHEN LEPAGE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - BRIAN KOELZER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER (NO REPORT) TREASURER - CLAUDIA DAVIS SECRETARY - JERRY DAVIS

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ey everyone, I hope this finds you all happy and healthy! As we tiptoed into 2021 I was cautiously optimistic that we would start seeing some relaxation of restrictions (regaining of common sense) and I believe it’s happening but unfortunately not soon enough for us to have our convention. As the chairperson for this year’s event scheduled at Fairmont, I was excited about the weekend we had planned. It’s certainly been too long! Your newsletter is coming out later than normal due to my ongoing discussion with the Silverbow County health dept. They told me to hold out until February because they thought gathering restrictions might change. They didn’t. As per my last conversation with them, they said they wouldn’t approve our event. Too many people and we had to guarantee there would be no social interaction . . .

Legislatively it’s already been a busy session and we’re barely a month into it. A lot of stuff blowing around that isn’t really great, unfortunately.

Thanks to everyone that took the time to write or call your senators.

I keep hearing that hunter numbers are falling around the country and they may be but it’s not the case here in the 406. 2018 saw 2,182 folks complete bowhunter ed, 2019 saw 2,292, and 2020 there was a staggering 6,915! I can’t blame them that the best place to social distance is in the woods. For those of us that have spent our whole life trying to social distance out in the woods it definitely felt a little crowded out there this year. They say the only thing constant in life is change. For better or worse we can’t stop it but must learn to adapt. It’s better to be a coyote than a dodo bird.

Thanks to all of you that care enough about bowhunting to be a member of this fine group. Looking forward to warmer weather, bears, and turkeys!

President’s

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Message

ion season, as always, has been wrought with poor weather and breakdowns. As of this writing, we have had one decent snow and with that, we went out in search of cat tracks. Of course, as soon as we found a set of lion tracks, my side-by-side broke down in an inaccessible part of our land. This hunt quickly became a get home and plan a retrieval mission. We had to wait several days until the snow melted so we could get back to the rig with another ATV. To my frustration, in the days that had passed between breakdown and repair, several lions had approached and walked around the Polaris Ranger. As of this writing, I have been out twice, both times I have cut lion tracks, and both times I have broken down.

I have yet to tree a lion.

My family was able to volunteer for a bighorn sheep capture and reintroduction that was sponsored by the Montana Bowhunters Association.

You can see photos and a brief summary of the process in this issue, entitled “Your MBA at Work.”

I attended the December 10th FWP Commission meeting to express our position on FWP’s proposal to remove the 80% let-off requirement for compound bows. After the MBA survey of our membership, it was evident that the vast majority of our members wanted to keep this requirement in place. The commission agreed with us and voted to keep the 80% maximum let-off.

I know the Bozeman guys are working hard on the banquet plans at Fairmont Hot Springs. After last year’s cancelation, I am really looking forward to catching up with everyone and hearing two years’ worth of bowhunting stories.

I would also encourage any of you who are interested in becoming more involved with the MBA to run for one of our open board of directors’ positions. I know we have a few openings for regional representatives and several director-at-large positions that are vacant. To get your name on the ballot, please contact Vice-President Brian Koelzer and he will explain what the position entails as well as the steps required to get your name on the ballot.

Sincerely,

Stephen LePage

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WWW.MTBA.ORG

First Vice President’s

Report

Brian Koelzer

OFFICER REPORTS

Claudia Davis

Sectretary’s Message

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s I write, we (your MBA Legislative Action Team) are busily organizing with other like-minded organizations to kill another crossbow bill for those with disabilities that will have been heard during the 2021 Legislative Session.

I believe this is the 3rd time I have been involved in fighting a crossbow bill and I am hoping that with our dedicated membership along with some great organizing with other like-minded groups we will be successful.

But this really brings up a very important point. For MBA and other like-minded organizations, to be successful they need members who are dedicated to helping with the fight. All members. In other words, with Membership comes responsibility.

Yes, mass emails and phone calls from members to Legislators have their effect.

But in my opinion, the number one reason we are effective is because of grassroots communication. By that I mean members reaching out to individual legislators who they either know or who represent their Legislative District. Doing that basic communication in person, with a personal phone call, or a personal email goes a long way. Most importantly Legislators hearing from their constituents carries a lot of weight. This is especially effective when the Legislator is the bill’s sponsor.

When personal communication is followed up with mass emails and calls from all members it reinforces our stance.

I hope that because of the great organizing from TBM, MWF, BHA, and MBA we presented strong oral testimony at committee hearings. But oral testimony only goes so far and if this makes it to the chamber’s floor then it once again will become a communication game for the MBA membership.

During this session, we will have seen additional attacks on Habitat Montana, which provides funding of habitat improvement projects, conservation easements, and fee title purchases associated with the places many of us hunt. Let us hope the outdoor community has been successful in protecting this valued program fund by fishing and hunting license dollars.

Also, a bill will have been brought for a muzzleloader season that will most likely be designated to occur during the Archery-Only season. As I write this the bill draft has not been written but I hope again our grassroots efforts will have paid dividends.

I hope we will have been successful in protecting our treasured ArcheryOnly Season while still providing opportunities for those of all walks of life that want to bowhunt.

And as if this challenging legislative session were not enough, we will most likely have had to postpone our 2021 MBA convention for a time later in the year when it will be possible to hold an event when “social interaction” is not to be a concern. Social interaction is the reason we have our Convention.

These are most challenging times but remember the words of the famous philosopher Red Green, “I’m pull’n for ya, we’re all in this together”

Jerry Davis Jerry Davis

Treasurer’s Message

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thought I would share with you my daily prayer: Dear God, please don’t ever let there be another crossbow bill come before the Montana Legislature. Amen.

I am a board member by default. My contract to provide bookkeeping services to MBA requires me to serve as the board treasurer. I would not choose this. I am not a bowhunter. How did I get here, you ask? As you all may know I’m living with an MBA board member by the name of Jerry Davis. He strongly urged me to take the bookkeeping job when I retired. I thought, “Well, serving on the board is something we can do together.” As a dutiful wife, I’m always looking for things we can do together. Of course, it is always something he’s doing that I join in, but that’s a story for another column.

Oh hell, I’ll just tell you one little story since I have the space to fill up.

When we were newly married (45 years ago) Jerry decided to take a fly-tying course. I said, “I’ll join you.” Crazy thinking that it would be something we could do together. He agreed as he was thinking that while he is fishing (I’m not a fly fisher) I would be on the creek bank tying flies to match the hatch. To all the women reading this you are thinking, “How selfish”. The men are thinking, “How smart”. My plan didn’t work because after the class was done Jerry spent all his free time tying flies and I was left out. (Watch for more stories in upcoming issues) So here I am serving on a board for bowhunters.

You may know Jerry as a calm, mild-mannered, level-headed senior citizen. And most of the time you would be right. But every other year I get to see a different person. (He heads the Legislative Committee and lobbies during the Legislative session) This last month he has stomped and cussed around worrying about issues affecting bowhunters. As that dutiful wife, I have learned to listen and try to calm when I can. And as a board member, I understand his frustration. Henceforth, my daily prayer. I’m wondering how many other spouses, children, neighbors are praying the same. Maybe if enough prayers are said, they will be answered in the way we wish.

Taking care of the finances and membership of the MBA has allowed me to meet some very nice bowhunting people. I have fun imagining these very nice people stomping around their houses, scaring the children, pets, and neighbors. So, to all you very nice people, keep up the hard work. Fight the good fight. Keep recruiting more very nice people into our club so our numbers can speak loudly. Then maybe someday I can change my prayer to something like: Dear God, please help Jerry learn to love shopping at quilt stores. Amen.

Just a quick comment about MBA membership. We use a program called Wild Apricot to maintain our membership rosters. This is also our email blast program. Your email server might treat these email blasts as spam since they are coming from a marketing type program. Or your Gmail might filter them to a “promotions” or “update” tab. So please be sure to check everywhere so you aren’t missing important issues, calls to action, or gentle reminders to renew your membership.

Stay in the credit column,

Claudia Davis Spring 2021

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REGIONAL REPORTS

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REGION 1 AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD REGION 2 MARLON CLAPHMAN KEVIN ROBINSON REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGEN (NO REPORT) REGION 4 MICHAEL PRATER (NO REPORT) JESS WAGNER REGION 5 JENN SCHNEIDER (NO REPORT) KEN SCHULTZ REGION 6 NICK SIEBRASSE REGION 7 RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN

his is my last blurb as Region 1 Rep. I have resigned, not because I am not an avid MBA Life Member, but my other duties are overwhelming me. My other life is as a President of the Veterans Coalition of Northwest Montana, the ONLY group dedicated to working to prevent any aged veteran from committing suicide. It is a very trying task. Soon to be a 42-year member of the MBA, and one of my accomplishments was bringing Mandatory Bowhunter Education to Montana. Believe me, it took a ton of work to do so, and we enjoy those fruits today, even if it is a somewhat watered-down version of the original. The recent cow shootings bring back memories of this occurring several times in the past, and many, many years ago, resulted from me being thrown out of a pro shop when I challenged the owner, who constantly blunted cows as ‘elk practice”. Lack of ethics, but brought with him from California. My Alberta whitetail hunt is on hold yet, until November of 2021 covid allowing me across the

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ell, thank gosh we’ve put 2020 behind us and we’re off to a new year, and hopefully a better one. I’m looking forward to seeing friends and fellow bowhunters in the upcoming months. I’m really looking forward to seeing people that we missed in the last year with everything shut down. We’ve got the MBA convention coming up in March and it should be a good one! If you get the chance to attend, you’ll be in for a great time and it’s an awesome way to support the MBA. I am also looking forward to the possibility of a few 3D archery shoots. Libby Archery Club is planning two shoots for the first two weekends in May so check out their Facebook page for dates and location. Like others, we pretty much missed out on many of those events last year, so we plan to attend as many as possible and support those local clubs as well.

Al Kelly BOWHUNTER

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border. I am not sure who will be Region 1 Rep. but wish him/her the best. We must keep vigilant as way too many elected people do not have our best interests in their sights. Stay safe and be ethical while afield. shep..another Ye Olde Bowhuter at 72

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MARLON CLAPHAM KEVIN ROBINSON

itting at my desk reflecting over the last season as it winds down, prepping to start pulling out all our treestands. There is a lot of issues on my mind, sadly to say not very many of them are Bowhunting related. With the Pandemic and the shut downs all across the country, one wild ride through the elections, folks marching for equality, to mask or not to mask, 400,000 deaths due to Covid, a vaccine still on the shelves, a president lost somewhere in his own mind, it has been difficult for me to keep my compass pointing in the right direction.

Once again, we the MBA will be fighting to keep the Crossbows out of our Archery seasons.

Every session there seams to be a different angle to the approach. The MBA has allies with other likeminded organizations who are willing to step up to join us in this battle. Traditional Bowhunters of Montana and the MBA has put together a video clip about what true Bowhunting is for us in Montana.

It covers what the MBA does to help with the physically challenged folks who want to participate in hunting with a conventional bow and arrow, not just take the easy way out. I have noticed that in past sessions it seams the folks pushing to get the crossbow as archery equipment, claiming to do it for the physically challenged have other aspirations in mind. Every other state that has let the crossbow in for the physically challenged, pushed to get them for anybody within the next few years. The bottom line is they want to hunt with the crossbow during the elk bugling season which is of course during our Archery Season. So, the fight will drag on again for another session. The MBA will do their best to get the bill defeated in committee so we won’t have to go to the Senate floor. Still, we have a long battle ahead of us.

On a bit of a lighter note, we are still planning for our 2021 Convention. We were hoping to go back to Fairmont Hot Springs in late March early April, but may have to push for a later date in the summer, again depending on the Pandemic and numbers.

All Bowhunter Education classes are still on hold. The best we can do as instructors is try to tutor the new bowhunter through the On-Line classes.

I was asked to help a local Boy Scout troop to get their merit badges for Archery. Again, trying to stay safe is challenging at best. I have them spread out all across the shooting line to stay six feet apart. I set up two days for instruction and the third day for the certification to get their merit badges. Working with the youngsters helps bring me around to what I have missed for the past year.

We are still working on the Teen Elk Camp in Libby for this upcoming summer in June after Father’s Day. We will be doing several things different this camp; each camper will have to have their own tent to help with the distancing. We are still working on the agenda and special guests and we need guides for the camp itself. Jerry and Beckie Doyle are working to bring things together. If you have a young bowhunter that might be interested in attending, let us know ASAP as there are a limited number of spots. Again, we will be watching the Pandemic numbers to see what the Health Officials tell us as we get closer to the date.

Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight.

Marlon Clapham

REGIONAL REPORTS

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020 was quite the year. The reports from friends and fellow archers regarding their elk hunts were great for some and terrible for others. The deer hunting in our neck of the woods in Region 2 had the same mixed reviews. Whitetail numbers were way down in parts of the Missoula and Bitterroot valleys, and the Blackfoot valley had much fewer deer numbers as well. I had some great whitetail hunts, including a successful November rut hunt in Illinois. I lucked into a perfect 8 yard shot on a mature buck here in mid-October as well. We have a few Kevin more days here in January to harvest some does to close out my season.

2020 was a weird one but, I remain optimistic that it can only get better for 2021.

The fight continues to keep our beloved archery season free from crossbows and muzzleloaders. Bills have been drafted in Helena, and they will pass if nothing is done on behalf of Bowhunters. We must keep our Montana politicians educated and informed about why archery hunting is so special,

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Hello from Region 4, hope everyone had an enjoyable hunting season.

My season had some high points and some low points. One of the low points happened during rifle season. I had been hunting a big mule deer for three days in a row, and on the last day I had to hunt, I was finally in a good position to kill him.

The buck was within rifle range, but he was below me and behind a little rise. It was just a matter of waiting for him to step out from behind the little hill. All of a sudden, the buck ran out from behind the rise and kept going until he disappeared about a mile away. The wind was good, and I couldn’t figure out why the buck had spooked. I looked over and then realized why the buck had taken off. A pickup had driven off-trail and was parked on a point across from me. No one was supposed to be hunting there, so I tried to walk over to the vehicle to see who it was. The vehicle drove off and being on foot, I had no way to catch up to them.

Eventually, the trespasser was caught. Not only was the person trespassing on the property I was on, but he had gone through two other places without permission to get there. To make things worse, I found out that he was the president of the local chapter of a national conservation organization that I had been considering joining. As much as I tell myself that he is just one individual and his actions shouldn’t reflect poorly on that organization as a whole, I can’t help but think of that bad experience whenever that organization gets brought up. The experience was a real eye-opener to me and made me realize how our actions can reflect poorly on the organizations we are associated with. This story was not meant to be a sob story about how the big buck got away, but to serve as a good reminder that our actions are setting an example whenever we step into the field.

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Robinson

and the reasons to keep it the way it has been. MBA was created to do just that. I want to thank Jerry Davis for all the work he puts into helping our cause and keeping us informed, Jerry you’re the man!

Lastly, let’s hope we can have a normal Convention this spring!

Kevin M Robinson

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LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGAN Hello, Region 3 Bow Hunters, here’s not a lot to report on this quarter. CWD management hunts are still taking place in the region 3 units around Dillon. I haven’t heard or seen any updates on that yet. Elk Shoulder Season is still going on in many units until Feb. 15th, so be sure you are staying safe if venturing out into one of these units.

Right now, our biggest challenge is SB 111.

This is a new bill just introduced by Senator Brad Molner SD-28 out of Laurel. The bill does not have a hearing date at this point. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, the bill will be dead.

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You can follow the bill or take action with the rest of our membership by visiting mtba.org/ take-action and letting our Senators know that we oppose crossbows for anyone during Montana’s archery season.

Thank you!

Liberty Brown

Jess Wagner Jess Wagner

REMINDER:

Mailing Labels Show Your Membership Renewal Date continued on page 8

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Greetings All, ow! What a crazy year in 2020. I don’t know about all you, but I’m really glad it’s over and looking forward to 2021!

I’M OVER IT!!!!!

I hope everyone still had an Awesome hunting season with family and friends. I know I did. To be able to get out and hunt even through all the craziness was probably a blessing and escape for everyone.

As we transition into the New Year, please Ken Schultz keep in mind all those small-town “mom and pop” businesses that really need us to survive. Consider patronizing them any time you just don’t feel like cooking. They will greatly appreciate it!!

As we transition into new leadership in Helena there are a lot of bills that are being introduced and they are trying to force through. As bowhunters in Montana, our freedoms as for the bowhunter “only” season are being threatened from several angles. Crossbows are being pushed hard to be included in the bow hunting season. This would cause a significant increase in hunters during bow season and that means fewer tag opportunities for the traditional bowhunter. As we all know, tags drawing percentages have already started to get less and less, so I can’t imagine what it would be like with crossbows included in the mix. The influx of crossbow hunters would also cause a significant increase in harvest numbers and a threat to our game population. Crossbows are built now to be accurate up to 150 yards. Sounds like a class of gun to me??? Please take time to educate yourselves on what bills are being introduced out there. It will be greatly beneficial for all traditional bow hunters to do so!

I will leave you with that to digest and remember “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter”!

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don’t know about you all but I spent a lot of quality time hunting in ankle-deep snow during archery season and windy, knee-deep snow with my bow during general season, it was a weird weather fall. I guess a lot of things got weird during 2020 but I enjoyed every minute I was social distancing with my bow! I was glad to hear the commission voted like

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RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN Hello from Region 7 (Colstrip) ope this finds you well and thriving despite all the challenges of 2020 and now 2021. Focusing on bowhuntingrelated anything was tough for many of us as the virus altered pretty much every aspect of our lives.

Most agreed that there was no better way to socially distance than by being out in the field, but mentally it was tough to shake that - what if – feeling. Very different was likely a common mindset last fall.

I did not hear many bowhunter success stories in our neck of the woods, but I did hear a few private land successes, with a couple of giant bulls being taken on that side of the fence. I also heard a growing concern about bowhunter density where there is public access. Apparently, the word is out that there are trophy bulls and bucks in every drainage, the mountains are only hills, roads are plentiful, and we don’t have any grizzly bears. Toss in some populations of antelope, black bears, and turkeys and it seems like a place worthy of investigation?

Yep – and that has led to a diminished experience for everyone. It’s tough to bowhunt in a crowd.

Crowding is certainly subjective as is quality, but both are the biggest concerns I hear from local bowhunters. If you can’t call them and you can’t stalk them because of like-minded competition, frustration builds, and blame becomes a primary talking point. I think for the locals in Region 7, that time has arrived. I hear the same concern from the Region 6 bowhunters. What to do?

Hard to believe that a state the size of Montana with a relatively low population, would have crowding issues. The Bottom line has to be that game populations have changed in the western regions. Lots and lots of time have been spent researching that concern, with knowledgeable people reaching conclusions, but find themselves very limited on what they can do about it. Clearly, the food sources on the public side of the fence have changed. Clear-cuts (the original food plot) have all but disappeared. With the timber industry

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75% of our members that responded to the survey on the 80% let-off rule. Hope you are all ready to combat cross gun (crossbow legislation), it is rearing its ugly head once again! Hope the holidays treat you all well and you stay safe.

Nick Siebrasse collapse, logging no longer provides the open space habitat it once did. With that change, there has been a noticeable migration of big game to other food sources, with those being primarily on private land.

Some will dispute that fact, but the change is clear to locals in those areas. Perhaps land management and not so much elk management is what is needed to put things back in balance?

Our very own 2nd VP Mark Schwomeyer is a member of the recently established elk management plan review committee. Mark is a great guy (very sharp) so I would encourage you to talk with him if you have any thoughts on restoring some balance to our public land elk herds.

Putting aside the pandemic and political unrest of 2020, I could not have had a better year. I was able to retire in March under very favorable conditions. I got to complete an amazing DIY, bucket list dream hunt for Dall sheep. Took one of my best bulls with a double lung shot at 20 yards. And finished up slipping an arrow through a great muley buck in November. Damn – it just doesn’t get much better than that!

In closing, I would ask that you pay close attention to what is happening in the current legislative session. You should be getting updates and response requests from the MBA (Jerry Davis – great guy) as critical issues come up. Please take the time to make those responses. The crossbow and muzzleloader industries are looking to push their way into our archery season again. The potential for monetary windfalls in relatively untapped markets will have both groups lobbying heavily. Their loud voices will be heard at every stage of the process.

Only mass opposition will hold them at bay. Make the effort, it is vitally important if we hope to keep Montana “THE LAST BEST PLACE!”

Rick Miller

Bob Morgan

REGIONAL REPORTS

(Passion) That’s the word that describes a lot of us bowhunters.

(Outdoors) Is the place we want to be.

(Sunrises) Are beautiful pictures on clear mornings.

(Landscape) Where our feet hit the ground.

(Weapons) Different bows of choice and maybe a stone knife.

(Excitement) When you make your twin grandsons selfbows because it was time.

(Convention) MBA at Fairmont Hot Springs March 2021.

(Supporters) Us, We, working preserving and promoting our great sport.

(Bowhunting) See you all at the convention

Bob Morgan

CLIFF GARNESS (NO REPORT) MANDY GARNESS (NO REPORT) JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT) RAY GROSS RICHARD LEWALLEN PAUL MARTIN (NO REPORT) STEPHANIE PRATER RICH SMITH (NO REPORT)

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t was a memorable archery elk season. I had several bulls bugling. I called in a nice 6x6 but didn’t draw before he came into the shooting lane. I drew just as his head came in, but he saw the motion and spooked. I was in elk most days. I got into a herd of about 12 with an aggressive 5x5 and a 4x4 bull. I crawled for about 100 yards but could only get into 60 yards of the elk. The next morning I got right into the middle of cows and calves. A bull bugled, I bugled back, and he came right in. I was at full draw; the shooting lane was a small opening in the willows. He came into about 10 yards. I shot as soon as I saw his vital area. I thought it was the aggressive 5x5 from yesterday. I was in the same location. It was a good shot, and he only went about 50 yards. Well, it was a small 4 point, but a great hunt. Thanks to my buddy Travis we got him packed out.

It snowed one night, and the next morning hunting I saw mountain lion tracks, grizzly bear tracks, and a black bear track. When I was packing in my meat pack and game cart, I spooked a large black bear feeding on something dead. You could smell the stench. A buddy, Travis Sufflebean went in with me to help me pack out the elk. He also covered my back against a bear coming in while boning meat.

May all the MBA members have wonderful Christmas and a Good New year. Happy Bow Hunting!

Ray Gross Ray Gross

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he last couple of weeks have left me feeling down due to the political unrest, dealing with Covid and an elderly parent, and new legislative battles.

However, the last couple of weeks the skies around my house have been filled with this pulsating life force of ducks and geese surviving the winter.

My son, now married and living in another state, managed to squeeze in two days of world-class Richard Lewallen waterfowl hunting with me over the Christmas Holidays. This reminded me of a weekend archery elk hunt we managed to squeeze in while he was in junior high school. Friday night after his classes, we drove for five hours into the mountains and slept in my pickup truck.

We were kept awake by a late-night equinox thunderstorm with high winds, rain, and spectacular lightning. The next day, we climbed the mountainside in the dark and soon we were surrounded by a herd of elk. Bugles filled the air and I called in a nice bull that came in behind us. My son had to move out of the way so I could get a shot with my recurve. I missed high, a rookie mistake. I am sure my son remembers that weekend we shared together.

Similarly, I remember all the times I spent in the mountains archery elk hunting with my dad.

Despite these challenging times, I am so thankful I live where we have an opportunity to hunt and fish. I am also thankful for my aging parent, who included me on his hunting trips as much as possible growing up.

I am thankful to be in a state that has so much opportunity for outdoor recreation.

Looking forward,

Richard Lewallen continued on page 10

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REGIONAL REPORTS-CONTINUED

DirectorsAt Large continued from page 9

Stehpanie Prater

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

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hat is a wrap. 2020 has come and gone, in like a lion and out like a t-rex, but we all made it through. I feel pretty blessed and ended my season on a few highs, filled the freezer with a cow elk, shot a unique 7x8 mule deer buck that is probably my biggest to date, and had a fun girl’s adventure that left me with a whitetail doe tag punched with my bow at 8 yards. We hunted hard all year and got out more than we ever have. We saw more people out than ever before too, and at times it felt darn right crowded in the field. It is good to see people out enjoying the outdoors but we experienced some inconsiderate behavior and poor ethics, which is very unfortunate.

As for my role on the MBA, I helped with the bighorn sheep transplant, the first one in Montana in over a decade, to the Little Belts. While I will never get to hunt this population in my lifetime, it’s good to know we all left a legacy for future generations to enjoy this iconic species. It was a great experience to volunteer, not only for the sheep but to see landowners, government employees, FWP, sportsmen, and sportswomen come together for a united project that we all agreed was a good thing. I hope we can find more common ground between all of us in the upcoming legislative sessions.

Stephanie Prater

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BLAST FROM THE PAST

Blast from the Past ( 1980, 1981)

I’m taking this information from the 1980, 1981 issues.

Lee Poole was our current President. In his messages, the main topics covered the upcoming Conventions and Tentative session coming up in the spring. The 2nd annual Convention was to be held in Kalispell, tickets were on sale for $13.50 each. The guest speaker was Fred Asbell.

For the FWP Commission meeting, on the agenda were four issues the MBA was looking to move forward.

2021 MBA Teen Bowhunting Camp This year’s Teen Bowhunting Camp will be at Fawn Creek Campground in Libby, MT. Stimpson Lumber Company is thrilled to host the location for this camp. The scheduled date is June 24-27 and set-up will begin June 22nd. Libby Archery Club has graciously and enthusiastically welcomed us to their area and will be helping us put on this event. Stimson Lumber Co. will be working with us on our work day project as well.

The MBA will be following Lincoln County Coronavirus guidelines as they are updated. The Camp will fit under the Outdoor Groups of 50 or less, thus we will use those guidelines in preparing our

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#1 If one drew a moose permit the bowhunter could hunt during the regular Archery Season.

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#2 The MBA proposed an Archery only area for Mountain Goats in the Bridger Mountains. This area had never been hunted for Goats in the past.

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#3 Due to new subdivisions in the Townsend area we proposed an Archery-only season for Antelope with 40 permits to be drawn.

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#4 Gene Wensel recommended a post-season for the Hamilton district with the concern of the Whitetail overpopulation.

How much of this history are we repeating in today’s Commission meetings? Early season for the Moose and Goat will be looked at again in the upcoming FWP and Commission meetings.

Here is another repeat issue. C.M. Russell has been a hot item even in the early ‘80s.

Area Rep. Steve Shindler was working on a solution to the problems at the C.M. Russell game range. Many Bowhunters were complaining about hunting pressure created by EASY ACCESS to all areas. Steve was working with the C.M. Russell officials to see about getting some road closures. Hoping to cut down on slob hunters and Bowhunting related offenses. Looking to bring back the quality of Bowhunting in the C.M. Russell Range.

The MBA was advertising for our members to become a Bowhunter Education Instructor.

To get signed up for a class being taught by Bill Wadsworth.

In a related article about Slob hunters, such as chasing game with vehicles, killing livestock, and trespassing. So-called Bowhunters advocating 70-to-100-yard shots at game. The MBA was in the process of drawing up legislation to make it mandatory for all Bowhunters to complete the Bowhunter Education course to receive their Bowhunting Stamp. History really does repeat itself.

Well, that’s about all I’ve got for 1980, 1981. Next issue I’ll cover 1982, 1983 to see if there are updates with the results the MBA presented to the Commission. Hope everyone reading the Blast From The Past gets a little something out of them. I get a kick out of researching for the information.

Marlon Clapham

curriculum and layout. At this time we will continue to plan and prepare, however, the camp committee will need to establish a cut-off date for cancellation if necessary.

Twenty kids between the ages of 14-17 will be invited to camp. We will have a camp meeting in March to prepare the layout of this year’s curriculum via zoom. If interested please send an email to suladoyle@live.com and we will send the zoom invitation.

Please call Beckie Doyle@406-531-4060 Marlon Clapham-@406-777-2408 Jackie Weidow @ 406-274-3716 for information on the camp, to register a teen, or to volunteer/donate to expenses.

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YOUR MBA AT WORK!

For the first time in over a decade, MT FWP obtained approval to execute a new bighorn sheep introduction in Montana.

Little Belt Mountains Little Belt Mountains Bighorn SheepBighorn Sheep Restoration Project Restoration Project

Your MBA at work!

We all know that the MBA is hard at work protecting and enhancing your bowhunting opportunities. That is very evident with our long seasons, our generous tag allocations, and our amazing comradery building events, but wait, there is more!

For the first time in over a decade, MT FWP obtained approval to execute a new bighorn sheep introduction in Montana. When the idea was proposed, the MBA decided that this is something we wanted to be a part of.

We used your membership dues and donations to sponsor the capture of one ram and one pregnant ewe from the south side of the Missouri river breaks and transport them to a new home in the Little Belt mountains.

As I am based out of Lewistown, all of the action was in my back yard and I was fortunate enough to be able to volunteer at this exciting event. I was intrigued with the capture, scientific data collection, and release of these sheep and I wanted to document this for our membership.

I showed up in Winifred at 7:00 AM with my wife, son, and daughter (all of which had to take the day off work or school.) We then caravanned to a remote area of the Missouri River Breaks on private property to establish a staging area to process the arriving sheep. As I walked over to the group of gathering biologists, veterinarians, pilots, game wardens, net gunners, wranglers, private landowners, and volunteers, I could feel the building excitement.

Shortly after this initial meeting, I was in awe of two bighorn sheep ewes (masked, hobbled, and in separate bags) flying 100 feet in the air under the guidance of a helicopter and its very capable pilot. I was impressed as he VERY gently set the first down, moved slightly sideways to avoid piling them on top of one another, then set the second ewe down and released a carabiner allowing the rope to fall to the ground. As the pilot veered off to find more sheep, the ground crew jumped into action–it was a blur of camouflage and Carhartts. People removed the hobbled and masked sheep from their respective bags and placed them onto tarps with carrying handles. The sheep were then lugged over and placed on hay bale tables where instantly veterinarians, biologists, and volunteers began accessing the animals.

Stool samples were taken (thankfully not my job) and anal body temperature was taken (again, thankfully not my job). They also collected blood samples, nasal swabs, throat swabs, ultrasound for body fat analysis, tissue biopsies, weight, and neck measurements so that GPS collars could

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be customized and fitted to the sheep. Once all that was complete, the sheep were lifted into a stock trailer and hoods and hobbles were removed in preparation for transport. This process happened over and over for the entire day until it was too dark to fly.

The following day we needed only 13 more ewes to complete the goal of 45 ewes and 5 young rams. This goal was quickly accomplished and before 11:00 AM we were on our way to the release site in the Little Belts. The release was relatively short and anticlimactic. Although it was rewarding to watch 50 sheep run into a new habitat, it reminded me that this was not an investment for my generation, maybe not even my children’s generation, but an investment for the future of bowhunting in Montana.

Due to the weather and the crazy schedule of the contracted helicopter pilot, net-gunner and wrangler the MBA was unable to give our membership much notice to volunteer for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The good news is that if you have an interest in this project, the MBA has been asked if we could mobilize our membership to monitor lamb survival rates this spring. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please send me an email and I will make certain you are on the contact list.

Stephen LePage Mbaregion4@yahoo.com 406-535-5636

Update January 1, 2021

Carrying ewe

YOUR MBA AT WORK! Copter’s first drop Amy & Stephen LePage

Stephen on a copter run with bags

Stephen rolling bags

Mitchell LePage with collar Amy with swab

Images to left: top, masked ewe, middle, securing ewe, bottom, measruing neck

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YOUR MBA AT WORK!

Little Belt Mountains Bighorn Sheep Restoration Project - continued from page 13

left, ewes in trail, top, trailer ready

Release!

Maps from Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Figure 1 shows all high-quality GPS locations from all sheep collected between 12/17 and 12/31. Although many sheep immediately began to use the cliffs and parks between the South Fork and Brown’s Canyon, others initially traveled across a broad swath of the eastern and southeastern Little Belts. Over the past two weeks most sheep have returned closer to the release location. Today, 40/49 sheep are within a 15 mi2 area of USFS, DNRC, BLM, and private land.

Thirty-two of those are in small groups consistently located in a 6 mi2 area between Brown’s and Bower Canyons (many overlapping points, Figure 2).

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YOUR MBA AT WORK!

Figure 1. All high-quality GPS locations from 49 bighorn sheep (5 R, 44 E) released 12/17/20.

Figure 2. The most recent GPS location of each of the 49 collared bighorn sheep.

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MBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

MBA Member Spotlight Gene Wensel After hearing word of Gene Wensel’s recent return to the Bitterroot I felt the urge to reach out and pester him into answering a handful of questions for our newsletter. I’ve read just about everything he has put out there including the many interviews from the past and present. I had my own questions for him and I hope you enjoy his responses!

Montana Bowhunters Association has done a great deal to help ensure opportunities for archery hunting including lengthy seasons, archeryonly hunting districts, and education and promotion of archery to future generations. As you know from being involved in MBA in the past, Montana archery seasons are constantly being challenged by bills introduced in Helena.

In your opinion, what is the biggest threat to Montana bow hunting as far as the introduction of new bills during Montana’s legislative sessions?

The commercialization of bowhunting and why people hunt is our biggest challenge. We need to hunt for the right reasons. Hunting is not a sport, it’s an instinct. It is not a “team sport.” Bowhunting has become an industry geared toward skipping any degree of apprenticeship to make things easier. Modern bowhunters want instant gratification. They are influenced far too much by outdoor television shows that often have a hard time differentiating love from lust. Things like crossbows and muzzleloaders (other than flintlocks or cap and ball guns) do not belong in bow seasons nor should they take away parts of the bow seasons that pioneer bowhunters fought for and obtained.

I hate to admit it, but I just started to wear a safety harness while in my tree stands in recent years and not just a rope around my waist. Any memories stand out with tree stand mishaps?

I’ve had two accidents in trees. The first was while I was taking down a stand. I had already lowered the stand to the ground. My left foot was on the seventh screw-in treestep when it pulled out with no warning. As I slid down, I caught my rib cage on a lower step and almost gutted myself. Had I not been wearing multiple layers of clothing, the fall would have broken through my skin. As it turned out, I still have a scar. Leaving screw-in steps in cottonwood trees for more than one year is risky. The wood around the screw threads often dies or rots to where the step can pull out under weight. The second event took place as I was climbing down from a stand. I was less than two feet from ground level so I hopped to the ground. When I did, I caught my wedding band on one of the treesteps. It buried to the bone but didn’t cut my finger off.

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You are the first person I’ve ever heard of to find a few petrified antlers over the years. Do you have a sense of the age of those antlers?

Petrification follows mineralization before antlers turn to rock fossils. It takes at least 11,000 years for an antler to petrify. Some of them are millions of years old. Those few antlers that are preserved are initially covered with water, silt, wet sand, mud, etc., and cut off from oxygen for thousands of years before mineralization takes place followed by petrification. The main reason few people find them is because they are very, very rare in the first place and most are still underwater or buried underground. Most people don’t even realize petrified antlers exist. Folks know about petrified wood but anything organic can petrify. I’ve never seen a petrified whitetail antler in any museum.

Whitetails have been around for almost 3 million years. Every petrified antler has an untold story that can’t help but make us wonder when the deer lived and how it died. These things are solid rock. They have turned from bone to stone. Fascinating artifacts!

The popularity of shed antler hunting seems to be at an all-time high.

I discovered my first shed antlers over thirty years ago and have been infatuated with finding them ever since. Strange to some people, I can tell you exactly where I found each one of the antlers I have squirreled away. Do you keep a pile of prized shed antlers? Is there any one shed that you have found that holds more meaning than the others?

Shed antlers are God’s work of art. Like human faces, no two are exactly alike.

I had a tremendous collection of big whitetail antlers at one time. In the early ‘70s in Flathead County, deer yarding areas were loaded. Few people picked them up and hardly anyone actually went out specifically looking for sheds.

One of my biggest disappointments came in 1971 in Kalispell. I happened to stop at a second-hand store. The owner took me out back where he showed me an entire camping trailer filled to the ceiling with hundreds of big, dark whitetail sheds someone had collected. I couldn’t even get inside the camper door there were so many. Most of those I could see were bigger than average.

He was asking $200 for the entire trailer load. I came back the next afternoon with $200 to discover he sold the entire lot to Blackfoot Indians that morning.

They were planning on cutting them up and drilled them for buttons.

MBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Be it good or bad, technology has changed archery gear tremendously including clothing. Arguably lighter, warmer, quieter, and drier than the options of years ago. What do you prefer to wear in the field? Do you generally stick to your old standbys or have you mixed in a few of the newer technical hunting clothes?

I have a couple of the new base layer items and one heavy Merino wool shirt.

Other than that, I’ve stayed with my old standby of wool when it gets cold. I use vests to minimize bulk in my sleeves. You probably won’t believe this, but I rarely wear long underwear unless it gets below 20 degrees. My legs simply don’t get as cold as my torso. I was in my 40s before I wore my first pair of longjohns other than a pair of “puffies” my parents bought me when I was about 12 years old. I love good quality wool but whoever started the “wool stays warm when it’s wet” rumor needs beat up.

If you could take one arrow back that you released in your life, which arrow would that be?

I would take back the last arrow I ever shoot. My daddy used to say, “When there’s arrows in the air, there’s danger.” When I was about 8 or 9 years old, my dad brought home one aluminum lady’s target arrow. I’m not sure when Doug Easton started making aluminum arrows but it had to be in that time era. This arrow was shiny aluminum with a tiny target point. My brother and I painted the shaft brown.

It had two green feathers, a white cock feather and a green nock. My brother and I made a pact that if/when we lost it, we would search until we found it. I can’t tell you how many sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, etc. that arrow zipped through. It created a monster or two . . .

If only had one day to hunt, one species to pursue, and one location to be, what and where would that be?

That would have to be in November, hunting my beloved whitetails, sitting in the woods (not on a food plot) on a timbered small drainage in a midwestern state, probably Iowa since I’m very familiar with that state and that sort of set up.

At what age do you think you were in your optimal bow hunting prime?

If I was a serious mountain hunter, my prime would have been in my early 30s but since my passion lies mostly with lowland big game species, I would say somewhere around age 40, when I had the knowledge, skills, money, health, and energy to enjoy my outdoor passions to the fullest. After 75, high mileage gave me more restrictions. My mind and heart often say “Go!” but my body can’t do that.

I had one of my best bow seasons a few years ago taking my biggest bull and biggest typical whitetail buck. Can you recall your best season with a bow?

As far as getting to shoot a lot of arrows in one season, about 15 years ago I had a chance to spend a full month in Africa. I was offered an opportunity to do some cull hunting for a large landowner. If I remember right, I killed 49 animals and lost only two to poor hits. Since I hunted mostly out of trees, I got all my shots on film and the meat was all utilized by natives. I don’t show many people that footage.

Since I killed 31 warthogs, there is more squealing than a Ned Beatty convention.

I came home ready to rock in America and had a great deer season in Iowa.

If you could be transported to another time, place, and in another bowhunter’s shoes for one day, what would that day look like?

I suppose that dream would be bowhunting right here in the Bitterroot on September 15, 1821. It’s hard for me to imagine game populations in Montana only 200 years ago. The eastern part of our state was home to millions of bison, prairie elk, grizzlies, pronghorns, deer, bighorn sheep, etc. In my pockets, I would carry a couple dozen Bic lighters that would probably buy me just about anything!

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MBA OFFICER ELECTION BIOS

1ST VICE PRESIDENT — BRIAN KOELZER Hello everyone, my name is Brian Koelzer. I’m running for a second term as your 1st VP. My family and I live outside the small community of Manhattan in the southwest corner of the state. As a self-employed masonry contractor, my schedule is flexible enough for me to get many days to pursue my bowhunting passion every year. I’m equally lucky that my wife enjoys bowhunting as well, so it’s not a point of contention but a family event!

My first bow was made for me when I was born, and I’ve been bow shooting actively since the age of 6. Since my first big game archery hunt in 1992, I’ve exclusively hunted with a bow and arrow. My bowhunting adventures have taken me from the Alaskan tundra to the rolling hills of Ohio and many points in between. I’ve currently been on the MBA board for ten years now and can say, without a doubt, it has been an honor to help promote and preserve bowhunting and archery in our great state. Besides the MBA, I’m also a Pope & Young Regular member, PBS Qualified regular member, Comptons, Bowhunters Of Wyoming, Traditional Bowhunters of MT, and NRA. “If you are not working to protect hunting, then you are working to destroy it” -Fred Bear.

Thank you for considering me for a second term. Pick a spot and keep’em sharp!!

REGION 1 — AL KELLY Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel another convention but the business still goes on. It’s election time once again and I would like to serve another term as a Region 1 representative. For those of you whom I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting yet, I love the sport of bowhunting and just generally enjoy any activity that will get me outdoors with family, friends, and my dogs. I’ve been bowhunting for 41 years and work hard to give back to the sport because I love it and want to share that love with others and ensure that it will be here for future generations. I started teaching bowhunter education in North Idaho when the program was first introduced in Idaho and then began teaching in Montana a few years after moving here in 1996. I enjoy hunting just about everything there is to hunt, Elk is my first love, whitetail, mule deer, carp, and turkeys. I also like to get out and fish and hunt upland game birds with my best buddy Bolt, my Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon.

If you wish to support me in my bid for another term, I would gladly continue to serve. There remains a lot of work to do and I will do what I can.

REGION 3 — ­ LIBERTY BROWN My name is Liberty Brown, and I’m seeking re-election as a Region 3 representative.

I moved to Bozeman, MT during the summer of 1998, after spending six years as a submariner in the United States Navy. In 2003, I graduated from Montana State with a B.S. in Business Marketing. Since then, I held a few different marketing and sales management positions until 2013, when I decided to start my own company.

My wife, Andi, and I have three children, and we are proud to be raising them in Montana. We’ve been family members of the MBA for six years, and I’ve been serving as an MBA Region 3 representative for the last two. I’m also responsible for maintaining the MBA website and social media marketing.

Since my involvement with the MBA, my passion for bow hunting has continued to grow. As a Region 3 representative, I hope to continue to be an advocate for the MBA by striving to live by the mission statement of the MBA and to be a voice for other bowhunters in Region 3 and for the state of Montana.

REGION 3 — PAUL KEMPER I was born and raised in northwest Pennsylvania and graduated from Penn State in 2016 with a degree in broadcast journalism and Wildlife & Fisheries Science. I live in Bozeman and work for Randy Newberg and the Fresh Tracks TV crew. Hunting elk and whitetails with a stick bow are a few of my favorite pursuits.

I also serve on the board of Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the Traditional Bowhunters of Montana. I am the co-host of The Bowhunting Montana Podcast.

REGION 5 — BEN BULLER My name is Ben Buller. I would like to help the Montana Bow Hunters Association and archery clubs in Montana and support them. I have been shooting archery since I was 6 years old. I started out shooting a traditional bow and still do, but now I shoot compound as well. My dad has shown me the true meaning of archery hunting and the respect for it. I have been shooting archery for 30 years and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. I have gotten my wife actively involved and just started both my kids in archery. I hunt every year with my bow and I am active in the local archery club at the Blue Creek Sports Complex. I would like to be a representative of the Region 5 MBA. I was asked by Ken Schultz to consider the position along with him. Please consider me for the position

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MBA OFFICER ELECTION BIOS

REGION 5 — KEN SHULTZ Greetings Team MBA, My name is Ken Schultz, and I have been a Montana resident for the past 28 years. I live in Billings, Montana with my lovely wife and have been the Region 5 representative for the past four years. I have been an avid archery hunter for the past 29 years. I have been blessed with the opportunity to harvest several big game animals over the past 20+ years with my bow. I truly have a passion for bow hunting and have encouraged many friends over the years to take up the sport. I have been a member of the MBA for 12+ years.

I was born and raised in Central North Dakota. I relocated to Wyoming in 1983 for my job and lived there for about ten years until moving to Montana. I was the Director of Operations for Hardee’s restaurants until my retirement. After 33 years, I felt it was time to do something different. I have been working in the agriculture industry over the past five years and have really enjoyed working with growers and ranchers in the tri-state area.

My wife and I recently had the honor of adding a new son-in-law into the family. We have five beautiful daughters and five wonderful sons-in-law. Along with that, we have 16 beautiful grandchildren from the ages of 19 years to 4 months old. We are truly blessed!!!

When I was approached concerning this adventure, I thought about the opportunity to impact the bowhunting industry and to meet many fellow archers who share the same passion. I feel I can have a positive impact and share some knowledge gained over the past 20+ years. I would be honored to be a part of an organization that I have respected for some time.

REGION 6 — TRISTAN MANUEL My name is Tristan Manuel. I am a 25-year-old bowhunter from Havre, MT. I appreciate the opportunity and your consideration to be a region 6 representative along with Nick Siebrasse.

A little about myself, I was born and raised in Havre, MT. Although I have lived in Bozeman and Billings for a few years in college, I have spent the majority of my life on the Hi Line. I grew up working with my dad and grandad on our family ranch south of Havre, and I’m currently employed by the Havre Fire Department. Growing up out of town I have always been immersed in the outdoors in many respects, the primary being hunting, and bow hunting more specifically. I starting shooting a recurve bow about 15 years ago and have hunted with traditional equipment for the last 5 years. I was fortunate to have several mentors that have guided me along the way. In addition to the pursuit of game with archery equipment, I also have the privilege to be a part of the bowhunter education program in Havre. I am very thankful for organizations like the MBA who have done so much to protect our way of life for both me and my family.

Again I am honored to have the opportunity to get more involved in the MBA.

REGION 7 — ­ RICK MILLER Looks like I was given a position on the board in mid-cycle of the normal election sequence, so was asked to write a quick bio to get the position back on track.

My involvement in the MBA this past year was interesting and enjoyable, with a gained respect for the very committed and active board members. These folks not only talk-the-talk, but they also make it happen wherever the organization’s presence is needed. Inspiring would be a good word to describe the current board atmosphere.

For those that do not know me: • Montana resident for 63 years • Montana bowhunter since age 14 (or was it 12?)

• Colstrip Sportsmen Club board member for over 20 years • Two-term appointee to the Private Lands Public Wildlife Council • Member of the Eastern Montana Elk Archery Committee • Positions: • Crow Tribe ruling (Herrera vs Wyoming) giving them unrestricted hunting access to areas that include the Ashland Custer National Forest. This one should be a huge concern to Montana’s bowhunters as it allows a specific culture of people unrestricted hunting access to our Federally owned lands. Wyoming is challenging the ruling, but Montana is not? I believe a statewide sportsmen alliance could help Wyoming challenge the ruling. The MBA needs to be a leading presence in that movement.

• Elk management. Restoring statewide population balances should be the main goal of the newly formed “elk management plan review committee.” See my Region 7 article for more on this subject.

• Electronics during the archery season. With the explosion of trail camera use during the season, I have a concern about how they are negatively changing the experience. Do we really need to be electronically monitoring every aspect of our chosen quarry? Are we intentionally now claiming specific areas (waterholes, etc) with these devices? Many of us are now starting to feel that way.

Bring the latest networking advances into the discussion and the situation even seems more concerning??

I am looking forward to working with each of you in 2021.

Thank you for keeping the Montana bowhunting tradition alive and the challenge inspiring!

Rick Miller – Colstrip (406) 749-0292

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MBA OFFICER ELECTION BIOS

REGION 7 — BOB MORGAN Hi, I’m Bob Morgan, 71 years young and still playing with sticks and strings.

I’m signing up again for Region 7 representative. It’s my pleasure to promote bow hunting in Montana.

Bowhunting is not for everyone but, it gets in your blood, that’s for sure.

I just built a couple of small self bows for my twin grandsons. I think it’s in their blood, also they are really excited. All they want to do is shoot, shoot, shoot. That’s what Fletcher keeps saying, “I want to shoot”. Archer says “thank you, grandpa, for the bow”.

Isaac says to Esau, his oldest son (Genesis 27 :3) I pray thee, take that quiver and bow and go out to the field take me some venison.

That’s what I’m about; hope to see you out there. God bless everybody

DAL — RAYMOND GROSS • I started archery hunting when I was 15. I have been archery hunting for 55 years. I have lived and archery hunted in Southwest Montana for 39 years.

• I am a Licensed Professional Engineer and Land Surveyor. I worked for the Forest Service for 31 Years. I have a Civil Engineering and Land Survey Business.

• I have always been actively engaged in hunting and fishing issues. I have served on FWP Citizens Advisory Committees: Beaverhead River Rules Committee; Working Group for Archery Elk Limited Permits in the Missouri River breaks and other 23 HDS and a member of FWP Region 3 Citizens Advisory Committee. I have been actively engaged in big game regulations and season setting, the Beaverhead and Big Hole River Rules, elk management, travel management, and stream access.

• I am or was a board member of Montana Bow Hunters Association, Beaverhead Hunters and Anglers, and Trout Unlimited. I am a member of the leadership team of Montana Sportsman Alliance. I am a member of Montana Bow Hunters Association, PLWA, Montana Wildlife Federation, Back County Hunters and Anglers, Montana Wild Sheep Federation, Pheasants Forever, Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Beaverhead, Montana Stream Access Coalition, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

• I have been a member of Beaverhead Search and Rescue for 29 years.

• I joined the MBA in 1984.

• I have two sons, two daughters, a son-in-law, and several grand children that I have introduced to hunting and fishing.

• I live in Dillon, Beaverhead County. Beaverhead and Madison Counties have the largest elk populations in the state and the most hunting pressure. I bring this local experience to the MBA Board.

• I know many bowhunters in the Dillon area and other areas in the state. I make it a point to discuss bow hunting with and pass out MBA Newsletters to fellow bowhunters.

• I know the issues confronting Montana Bow Hunters. I know the history of these issues. And I have the experience and ambition to represent Montana bow hunters.

DAL —RICHARD LEWALLEN I am a Billings, Montana native arriving on 2/27/1953. I was introduced to archery at an early age by my father who was a member of BlackOtter bowman and was the 1956 Montana Wyoming Target Champion.

I started archery hunting at age 14 with my father and his friends. I harvested my first elk with archery equipment in 1971. I have been fortunate to spend many days pursuing elk and deer archery hunting in Western Montana. Highlights include time spent archery hunting with my son and close encounters with a Wolverine and wolves while hunting elk. I was fortunate enough to draw a moose tag in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming and harvest a nice bull. I will work hard to support and preserve archery hunting in our great state.

DAL —MIKE SHEPARD Please consider me for the Director at Large position. This is what I was elected for in the first place, and prefer that position. I’ve been bowhunting since 1961, introduced to it by my father. I have no real idea how many animals I have taken, but somewhere around 54 or 55 whitetail and mule deer bucks, plus a few does, bull elk, five bears, etc. I’ve taken most with a recurve or longbow, and my hand-made arrows. I am a life member of the MBA, a longtime PBS member, and a life member of the Traditional Bowhunters of Montana.

Personally, I could care less about what bow you choose, as long as you hunt ETHICALLY. I bring a lifelong love of the sport and want it to continue long past when I go on my final hunt. At 72 you never know when the Red Gods may call me home. Please consider me for Director at Large

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WWW.MTBA.ORG

LEGISLATIVE REPORT

LegislativeReport Why MBA opposes crossbow use by those with disabilities during the Montana Archery-Only season.

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DAL —TJ SMITH I was born 1-16-54 in Livingston, MT, and began bowhunting gophers (took a few trophies too!) with a Bear recurve while going to grade school in Ringling, MT. I graduated from high school in White Sulphur Springs and graduated from Rocky Mountain College with a degree in MathEconomics. I moved out of state for 14 years while working for Morrison Knudsen Corporation and moved back to Montana in 1992. My wife, Leigh, and I owned and operated a professional archery shop in Billings for ten years. Upon selling that business (six years ago) we retired. My life reduced to a paragraph!

I have hunted exclusively with a bow for many years and have harvested numerous big game animals.

To me, the trophy is in the hunt and on the table and as a result, have never been big on taking pictures of myself with my harvests. I had one bull shoulder-mounted and within six months my wife and I donated it to the FWP to auction with the proceeds going to help pay medical expenses for a couple of their wardens. Present-day I hunt with a Bowtech compound bow set at 60# using Easton Axis arrows. With this modern combination, I have more momentum than I had when I was young and shooting 80#. Times have changed.

The Montana Code Annotated 87-1-301. Powers of commission specifically states (at the time I write this) “The commission may adopt rules regarding the use and type of archery equipment that may be employed for hunting and fishing purposes, considering applicable standards as technical innovations in archery equipment change.

The Commission has adopted rules regarding the use and type of archery equipment that may be employed for hunting and fishing purposes as can be noted in Montana’s hunting and fishing regulations.

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Permit To Modify Archery Equipment. MBA has long been aware of the interests of hunters with disabilities who wish to participate in bowhunting. It was with that understanding that MBA partnered with FWP to develop the Permit To Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE). PTMAE was developed to accommodate hunters with disabilities and was based on the recommendations of the Crossbow Archery Committee, a constituent’s group which included representatives from Access Montana Outdoors. The FWP Commission formally adopted the PTMAE in February 2002.

Montana’s Permit To Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE) has withstood multiple legal challenges over the past decade, proving that it satisfies the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Since its inception in 2002-2003 there are 629 holders of a PTMAE with 341 of those permit holders using them during the 2020 season, a strong indication that this permit is successful in allowing bowhunters with disabilities to participate in the Archery-Only Season.

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Could lead to general crossbow allowance. MBA is very concerned that allowing crossbows into the archery season for individuals with disabilities will eventually lead to allowing crossbows for everyone during archery season because of increased pressure from the crossbow industry as demonstrated in other states.

Other states have demonstrated dramatic increases in harvests after the introduction of crossbows within archery seasons. These harvest increases appear to be affecting both archery and rifle seasons.

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Crossbows are not archery equipment. They are highly efficient and capable of 100+ yard accuracy in the hands of anyone with some rifle experience. Crossbows are rapidly evolving. Just in the last two years advances have led to crossbows now capable of firing two bolts without reloading and with axis widths of between 3 and 4 inches. Sounds more like a rifle and not a bow.

Fair Chase. The Commission has established rules that provide for fair chase using legally defined archery equipment (see 1. above) during a period of the year when game may be more vulnerable, the elk rut or bugling season.

The Commission has reviewed a request for allowing crossbows into the archery season for hunters with disabilities. They found that allowing crossbow use when there a permit to modify archery equipment, PTMAE, that already provides that opportunity those with disabilities could have an adverse effect on elk populations and subsequently the Archery-Only seasons.

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In Montana’s archery season. Montana’s Archery-Only season occurs during the elk rut.

Bull elk are at their most vulnerable time during the rut. With archery equipment a hunter must not only get close to the quarry, usually within 40 yards or closer, but they also must draw back and accurately shoot, all of which requires substantial practice.

The Commission has Considered Crossbow Use. The Commission has reviewed a request for allowing crossbows into the archery season for hunters with disabilities. They found that allowing crossbow use when there a permit to modify archery equipment, PTMAE, that already provides that opportunity those with disabilities could have an adverse effect on elk populations and subsequently the Archery-Only seasons.

Legislative Approach. When the approach is to use legislation to mandate the use of a crossbow for any reason into law it sets a dangerous precedent. Legislation that includes the minutia technical requirements for what would be considered a legal crossbow circumvents the commission.

When technical advances to crossbow technology occur that could result in even greater success percentages during the elk rut, changes in the regulations for legal equipment would have to be legislated. Legislation, that only occurs every 2 years, is not an effective tool for managing or responding to the day-to-day operations and regulation of a resource. That is why the Legislature offered that authority to the Commission.

If we wish to continue to enjoy our long Archery-Only season(s) we must not to allow crossbow use during Archery-Only seasons for anyone. We have and will continue to work with archery hunters with disabilities to ensure they can use and hunt with legally modified archery equipment so that they too can enjoy the experience.

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HEADER STORY MEMBER

Montana Bowhunters Association presents:

Have You Been “Carpified ?”

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Bowhunting only - everyone welcome!!

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Help Carp Management in Canyon Ferry Lake

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Never been Carpified? -Help available from semi-professional Carp Ninjas

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Send in Registration form by June 8

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Evening meal included in registration fee

Good Things to Know : - All sh oo ter s n e ed a vali d fi shi ng l i cens e - Boa ts m us t b e re gis ter e d wi th corr e ct numb er of li f eja ck e ts - Boa ts m us t b e cl ean up on arri val and cl ean e d pr io r to e n ter ing an o th er b o d y of wa ter - Bo whun ting on l y. Brin g l o ts o f arr ow s - Carp Safa ri w ill run Sa tur da y f rom sun ris e un ti l 5 p .m.

Individual shooter - preregistered Individual shooter - day of shoot 2-person team - preregistered 2-person team - day of shoot Shooter - under 15 Non - shooter meal ticket

$ 20.00 $ 25.00 $ 40.00 $ 50.00 $ 10.00 $ 6.00

Camping available at our private camping area—details and map posted at http://www.mtba.org

(don’t worry, it’s not carp) •

Contact Kevin Robinson to reserve a campsite in the group use area or log on to www.recreation.gov to reserve in the other loops at Hellgate Campground

P R E R E G I S T R A T IO N FO RM C a n y o n Fe r r y C a r p S a fa r i J u n e 1 3 , 2 0 2 0 C a n y o n F e r r y L a k e , H e l e n a I n d i v i d u a l Sh o o t e r s $ 2 0 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Shooters under 15 $ 1 0 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M e a l t i c k e t -n o n - s h o o t e r $ 6 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2-person team $ 4 0 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Total>> $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Make checks out to MBA and mail to:

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Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

List names of individuals, team members, phone #, and emails: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________

CONTACT NUMBERS

Fish & Wildlife Commission Members

District 1

District 2

Tim Aldrich, Commissioner

District 3

Pat Byorth, Commissionerr

3340 Rodeo Road Missoula, MT 59803 Phone: (406) 241-7164 Term: January 1, 2021

fwpwld@mt.gov

Richard Stuker, Vice-Chairman 1155 Boldt Road Chinook, MT 59523 Phone: (406) 357-3495 Term: January 1, 2021

2360 Whitetail Road Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: (406) 548-4830

District 4

District 5

Logan Brower, Commissioner

Shane Colton, Commissioner

P.O. Box 325 Scobey, MT 59263 Phone: (406) 230-2188 Term: January 1, 2019

335 Clark Billings, MT 59101 Phone: (406) 259-9986 Term: January 1, 2021

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 October 2020 Buffalo Jump Archery

Judy Adams

P.O. Box 5581

Helena

MT

59604

406-539-3936

Crown Photography www.mtcrownphoto.com

Mike and Lucinda Layne

PO Box 9936

Kalispell

MT

59904

406-752-6116

Elk Creek Family Outfitters

David Hein

1021 Toole Circle

Billings

MT

59105

406-670-4366

Hurst Bows

Coltin Hurst

3368 MT Hwy 5 W

Plentywood

MT

59254

406-765-7580

Kimzey Knifeworks

Dan Kimzey

134 Blue Heron Dr

Hamilton

MT

59840

406-361-5863

Kutawagan Outfitters/ Bearpaw Lodge

Jeff and Annette Smith

Box 70

Choiceland

SK

S0J 0M0

306-428-2032

Libby Archery Club

P.O. Box 755

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-7174

Libby Sports Center

204 West 9th St

Libby

MT

59923

406-293-4641

Matablas Game Hunters

Willem Frost

PO Box 1559

Lephalale

0555

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

Schafer Silvertip Recurve

Dave Windauer

357 Roberts Rd

Columbia Falls

MT

59912

406- 892-0580

Toelke Custom Bows

Dan & Jared Toelke

31345 Lost Creek Ln

Ronan

MT

59864

406-676-5150

Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets

Terry L & Dylan Zink

PO Box 1272

Marion

MT

59925

406-253-4670

Limpopo

Spring 2021

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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

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

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP One Year $30.00 Three Years $85.00 Life $750.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

Quarterly magazine keeping you informed on local, state, and national bowhunting issues, bowhunter education, events, and great hunting stories

$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

YES! I Wish to join the MBA. Enclosed is my check, money order or credit card for membership checked below!

SEND TO: MBA, PO BOX 426, HELENA MT 59624 • PH. # 406-404-6168

Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street: _________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip:___________ Email: ______________________________ Date: ____________________ Telephone: (_____) _________________________ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $25.00 o Three Years $67.00 o Life $500.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $30.00 o Three Years $85.00 o Life $750.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $45.00 o Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $45.00 o Three Years $120.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under18) o One Year $5.00

OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP* Add $10.00 a year to membership for added mailing costs

MBA HATS o $15.00 each + $5.00 postage MBA Patches* o $2.50 each please send______patches DONATIONS o $_________________

PAYMENT TYPE o Check

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TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ______________

Credit Card #______________________________ Exp. Date_________ Signature_______________________________________ This is a give membership from________________________________________________________________________________

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M ontana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

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7

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AMY LEPAGE Antelope 2020

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SHAFER GARNESS FIRST BOWKILL

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KARA KOELZER whitetail

8

KEVIN ROBINSON

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BRIAN KOELZER 2020 whitetail.

Yellowstone longbow VPA broadhead

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FLETCHER MORGAN

LUCAS ZEMLICKA caribou

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SARAH ALLEGRUCCI MT Whitetail

ARCHER MORGAN

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JEREMY ALLEGRUCCI Alaskan Spring Black Bear

JOSIE WINDAUER first buck with a bow

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LEVIN ROBINSON and MARTIN OAKLAND

Spring 2021

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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?

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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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