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.
Spring 2021
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