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
