Vol. 42 #4 Summer 2015

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

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

PAGE 14

Bowhunter of the Year

P AGE 11

Convention Wrap Up PAGE 15

Schafer Award Winner VOL. 42 #4 Summer 2015

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

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

www.mtba.org

MBA

officers PRESIDENT

Joelle Selk

6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602

Region 2

Marlon Clapham

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

jselkmt@3riversdbs.net • 406-422-6798

mbaregion2@gmail.com…

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Region 3

Brian Koelzer

80 Jansma Lane Manhattan, MT 59741 ............. 406-570-7997 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com

Barrett Haugan

560 Clovehitch Road Belgrade, MT 59714 .......... 406-539-0602 btreasurestate@aol.com

Region 4

David Stratton

2120 3rd St. South, Great Falls, MT 59405 .......... 406-452-3238

Vacant 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Steve Schindler

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

destratton@gmail.com

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

Region 5 Region 6

TREASURER

Jenn Schneider

PO Box 23611 • Billings, MT 59104

Vacant

mtba@mtba.org • 406-697-7668

David Moon

97 Aberdeen, Glasgow, MT 59230...................... 406-942-0659 djmoon9876@gmail.com

SECRETARY

Marian Stratton

Region 7 Region 8

Bob Morgan

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

Jerry Davis

725 Middlemas Road, Helena, MT 59602 ...........406-475-2226

2120 3rd St South, Great Falls, MT 59405 mnstratton1@gmail.com • 406-452-3238 PAST PRESIDENT

pipelinejerry@gmail.com

AT LARGE DIRECTORS MAGAZINE CO-EDITORS

EVEN YEARS

Teri and Al Kelly

Roger Peffer

2517 9th Ave So., Great Falls, MT 59405 – regorp77@msn.com .................. 406-452-0911

Seth Rogers

1425 Prickley Pear, Billings, MT 59105 – srogers@lamar.com ...................... 406-670-5435

PO Box 219 • Libby, MT 59923 teray1979@yahoo.com

ODD YEARS

Paul Martin

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

Ray Gross

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

Dan Moore

75 Haywire Trail, Kalispell Mt 59901 - bigdanmt@yahoo.com ....................... 406-756-7395

WEB DESIGNER

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.

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

PUBLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES

FALL ISSUE, DEADLINE, July 15 WINTER ISSUE, DEADLINE, October 15 SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 15 SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15 Stories, photos, or cartoons should be sent to Al or Teri Kelly at PO Box 23611, Billings, MT 59104

MEMBERSHIP INQURIES

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

Lyle Hebel

www.pixelelk.com MAGAZINE DESIGN K Design Marketing, Inc.

Kimberly Kinsinger

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

Summer 2015

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Teri Kelly

MARK SEACAT, SITKA ATHLETE LOCATION: UTAH SHAUN MATHEWSON

TURNING CLOTHING INTO GEAR BASE | INSULATION | SOF T SHELL | HARD SHELL | HEADWEAR | HANDWEAR | PACKS

SITKAGEAR.COM | 877.SITKA.GR

C

onvention time is over and it’s onto the 2015 Carp Safari which happens to be one of my favorite events to do. If you’ve never attended, give it a go this year because it is simply a great time. There is a lot going on in the MBA as you’ll read in the various reports, I encourage you to exercise your ability to participate and voice your views and opinions, fill out surveys, vote, and contact your legislatures on the important issues that affect the bowhunters of Montana. Normally many of the legislative issues will come out as email so make sure that the MBA has your current email address so you can be informed. You can update your information on the MBA website. MBA is also on Facebook so if you haven’t “Liked” it yet I would encourage you to do that so you can follow on there as well.

This is our fourth issue with the new format overall, it seems to be working well and we received good feedback at the general member meeting at the convention. We are always in need of photos, articles and stories so please send those to me at teray1979@yahoo.com. I am happy to assist with any stories members may have so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you think you have a story but want some help writing it.

We’ve got a great article from Marian Stratton on the basics of Dutch Oven cooking which personally I found very helpful and Marian has generously offered to email the entire class handout for those who want it. We do have more space available with the new format so if you have ideas for articles or something you’d like to send in or see please share that with us.

Turkey season should be over by the time you receive this so hopefully everyone had some success and we’ll see some photos!

Teri Kelly 2

Montana

BOWHUNTER

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS On the Cover

VOL. 42 #4 Summer 2015

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EDITOR’S NOTE

4

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Teri Kelly Joelle Selk 2nd VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Steve Schindler

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SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

Marion Stratton

116 17 18 19 18

TREASURER’S MESSAGE

Jenn Schindler

Top: Schafer Award Winner Sage Kamp Bottom: Bowhunter of the Year Kara Jensen

6 10 11 12 13 14 15

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21

REGIONAL REPORTS

CONVENTION WINNERS THE RIGHT STUFF 2015 CONVENTION DONORS CARP SAFARI ENTRY FORM FLORIDA HOG HUNT

Toby Walrath DUTCH OVEN COOKING

Marion Stratton BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

WE REMEMBER LEE POOLE LEGISLATIVE REPORT 2015 CONVENTION WRAP UP

22 23

GENERAL MEETING MINUTES BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR SCHAFER AWARD WINNER SPECIAL ACHEIVMENT AWARD

24 25

3D SHOOTING FUN

Teri Kelly 2015 TELLER YOUTH CONSERVATION EXPO MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM MEMBER GALLERY

6 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.

PAGE

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

PAGE

0 Smmer 2015

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OFFICER’S HEADERREPORTS

President’s

Message

S

pring has sprung early in Montana and I expect many of you have already harvested a turkey or bear.

It amazes me how life accelerates coming out of winter….we finish the convention, chase turkeys and bears around, fling a few arrows at carp, and spend the summer camping and planning for our fall seasons.

This year, we’ve also had the legislative session on our plate, and you can read about various bill outcomes in the upcoming pages. Once again, we kept crossbows out of archery season – thank you all for your comments which helped turn the tide to our advantage. As we complete the legislative session and transition into the Tentatives cycle, we’ll have many opportunities to comment on seasons and quotas. One other item which comes under special consideration is what action we’ll take on our survey results on lighted nocks and cameras. A ballot will be out soon to gather member opinion about whether to support allowing these electronics devices in archery season or to hold the line against them. Just as with the survey, we will send out a ballot to both active and lapsed members. Check your ballot mailer for the membership expiration date – your vote only counts if your membership is active! Member participation is vital to the MBA’s efforts, so please stay active in the voting process and let your regional reps know about issues important to you.

I’d like to welcome our new board members and thank those who’ve chosen to continue their service to our organization. Thanks also to the Billings crew for a really great convention – it is a Herculean endeavor and once again we were able to turn a profit. Thanks to all who attended and contributed to the fun.

Thanks,

Joelle Selk

Steve Schindler

Second Vice President’s Report

T

o understand the lighted nock, bow mounted camera issue we first have to understand why we are where we are at on these issues. Sometime during the 1980’s the MT FWP commission was being bombarded with equipment issues and was unprepared to deal with issues they basically knew very little about. The FWP commission asked the MBA for advice on basically the definitions of both a bow and an arrow. This seems like a simple task but there were a lot of issues to look at and the task was going to get difficult. At the time equipment was undergoing some dramatic changes, we had overdraw bows that were using very short arrows, we had pistol compound bows that could be shot out the window of a vehicle. Montana needed a legal definition of a bow and an arrow. We needed to allow equipment that would be used so that it would not become a poachers tool, such as the pistol compound bow , we needed to have a legal description of an arrow so that it would be long enough and heavy enough to absorb at least a minimum amount of energy needed to provide a quick clean kill. A lot of discussion ensued and legal descriptions evolved.

Also at about this time electronics were being developed for bows and arrows, filming your hunts became a popular pastime and although small cameras were being developed that could be attached to your head via headband a bow mounted camera seemed to be more practicable. Along with filming your hunts the modern compound bows were becoming so fast that the flight of the arrow was disappearing from normal eyesight and it was hard to see where the animal was hit and looking back on the camera it was near impossible to see the arrow. So some enterprising fellow developed a small bright light that was installed in the nock, and now we have the lighted nock.

Many feel these two devices in themselves are not going to give the bowhunter any advantage over the game animal but are worried what is next. Years ago the MBA helped define the legal discription of a bow and arrow and that stand has been dubbed as “the line in the sand”, the phrase in itself is a very patriotic phrase that first came about in the defense of the Alamo.

The Pope and Young club, the national record keeper of archery killed animals has been considered the leader in bowhunting rules of engagement. They had a rule in effect that did not allow enrollment of animals in their record books that were killed with the aid of electronic equipment, such as a bow mounted camera and an electronic device on the arrow. They struggled with this for several years and after their membership voted to allow the use of electronics on bows and arrows for inclusion into their record books they did allow these animals to be included. Montana on the other hand has a more difficult decision; the described electronic devices are legal equipment but are not allowed during the archery seasons. Some members feel that if the P&Y club now allows these devices so should Montana. Unfortunately it is not that simple; baiting of wild game is allowed with in the P&Y record keeping but is against the law in several states including Montana.

The P&Y club’s priority is not with the individual states management of their states game animals and providing maximum hunter days, but only as a record keeping organization keeping track of the larger game animals taken by bow and arrow.

Joelle Selk

4

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

What is up for discussion in Montana is the line in the sand phrase, if you have been living in a cave the last 20 years and are thinking in terms of transistor’s instead of diodes or even the ultra-advanced micro chip you may not realize how advanced our electronics have become. As I said earlier the actual bow mounted camera or the lighted nock probably will not increase your effectiveness as a hunter, but if allowed, what is next that will increase your odds of harvesting a game animal. The electronic world is advancing so fast it is hard to even imagine what piece of technology that is being developed right now that can increase your harvest success. We also have to keep in mind what we have here in Montana with archery seasons that are fairly long and generous. Although we have nearly 42 thousand bowhunters hunting the bow season in Montana,

our seasons are long enough that bowhunters can find a time frame to hunt where they don’t see the full effect of the 42 thousand hunters. If electronics that allow for an increased harvest do wiggle their way into our Montana archery season you can be sure that our seasons will be cut short to reduce this extra harvest. What also is in sight is that the extra harvest could be the excuse needed to reduce our seasons and open up time frames for the Muzzleloader hunters and maybe even a crossbow season. We could all get a 2 week season. This is a dramatic change to what were all accustomed to and very possible if we step over the line in the sand.

The membership of the MBA has to weigh all these scenarios out and decide what is going to be best for them. There is more at stake than just watching your arrow fly.

Steve Schindler

Secretary’s Message

I

have been reading a flyfishing book and found something to quote that I think is very appropriate considering the discussion we have been having about legalizing lighted nocks and bow-mounted cameras. Yvonn Chouinard, owner of Patagonia, said: “This is also a book for the experienced angler who has all the gadgets and gizmos and discovers he or she wants to replace all that stuff with skill, knowledge and simplicity. It is for the person who believes that a design or a piece of art or a sporting endeavor is finalized and mastered “not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away,” as Atonine de Saint-Exupery advocated.” For me, just my bow, my arrow and me. That’s enough to try to master.

Marion Stratton

OFFICER’S REPORTS

MBA Committees Legislative:

Joelle Selk, Chair Jerry Davis • Adam Barker Steve Schindler Marlon Clapham • Dan Moore

Tentatives:

Chair, vacant Joelle Selk Paul Martin • Mark Schwomeyer Marlon Clapham Steve Schindler • Dan Moore

Financial:

Treasurer’s Message

I

feel like a broken record every year, but WOW, am I glad the convention is behind us. I underestimated the amount of work that would be added with it being in my hometown and that led to a few less hours of sleep than I am used to. I have to say, Sean Dunn was kind of bamboozled into this convention chair thing and nobody could have done it with more grace and tenacity!

Sean and Danielle have not only attended conventions and supported the MBA with their busy family schedule; but the donations of the bronze statues from Danielle’s late father, Bill Davis, have brought in the most consistently large live auction numbers we’ve seen, and they never ask for a penny of it back. Year after year, they give generously from their hearts for the bronzes and this year they gave even more of their precious time and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Also, some of the Billings people stepped up and pitched in to do the heavy lifting when the time came and don’t we all wish we had a little more time?

Thanks to everyone who gives their time, their money, their talents to this organization, it’s worth it.

Jenn Schneider

Chair, vacant Jenn Schneider • Jerry Davis Seth Rogers • Joelle Selk David Stratton

Landowner/Sportsman: Mark Schwomeyer, Chair Dan Moore • David Moon

Nominations:

Chair, vacant Al Kelly Paul Martin • Steve Schindler

Awards:

Roger Peffer, Chair Al Kelly • Steve Schindler Marlon Clapham • Jenn Schneider

Membership:

Chair, vacant Jenn Schneider Joelle Selk • Seth Rogers

Convention 2016:

Brian Koelzer, Chair Jenn Schneider • Sean Dunn Joelle Selk • Barrett Haugan

Magazine:

Al & Teri Kelly, Co-Chairs Steve Schindler Roger Peffer • Joelle Selk

Website:

Webmaster, Lyle Hebel Joelle Selk • Jenn Schneider

Carp Shoot: Joelle Selk, Chair

Bow-Ed:

Al Kelly, Chair Marlon Clapham • Brian Koelzer Bob Morgan • Mark Schwomeyer David Moon

Summer 2015

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REGIONAL REPORTS

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AL KELLY

H

So get out there and enjoy your seasons and don’t forget to thank all those who participate in the process.

Al Kelly

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MARLON CLAPHAM

ere we are with another convention in the history books. What a great time I had in Billings. A big thanks goes out from the Kelly’s for all those who worked hard and the Billings crew for hosting such a fun event. Sure the board got our business done and it wasn’t all play, but it is a pretty good time just being able to associate with the great bunch of characters that make up the Montana Bowhunters Association board and members. The food was excellent and the company superb. If you have yet to attend a convention, give it a try when it is in your neighborhood.

Thanks also go out to all of you have been participating in the legislative process. I have heard from many members who have been making their voices heard. That is the business of the Montana Bowhunters Association. Keep vigil and involved. And thank you to those who work so hard keeping us all informed and educated about the bills that we need to be aware of. The time and effort that the legislative committee puts into this is huge. We are indeed lucky to have the folks we do who represent us.

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Marlon Clapham

L

ooks like spring has arrived. These warmer days have our Idaho bear baits ripening right up. Stinky beavers hung with care, bait barrels fastened snugly to the tree, treestands hanging quietly waiting for the bears to feast, and the hunters sharping broad heads, honing shooting skills. And of course we haven’t forgotten about turkeys, and gophers, they seem to be out in force.

There seems to be so little time for actual business with all the fun things going on.

The Legislation Session has been very frustrating to say the least. I think we did knock down the crossgun for another year so that was a good thing. There will be a better report elsewhere in this newsletter. Everyone needs to drop a line to Joelle Selk and Jerry Davis for the great job and effort and the countless hours spent up on the hill fighting for our cause. And don’t forget the job Steve Schindler does to keep us on top of the information that never ends. Thank You folks for a job well done.

Spring time is Bow-Hunter Education time.

And I would like to thank each and every one of the instructors who are MBA members. I am always impressed when I see the number of instructors stand up at the convention dinner.

Thank You for all the effort and time volunteered to make this a successful program.

The Youth Conservation Education Expo is right around the corner, May 9th at the Teller Wildlife Refuge. We have been planning all winter and have several new sponsors generously helping with the finances to send the youth to the camps. Once again the MBA and MBEF stepped up, and the TBM also came on board with a generous donation. This year we have several new camps for the under 11 to be able to attend with their parents for day camps and three day events. We have half-day fishing float trips to give away, along with the 50 camps same as last year. The two Stevens girls, Hattie and Callie, MBA members, went to the Jack Creek camp and had a great time. Hattie won the bow donated

by MBEF and Paul. She shot well in the last day of the camp shoot. Last year we had over 350 Youths and we are expecting even more this year. So once again we will need extra hands to help the new young shooters.

Other events coming up here in Reg. 2 will be the Montana Plus on May 30th that we participated in last year. It will be held at the Bitterroot Archery shop just south of Lolo. They are still in the planning stages. The Five Valleys Archery Club Bear Shoot will be June 20 and 21 up Clear Water Junction again. And don’t forget the Carp Safari is June 13th, always promises to be a great time.

Remember if there are any concerns; drop me an E- Mail I’ll do my best to get back to you.

We still need help on the board here in Reg. 2 so don’t be shy, step up and give us a hand. Ask your Bowhunting buddies to join our ranks and become a member. Be the voice of the Montana Bowhunters.

Keep Em Sharp and Shoot Em Straight.

Marlon Clapham REGION 3 REGION

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BRIAN KOELZER BARRETT HAUGAN

Al Kelly

I

t’s April 15 as I write this and instead of looking for bears I’m on my way to the Pope and Young convention in Phoenix. Flights were delayed due to snow so bear hunting would have been lousy anyways. Better late than never I guess. Hopefully the moisture is consistent so we don’t burn up this summer! A big thanks to the Billings group for hosting this year’s convention.

To all of you that made it thank you and to all of you that didn’t we hope to see you next spring in the Bozeman area!

This has been a big year legislatively. I’m happy to report the crossbow bill was smashed right off the bat! Hopefully many of you took the time to contact your reps in Helena and voice your opinions.

God bless America for our right to do that!

Carp Safari is right around the corner.

See ya there!

Brian Koelzer 6

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

Brian Koelzer

REGIONAL REPORTS

I

don’t have anything new from Region 3 as I am fairly new to the board. I’m happy to have been voted onto the board and I look forward to assisting the team this year. Because I’m new to the board, there will be a little learning curve, however I’m really excited to help in any way I can to ensure the future of bow hunting in our great state of Montana.

REGION 6 1

Barrett Haugn

Thanks, Barrett Haugn

REGION 4 opportunity as they are a vital part of the management of the wildlife. Strong relationships between landowner and sportsman are very important and are the key to successful management.

DAVID STRATTON MARK SCHWOMEYER

M

ONTANA! What a great state to call home! With such an abundance of public wildlife and more than 30 MILLION acres of public land to explore with your bow any time you want. And for less than 200 dollars you could buy those lil neon yellow tags allowing you to harvest a deer, elk, bear, antelope, lion, two turkeys, upland birds, and fish!

Wow! This is why it is important to stay involved.

Keep your eyes and ears on your representatives and senators. Some of them are attacking our land our wildlife and our heritage! We want the land to continue to be accessible and the game to be available to our children and their children. Also if you have the privilege to hunt private land remember to thank them for the

By now bear and turkey season are in full swing and might even be over. I hope all of you got out and had fun or maybe even connected with a nice tom or bruin. I would love to see pictures of your adventures or hear your stories especially if you have a young you are introducing to the outdoors. You can email me at markschwo@gmail. com As I am writing this I’m taking a break from packing for my trip to Alaska with my three year old son Archer.

As I try to talk to him about bears he keeps asking about the big airplane ride. I’m sure it will be an adventure!

This issue means it’s time to get out the tent and camping gear for the carp safari and several 3d shoots coming up around the state this summer. Check www.3dshoots.com for shoots close to you and hopefully I’ll see you at a few of them. Remember as soon as bear season is over its time to get the trail cameras working and set them at your favorite waterhole or trail, its quite entertaining what you will catch walking past your tree stand.

Have a great summer!

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DAVE MOON

I hope everyone out there has the hunt of their dreams this 2015 license year.

Let me know if I can help with anything and feel free to ask me any questions.

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s I looked through the 2015 hunting regulations I noticed that there are a lot of closed areas. There are five moose areas, six big horn sheep areas, and twelve mountain goat areas. I do not ever remember that many areas being closed. I was never able to find out why on the closures before this article.

I had to touch up the sharpness on my broadheads today as turkey and bear season will start this month. FWP was going to try and open block management for the spring turkey season and see how many people are interested in it. I think the turkeys are still in the winter flocks as some people have seen a lot and others none. The other day while driving I had a gobbler following a hen across the road so that is a good sign. I also saw lots of deer and antelope. So hopefully there will still be a lot around come fall.

With summer coming on people around here are getting ready for bowfishing. A lot of people really get into it and have lots of lights on their boats. If you can find the right set-up for kids it is fun as they get a lot of shooting in.

Summer is always the time I have to make sure I have plenty of arrows and all my equipment is ready as antelope season comes up quick. I always like to change out the string so it has time to stretch but will still make it all the way through the season. Get my practice mentally geared for hunting and making the shot count.

We finished a bowhunter safety class and it is good to see more kids taking up bowhunting.

They are excited to get ready and go bowhunting.

Hopefully they get plenty of opportunities this year.

Dave Moon

Mark Schwomeyer

Dave Moon

Mark Schwomeyer

Summer 2015

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on working s y u g e e of som at OKAM s w o b lf A pictur e some s

REGIONAL REPORTS

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BOB MORGAN

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t’s springtime and turkey

season is here, time to get out with our bows and look over the countryside. I’d like to encourage everyone to make selfbow. I started one at OJAM this year down in Stillwater Oklahoma. I showed some people how to rough out a stave with a hatchet and then finished up the bow in my bow class that I put on in Colstrip. There are lots of guys that know how to do this so there may be someone Bob Morgan in your area that you could learn from. If not you can get on the internet or YouTube and see some videos and learn how as well. The kids loved to make bows even if it’s out of a willow shoot and some string. The kids have lots of fun with it and there are a lot of great books on how to make bows. When you finish with your new bow, take it out and do some shooting and when you get tired you can find some antlers. Whatever you do just have a great time.

rgan Bob Mo w o b lf e g his s Shootin

You h av bow t e to name your his o OJAM ne is name Stillw ater O after after d th klaho ma ev e ent m e for the d a m d s ha AM s the kid this year at OJ w o B e h T

Call me 749-0706 if you have any questions about selfbows and if you make a bow I hope I get the chance to see you shoot it!

Thanks

Bob Morgan

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Success may simply be the thrill of getting in close. Or it may be an opportunity to experience pleasant days roaming and glassing the hills for the elusive wapiti with none of the headaches of civilization. Maybe it will be that Dutch Oven cobbler that is a hit with all your camp mates. Or maybe it is getting out of gumbo country just ahead of the rains. Regardless of your definition of success remember that we in Montana are able to hunt many thousands of acres of public lands without seeking permission or without paying access fees.

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JERRY DAVIS

Much of our public lands are prime hunting real estate. Most of these lands are managed by the Federal Government which if financed for the most part by all US citizens’ tax dollars. These Federal public lands are valuable to ranching, mineral extraction, logging, and other uses of natural resources. They are also of equal importance to our economy because of their recreation opportunities.

Jerry Davis

W

ell just got news that I drew an elk archery tag for HD 631. I always look forward to going back where I was raised. Back to the place where I learned to hunt.

Brings back memories.

This year I may have some success and I may not. That is the thing about special permits. They hold the promise of success, more so than just an archery tag. But who is to say what success is.

8

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

These federal lands harbor flora and fauna that now or in the future may benefit mankind. Taxol, a cancer fighting drug originally made from Pacific Yew, is just one example. Our wild lands also act as a barometer for our environment’s health. When bugs start wiping out stands of timber there is usually an environmental factor causing trees to be distressed and unable to “pitch” or fight off the insects. Often in our country it is drought.

And finally they are of greatest importance, at least my opinion, for our well-being. The reason Federal lands benefit so many uses is because they

are managed not solely for financial gain but because they are managed for all uses.

Granted multiple use management is imperfect.

Everyone doesn’t get everything they want but in theory everyone get some benefit.

The state of Montana also manages lands but the majority of DNRC state lands are managed to generate dollars for the State’s education system.

That is not a bad thing but you must recognize that they are not managed for multiple uses. Don’t think for a minute that if the state of Montana takes over of Federal lands that access and recreational activities will remain as they have been. The State has a fiduciary responsibility to generate income from those lands, whether it is their sale to the highest bidder or the exploitation of resources that are on those properties that may be your favorite hunting or fishing spots.

I hear of complaints of poor management of US Forest Service lands. Part of poor management can be attributed to the multitude of lawsuits the agency must contend with.

But a bigger problem is funding. Congress has not seen fit to provide adequate funding to the agency to manage lands. Add to that forest fires that in the last couple of decades more frequent and intense. Because of increased frequency and intensity forest fires are becoming more and more costly and taking a larger and larger portion of the agencies budget.

REGIONAL REPORTS NOTE : Like it or not our climate is changing, getting warmer. My experience working along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline can attest to that. Much of my work was because permafrost that had been in a frozen state for tens of thousands of years is melting.

Both BLM and the Forest Service have whether justly or not, been accused of making management decisions without the input of the public that live near and around those lands. Both agencies are creating citizens advisory councils to address those concerns.

So where am I going with this? Just this, trying to pass legislation to give Federal lands to the State is not going to be the cure for poor management of public lands.

Instead we need to participate on citizen’s advisory boards for our local Forest Service and BLM Districts. Make your voice be heard. We also need to persuade our Senators and Congressmen to provide adequate funding for both the Forest Service and BLM, so that management of our public lands can occur. Also there needs to be some type

of clearing house for litigation against Federal Land management actions.

Bottom line is quit complaining and get involved.

Jerry Davis

DirectorsAt Large

I

have been bow hunting for 46 years. I started in 1966, when I was 15, with a hand me down long bow. After I shot my first whitetail, I was hooked. I have bow hunted every season since I graduated from college. I worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 31 years as a Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor. I am presently president of Raymond Gross Engineering and Surveying Inc. I joined the MBA in 1984.

I am a member of the Montana Wildlife Association, Montana Sportsmen Alliance, Trout Unlimited, Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Montana Hunters and Anglers, Beaverhead Hunters & Anglers, Rock Mountain Elk Foundation, Boone and Crockett Club, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks R3 Citizens Advisory Committee and Beaverhead County Search and Rescue. I am on the board of directors of the George Grant Trout Unlimited Chapter. I have served on several Fish, Wildlife and Parks citizen’s advisory committees and working groups. One was the Archery Elk Working Group in 2011. I was a MBA board member from 2010 to 2013. I am dedicated to advancing the sport of archery hunting and protecting the wildlife we love and enjoy.

Raymond Gross

Raymond Gross

J

ust an MBEF update on our first 3D shoot on the property, conducted by the Flathead Valley Archers club. The photos are a couple of the MBEF’s sponsored targets. It’s good ol Neil Jacobson shooting the alligator from the canoe, and my new creation of a running deer target, number 26 Ricky Bobby with sound effects, was a great hit for the participants, (at least the ones that hit him). In the other photo is Jeff and Sarah Yerkes, Sarah was the first to hit Ricky Bobby. It was a good turnout, with even some good ole’ friends from Libby, whose initials are Al Kelly and Richard Hjort, to help establish this shoot. We and the FVA would like to thank all those who assisted in this shoot and everyone who attended for making this shoot a success.

Paul Martin

Paul Martin — elk with recurve 2014

Neil c anoe shot t wo

bby Ricky Bo , l u a P , eff Sarah, J

Summer 2015 S

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AT LARGE DIRECTORS (CONTINUED)

Danny Moore

T

he snow is melting and the grass is turning green. Spring is here. As I write this bear and turkey season will open in a few days. I hope you all were able to get your tag applications in before the May 1 and June 1st deadline. I don’t know how many of you play the out of state tag game. I’m in for Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Iowa and Montana. Some years you draw a tag, but most years you don’t. When you apply to multiple states and draw tags in different states it’s trying. One year I drew Elk tags in Arizona, Nevada and a Montana breaks tag. It worked out good I harvested three bulls in 6 days of hunting. I will be headed down to Arizona for the Pope & Young Convention in Phoenix. My wife and I are going to stop and see three of Utah’s National Parks.

On the way down were going through Zion and then visiting Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef on the way home. I hope to see several MBA members there in Phoenix.

See you guys in June at the Carp Safari in June

Danny Moore

portsmen in Montana are suffering a serious affliction. An affliction of apathy. They are NOT paying attention to efforts in the legislature to limit or take away access to public lands for hunting and fishing. This legislative session has proposed a pile of bat crap crazy bills that cut funding to FWP. One bill will cut money for accessing block management lands. Another bill aims to cut money for fishing access sites and critical habitat for big game like bighorn sheep. Another bill triggers a loss of Billions of dollars in Pittman Robertson Funds. Are you paying attention?

S

BILLION$ into our state economy annually. Apparently the party in power doesn’t care about this part of our economy. It is time that sportsmen woke up and started paying attention. These elected officials that write bills and vote to negatively impact wildlife, habitat and access to public lands need to be called to task and booted out of office. MBA regularly sends out “Action Alerts” during the legislative session. Are you writing the house and senate about these issues?

Are you forwarding these action alerts to your friends and encouraging them to write? If you are not involved you are the problem.

Montana has the most public land of any state in the lower 48 without public access to that land. This land is locked up by private land that surrounds it. There are many legislators that seem bent on keeping that land locked up and the wildlife on public lands behind the no trespassing signs left as personal private hunting meccas for the rich and the outfitters. There recently was a bill to increase fines for people that gate public easement access roads to public lands…

Shot down in the house by the party in power. These legislators say we have too much public lands already but then want federal lands transferred over to the state.

Do you see their hypocrisy? Are you paying attention? Are you as pissed off as I am? If not, you are part of the problem.

There are approximate 40,000 bowhunters in Montana. Less than 1000 belong to MBA. What have you done to support bowhunting opportunity and hunting and fishing in MT? Our voice is stronger with the legislature when we have A LOT of members. How many new members have you signed up in the last year? I have a challenge to each and every one of you… I want every member of MBA to do something really simple… sign up ONE new member.

Can you imagine our membership doubling in a few short months? 3-D shoots are popping up all over the state. Take some extra membership forms to the shoots and explain to the people at the shoot how important it is be a member of MBA. If they buy an archery tag license and hunt with a bow in Montana they are benefitting from the hard work and effort of the MBA. Don’t suffer the “affliction of apathy”. Get involved. The future of hunting and fishing in Montana depends upon it.

Are you a registered voter? Do you vote in all elections? Do you know your state representative or senator? Do you talk to them about issues that important to hunters and fishermen? How many letters have you written to them about these stupid crazy bills? Hunting and fishing and wildlife viewing contributes

Roger Piefer

We Remember Lee Poole 8/20/1948 - 4/18/2015

With the passing of Lee Poole not only have we lost an incredible bowhunter but we’ve lost an incredible human being. Hopefully Lee and Schafer are catching up right now and will be helping guide our arrows in the seasons to come.

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Legislative

Report

Status as of 5/6/2015 HB 2 General Appropriations Act Sponsor: Nancy Ballance (R) HD 87 Status: In process; (H) Gov. Line Item Veto, Override Vote Mail Poll Letter Being Prepared Position: See below This is the primary bill for funding all agency operations. The bill as written will remove the Hunter Access Program (mostly Block Management) from the budget after this biennium. If this bill is passed with its amendment, Block Management will not exist after 2017 unless a bill is passed during the 2017 legislature to continue it as a new program. The program has been successful for over 25 years but its future is now uncertain. Under HB 2, the Legislature has also failed to fully fund programs essential to wildlife management. Items include:

to promoting mature decisions in the field. Today’s youth are technologically savvy and certainly intelligent enough to complete the hunter safety course.

Montanans are already successfully recruiting our kids into hunting and a “free ride” isn’t necessary to continue this trend. Our focus should be teaching woodsmanship and hunting skills to our youngest hunters so they fully and safely enjoy the hunting experience.

Bills Tabled or Missed Transmittal Date (Dead) HB 176 Allow cross-bows to be used for hunting during archery season.

Sponsor: Forrest Mandeville (R) HD 57 Position: Oppose Status: Tabled by 18-1 vote - Fish Wildlife & Parks

HJ 19 Resolution against efforts to claim, take over, litigate, or sell federal lands.

Sponsor: Ed Lieser (D) HD 5 Position: Support Status: Dead - Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

1. Not funding FWP enforcement to current levels, 2. Not fully funding wolf management which leaves the gate open for Endangered Species action from the Federal Government,

HB 286 Require roads to remain open during a dispute over legal access.

3. Not funding bison technicians needed to deal with safety and private property damage issues related to bison migrating out of Yellowstone National Park.

Sponsor: Tom Jacobson (D) HD 21

Please email the committee members and encourage them to fully fund Hunter Access Programs, FWP enforcement, wolf management, and bison technicians.

Position: Support. Requires that public roads remain open during a dispute over the road’s status, placing the responsibility on the private entity to prove the road is private before blocking public access to it.

Status: Dead - Tabled in Transportation committee

HB 403 Provide for long range building appropriations Sponsor: Dave Hagstrom (R) HD 52

HB 304 Increase penalty for blocking a public road.

Status: (H) Signed by Governor

Sponsor: Mitch Tropila (D) HD 26

Position: Supported full funding of FWP programs, including allowing land acquisition for purposes such as access and big game habitat. Includes Habitat Montana, Upland Bird Habitat Enhancement Program, Migratory Bird Program, Bighorn Sheep Habitat Program, Fishing Access Site Acquisition Program.

Funding was cut for some of these programs in the final bill

Position: Support. Bill increases the penalty to $500 for obstructing access to a county road. Presently, the penalty for blocking county roads is only $10 per day, which is completely out of proportion to the financial impacts to hunters and communities who are blocked from accessing public lands.

HB 140 Revise laws related to hunting and fishing licenses

Status: Dead - Tabled in Transportation committee

Sponsor: Jeffrey Wellborn (R) HD 72

HB 278 Generally revise fish and game laws with respect to unmanned aerial vehicles.

Status: (H) Signed by Governor

Sponsor: Jeff Essman (R) HD 54

Position: Support without Senator Ripley’s amendment from SB 395

Position: Support. Prohibits the use of unmanned vehicles for hunting or fishing purposes. Ensures fair chase principles are maintained while hunting.

HB 140 streamlines hunting and fishing licenses, clean up free and reduced licenses, and shores up funding for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Hunting licenses will cost only $8 more per year and fishing licenses only $3 more. The proposal was crafted by a council of hunters, anglers, outfitters, businesses, and legislators. FWP will be forced to cut key services for hunters and anglers if the license increase is not approved this session. Contact the committee members and encourage their support of the bill.

Status: Dead - Tabled 12-7 - Fish Wildlife & Parks

HB 281 Generally revise laws related to game wardens.

Sponsor: Dale Mortenson (R) HD 44

Status: (S) Failed House vote

Position: Oppose. Weakens game warden authority and the overall statute by changing language to make it easier for violators to avoid prosecution. In several sections, the word “negligently” is changed to “purposely and knowingly,” making it more difficult to find game violators guilty. The bill also undermines FWP’s search and seizure abilities which have been ruled to be appropriate by the Montana Supreme Court.

Position: Oppose

Status: Dead - Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 395 Revise laws related to youth hunting Sponsor: Mark Blasdel (R) SD 4

SB 395 undermines Montana’s heritage of successful youth mentoring through hunter education programs. The MBA opposes waiving hunter education for youths of any age, as the promotion of safe and ethical hunting practices is crucial

Joelle Selk

In March the Big Bear store in Great Falls sponsored a sign up day for conservation organizations to sign up new members.

Big Bear paid $10 toward new memberships. This made new memberships only $15! New MBA member Ted Nesmith joined DAL Roger Peffer in manning the table and together signed up 7 new members. Thanks Ted for helping out at this event and a big Thank You to Big Bear for your support of MBA. Another big thanks to Keith Gebo- Bib Bear Manager for contributions to the Region 4 game at the Banquet. Next time you stop in Big Bear be sure to thank them for their support of our organization. We need to support all the sponsors that donated to our convention. Next time you need that new piece of archery tackle or a new bow... Stop in to these supporters businesses, say thanks and spend some money.

Summer 2015

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2015 CONVENTION WRAPUP HEADER

Montana Bowhunters Convention March 27th – 29th 2015 Billings, Mt. I was working my contract job outside of my “real job” back in February 2014, doing paperwork at night when a voicemail hits my phone… So I listen to this voicemail of Cookie Koch laughing and telling me “Hey, me and Jason Tounsley are here at the region 5 mtg and we just voted you the 2015 Convention Chairman… Sucks to be you!

Bahahaha”! I will admit I was first a little proud I was thought of, then felt “no way in hell do I have time for this”! I did my best to talk my way out of it a few weeks later at the Great Falls convention to no avail. I was reminded by the same reassuring Cookie that “we just need to name somebody, we’ll help you out”! I did indeed have more help than I knew what to do with come convention weekend, however leading up to it…

Skip forward to now… I learned a lot and would do a vast amount of things differently.

That being said, I will absolutely help with the convention when it comes through Billings again!

I will also do it much better! I had a great crew of MBA volunteers helping that weekend; I just know now to enlist them sooner in the planning stages!

I was approached by many during the convention stating what a great time it was and I am thankful! I am my own worst critic and continually found flaws that I made mental notes of not repeating. Having not done anything like this before, I suffered many stressors and many of them were self-induced!

hy otograp h P e f li d n “Wil rancis o F l e a h Mic

Sam Archer Krings and Schwom eyer

on arrett Mike B talking S “Silent es” qu Techni Guest Speak e Roy Ro r th

Thanks to all of you who helped along the way and many thanks to my “Black Shirts” who helped the night of the banquet. You all were amazing and busted your butts, I can’t thank you enough.

The hotel staff was great dealing with a fiasco they had never had to encounter before, with our many regional games, indoor shooting range, mounts, etc.

Their staff said it was good for them to work for us.

That hotel crew plated approximately 170 of us at the banquet with one of the best meals you could ask for! On the downside, I was sincerely defensive for our seminar speakers, who had difficulty with their respective audio / visual issues, however they along with the hotel staff both learned from it (myself included), and hopefully it will not be a problem in the future.

I will close by saying I am hopelessly in love with archery hunting and believe in what the MBA is doing to preserve what we have in that realm. That is the reason why I agreed to help in this endeavor. That along with the tremendous work I have seen in my short membership by Jenn Schneider, Joelle Selk, Teri Kelly, our generous donors and to all the other advocates I am not privy to. Keep up the good work and continue to solicit new members. Anyone carrying a bow in our state should join… whether to support what is in place or to strive for changes in the future.

Sincerely, Sean R. Dunn 2015 Convention Chair.

Region 5.

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e s” gam l i a T d s an “Head

Luke and dad Wade Samuelson - winner of the self bow

OUR APOLOGY Due to an unfortunate error that was made in the schedule our seminar speaker Ben Jimenez of FWP was unable to present his hearing report on the Bitterroot Elk Study. On behalf of the MBA and the Billings Convention Crew we sincerely apologize to Ben and look forward to hearing him at a future convention as he has graciously offered to present next year and will have available better, and more accurate findings.

MBA GENERAL MEETING

Montana Bowhunters Association General Meeting Date: March 28, 2015 The Northern Hotel, Billings

MOTION: Made by Roger Peffer and seconded

by Dan Moore to dispense with reading of last year’s minutes.

we put the question to our members in a survey.

60% of our survey respondents stated that they would like to allow lighted nocks and 58% would like to allow bow-mounted cameras. The board has discussed this thoroughly and would like to submit a proposal to the FWP commission to foster a discussion. As part of the discussion, we would include the P & Y decision and our history of involvement with this issue.

VOTE: Unanimous voice vote in favor.

Membership discussion comments:

Call meeting to order: 9:10 AM Reading of previous meeting minutes or motion to dispense with reading.

FINANCIAL COMMITTEE: Jenn Schneider Outcome 2014 Budget and 2015 Projected Budget: Jenn briefly reviewed various sources of income and expenses from 2014 and the budget for 2015.

Previous Action Item: The board would like to invest some of the savings account into a better paying account. Roger will send investment information to the financial committee from Lee Diedrich at Prudential. Committee members are Joelle, Roger, Jenn, Seth, Jerry and David Stratton.

--Resolution: Board to invite investment representative(s) to make a proposal during our June board meeting.

Proposals for donations: Part of our budget includes making donations to worthy projects the board deems to be in line with our mission statement.

-Youth Outdoor Camps (Marlon) $500 Teller Youth Conservation Expo May 9 -Shoot for the Cure – target donation (Joelle) $250 donation towards whatever target they want.

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE: Terry Kelly Input and suggestions for improvement by members was solicited. One member felt it is a little bulky. People like the size of the print, especially those of us with “mature” eyesight. Roger, as chair of the awards committee (including a literary award!), solicited photos and articles for the newsletter. Editor Teri said she will check with the printer about the size of the print and pages so the layout is optimized.

CONVENTION COMMITTEE: Jenn Schneider and Sean They reminded people of the seminars, silent auctions and the regional games.

Order of Convention: Who’s up next? Region 3 – TBD, Chair: Brian Koelzer. He will be investigating sites in Bozeman, Belgrade and Butte and present his findings at the June board meeting.

The previous rotation of host sites has been Billings 2015, Great Falls 2014, Missoula 2013, Butte 2012, Kalispell 2011, Billings 2010, Great Falls 2009, Missoula 2008, Butte 2007, Helena 2006.

TENTATIVES COMMITTEE: Discussion on Equipment Proposal for the Commission : Draft proposal presented by Joelle.

With the change in the Pope and Young rules in allowing lighted nocks and bow-mounted cameras,

The members have stated what they want in the survey and the board needs to support that. In terms of the 56% return on the survey, people who didn’t answer the survey voted with their apathy.

An opposing view was, how far do we go in moving archery away from the “primitive sport” for which we were given the season? Are we opening the door for more and newer electronic devices down the road? With each new device, do we continue to draw a new line in the sand each time? How do we educate the 41,000 people who buy bowhunter licenses and don’t join MBA? With each new device, do we become more effective and start impacting populations more? The intent is that we focus on what is good for Montana, not what Pope and Young does. If we make this change, it becomes not about Montana wants, but what Pope and Young does nationally.

hunter can wear a camera on their head, they don’t need to be mounted on a bow, so it needs to be a separate question. Some asked whether we were certain that members only had one vote. Joelle explained the technical and manual checks which are in place so ensure no one can double-vote.

Members asked if the board has discussed how to deal with new electronic developments in the future? Are we going to take this piece-meal fashion as things come up? These are difficult questions which we’ll have to work out as we move forward.

Joelle called for the vote.

VOTE (hand vote): Aye: 36 Nay: 3 Members in attendance: 54 (quorum was present, as total active voting members are 526 at time of the vote)

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE: Handout provided.

Joelle will also send out a member alert about HB 2, HB 403 and HB 234 about upcoming votes this week. Roger commented that all citizens need to pay attention to their legislators and what they are doing to hamstring FWP as a department.

BOWHUNTER ED: Wayde Cooperider, FWP hunter education coordinator

Joelle briefly explained the Tentatives process and how we might initiate the discussion. After submitting our proposal to the FWP Department and Commission, it would go out for public comment at the regional meetings and then come back for the FWP Commission’s decision. Initially, the issue of electronic devices started at the request of the FWP Commission to deal with this issue once and for all and not have to deal with it every Tentatives cycle. So, we went with the “no electronics” stance. But now, with new electronics on the market and our member survey results, we need to revisit this. We want the commission to deal with this, not the legislature. We need to stay together as bowhunters, no matter what we shoot. Two years ago, the survey results went the other way as being opposed to electronics. Do we need to send out a letter to each member that requests their direct vote on this issue? We thought we already asked this question with the survey, so essentially that was already a vote. Since we already have input from the survey, is it up to the board to decide what to do with the results? Joelle asked whether it would be more useful to just ask the membership how they want this presented to the commission rather than to conduct another vote? Do we provide pros and cons with the ballot?

Often, that only serves to complicate things on a ballot issue, as it is difficult to cover all points fairly.

Historically, we have made proposals to the FWP Commission based upon what our members want, so we need to have a definitive question so we get a clear direction from our members about what we should do about the electronics issue.

Discussion about bow-ed class deadline: MBA’s board supports maintaining the current deadline of July 31. Bowhunter education instructors sometimes go over the deadline unknowingly and the department has to certify the students anyway.

Wayde stated that if the deadline is removed, the instructors would be in control of when they teach and finish up their classes.

MOTION: Teri Kelly moved that we send out a ballot to each and every member with a selfaddressed stamped envelope that provides a clear question so each member gets to vote on what the MBA should do on the electronics issue. Seconded by: Jeff Koelzer.

VOTE: Unanimous voice vote in favor.

Comments: How does the group of instructors feel about this? Wayde says his feedback has been about 50/50 on this issue. This will be discussed further at Sunday’s bow-ed breakfast.

[Bow-Ed addendum: After discussing the issue during the bow-ed meeting on Sunday, instructors and FWP opted not to extend the class deadline.]

Partnerships to purchase and distribute draw-loc devices. Provide to archery shops in each region; they will mount on a bow of their choice for display and demo purposes.

LANDOWNER-SPORTSMAN: Mark Schwomeyer Report on Bullwhacker Road and other land access issues. BLM has started the process involving the Bullwhacker Road and Mark will visit with anyone with questions about this issue. He will put together some information to pass on to the membership.

MOTION To Adjourn: Made by Jerry Davis and seconded by Bill Bishop.

Adjourned at 10:25 AM Submitted by Marian Stratton, Secretary

Discussion: We need separate questions for lighted nocks and bow-mounted cameras. Right now, a

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CONVENTION AWARDS

Bowhunter of the Year A

lthough Kara Jensen’s bowhunting career is only three years old her accomplishments in the great outdoors are quite remarkable. Born in eastern North Dakota to a nonhunting family it wasn’t until moving to Montana in the fall of 2011 that she’d even shot a bow. Kara had come here several springs to look for elk sheds with her sister and after a 7 month long distance relationship with Brian Koelzer where she accompanied him on a few carp hunts and eastern Montana deer hunts it was clear that she was very interested in archery. Winter and spring 2012 found Kara and Brian shooting archery league and spending a great deal of time in the woods. With bow-ed checked off the list in June 2012 it was off to the races for her! They scouted whitetails hard that summer and just three days into a very warm opening weekend a great 140” 5x5 did not survive walking by her tree stand. A few weeks later, turning our efforts to elk she put it together on a nice 5pt bull Brian called into under 15 yards. In just two trips back and forth Kara and Brian were beat but had that bull quartered in the back of the truck. Can you say “hooked”!!!

Kara wasted little time in 2013 getting down to business by arrowing a Pope and Young antelope ten minutes into her first day of hunting the speedy devils. October came and she followed up with another nice whitetail. In between all the successes many a day was spent hunting a variety of other game including bear and mountain lion, (which Kara put at the top of her list after seeing her first big tom in a tree during the chase season.)

Beginners luck?, rather be lucky than good?, she heard them all....... little did Kara and Brian know what 2014 would have in store for her! After several unsuccessful and grueling mountain lion chases coupled with getting up at 4:30 am for days in a row, New Year’s Eve found the duo celebrating (responsibly) with friends and after ringing in the new year excused themselves because sleep would be short that night. By ten the next morning Kara was hot on the trail of a BIG tom and after a relatively short chase the dogs had him treed. Unhappy with his first tree the tom bailed just as they were getting there but was up another bigger tree in less than 100 yards. After a perfectly placed arrow, and a very difficult shot, Kara was crying tears of joy and holding up a 162# pope and young lion! Happy New Year! Fast forward to June and the day special tags came out, after a whopping 2 years of applying Kara had drawn a goat tag! Preparation for that hunt started shortly after learning the good news. On her days off Kara was hiking or running trails in the Bridger mountains and many weekends were spent on scouting trips into her unit looking at goats. A quick break from mountain goats in August to focus on speed goats resulted in two days of hunting and a great ambush to tag a 12” buck. September found Kara and Brian camped in the rocks for three days at a time in search of the furry white beasts. On the seventh day of hunting some of the most unforgiving landscape in southwest Montana Kara had snuck up to 21 yards from a goat bedded in a snowbank at 10,500 feet of elevation. The wind was gusting relentlessly and the goat was not offering a shot so a waiting game played out and finally just like it was written in a script the goat rolled in the snow then repositioned broadside and facing away. Having to keep hunkered down so the wind wouldn’t catch her bow she made a perfect heart shot! The goat only went 15 yards before expiring. More tears, then hugs, then jumping around, then the four hour hike back to camp with cape and meat was in her words the most physically grueling thing she›s ever done.

Leaving the mountains with her goat September 16 and back on the hunt

by Friday the 19th Kara was back in the whitetail stands for only the second time of the season. Just as the sun was beginning to dip behind the mountains there was a group of four bucks headed Kara’s way with one beauty of a 5x5 bringing up the rear. Brian watched the action through binos and as the deer

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Kara Jensen September 19 big 5pt whitetail 20 yard double lung

Kara Jensen 2015 special drawGallatin county turkey

Kara Jensen Aug 14 12 Antelope

passed by Kara at 20 yards he had a moment when he thought she wasn’t going to shoot but then the flash of fletching streaked through his lens as her arrow disappear perfectly into the ribs of the 5x5. Kara had her second Pope and Young buck in three years. The blood trail was not what they expected and Kara and Brian had decided if they didn’t find him before the big deep slough that borders the bedding area they would back out for the night. Upon reaching the slough the blood trail led out into it and shining lights out into the water there was her buck bobbing in the brackish water. With no hesitation Kara grabbed a long stick and waded out into the water. Standing nearly waist deep she was able to snag her buck and tow him back to shore. Brian’s job was to hold the flashlight which he did a fine job of. With a little grunting the buck was out of the water and drug to where he could be loaded on a four wheeler. After field dressing and pics they finally got home about midnight tired and happy.

Fortunately for Kara her work as a nurse affords her a fair amount of free time and while at work she is constantly swapping hunting tales and pics with her patients at the hospital. Kara definitely makes her patients time as enjoyable as she can and for many she quickly becomes their favorite because she is a hunter. An active member of the MBA, Kara has truly embraced the ethics, dedication and sportsmanship of bowhunting.

Nominated by Brian Koelzer, he concludes his nomination saying that, he “could go on and on about her great attitude, kindness and respect for the animals she hunts but that could be a book in itself. In addition to her hunting success she is a member of the MBA as well as Pope and Young. She has been at my side helping pack stuff around or running the regional games with me for the last four years at the MBA banquets and this April will be heading to phoenix with me for her second P&Y convention.”

CONVETION AWARDS

Schafer Award Nomination:

S

age Kamps had an amazing first season of bowhunting at the age of 11. Montana law allows youth who are 11 years old to hunt if their birthday falls before an established date.

This young lady was not going to let being on the younger side of legal hunting age nor the fact that she didn’t have the advantage of having the muscle development of a boy stand in her way of bowhunting for elk and deer in her first season like her Dad and 13 year old brother.

Sage worked tirelessly through the entire spring and summer to get her new hunting bow up to poundage and shooting good, tight, consistent groups. This included shooting her bow almost every day throughout the summer and a regiment of pushups to build muscle. Not going elk hunting was not an option in her mind, and her determination and hard work paid off as the magical month of September rolled around.

Sage had many of the trials and tribulations that bowhunting for elk brings to all bowhunters. There were many long and fruitless hikes, there was constantly trying to keep up with her Dad’s longer legs hiking, and there was even an overnight backpack hunting trip that resulted in a great day of bugling but no close opportunity. All this while juggling a full volleyball schedule and evening practices as well as maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

Then one fine crisp late September morning she got her chance at a nice 6 point bull and all her months of practice and hard work paid off. In fact, it paid off so well that her first animal with a bow at the age of 11 was not only a 6 point bull elk but a bull elk that would make the Pope and Young record book. She was so happy and proud, but she wasn’t done there, she had more tags to fill.

She then turned her focus on harvesting a deer with her bow and was soon successful in harvesting a nice whitetail doe with her B tag. Then despite rifle season opening, this young lady continued bowhunting with the focus of harvesting a buck with her bow as well. Her hard work was again rewarded when she made a great heart shot on a muley buck in early November. Her buck fell quickly within sight and her A tag was notched as well.

What an amazing first year of bowhunting.

Sage was nominated by her dad Steve who finished his nomination with, “I can’t think of a young individual more deserving of the Paul Schaffer Award as she exemplifies everything this award is meant to stand for. As her father I couldn’t be more proud of her for her hard work, determination, and her accomplishments. It is for these reasons that I believe Sage Kamps is very deserving of the Paul Schaffer Award.”

Special Achievement Award:

A

n organization’s success is often driven by individuals who show up at just the right time and contribute the thing which the group needs most. Some years ago, one such person served on our board and significantly changed the way we are viewed and the way we do business. Essentially, this person brought us into the 21st century. He made our website look more professional with enhanced capabilities, including links to Vimeo and Issuu, so we could feature our Founders video and newsletters. He made us hip with a Facebook page. He introduced us to SurveyMonkey so we can more easily survey and analyze our members’ perspectives on important issues. He made us able to easily conduct financial transactions for our members with a storefront and point-of sale capabilities. In essence, he raised our game and allowed us to become more responsive to our membership.

All of this technical expertise has been invaluable to the MBA, and our appreciation to this gentleman is long past due.

We are pleased to present a Special Achievement Award to our webmaster, Lyle Hebel, for his contributions to the MBA.

Summer 2015

15

CONVENTION WINNERS

BOW WINNERS

Bow Winner -Yellowstone Custom Bows, Rich Wormington - $400 Toward a custom bow William Wilson

Bow winner - Toelke Customs Bows - Dan and Jared Toelke Mike Vinion

Bow Winner -Pronghorn Custom Bows - Herb Meland - 3 piece RD takedown longbow - Nathan Peckinpaugh

Bow Winner -Yellowstone Custom Bows, Rich Wormington - $400 Toward a custom bow William Wilson

Bow Winner - Kim Blaskowski and husband Chris

Bow Winner -Trails End Recurve, Dale Dye - $500 Toward a custom bow Steve Martin

Bow Winner - Schafer Silvertip Recurve, Dave Windauer - $1000 toward a custom bow cory Crawford

Bow Winner - Hoyt - Steve Kamps

Bow Winner Bowtech - June Page

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Hat Raffle winner lucky #21 Jerry Davis with RER Traditional Bow by Ike and Chester Floyd

Nate Peckinpaugh winner of the Coney bird toss

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BEAR HUNT

The Right Stuff

W

hen Sean Dunn, Billings MBA Convention Coordinator and long-time hunting buddy of mine, asked Jason Buyse and me to run the kid’s shoot for this year’s convention, I jumped at the chance. The three of us all trained together to get our instructor certification in N.A.S.P (National Archery in the Schools Program) and have been spreading the N.A.S.P. philosophy (On Target for Life) for years. Sean and I work together at Youth Services Center in Billings, where we have the opportunity to introduce archery to many at-risk youth who otherwise would probably never get to pick up a bow. During that time, we have been lucky enough to see how much of a positive impact learning how to handle, care for, and shoot a bow can have on a kid.

At the kid’s shoot this year, Jason and I saw kids as young as 2 and 3, sometimes with Dad helping them, sometimes solo, fling arrows from a Dakota recurve that was at least twice as tall as they were! The little tykes weren’t the only ones stepping up to let arrows fly from the recurves and the Genesis compounds though. There were many kids, up to age 13, who participated. Huge elk, deer, bears, and the like were all being tracked down and targeted in the minds of tomorrow’s hunting elite. All of them were there to shoot, but their eyes were often drifting to something besides the target while their toes straddled the shooting line. Blake Smith from Yellowstone Custom Bows donated a custom made “Button Buck” longbow that was to be raffled off at the end of the shoot. The beautiful longbow was beguiling to the youngsters’ focus.

The Button Buck was indeed one of the star attractions of the shoot. Every kid was eager to get a chance to nock an arrow onto the longbow’s serving, and try to outshoot their brothers, sisters, and rs to friends. We gave out a lot of prizes provided by our generous donors the kids: hats, shirts, hunting videos, onXmaps and Tremble Outdoors ors Navigator GPS subscriptions, lots of stickers and smaller prizes, and five $50 gift certificates to Rocky Mountain Discount Sports in Cody, Wyoming donated by manager Troy Koster. But the first prize given away was the Button Buck.

Jason had Blake draw a winning ticket from the bucket full of raffle stubs.

Blake read the number aloud, and each kid listened intently, hoping their number would be called. The winner of the raffle turned out to be one of the older boys who had participated in the shoot. He shouted in excitement, came up, thanked Blake, and collected his prize. The bow was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, but in all actuality, it was too small for the boy who had won. The Button Buck was made for a much smaller child than the boy who won the raffle. The younger kids looked up at him, eyes a glaze, while he held the bow in his hands.

Then the young man did something we see far too little of in the world today.

He did the right thing. He told us that he was going to put the bow back in the raffle in hopes that a younger kid, one whom the bow would fit better, might win. Jason, Blake, and I looked at each other, and each one of us could tell the other was affected by the boy’s decision. In a world packed full of video game playing, me first, gimmie-gimmie kids, it was awesome to see a kid that actually gets it. Little things like his gesture can go a long way. He’s a boy I’m sure will make ethical decisions in the field, because he knows what’s right. He’s got the right stuff. We gave the boy one of the $50 gift certificates and drew again.

Our winner turned out to be a much younger, shy little lad. The bow was a perfect fit for him. His dad had helped him and his younger brother focus their aims, draw back, and visualize successful shots earlier during the shoot. I knew the Button Buck had found the right owner. When the boy outgrows the bow, I’m sure his younger brother will be chomping at the bit to knock an arrow of his own, if he’s not doing it right now.

Sincerely,

Hank Richards

Mark Schwo meyer and Archer

Summer 2015

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2015 CONVENTION DONORS

1 The longcurve tribal dance as demonstrated by Cookie - gauranteed to ensure a successful hunt to the winning bidder 2 Ensuring his success Brian practices his moves

THANK YOU DONORS 3 Rivers Archery 6 Robblees inc.

Allen Jimmerson All Design Landscaping Archer Extreme Archer’s Choice Media ASAT Base Camp Bear Country Containers Big Bear Billings Big Horn Angler Bill Bishop Black Gold sights Blake Smith Bob Morgan Bow Hunters of Wyo Brad Zink Buck Knives Buffalo Chips Caleco Foundry Cody Archery Club Darex, LLC Eastmans East Rosebud Fly Shop Flying Antler Taxidermy Garth Clarin Huntin’ Fool Magazine Holiday Inn Images On The Wildside Itsastitch’n Embroidery Jack Creek Preserve Jakes Jason Tounsley Joelle Selk Kenetrek Kim Blaskowski Kuiu Matrix Targets Matthews Mike Barrett

Montana Bowhunter Ed Montana Decoy Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Montana Gem Montana Styling Company Morris Buyse Mytopo.com Namibia African Hunt OnXmaps Outdoor Rec. group Pronghorn Bows RER Bows Rib & Chop House Riley Stoves Rip Cord Rests Rivers West Clothing Robb Sager Rocky Mtn. Elk Foundation Schafer Silvertip Bows Schnee’s Scott Koelzer Masonry & Antler Cr. Creations Screaming Eagle Tree stands Silverwood Skyblade Knives Stillwater Anglers Sue Barrett - BOW Superfeet Superior Archery Toelke Bows Udap University of Montana Alumni Assoc.

Victory Archery Vortex Optics Wildlife Research Center Woods Power Grip Wm. Davis Bronze Head Study Yellowstone Custom Bows Yeti Coolers Zero-victims.com

BILLINGS, MONTANA

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3 Winning bidder of the longcurve Brian Koelzer

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CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI

Montana Bowhunters Association presents:

Have You Been “Carpified ?”

C A N YO N F E R RY C A R P S A F A R I JUNE 13, 2015 C A N YO N F E R RY L A K E , H E L E N A M T x

Bowhunting only - everyone welcome!!

x

Help Carp Management in Canyon Ferry Lake

x

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

x

Send in Registration form by June 6

x

Evening meal included in pre-registration

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 ows - Carp Safa ri will 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 - preregistered Non - shooter meal ticket - prereg.

$15.00, meal included $15.00, meal not included $30.00, meal included $30.00, meal not included $ 5.00, meal included $ 6.00, fee for meal

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

price (don’t worry, it’s not carp) How to g e t pr er eg is ter ed: x

3D Targets available for those of us who can’t even hit thousands of spawning carp

x Mail att ach ed form b y J u n e 6 , 2 0 1 5 x Mail p ayme nt t o: J o e l l e S e l k 6963 York Road Helena, MT 59602 (Make checks out to MBA) x Ne e d mor e f or ms o r i n f o?

jselkm t@gmail.c om P h one #: 4 0 6 - 4 2 2 -67 98

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 f a r i J u n e 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 I n d i v i d u a l Sh o o t e r s $15.00 x ______ = Shooters under 15 $5.00 x ______ = M e a l t i c k e t -n o n - s h o o t e r $6.00 x _______ = 2-person team $30.00 x _______ = Total>> $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Make checks out to MBA and mail to: Joelle Selk– MBA 6963 York Road Helena MT 59602

C a n y o n F e r r y La k e , H e l e n a $__________ $__________ $__________ $__________

List names of shooters:__________________________________

(

____________________________________________________

Summe 2015

19

FEATURED STORY

Florida Hog Hunt

by Toby Walrath

I

walked along a path made by wide metal boats propelled from the blowing air of massive fans. The soggy ground pulled at the soles of my boots forcing a sucking sound with every step.

I thought it was a disadvantage to have all that noise following me everywhere I walked until a curious sow crashed through the river cane and reeds to greet me.

I slowly nocked an arrow onto my recurve but the pig stared me down at 15 yards.

With massive shoulders and heavy bone there definitely was no shot. The pig realized I wasn’t another pig foraging along the road during the early morning hours and bolted into the thick swamp and disappeared in a second. That was the first wild boar I ever saw on public land and my heart was pounding.

My recent trip to Florida was a run-of-the mill family vacation where my wife, son and I would meet “the in-laws” and hang out on the beach, make sand castles and drink beer every night as the sun went down over the ocean. But I’ve never been very good at sitting on the beach (or anywhere else for that matter) and I have an incessant need to hunt.

So naturally I booked a hunt with a well-known outfitter; Switchgrass Outfitters, run by a husband and wife team Seth and Chelsea. Switchgrass offers Eco-tours to view alligators and when the season is open they offer guided hunting trips. They also offer hog hunts with dogs and also have a few feeders placed strategically in the swamps with just enough corn spread out to keep the hogs in the area.

This was my first hunt in Florida and I learned a lot about swamps, snakes and wild hogs. Like when I first got out of the boat in the dark and Seth was trying to orient me to the landscape. He asked me if I could see the “ridge” in the distance. I hadn’t seen anything but flat land for days. Seth re-iterated; “Do you see the row of palm trees?”

I replied; “yes”.

“Ok, that’s the ridge I’m talking about.” In Florida, if the ground is dry enough to grow trees instead of river cane and brush it’s a ridge.

After a day of trying to stalk through the entanglements of foreign trees and vines, I built a blind with palmetto leaves and sat between a grassy “open” area where I could hear pigs feeding in the grassy areas adjacent to the feeder.

Just before dark a pig walked into the clearing and fed its way towards me.

The palm trees that shaded me from the heat earlier in the day now made it darker than I wanted but the pig was at 30 yards and closing. Finally it turned broad side at 20 yards and my bow came to full draw. I had no idea how big this hog was but

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it looked good to me as the arrow flew through its ribs. The pig spun several times and then ran into the swamp.

I waited by the Saint Johns River for Seth to come to my location with his air boat well after dark. I was amazed when he told me to get in and we travelled across land all the way to the blind I had built, a distance of 400 yards or more.

The pig had gone into really thick grass and after several minutes on our hands and knees trailing the animal Seth decided to get a couple dogs for retrieval. In Florida you have to get the pig out quickly because predators like alligators, coyotes and bobcats may smell the blood and get to it first. Upon hearing this I was reminded about Montana and the concern we have in some areas about grizzly bears. I’m not sure if I would rather meet a grizzly bear at my elk carcass or an alligator at my pig!

When we returned the dogs quickly found the pig and my hunt was over. I found out that I was the first hunter in all the years Seth has hunted and guided hunts to take one with a traditional bow. The bow I carried on this hunt was made by my friend Dale Dye and the broad heads were from Howard Hill Archery both made in Hamilton, Montana. It was nice to bring a piece of Montana with me to the Florida swamps.

I did spend a day or two on the beach and got to fish in the ocean with family.

But my trip would not have been complete without a day of bow hunting. Getting a good shot opportunity was a pleasant surprise!

DUTCH OVEN COOKING

Dutch Oven Cooking

By Marian Stratton

Spring is here, then summer and then our favorite season of all, fall hunting.

That means camp cooking, especially with a Dutch Oven. I am going to give you some simple instructions for the Dutch Oven, but if you want my whole handout (about 21 pages!) E-mail me with your request and I will send you my whole handout I use for teaching classes. My E-mail address is: mnstratton1@gmail. com.

First of all, an outdoor Dutch Oven is the one with the integral legs and flanged lid to hold the coals or briquettes in place. A 12 inch oven is the most common size available and the most popular. It will hold a 9” pie pan or enough food to feed four hungry people. You might want two ovens; one for main or side dishes and one for doing sweet things like dump cake or pies. New ovens these days come pre-seasoned so that work has been done for you. If you want to cook more than one dish at a time, you can stack the ovens and I explain that in my handout.

Most dishes are cooked at 350 degrees which makes the formula for briquettes easy. For a 12” oven, you will want 12 times 2 for a total of 24 briquettes, 14 briquettes on top and 10 underneath. If it is particularly cold or windy outside, you might want to boost the number a little bit to get the oven heated up so it will start cooking. This amount of heat will last about 45 minutes, enough to cook most dishes. If your dish needs more cooking time, about 30 minutes into the cooking time you will need to start some more briquettes to add to your oven to finish the cooking. Don’t lift the lid too often; you lose a lot of cooking heat that way. When you can smell your food cooking, it is probably about 10 minutes from being done. You can make a wind screen of foil to wrap a shield around the oven to keep the heat on your oven.

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

If you want to cook something that calls for more heat, add two more briquettes for every 25 degrees that you need. For instance, most fruit pies call for 375 degrees. So a 12 inch oven would need 26 briquettes, so you would have 15 briquettes on top and 11 on the bottom.

Other things you will find useful are a metal feed pan (like the old oil changing pans) to hold the briquettes and act as a short wind screen, hot mitts (I use barbeque or welding gloves), potholders, a little shovel for coals or briquette tongs, foil, and the usual cooking supplies like bowls, spoons, spatula, cutting boards, knives, pie plate, loaf pan for meat loaf, etc. When I want to put something on a rack up off the oven floor to let the heat circulate (like a bread pan with meat loaf, or a pie plate) I just put 3-4 canning jar rings on the oven bottom to act as a rack.

For clean-up, scrap the oven as clean as you can get it. Put some warm water into the oven, up to the level of the food you cooked, plus a goodly splash of cider vinegar. No soap! Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrape again and pour it out some place away from camp or down the latrine. Put it back over the coal to let it dry, wipe it with some cooking oil on a paper towel and it’s ready to cook again.

You don’t need to buy special Dutch oven Cookbooks, although they are fun reading. If you have favorite recipes, use them. There are some recipes in my handout to get you started.

Active as of January 2015

ARCHER’S ROOST BACKCOUNTRY ARCHERY PROSHOP BUFFALO JUMP ARCHERY CROWN PHOTOGRAPHY DR. CAMO EAGLE RESTORATION ELK CREEK FAMILY OUTFITTERS FARMERS & RANCHERS FIRST CLASS OUTDOORS, LLC GARRAMONE BUILDERS GREAT FALLS ARCHERY CLUB HARDIN MIDDLE SCHOOL K DESIGN MARKETING, INC LIBBY ARCHERY CLUB MAKOSHIKA BOWMEN MATABLAS GAME HUNTERS MIKE PRESCOTT STATE FARM MONTANA HISTORICAL SOC LIB PLWA PRONGHORN CUSTOM BOWS ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION TRAILS END CUSTOM RECURVE BOW TROY ARCHERY CLUB, INC. UDAP INDUSTRIES WESTERN TRAILER & MARINE SALES YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY BEAR HUNTERS ASSOCIATION YELLOWSTONE CUSTOM BOWS

Steven Battaglia

Good luck and good cooking!

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

MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT MT

59538 59072 59804 59403 59034 59801 59923 59330

George Bauer Herb Meland

Hardin Libby Helena Kalispell Havre Florence Billings PO Box 748 Malta 10 Grassy Flat Rd Roundup 1105 Spurgin Ct Missoula PO Box 3653 Great Falls 611 W 5th St Hardin 1613 South Ave W. Missoula PO Box 755 Libby PO Box 781 Glendive PO Box 1559, Lephalale, 0555, South Africa 1501 S. Russell St. MIssoula PO Box 201201 Helena 115 N 28th St #406 Billings 2491 W 42nd St Casper

MT MT MT WY

59801 59620 59101 82604

406-672-5945 406-293-8738 406-449-3111 406-752-6116 406-265-8099 406-549-1221 406-670-4366 406-654-1808 661-317-0001 406-327-4800 406-453-1158 406-654-1808 406-273-6193 406-291-4801 406-939-0697 27116794664 406-541-9800 406-939-0697 406-224-1541 307-234-1824

David Allen Dale Dye Patrick Hanley Mark Matheny Clyde Thomas, Jr. Joe Kondelis

5705 Grant Creek Road 276 Grantsdale Rd 185 Forest Rd 1703 Waterline Rd 1865 Hwy 2 E. 255 Upland Ct

Missoula Hamilton Troy Butte Havre Cody

MT MT MT MT MT WY

59808 59840 59935 59701 59501 82414

406-523-4500 406-363-2983 406-295-9048 406-581-4856 406-265-4572 307-899-0461

Rich Wormington James Brown

280 HWY 14A E PO Box 96

Lovell Richey

WY MT

82431 59259

307-548-6292 406-773-5509

Judy Adams Mike & Lucinda Layne Don Stein Michael Henry David Hein Danny Shores Don Garramone Rick Maynard Kimberly Kinsinger Wendy Drake Willem Frost Mike Prescott

PO Box 429 208 W Spruce St 2710 Broadwater Ave PO Box 9936 1625 Northern Heights Dr 15853 Queen Annes Lane

59034 59923 59602 59904 59501 59833

Summer 2015

21

3D Shooting Fun

3D SHOOTS

By Teri Kelly

Gophers at Fawn Creek

T

his is a bowhunting organization and of course we like to talk about how we bowhunt, when we bowhunt, what we bowhunt, how long we bowhunt and who we bowhunt with. We also like to share our pictures of bowhunting and as the editor; of course I love it because it gives me great material for the newsletter.

So what do we bowhunters do when we are in between seasons? We go to Carp Safaris; we may try to harvest some small game such as gophers, rabbits and other species that don’t have a specific season, and some of us go to 3D shoots and a great many of us are involved in our local archery clubs. I personally love 3D shoots. They are a great way to have fun with your archery friends and keep your shooting skills tuned up in the off season. If you’ve never been to a 3D shoot, they are great fun and give you more opportunity to spend time with friends and family who love the sport of bowhunting.

We recently had our 17th annual Traditional shoot in Libby put on by the Libby Archery Club and it was fantastic. We had a whopping 203 shooters that “hunted” various predators and game such as a charging zombie, Bigfoot, a huge cobra, dinosaurs and the more traditional game, deer, elk, moose, turkeys and wolves. We had a group that showed up from North Dakota and they swear they are coming back next year!

Libby Archery club also hosted another shoot recently. It was the second annual MBA Membership Drive held on Mother’s Day. It was a small shoot with 21 targets and MBA members were able to shoot for free. We were able to sign up a few new MBA members and renew some old ones and a great time was had by all. This is a great way to get your local clubs involved in supporting the MBA and to get the local archers involved in both your local clubs and the MBA. What are some of the things you as a club or individual are doing in your community to support bowhunting, your local archery clubs and the MBA? We’d love to see and hear about your efforts.

Next up is our Fisher River Shootout for compounds and traditional equipment. Along with flyers for upcoming shoots and events for other clubs in the region we’ll have MBA newsletters and flyers to keep spreading the word about what the MBA does for bowhunters in Montana. Hope to see you at a shoot some where soon.

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Cooking up some lunch for the shooters

Water bag shoot

Balloon shoot

Zombie

MBA Membership Shoot

Fawn Creek Shoot 2015

TELLER YOUTH CONSERVATION EXPO

2015 Teller Youth Conservation Expo A

bout 35 wildlife and conservation organizations hosted the Youth Expo outside of Corvallis to offer young people between the ages of 6 and 17 the opportunity to learn outdoor skills.

Youngsters had the chance to win one of the 85 summer camp scholarships at places like Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch at Dupuyer, Lubrecht State Forest at Lincoln, Ennis’ Jack Creek Preserve Youth Camp or Glacier National Park’s Glacier Institute.

The MBA participated in the Youth Expo for the third year, drawing hundreds of kids to the archery booth. We donated $500 and MBEF offered a bow for the free youth drawing. It was incredibly satisfying to see so many kids experience the joy of arrows in flight.

Thanks to our Region 2 members for their help in hosting the booth, especially Merri and Marlon Clapham, who transported the booth and equipment to the Expo.

Congratulations to the following bow winners, Mazy Miller, age 7 (pictured) and Katelyn Sheperd, age 11

Summer 2015

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HEADER

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

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

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

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

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

$5.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

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

Join Today!

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

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Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

1

KIM FRIEDMAN dealer member owner of Spirit Quest Archery shot this o Tom opening day

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7

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2

KARA JENSEN Jan 1 162# mountain lion

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CECELIA CLAPHAM with her best carp of 2014

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DANNY MOORE buck

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JUNE LEPAGE Texas Javelina 2015

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JUNE LEPAGE Javi number 2 - 2015

GEORGE KAMPS waited i d 35 years to draw and harvest this 9 3/8 inch billy goat on 9.6.14

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Doing it the hard way, BRIDGER KAMPS took this big tom B with his bow at the age of 13 and without dogs

CASEY RIPPLE 2010 Bull taken while trailing the herd

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CECELIA and MERRI CLAPHAM C with the catch of the day

MARK SCHWOMEYER whitetail

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JASON MATZINGER bull 2014

Summer 2015

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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? •

• • • •

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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.

What can you do for bowhunting in Montana?

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

Photos by Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside

What the MBA has done for you?