Montana Bowhunters Association PO Box 426 Helena MT 59624 Return service requested
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 120 Bozeman, MT 59718
DIRECTORS AT LARGE REGIONAL REPS OFFICERS
Regional News!
MBA
Regional Representatives Region 1
Al Kelly
Benny Rossetto
PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 .....................................406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net 22 Trillium Way, Kallispell, MT 59901 ...........................406-752-9006 bjrossetto@yahoo.com
Region 2
Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 ..................406-777-2408
Kevin Robinson 2110 Wylie Ave, Missoula, MT 59802 ........................406-531-8243
mbaregion2@gmail.com kevin.robinson@technometalpost.com
Region 3
Liberty Brown
Paul Kemper
275 Vigilante Trl. Bozeman, MT 59718 .......................406-581-7216 mbareg3@gmail.com 303 S Yellowstone Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718...............814-490-3653 p.kemper.54@gmail.com
Region 4
Michael Prater
Jess Wagner
201 Big Sky Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 .....................406-939-3458 jess_wagner2@hotmail.com
Ben Buller
Ken Schultz
buller_ben@yahoo.com 302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 ......................406-598-8550
Tristan Mauel Nick Siebrasse
4996 Bullhook Rd., Havre, MT 59501............................406-390-0402 bowdude@mtintouch.net
Rick Miller
Bob Morgan
Cliff Garness Mandy Garness Rich Smith Stephanie Prater
grrizzz@q.com P.O. Box 1995, Colstrip, MT 59323...............................406-749-0706
5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com...... 406-788-9009 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - camoquilter@gmail.com.................. 406-750-9953 PO Box 51428 Billings, MT 59105-1361 - muleybum@gmail.com......................... 406-281-8846 416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown MT 59457 - mthuntress406@gmail.com............... 406-461-6949
355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com...........406-660-1019 351 7th Ave East N., Columbia Falls, MT 59912...........................................406-250-9806 – michaelshepard7@gmail.com
TJ Smith
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Koelzer 80 Jansma Lane • Manhattan, MT 59741 rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com • 406-570-7997 2ND VICE PRESIDENT
Mark Schwomeyer 60 Hruska Ln • Lewistown, MT 59457 markschwo@gmail.com • 406-350-0173 TREASURER
Claudia Davis PO Box 426 • Helena, MT. 59624 mtba@mtba.org • 406-404-6168 SECRETARY
Jerry Davis 25 Middlemas Road • Helena, MT 59602 pipelinejerry@gmail.com • 406-475-2226 PAST PRESIDENT
Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane • Stevensville, MT 59870 mbaregion2@gmail.com • 406-777-2408 MAGAZINE EDITOR
Julie Jensen 5311 151 Ave SE • Kindred, ND 58051 jjensen44@mac.com • 701-361-9197
AT LARGE DIRECTORS
ODD YEARS
Ray Gross Mike Shepard
2574 Divide Rd • Lewistown, MT 59457 mbaregion4@yahoo • 406-535-5636
PO Box 2336 Colstrip, MT 59323...................................406-749-0292
robertredface@gmail.com
EVEN YEARS
PRESIDENT
Stephen LePage
48538 Anderson Rd, Havre, MT 59501 ...................... 406-399-5114 tristan.manuel@gmail.com
Region 7
officers
4143 King Ave East, Billings, MT 59101 ......................406-672-5616
schultzy@iwks.net
Region 6
MBA
416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown, MT 59457 ................. 406-461-6949 Michael.prater@live.com
Region 5
www.mtba.org
2238 Ridgeview Drive, Billings, MT 59101 - sarchery@bresnan.net.............406-690-5676
EDITORIAL COMMENTS The MBA Magazine is a quarterly publication of the MBA and is intended to inform, entertain and educate its members on happenings within the organization and to bowhunting in general.
PUBLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES
FALL ISSUE, DEADLINE, July 15 WINTER ISSUE, DEADLINE, October 15 SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 15 SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15
Stories, photos, or cartoons should be sent to Julie Jensen at 5311 151 Ave SE, Kindred, ND 58051 or email jjensen44@mac.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All submitted or published photos may be used by the MBA in the newsletter, and MBA Photo Album and/or on Facebook. Any questions as to policies of MBA please contact the President. MEMBERSHIP INQURIES
Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Tresurer, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, register online at www.mtba.org or ask a member.
WEB DESIGNER
Liberty Brown Branding Iron Marketing liberty@brandingironmarketingllc.com 406-581-7216 MAGAZINE DESIGN
K Design Marketing, Inc. 1613 South Ave. W. • Missoula, MT 59801 kim@kdesignmarketing.com 406-273-6193
For all those who purchase the plate, the MBEF would like to invite you to send us a photo of your plate on your vehicle. Be creative, include yourself, pets, family, trophies of all sorts, etc.
Photos will be posted on the website. www.mtbowhuntermuseum.org
ARCHERY SEASON
is just around the corner...GET READY NOW!
Located in the historic Kessler Brewing building. Hwy 12 West end.
Helena 406-449-3111 buffalojumparchery.com
Summer 2021
1
EDITOR’S NOTE
MBA Committees Legislative:
Jerry Davis, Chair Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham Richard Lewallen • Joelle Selk • Stephen LePage
Tentatives:
Ray Gross, Chair Paul Martin • Mark Schwomeyer Stephen La Page • Marlon Clapham
Financial:
Chair Claudia Davis • Jenn Schneider Ray Gross • Rich Lewallenier
Landowner/Sportsman: Mark Schwomeyer, Chair Bob Morgan • Barrett Haugan Jesse Wagner • Stephanie Prater
Nominations:
P
aul and I just returned from our fifth trip to Montana from eastern North Dakota in 2021. We were blessed with two new grandsons and can hardly stay away! We are now counting one granddaughter and four grandsons and are anxiously awaiting another grand baby in June. We truly have our hands and hearts full. I am enjoying editing the MBA newsletter. For a beginner, I was really thrown in to some exciting times. The convention issue came out late as we were anxiously awaiting go or no go on the convention. Sadly, it was a no go. This issue is also late, as the Legislature kept many of you on your toes with the cross bow bill. Thanks to everyone for their effort in preventing this bill’s passage. It has been a beautiful spring. We have spent time hiking, shed hunting, and biking. God has truly blessed us. Now it’s time for spring cleaning, gardening, and lots of FaceTime. Please send me pictures for the Members Gallery.
Julie Jensen
rian Koelzer, Chair B Al Kelly • Rich Lewallen • Cliff Garness
Awards:
Brian Koelzer, Chair Al Kelly • Rich Lewallen • Marlon Clapham
Membership:
Marlon Clapham, Chair Jenn Schneider • Ray Gross Barrett Haugan • Ken Schultz Joelle Selk – Membership Assistant
Convention 2021-Region 3 To be determined Region 1- 2022 Fairmont
Magazine:
Al Kelly, Chair Julie Jensen, Editor Joelle Selk • Brian Koelzer • Jerry Davis
Website:
Liberty Brown • Jenn Schneider Beckie Doyle • Kevin Robinsone
Carp Shoot:
Joelle Selk, Chair Nick Siebrasse • Cliff Garness
Bow-Ed:
Al Kelly, Chair Brian Koelzer • Bob Morgan • Mark Schwomeyer Ray Gross • Marlon Clapham • Nick Siebrasse
Youth Membership and MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp
Marlon Clapham, Chair This committee will involve a combination of board members, MBA members and youth from each region. All area reps. will try to recruit youth from their region to get involved with the MBA’s decision-making process and planning for youth events. This will mostly be done through e-mail contacts but MBA members and youth members will be welcome to attend the Board Meeting if they are able to do so. The goal of this committee is to increase involvement and awareness of youth bowhunters and encourage future participation in the MBA. Youth ages 16 to 19 are encouraged to participate as well as any active member over the age of 19. Reg. 1 – Al Kelly (Region 1 rep) Rich Hjort (MBA member) Reg. 2 – Jackie Doyle (MBA member) Jerry & Beckie Doyle (MBA members) Reg. 3 – Vacant Reg. 4 – Jess Wagner (Region 4 rep) Reg. 5 – Vacant Reg. 6 – Vacant Reg. 7 – Vacant Reg. 8 – Vacant In accordance with the By-Laws any member can be on a Committee without being on the Board of Directors. They just cannot stand as the Chairman.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 48 #4 Sumer 2021
2 4
7 8 14 15
EDITOR’S NOTE
Julie Jensen PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Stephen LePage 1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Brian Koelzer
5
2ND VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Mark Schwomeyer SECRETARY’S MESSAGE
16 17
BLAST FROM THE PAST REGIONAL REPORTS 2021 CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM MEMBER GALLERY
Jerry Davis TREASURER’S MESSAGE
Claudia Davis BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION TALLY
On the Cover
Regional News!
OFFICERS
REGIONAL REPS LARGE DIRECTORSS AT
Mike Shephard Long Bow Bear
ters Association Montana Bowhun PO Box 426 Helena MT 59624 ed Return service request
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 120 Bozeman, MT 59718
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Spring 2021
3
OFFICER’S REPORTS
PRESIDENT - STEPHEN LEPAGE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - BRIAN KOELZER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER TREASURER - CLAUDIA DAVIS SECRETARY - JERRY DAVIS
President’s
T
Message
his has been the legislative session from hell regarding the crossbow bill SB 111. As of this writing we have seen the bill successfully tabled in the House Human Services committee, then there was a motion to bring the bill back in the same committee and that failed. On 4/27 there was a motion on the House Floor to bring it back again, which failed. I believe this is the definition of a “Zombie” bill as it will not die. Hopefully, this was the double tap to the brain for this bill, because your legislative committee is tired and does not appreciate this Walking Dead bill. As an organization acting as a vanguard for bowhunting issues, we do a poor job of letting non-MBA-member bowhunters know of our accomplishments. In fact, I would guess that most bowhunters did not even know that this problematic legislation was even introduced. Please help us get the word out: let your bowhunting buddies know that we are out there promoting and protecting bowhunting in the great state of Montana. On another note, our banquet has moved from delayed to completely cancelled. I am disappointed by this, but we are hoping to have our largest banquet ever in the spring of 2022. We will have three years of accumulated prizes and auction items, so it should be something to behold. After two years of no banquet (our largest fundraiser), the MBA’s coffers are running a bit low, but we are still financially sound. We will continue to fight for you bowhunting opportunities and continue our great programs, such as helping disabled bowhunters to enjoy bowhunting.
First Vice
President’s
Report
S
pring has finally sprung and with it’s arrival a sense of newness and growth spreads over the land. Next to fall this is certainly my second favorite time to spend in the outdoors. Although I’m not much of a turkey hunter, I enjoy looking for bears, shed horns, and scouting for signs from the previous fall. Any excuse to take the bow for a walk is acceptable but there is something about cool spring mornings giving way to warm afternoons that is very agreeable to me. Fawns and calves hitting the ground, trees and flowers budding, grass greening up, all these things that represent birth and rejuvenation never cease to amaze me. Speaking of birth, my wife Kara and I welcomed our second son into the world early in the afternoon of April 9th. Although a few weeks early, Schafer Clayton Koelzer popped out at 7 lbs 13 oz, and both mom and babe are doing great! Our oldest son, Bowen, is pretty excited to be a big brother as well although there have been a few moments I can tell he hasn’t been too sure about having to share mom and dad with another little human. One of Bo’s favorite books is about a family going on a “bear hunt,” so on the morning of Saturday April 17 I asked Bo if he wanted to go for a hike in the hills and look for a bear. This was met with a very enthusiastic “yes!” so after a big breakfast we got our stuff gathered and headed out to go “bear hunting.” Upon parking the truck at a good friends barn we loaded up our pack with fruit snacks, apple sauce, and lots of water. Since we’re in the middle stages of potty training, wet wipes and a spare diaper went in too. Upon hoisting the 35 pound pack full of child, snacks, and necessities I knew if nothing else I was going to get a workout! The first little ridge we climbed had some thick aspen pockets that we flushed a few whitetail from much to Bo’s delight. I carried my favorite Silvertip recurve and we shot judo arrows at sagebrush to add to the authenticity of the hunt. We
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The MBA Carp Safari will be held at Canyon Ferry at Hellgate campground on June 12th. If you have not attended one of these before, I highly recommend it. Let’s all hope the weather and carp cooperate. By the time this is published you will have voted for your new board of directors and I would like to welcome any new board members to the team. I will finish this out with something that I find quite hilarious–the MBA has been labeled a “green decoy” by some slanderous, half-baked blogger/website. If you have not heard of the term green decoy, it refers to the idea that we are a bunch of anti-hunting, ultra-left leaning, greenies that get all our funding from out-of-state, environmentalist groups to secretly try to abolish all forms of hunting and fishing. Such a conspiracy theory is laughable. One look at the MBA’s accomplishments or even the photos contained in this newsletter would dispel any thoughts of this. If uniting Montana’s bowhunters to protect and promote bowhunting is a green decoy, I will gladly wear that hat. Good luck this spring with turkey and bear! Sincerely,
Stephen LePage
had a decent wind blowing in our face and after the last steep pull to get to the top of the ridge we bumped a moose out of a small patch of timber, and as it ambled down the ridge, Bo started yelling “moosh! moosh! moosh!” and pointing at the departing beast. After a short discussion about the virtues of being quiet while hunting we continued on. We angled up the spine of the ridge and after a few hundred yards peeked into a nice basin that always holds game. Several mule deer grazed 75 yards below us and Bo suggested I shoot at them by whispering “bew, bew” and pointing their way. I told him we were going to let these ones live and keep looking for a bear. By this time, we’d been “hunting” for a while and I figured it was a good time for a snack. Bo didn’t argue about getting out of the pack and after fruit snacks and water we climbed on an old blowdown and threw pine cones down the hill. I knew nap time was quickly approaching so we loaded up and started our descent back to the truck. I barely got him buckled in his car seat and he was fast asleep. We took a slow ride home and the tired little hunter didn’t even wake up when being transferred from the truck to his bed. It was the best hunt I’ve been on in a while. It’s been a hectic legislative session and I’ll let you read about that elsewhere in this issue but I want to thank everyone for the tireless effort put forth trying to promote and preserve Montana’s archery opportunities. Lastly, if anyone would like to nominate someone for one of our awards please send me an email by May 15 as we are planning to announce the recipients at Carp Safari. Have a great spring and I hope to see as many of you as possible at Canyon Ferry!!
Brian Koelzer
OFFICER REPORTS
Sectretary’s Message
T
Second Vice President’s Report
I
’m writing while sitting in a blind waiting for turkeys. I’m set up 150 yards down from where they roost, I’ll keep you posted. Draw results are out for deer and elk, and I’m already hearing complaints that folks didn’t draw. I thought last year outdoors were crowded and busy. It looks as if this year is going to be even “better”! With a 29% increase in resident applications and a 12% increase in NR applications, you can bet you’ll see that increase in a decrease in opportunities for permits and in some areas in the field. I don’t have the answers (just a lot of great opinions), but it’s just something we have to get used to. In the meantime, I hope Ya’ll are planning out the details of your moose, sheep, and goat hunts! I know I am, hopefully the drawing cooperates. Until then I hope you fully enjoy your time afield this spring. BTW, I missed the turkey...
Mark Schwomeyer Mark and Archer Schwomeyer
hanks for your help in preventing crossbow use in Montana’s Archery Only Season I want to start off by thanking everyone that either testified or made the effort to testify in opposition to SB 111. I am not sure if any opponents to the bill were left in the queue after the hearing in the House Human Services committee, but your participation still made a Jerry Davis difference. I want to thank everyone who has stayed engaged in the legislative process for SB 111. Be assured your emails, letters, messaging, and phone calls made a difference. This has been a hard-fought battle and I especially want to thank our President, Stephen LaPage for taking the MBA leadership role in our strategy to kill this bill. Also, I want to personally thank the members of the MBA who were part of the strategy planning; they are now our Legislative Committee. They put in timeless hours and Zoom meetings preparing for our battle. This was a joint effort between various organizations which included not only the Montana Bowhunters Association but also the Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Montana Wildlife Federation Libby Archery Club With assistance from Blue Creek Sporting Complex and Preserve Bridger Bowmen Flathead Valley Archers Bearpaw Bowmen Anaconda Sportsmen Laurel Rod and Gun Black Otter Bowmen Great Falls Archery Club Mission Valley Archers Lewistown Bowhunters Association Colstrip Sportsman’s Club Hellgate Hunters and Anglers Montana Artemis Alliance And these are only the organizations that we are aware of, we know that several others also helped in the fight. We truly appreciate your help. If you do not belong already, you should belong to one or more of these organizations, especially if they are a local club for you. There were also some others that have given extraordinary efforts in our fight. Two of them are Marlon and Mary Clapham. Marlon is MBA’s former president, and in his former life, he was a master machinist. He is the individual, along with Mary’s assistance, who has designed and implemented the bow and arrow modifications that MBA has provided to those that have asked. Marlon and Mary have contributed innumerable shop hours to these developments. As Marlon said, every individual requires a special set-up so that means that each modification is unique. So, I and MBA want to give Marlon and Mary a special thanks for all their hard work. And while on that topic I want to ask if you or someone you know may be qualified to help us expand this service to the bowhunting community throughout Montana. It will take someone with machinist skills and facilities, bowhunting experience, and creativity. If you or someone you know has an interest, please call 406-404-6168 or email mtba@mtba.org and let us know. We would also like to thank Flaming Arrow Archery in Kalispell for loaning us a crossbow to demonstrate why its use should not be allowed during Montana’s Archery Only season. We want to thank Mike Brust from the Wisconsin Bowhunting Association for his work and time in educating legislators on the effects of the crossbow on Wisconsin’s archery season. And finally, we want to thank each and every legislator that voted against SB 111, both in the Senate and in the House Human Services Committee. Remember their vote and if you see them out and about after the session let them know you appreciate their support. 2021 Legislators who voted NO on SB 111, we graciously thank you. In the Senate, we thank. Walt Sales, Janet Ellis, Jill Cohenour, Diane Sands, Steve Fitzpatrick, Pat Flowers, Mark Sweeney, Mike Fox, Tom Jacobson, Russ Tempel, Mary McNally, Edie McClafferty, Susan Webber Shane Morigeau, Bryce Bennett, Jeffery Welborn. Shannon O’Brien, Kenneth Bogner, JP Pomnichowski, Carlie Boland, Christopher Pope, Ellie Boldman, In the House Human Services Committee, we thank. Jessica Karjala, Mary Ann Dunwell, Kim Abbott Sharon Greef, Alice Buckley, Ed Hill, Ed Buttrey, Kathy Kelker, Jennifer Carlson, Ed Stafman,
Mallerie Stromswold, Danny Tenenbaum, Tom Welch,
Let us not drop our guard, we need to formulate a plan to prevent this type of legislation from passing through the Legislature in the future.
Jerry Davis
on behalf of the MBA Legislative Committee.
Summer 2021
5
OFFICER’S REPORTS Claudia Davis
Board Of Directors Election Tally
Totals
1st VP
Brian Koelzer
105
Sec
Jerry Davis
103
DOE
Ray Gross
86
DOE
Michael Shepard
61
Treasurer’s Message
DOE
TJ Smith
59
R1 Rep
Al Kelly
13
H
R1 Rep Write-In
Benny Rossetto
2
R3 Rep
Paul Kemper
19
R3 Rep
Liberty Brown
19
R5 Rep
Ken Schultz
19
R5 Rep
Ken Buller
12
R6 Rep
Tristan Manuel
8
R7 Rep
Bob Morgan
5
R7 Rep
Rick Miller
4
ello again! Just checking in with the membership and financial reports. Since July 1, (start of the fiscal year) we have added 64 new members. Thanks to our Facebook advertising and our work in the Legislature we have acquired new supporters of Montana bowhunting. Ten of those are out-of-state supporters of our premier archery season. We can be proud of our growth. On the downside, we have had 33 memberships that were not renewed. We know some of those will renew eventually, and others may have just experienced life changes that prevent staying with MBA at this time. Still, this is an overall increase in our membership, and we can be proud of that. Having missed our banquet last year our income was down for the 20192020 fiscal year, but we survived on our limited auction and raffle income. This year we will survive without the banquet due to our generous members and our continued growth. We will still help with any adaptive bowhunting equipment when needed. Our programs will not suffer. But let us plan for the biggest and best MBA Convention in 2022. On a different topic. . . The MBA phone number, 406-404-6168, rolls to my personal cell phone. It is always a treat to answer the phone and get to talk to a bowhunter, in-state or out-of-state, with questions or comments. One of the common questions is asking about a local archery club and scheduled archery shoots. I can direct them to our website where we have a place for listing events, but currently on the website that section is empty. I would like to encourage local archery clubs to fill out the form on our website with your upcoming shoots and events, so everyone can know about them. Then I’ll feel comfortable directing callers to the Resources/Archery Events tab on our website. Thank you for making my job easier. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about your membership, magazine delivery, or other topics. If I can’t help you, I’ll find the person who can. Just email mtba@mtba.org. Or call 406-404-6168. I’d love to tell you all about our new pups that joined our household.
Claudia Davis
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Blast from the Past This issue takes us through the year 1982. Lee Poole was the MBA President and we were planning the 4th annual Convention Banquet in Billings. Of course with inflation, the cost of the banquet tickets increased to $14.50. Bill Wadsworth, the Chairman of the National Bowhunter Education Program, was the guest speaker. It was our chance to recruit new instructors to our state program. At that time the MBA was pushing hard to get Bowhunter Education mandatory. They met with the FWP Commission personal Dan Oakland and FWP rep. Gene Allen. The proposal included a lot of discussion and debate. The reasons against this proposal were as follows: 1. concern for more rules and regulations and their chance of misuse 2. objection to the use of the word “mandatory” 3. concern with not having enough qualified instructors 4. not enough information or statistics about this program and its longterm effects in other states After hearing both sides for and against, it there was agreement that a bowhunter program of some sort was definitely needed. So it was set that the promotion for the Bowhunter Education Program in this state would be on a voluntary basis. This would give the MBA time to recruit more instructors. Another issue was the continuing saga of the Breaks. With overcrowding, there were proposals for a season from September 10th to October 16th, which would shorten the archery season by one week. Hunting in 631, 632, and 630 would be by permit only and you had to apply by June 15th. The 360 permits would replace the permits in 410, 621, 622, 623, and 700. There was also a proposal the Breaks archery season would open December 1st and run through December 30th instead of the fall season. Lee Poole was working with a group of like-minded conservation groups along with ranchers and farmers to form a Sports Coalition for better relations with each other, and to help the fight with anti-hunting, antitrapping, and pro-gun control groups. The idea of the coalition was to be able to work out our differences behind closed doors. While reading in my old Pope & Young First Edition record book, I came across the “Stories Behind the World Records”. As I read through the Prong Horn record story, I noticed that Archie Malm had bought a bow a few days before the North Dakota archery season for $11.50 with a set of arrows. I noticed that the Pronghorn was his first bow hunt and his first bow kill and a world record for Pronghorn. Then I moved to another book by Gordon Whittington “World Record Whitetails”. When I got to the section on the archery harvests, I noticed some interesting facts so I put together some of the information trivia. Bowhunting’s World Records, Pronghorn Antelope & Whitetails With the Pandemic still raging and not much else to do except fighting the crossbow yet again, I turned to my library of hunting books. I have read most of them many times. I started with the 1st edition of the Pope & Young records book and was reading the stories behind the World Records. I then moved on to another book by Gordon Whittington, “World Record White Tail Deer.” This book goes back to the beginning of keeping track of all whitetail deer antlers, Boone and Crocket, the NFAA records for bow kills, and the start of the Pope & Young Club. The scoring was changing to the Boone and Crocket scoring system which is what is still in use today with only a few minor changes from the 1950s. The old records from before 1950 were still included in the new books to not actually start completely start over. There are deer harvested in the 1800s that needed recognition, so the search was on to find these old antlers and the stories behind the hunts.
BLAST FROM THE PAST world records that all have one thing in common. Every recorded kill was with a recurve bow or longbow. I’ll start with Archie Malm from North Dakota. He took the largest Pronghorn 88 6/8s in his first year as a bowhunter having bought his bow for $11.50 with arrows. In his first hunt he took his antelope; this was his first bow kill in 1958. First we’ll move to the Typical Whitetail records. • The first-ever WTD recorded as the #1 buck was taken by George Ferber from New York at 149 3/8s in 1957. • 2nd World Record WTD was taken by Bobby Tripplett from North Dakota scoring 163 4/8 in 1953. This was Bobby’s first ever bow kill. • 3rd World Record WTD was taken by Gilbert Guttormson from Minnesota in 1953 scoring 163 4/8 tying Bobby’s buck. This was also Gilbert’s first ever bow kill, with a longbow. • 4th World Record WTD was taken by Jerry Polesky from Montana in 1959 with a score of–you guessed it–163 4/8, tying the second and third world records. • 5th World Record WTD was taken by Kent Price Jr. from Maryland in 1962 with a score of 165 4/8s. This also was the very first bow kill for Kent. • 6th World Record WTD was taken by Lloyd Goad in 1962 in Iowa scoring 197 6/8s. This deer was Lloyd’s first ever bow kill also. • 7th and current World Record WTD was taken by Mel Johnson in 1965 in Illinois with a score of 204 4/8s. Believe this or not it also was his first ever bow kill. We’ll move on to the Non-Typical World Record Whitetails. • 1st would be a buck from Minnesota taken in 1959 by Don Vraspir scoring 186 2/8s and was the first non-typical measured for bow harvested WTD. Again, it was Don’s first bow kill. • 2nd and current World Record Non-typical WTD scoring 279 7/8 from Nebraska was Del Austin’s buck (A Buck Named Mossy Horns) This also was Del’s first bow kill. One other side note that should be mentioned with these incredible bucks is Ivan Masher’s buck taken in 1961. A 197 5/8ths non-typical taken with a recurve from Nebraska was measured to take over the top spot, but the recording period didn’t end until 1963. In the mean time Del Austin arrowed his 279 7/8ths giant keeping Ivan’s buck from the top spot. That recording period, 1961, 1962, and 1963 was one heck of a recording period for the P&Y Club with three World Record Whitetails recorded in the period but only the Del Auston’s buck was on top by the end. If you’ll have noticed the dates don’t line up with the order of which the deer were harvested and when it was recorded as the World Record. Easy to explain–most all these deer were taken back when the record books were in their beginning stages. Most hunters didn’t know records were being kept and the measurers were far and few between. Most all the racks were sent to Glen St. Charles in Seattle to be measured for the NFAA and then the P&Y books. When I first came across the Pronghorn World Record Archie took and was his first bow kill and then the 2nd and 3rd Whitetails were also firsttime bow kills, I got to looking closer at these stories. Of the ten World Records, eight of them were first time bow kills. So it just goes to show that if you are a first time bowhunter without a kill, you have a 80% chance of killing the next World Record Whitetail Deer–maybe. Anyway, I thought that this was interesting trivia. Hope you enjoyed.
Marlon Clapham
I found some very interesting stories that were in the 1st edition of Pope & Young Record Book on the Pronghorn Antelope, and the rest came from World Record Whitetail Deer. There are ten hunters involved here with The pictures are from Kevin Campbell all taken in 2020. The sheep is in the 170s. P&Y. Kevin has been a long time MBA member. The WT. is a 4X4. These are some of Kevin’s first bow harvests other than a couple of deer some time back.
Summer 2021
7
Marlon Clapham
REGIONAL REPORTS
REGION 1 AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD REGION 2 MARLON CLAPHMAN KEVIN ROBINSON REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGEN (NO REPORT)
REGION 2
REGION 4 MICHAEL PRATER JESS WAGNER
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REGION 5 JENN SCHNEIDER (NO REPORT) KEN SCHULTZ REGION 6 NICK SIEBRASSE REGION 7 RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN (NO REPORT)
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s a Life Member, all I can say is I have lived through this whole mess called a Legislative session. There are way too many personal agendas at work, and one thing is clear. We MUST remain vigilant 24/7 even in the off years to protect our sport. I understand why some of this stuff reappears, but I will not tolerate outright lies as regards the MBA, TBM, etc. We are electing many of the wrong types of people. Us old farts have beat those wanting rifles in elk bugling season, while we are afield, and have spent many trips to testify in the old days of the MBA. What strikes me is those wanting their way being forced on the whole. I learned a long time ago, the needs of the few never outweigh the needs of the many. And so it goes. And using my fellow veterans as shills to get their personal way is disgusting to me. As President of the Veterans Coalition of NW Montana, I work with PTSD vets all the time. Believe me, their access to a cross gun is never even discussed, and if it even would help some not committing suicide, I would be the biggest supporter of cross guns in the State–not even! Thanks for your time–always a pleasure to help our bowhunting group. shep
Al Kelly Friends,
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s I am sure you are all aware by now SB 111 the cross gun bill was defeated. It was a hard-fought win, and I would like to thank everyone involved. There was an incredible amount of work that went into this. We dodged a bullet one more time. Sad thing is that they will probably come at us again next session. Let your non-MBA member hunting friends know what transpired and ask for their support in the form of becoming an MBA member. It is almost Carp Safari time. Hope to see you there. It’s one of my favorite camping trips as I get to enjoy a long weekend with a bunch of great friends. Wishing you all good health, wealth, and arrows that fly true.
Al Kelly Montana
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REMINDER: Mailing Labels Show Your Membership Renewal Date
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MARLON CLAPHAM KEVIN ROBINSON
nother legislation session is almost wrapped up and what a brutal session it was. We as Bowhunters had a long and drawn out fight to keep the crossbows out of our Archery Season. The MBA couldn’t have accomplished this without a lot of help from our members who wrote letters, made phone calls, and sent emails to all the elected officials who vote on these issues. We also had plenty of help from other sportsmen and sportswomen groups that stood beside us all the way. The Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, Mt. Back Country Hunters and Anglers, Montana Wildlife Association, to name a few. I’m sure others will get everyone who testified against the crossbow mentioned. I for one have a Huge Thank You out to all. The MBA made several equipment changes for folks with the PTMAE to get those bowhunters back into the woods. We are still not all caught up with those projects but gaining on them. It amazes me how different each individual’s needs are. Every project we put together has been different. We decided to postpone the MBA Teen Bowhunter Elk Camp again this summer because of restrictions, distancing and camping for four days in one wall tent for each team. We felt it was better and safer to wait. But the Carp Safari will go on as planned, June 12th Saturday. The camp sites were all booked so we will be winging it where we stay and camping wherever we can. Kevin will have a better report in his report. Brian will fill everyone in the Convention. We are in the same situation with the restrictions. So once again we are going to hold off for a while. It’s time for Spring Bear. Merri, Martin and I will be going to Idaho to give that a try. We went over and put up and bait the other day down low to see if we can get an early bear on the bait. We would like to finish early so as not to miss any carp fun. We saw several turkeys strutting around on the drive over, haven’t had time to sit for them yet. Fish are starting to bite in the lakes and the rivers are full of drifters. I hope everyone got the permits in for the drawings. I’m hoping for the Moose permit after over forty years of putting in this will be my year. Hope to see everyone at the Carp Safari. Looking forward to it. Shoot-Em Straight and Keep-Em Sharp
Marlon Clapham
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pring is here and we have many things to be thankful for. I’m thankful for the hard work done by the MBA, TBM, BHA and MWF to defeat SB111–it was a huge effort. I’m thankful that Marlon has been able to use his skills in his machine shop to help get hunters with disabilities shooting arrows again (not bolts)! I’m thankful we have Jerry Davis lurking around the Capitol keeping tabs on the politicos. I’m thankful that we have turkeys and bears to chase, antlers and mushrooms to find and fish to catch right now. I’m thankful we can all gather at the Carp Safari come June 12th, have great time and shoot some fish!
Kevin M Robinson
Kevin Robinson
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eer and elk draw results came out yesterday and I’ll be once again, hoping for next year. There’s still Moose, Sheep & Goat results yet to come out so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully you had good luck with the draw and you’re getting ready for an awesome hunt this fall. In case you haven’t heard by now, the MBA board has spent the last few months fighting SB111 which was introduced by Senator Brad Molnar out of Laurel. The bill, disguised as a disabled bill, would allow anyone with an upper body “condition” to hunt with a crossbow during the archery only season. This was a very poorly written bill that would open the door for abuse by those seeking to hunt elk during the rut with a crossbow. The MBA joined with TBM, BHA and MWF in opposition to this bill and it’s been a hard fight. Many MBA members including myself, drove to Helena to testify against the bill. After passing through the Senate the bill was tabled in the House Human Services committee.
However, as I write this, the bill is trying to be revived by Senator Molnar who has added an amendment to the bill to get it pushed through. So hopefully by the time you read this, the bill has been killed. I want to say “thank you” to all the Region 3 bowhunters who took the time to send emails or call their elected officials in Helena to oppose SB111. This is the 9th time a crossbow bill has been introduced so the MBA is currently working on ideas in an effort to make it the last time. Please feel free to reach out to me (mbareg3@ gmail.com) if you have any questions or concerns about things going on in our region or statewide issues that you’d like me to bring to the MBA board. Enjoy the summer… fall is almost here! Sincerely,
Liberty Brown REGION 4 REGION
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etween the 2020 hunting season closing and waiting for the 2021 season to start, we took the opportunity to do some archery hunting in Texas with friends, hunted geese in Colorado, floated and camped on a river new to us, and hit the hills in search of shed antlers. Amongst getting outdoors we tried to get to the indoor range to shoot and keep the skills sharp while waiting on the upcoming hunting trips and seasons, as wells as following the progress of the numerous proposed bills and progress of each. I am thankful to live in a wonderful state that provides so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and equally thankful there are other states nearby to experience. It is good to see several archery clubs opening shoots and banquets moving towards some normalcy and away from the isolation. I would like to say thanks to all the MBA members and those who took the time to speak up to keep our archery season for bowhunting! Goes to show you that speaking up and fighting for what you believe in works.
Michael Prater continued on page 10
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y the time you are reading this, spring hunting seasons will be open, and deer and elk results will have been released. I hope you find yourself with a good tag in your pocket. I have been getting out shed hunting as much as possible. This year I have a four-legged sidekick that has been helping me find a few antlers, but he’s still got a way to go before he’s a finished product. I’d still like to do some bear hunting and some spring fishing. It always seems there’s just too many things to do this time of year. Unfortunately, we will be without a convention again this year. I have been a region rep for over a year now and it seems like I still haven’t got a chance to get to meet everyone due to Covid. Hopefully next year we can have a bigger convention than ever and make up for lost time. Thank you to everyone who took the time to contact your legislators or testify in person on SB 111. I am relieved that is behind us, and hopefully we will be even better prepared to fight it next time around. As much as I am breathing a sigh of relief about SB 111, there’s still bad hunting and accessrelated bills showing up weekly. Sometimes I wish I could just ignore it and go hunting, but if we want to continue to enjoy the quality of hunting that we are used to, I think being involved in the legislative process is just going to be part of the deal going forward. Keep paying attention to what is going on and voicing your opinion. Good luck hunting this spring!
Jess Wagner
s the early tag drawings start to come out, I hope everyone received the tags they applied for! With the 10% increase in Montana Hunters, drawing chances will continue to be lower than the past. There was an especially significant spike in Women and Kid hunters. I believe that COVID has had something to do with that. People are getting out however they can to get fresh air and enjoy the outdoors. Good Luck to everyone who applied! Ken Schultz As all of you probably have heard, SB111 was tabled by the House. It was a really strong Team effort by the MBA Board, several partnering organizations and our Members. We will continue to do our part to keep Crossbows (Cross-guns) out of Archery Season. As new bills and amendments are submitted, we will continue to stand our ground on this issue. As ethical hunters, I encourage all of you to get out and shoot your bows as much as you can before bow season begins. There are multiple shoots throughout the State that you can attend
Ken Schultz or just go to your local site-in range and practice, practice, practice. One way to find these shoots is on Facebook. You go to Search and enter “Montana 3D Archery Shoots” and scroll till you find the list and print. I’ve always believed that there is nothing better than being confident when you have that opportunity to make that shot on an animal! Practice makes that happen. Tuning your bow prior and during off season is always very important. Hope everyone has an Awesome Summer with Family and Friends if that’s camping or just enjoying the outdoors! I will leave with that and remember “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter”!
Ken Schultz
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hanks to all for making calls and emailing senators and representatives. Thanks to everyone who testified, made the trip to Helena and more. Thanks to our allies in this effort to keep crossbows out of our archery season. It was a concerted effort with Traditional Bowhunters of Montana, Back Country Hunters and Anglers, Montana Wildlife Association and others that stood up to SB 111 and its sponsor Brad Malnar, and some other misguided folks. Remember how these knotheads vote when elections roll around. Good luck in the permit drawings and I hope you get a Turkey in bow range.
Nick Siebrasse
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RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN Hi from Region 7, s I write this, the challenges of the 2021 Montana legislative session keep coming. Easily, this session had more bills submitted that threatened our existing Montana way of life than I can remember. Clearly, the intent was to change the status quo, despite the loud opposing voices of Montana’s sportsmen. Luckily, active organizations like the MBA took strong stands against those impacting proposals, with membership responses derailing some of the misguided directions. The latest attempt at allowing crossbows into our archery season was one that was defeated, but not without an all-out effort by the state bowhunters and key MBA officers, representatives, and directors. I am hoping all of you had a chance to keep informed during the session as the assault on the public sportsman resonated throughout the House and Senate. The frustrating atmosphere certainly reinforced how important it is to elect supportive candidates. It has never been more important to have individual Senator and Representative voting records identified on specific anti-public sportsmen bills. You will be surprised. Special permit applications were also a bit concerning if you applied for moose, sheep, and goat. The reduction in permit numbers - almost across the board - shows us that our “big three” are being negatively impacted by new predatory variables and disease. For sure, the increase in wolf presence is becoming a real game-changer. Many of us are wondering if we will ever draw one of these elusive permits (I have 51 consecutive years for a sheep) and now the available numbers are dropping (in some areas significantly). Montana used to have the most skilled wildlife biologists in the nation (maybe the world), so I and every other permit applicant are hoping that is still the case? With my luck, I will finally draw the ram permit about the
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time my legs will no longer let me be fully immersed in the pursuit. What can you do? Region 7 is seeing an increase in hunter (rifle & bow) numbers, due to a plethora of reasons. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, that increase is changing the experience for many. The region has limited public access, with game concentrations being primarily on the private side of the fence. The answer to that growing concern is the same as it has been for many years in developing an agreeable access plan with private landowners. The Block Management program certainly helped open some of those gates, but it seems that the program could use an energy transfusion to revitalize its attraction. The governor appointed Private Land Public Wildlife Council, should be our go-to think tank for strategies aimed at improving this relationship. The current PLPW council terms end on August 1st of this year, so we need to be looking for a bowhunting representative (or two) to be included in the next group. The cross-section of this council (landowners, public sportsmen, and outfitters) and its direct tie to the governor give it a unique position to make positive change if the right folks are appointed. I am a firm believer that the answer to crowding is more opportunity, not more restrictions. Hope to see you all at the carp shoot in June at Canyon Ferry. If you have not tried this yet, I highly recommend it. The fish shooting was phenomenal last year with everyone having a blast. When the conditions are right, this experience will probably be the highlight of your summer. Don’t miss it! Lastly, I am looking for member contacts in Miles City, Glendive, Broadus, and Forsyth who would be willing to distribute copies of our newsletters. We print off enough extras to give us some means to get them in the hands of potential new members. Please contact me if you would be willing to help in this effort. In closing, please help keep Montana’s bowhunting traditions alive and the challenge inspiring!
Rick Miller Note: the photo is from our dream hunt last year. My son took that beautiful ram on day 4. What an experience!
New Book from 65 years of bowhunting with longbow and recurve. From the deserts of Arizona to the high mountains of Alaska and Canada, follow the author and his family on great bowhunting adventures. 344 pages and 281 photos grace this fine book of bowhunting for small game to big moose.
“I’ve known Marv Clyncke for over 35 years now, and always wondered when “The Book” would be written! Well, here it is, at long last, and it is a fine testament to almost 65 years of his life chasing animals all over North America with his bow. Not only is Marv one of the finest and most ethical hunters I know, he is also a wellestablished writer and photographer, and this book is loaded with decades of high quality, 4-color images that complement his 39 chapters beautifully. A master of bowhunting the high country, an outstanding individual and ethical hunter, Marv Clyncke epitomizes all that is good in this world, and I am a better person having him as a dear friend. This is his life story, and it is a good one!” — T.J Conrads, editor and founder of Traditional Bowhunter Magazine.
$29.95 plus $4.00 shipping. Out of U.S. pays actual shipping cost. Purchase at sonofthelongbow.com. To contact Marv or to purchase by PayPal use mclyncke@usa.net, Or send check or money order to; Marv Clyncke 7190 South Boulder Rd. Boulder, CO 80303
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REGIONAL REPORTS-CONTINUED
CLIFF GARNESS MANDY GARNESS JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT) RAY GROSS RICHARD LEWALLEN (NO REPORT) PAUL MARTIN (NO REPORT) STEPHANIE PRATER RICH SMITH (NO REPORT)
DirectorsAt Large
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ven though COVID continues, some regulations have started to loosen due to vaccines. Yet many conventions and large gatherings continue to get pushed or cancelled altogether. Luckily for our mental health, spring is here, which means shed hunting, bear season and turkey season has started. Many archery shoots around the state appear to be getting back to “some-what” normal allowing a little archery practice and outdoor exercise. On a parallel path with spring hunting season, we hope everyone got their tags submitted for our upcoming fall hunting seasons. While I again did not draw a coveted bull elk or mule deer tag, it will not keep us from getting to the prairies and hills of Montana this fall with tags in our pockets. Everyone continue to be safe while traveling and COVID regulations loosen, but enjoy the friends, family and especially the outdoor opportunities that others can only dream about. Good luck with your spring hunting and we hope to see some of you at various shoots this summer. The Kings Hill Shoot is the 3rd weekend in July, BTW. :)
Stephanie Prater
Cliff & Mandy Garmess
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his 2021 Montana Legislative session has been an attack on wildlife, public access, and sportsmen. Many bills promoted privatization and commercialization of wildlife, ranching for wildlife, cross bow, and muzzle loader seasons. Bills were introduced that would have given nonresident elk and deer tags to outfitters, given nonresident elk tags to private landowners owning 640 acres or more of land, and would have legalized crossbows in the archery-only elk and deer seasons. Many other bills passed that limit FWP in acquiring property and easements using the Montana Habitat Program and appointed members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission with NO representation from the public and sportsmen groups. These are the more egregious bills that were passed. Many other bills passed that restrict public access to our public lands. MBA, along with other sportsmen and conservation organizations and groups has been an aggressive advocate for wildlife, public access, Montana bow hunters, and sportsmen. MBA board members and members actively participated in the 2021 Montana Legislature opposing these detrimental bills. Soon we will have the FWP biennial tentative season-setting process, and you can bet that there will be more attempts at privatization and commercialization of wildlife, ranching for wildlife, cross bow, and muzzle loader seasons. Without the constant, diligent efforts of MBA, Montana bow hunters risk losing a lot.
Ray Gross
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e’ve been blessed with some winter adventures-–chasing animals with bows in Texas with some great friends, geese in Colorado with family, and now turkeys and bears here. It’s broken up the time spent watching the legislative session that luckily will be over soon. We’ve been shooting our bows a lot, preparing for our trip to bow hunt in South Africa that was tabled (Like SB111 and some of the other horrific bills this session!) last year due to the coronavirus. We’ve been looking forward to this trip with Matlabas Game Hunters for 2 years now. Fingers crossed nothing changes. Speaking of crossed fingers, hopefully, everyone drew those elk and deer tags they put in for. FWP estimates that 12.5% more resident hunters applied this year and a whopping 29.5% of non-residents! Of course, I have mixed feelings, good and bad about the influx of hunters afield. I anxiously logged into MyFWP and was lucky enough to get an archery elk permit that is getting increasingly difficult to draw. Now the real work begins on filling it with a bull. Shoot straight and good luck with your spring adventures >>----------->
Stephanie Prater
www.pronghornbows.com 307-234-1824 evenings 2491 West 42nd Street Casper, WY 82604
Flaming Arrow Archery Nicole Tindale 1282 Hwy 2 East Kalispell, MT 59901 406-752-0702
1282 Hwy 2 East, Kalispell Summer 2021 13
HEADER 2021 CARP SAFARI The 18th annual Carp Safari bow fishing event will be held Saturday June 12th at Hellgate Campground on Canyon Ferry. As always there will be team, individual and kids categories. The shoot starts at sunrise and ends at 5 pm on Saturday. A BBQ and awards ceremonies will be held after the event at the York group site at Hellgate Campground. For more information and registration check out the MBA website at Carp Safari | Montana Bowhunters Association (mtba.org) You can also register Friday afternoon in person at the Hellgate Campground campsite #8. Feel free to call me if you have any questions! Kevin M Robinson 406-531-8243
Montana Bowhunters Association presents:
Have You Been “Carpified ?”
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Bowhunting only - everyone welcome!!
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Help Carp Management in Canyon Ferry Lake
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Never been Carpified? -Help available from semi-professional Carp Ninjas
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Send in Registration form by June 8
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Evening meal included in registration fee
Good Things to Know :
- All sh oo ter s n e ed a vali d fi shi ng l i cens e - Boa ts m us t b e re gis ter e d wi th corr e ct numb er of li f eja ck e ts - Boa ts m us t b e cl ean up on arri val and cl ean e d pr io r to e n ter ing an o th er b o d y of wa ter - Bo whun ting on l y. Brin g l o ts o f arr ow s - Carp Safa ri w ill run Sa tur da y f rom sun ris e un ti l 5 p .m.
Individual shooter - preregistered Individual shooter - day of shoot 2-person team - preregistered 2-person team - day of shoot Shooter - under 15 Non - shooter meal ticket
$ 20.00 $ 25.00 $ 40.00 $ 50.00 $ 10.00 $ 6.00
Camping available at our private camping area—details and map posted at http://www.mtba.org
(don’t worry, it’s not carp) •
Contact Kevin Robinson to reserve a campsite in the group use area or log on to www.recreation.gov to reserve in the other loops at Hellgate Campground
P R E R E G I S T R A T IO N FO RM C a n y o n Fe r r y C a r p S a fa r i J u n e 1 3 , 2 0 2 0 C a n y o n F e r r y L a k e , H e l e n a I n d i v i d u a l Sh o o t e r s $ 2 0 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Shooters under 15 $ 1 0 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ M e a l t i c k e t -n o n - s h o o t e r $ 6 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 - p e r s o n te a m $ 4 0 . 0 0 x _ _ _ _ _ _ _ = $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Total>> $_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Make checks out to MBA and mail to:
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WWW.MTBA.ORG
List names of individuals, team members, phone #, and emails: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
CONTACT NUMBERS
Fish & Wildlife Commission Members
fwpwld@mt.gov
District 1
District 2
Pat Tabor - Acting Chairman
Pat Byorth, Commissioner
KC Walsh
FWPDistrict1@gmail.com (406) 250-2899 Whitefish, Montana
FWPDistrict2@gmail.com (406) 548-4830 Bozeman, Montana
FWPDistrict3@gmail.com (406) 599-9556 Martinsdale, Montana
District 4
District 3
District 5
Lesley Robinson -Commission Chair
Brian Cebull
FWPDistrict4@gmail.com 406-301-0787 Dodson, Montana
FWPDistrict5@gmail.com (406) 860-7416 Billings, Montana
BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS
Become a Business Member of the MBA and be listed on this page every issue! For membership visit www.mtba.org.
Active as of May 2021 Ace Home Center
Tom Gilmore
507 W 9th St
Libby
MT
59923
406-293-3131
Buffalo Jump Archery
Judy Adams
P.O. Box 5581
Helena
MT
59604
406-539-3936
Capital Sports
Ed Beall
1092 Helena Ave
Helena
MT
59601
406-443-2978
Crown Photography www.mtcrownphoto.com
Mike and Lucinda Layne
PO Box 9936
Kalispell
MT
59904
406-752-6116
Elk Creek Family Outfitters
David Hein
1021 Toole Circle
Billings
MT
59105
406-670-4366
Flaming Arrow Archery
Nicole Tindale
1282 Hwy 2 East
Kalispell
MT
59901
406-752-0702
Hurst Bows
Coltin Hurst
3368 MT Hwy 5 W
Plentywood
MT
59254
406-765-7580
Kimzey Knifeworks
Dan Kimzey
134 Blue Heron Dr
Hamilton
MT
59840
406-361-5863
Kutawagan Outfitters/ Bearpaw Lodge
Jeff and Annette Smith
Box 70
Choiceland
SK
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306-428-2032
Libby Sports Center
204 West 9th St
Libby
MT
59923
406-293-4641
Matablas Game Hunters
Willem Frost
PO Box 1559
Lephalale
Limpopo
0555
27116794664
Mountain Copper Creations
Jim Clapham
PO Box 426
Milltown
MT
59851-0426
406-880-9411
Pronghorn Custom Bows
Herb Meland
2491 W 42nd St
Casper
WY
82604
307-234-1824
The Push Archery
Tim Nebel
70659 Murphy Road
Flushing
OH
43977
Sage Game Calls
Cody Moulton
753 Bowman Road
Hamilton
MT
59840
435-640-8041
Schafer Silvertip Custom Bows
Dave Windauer
357 Roberts Rd
Columbia Falls
MT
59912
406-892-0580
The Stickbow Chronicles
Rob Patuto
821 West Shinglemill Rd
Sandpoint
ID
83864
208-610-3795
Toelke Custom Bows
Dan & Jared Toelke
31345 Lost Creek Ln
Ronan
MT
59864
406-253-4949
Twite Realty
Mark Twite
8015 Indreland Road
Missoula
MT
59808
406-880-1956
Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets
Terry L & Dylan Zink
PO Box 1272
Marion
MT
59925
406-253-4670
Summer 2021
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HEADER
Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana? Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting! What the MBA offers you: Expanded hunting opportunities through working with FWP and commissioners to preserve and expand bowhunting seasons Unified voice during legislative sessions to protect seasons and access programs while opposing efforts which seek to limit the role of FWP in managing wildlife Fellowship with others who are interested in shaping the future of bowhunting
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP One Year $25.00 Three Years $67.00 Life $500.00
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP One Year $30.00 Three Years $85.00 Life $750.00
JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year
Quarterly magazine keeping you informed on local, state, and national bowhunting issues, bowhunter education, events, and great hunting stories
$5.00
CLUB MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00
BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00
OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP
Add $10.00 a year to membership choice for added mailing costs
Join Today!
Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.
Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org
YES! I Wish to join the MBA. Enclosed is my check, money order or credit card for membership checked below! SEND TO: MBA, PO BOX 426, HELENA MT 59624 • PH. # 406-404-6168
Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street: _________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip:___________ Email: ______________________________ Date: ____________________ Telephone: (_____) _________________________ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $25.00 o Three Years $67.00 o Life $500.00
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $30.00 o Three Years $85.00 o Life $750.00
CLUB MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $45.00 o Three Years $120.00
BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP* o One Year $45.00 o Three Years $120.00
JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under18) o One Year $5.00
OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP* Add $10.00 a year to membership for added mailing costs
MBA HATS o $15.00 each + $5.00 postage MBA Patches* o $2.50 each please send______patches DONATIONS o $_________________
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Credit Card #______________________________ Exp. Date_________ Signature_______________________________________ This is a give membership from________________________________________________________________________________
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JEFFREY YERKES velvet 5X5
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PAUL MARTIN 5’ cattle feeder/sled
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LUCAS ZEMLICKA 2020 bull
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JOHN BERGER September, 8-6, scores 352
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KRISTEN, BLAKE, & TAYLOR HAUGAN shed
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RON CORTESE Havre MT
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WHY EVERY MONTANA BOWHUNTER SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING THE MONTANA BOWHUNTERS ASSOCIATION • The MBA is the organization the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks consults on bowhunting issues that affect Montana bowhunters. • Montana has the best bowhunting seasons of any of the western states. We are continually working to keep these. • The MBA is active in the Legislature to protect and fight for our hunting and bowhunting seasons and rights. • The MBA produces a quarterly magazine informing you of local, state, and national bowhunting issues and events, and publishing great stories and pictures. • THE MBA NEEDS MEMBER NUMBERS AND YOUR YEARLY DUES TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT WHAT YOU ENJOY EVERY YEAR. ISN’T WHAT YOU ENJOY EVERY FALL WORTH $25 A YEAR TO PROTECT?
What the MBA has done for you? • • • •
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Worked to get the first archery season started in Montana. Along the way, we’ve increased the seasons to what you enjoy today. Worked to establish archery bear, lion and sheep seasons. Worked to establish archery antelope 900 tag and August 15th opener. Worked to establish archery only areas and hunting districts. Proposed a special archery wolf season and endorsed the highest quota of wolf harvest possible. Actively protects hunting & bowhunting seasons in the Legislature year after year. Defended our archery seasons against the “Crossbows & Muzzleloaders” threats throughout the years. Created the Modified Archer’s permit that now allows those with handicaps to use modified archery equipment to hunt; which kept any need for crossbows out of Montana and defended our archery seasons against other crossbow threats throughout the years. Re-established the archery season after it was left off the regulations one year. Actively works with FWP to protect archery seasons, our resources, and expand archery opportunity in Montana year after year.
Photos by Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside
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What can you do for bowhunting in Montana? Join the MBA at www.mtba.org to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting.
Spring 2015
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