Vol. 51 #4 Summer 2024 Issue by Montana Bowhunter's Association

MBA

Regional Representatives

Region 1 Al Kelly 163 Scenery Rd Libby MT 59923 406-293-2900 griffguyal@gmail.com

Mike Iten 60 Hruska LN Lewistown MT 59457 406-366-5727 itenmike338@gmail.com

Region 2 Marlon Clapham 4455 Hoover Lane, Stevensville, MT 59870 406-777-2408 mbaregion2@gmail.com

Kevin Robinson 2110 Wylie Ave, Missoula, MT 59802 406-531-8243 kmrmt00@hotmail.com

Region 3 Liberty Brown 275 Vigilante Tr. Bozeman, MT 59718 406-581-7216 mbareg3@gmail.com

Robin Mestdagh 1150 Vega Rd, Helena, MT 59602 406-839-6371 mestdagh.montana@gmail.com

Region 4 Justin Doll 1311 15th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405 406-939-0804 j.doll6190@gmail.com

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

Region 5 Ben Buller 4143 King Ave East, Billings, MT 59101 406-672-5616 buller_ben@yahoo.com

Region 6 Tristan Manuel 48538 Anderson Rd, Havre, MT 59501 406-399-5114 HiLineTraditional@gmail.com

Region 7

EVEN YEARS

AT LARGE DIRECTORS

Cliff Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - obsession_archery@yahoo.com

Jake Garness 5901 Western Drive, Great Falls MT 59404 - powderslayer22@gmail.com

Guy Stickney 32 Cottonwood Way, Miles City, MT 59301 - wallguy31@yahoo.com

ODD YEARS

Brian Koelzer 80 Jansma Lane, Manhattan, MT 59741- Rocknrollbowhunter3@yahoo.com

June LePage 2574 Divide Rd, Lewistown, MT 59457- junelepage1@gmail.com

Mike Shepard 251 7th Ave E N, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 - michaelshepard7@gmail.com

Jackie Weidow 116 Bear Creek Rd Unit B, Victor, MT 59875- jackieweidow92@gmail.com

EDITORIAL COMMENTS

406-788-9009

406-750-4444

406-951-2506

406-570-7997

406-366-2605

406-250-9806

406-274-3716

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 391 Coral Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714 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 Administrator, Claudia Davis, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, or register online at www.mtba.org, or ask a member.

MBA Officers PRESIDENT

Ken Schultz

302 Wyoming Ave • Billings, MT 59101 schultzy@iwks.net • 406-598-8550

1ST VICE PRESIDENT

Stephanie Prater

416 Entrance Ave • Lewistown, MT 59457 mthuntress406@gmail.com • 406-461-6949

2ND VICE PRESIDENT

Jess Wagner

201 Big Sky Lane • Lewistown, MT 59457 406-939-3458 • Jess_wagner2@hotmail.com

TREASURER

Mandy Garness

5901 Western Dr • Great Falls, MT 59404 camoquilter@gmail.com • 406-750-9953

SECRETARY

Jerry Davis

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

Jeremy Harwood 1047 Cheyenne Rd • Helena, MT 59602 jeremyharwood86@gmail.com • 406-579-0678

PAST PRESIDENT

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

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Julie Jensen 391 Coral Drive • Belgrade, MT 59714 701-361-9197 • jjensen44@mac.com

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Claudia Davis 725 Middlemas Road • Helena, MT 59602 406-404-6168 • mtba@mtba.org

MBA Committees

Legislative:

Co-Chairs: Jess Wagner/Justin Doll

Jerry Davis • Jeremy Harwood

Paul Kemper • Liberty Brown

Steve LePage Stephanie Prater

Financial:

Chair: Mandy Garness

Al Kelly • Jeremy Harwood

Claudia Davis (contractor)

Landowner/Sportsman:

Chair: Stephanie Prater

Tristan Manual • Jess Wagner

Justin Doll • Bob Morgan

Mark Schwomeyer

Nominations:

Chair: Brian Koelzer

Al Kelly • Jackie Weidow

Awards:

Chair: Cliff Garness

Liberty Brown • Steve LePage

Brian Koelzer • Al Kelly

Robin Mestdagh

Membership:

Chair: Steve LePage

Mandy Garness • Nick Siebrasse

Ron Aasheim

Convention 2024 (Region 4)

Chair: Cliff Garness

Mandy Garness

Magazine:

Chair: Cliff Garness

Jake Garness • Julie Jensen

Brian Koelzer • Kevin Robinson

Rick Miller • Jackie Weidow

Stephanie Prater

Carp Shoot:

Chair: Kevin Robinson

Steve LePage • Jerry Davis

Bow-Ed:

Chair: Mark Schwomeyer

Tristan Manual • Al Kelly

Youth Membership and MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp

Chair: Jackie Weidow

Kevin Robinson • Robin Mestdagh

Governance

Chair: Jerry Davis

Jeremy Harwood • Al Kelly

PTMAE

Chair: Jerry Davis

Kevin Robinson • Steve LePage

Tentatives

Chair: Stephanie Prater

Jess Wagner • Justin Doll

Steve LePage • Mark Schwomeyer

PRESIDENT - KEN SCHULTZ

1ST VICE PRESIDENT - STEPHANIE PRATER

2ND VICE PRESIDENT - JESS WAGNER

SECRETARY - JERRY DAVIS

TREASURER - MANDY GARNESS

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Greetings All,

Ihope this letter finds everyone in good health! As we start the process of choosing hunting spots and applying for tags, the first round of tags results are already in and now we patiently wait for the remaining draw results. Be sure to get your applications in by the deadlines so you don’t miss out. It seems the opportunities are getting less and less and applications continue to go up. Hopefully, you’ll draw at least one area of choice that you put in for.

We just finished up with the Convention in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn and I must say, it was a Huge Success! Thanks to the Garness Family, board members, and area volunteers it went over very well. We sold out of tickets for dinner and the meal was wonderful! The crowd was electric and seemed to be having an amazing time. There was an awesome lineup of auction items and hunts to bid on. There were some great winners of the annual awards this year and very deserving. Thanks to all who took the time to nominate candidates for the awards. Great job by all!!!!

Final election tallies came in and we had several re-elects and a couple of new board members added to the mix. I want to thank all of you who voted. It is very important to us to have as many members vote as we can. Thank you all! Congratulations to everyone and Welcome to our newest Board Members! Here are the final election results.

• President Ken Schultz (Re-elect)

• 2nd Vice President Jes s Wagner (New Position)

• Treasurer Mandy G arness (Re-elect)

• Region “1” Representative Mike Iten (New Board Member)

• Region “2” Representative Kevin Robinson (Re-elect)

• Region “4” Representative Justin Doll (Re-elect)

Mark Schwomeyer (Re-elect)

• Region “6” Representative Tristen Manuel (Re-elect)

• Directors At Large (even year) Cliff G arness (Re-elect)

Jake Garness (Re-elect)

Guy S tickney (New Board Member )

As we go into the summer, everyone gets busy with camping and fun activities with their kids and grandkids. Keep in mind that multiple functions are going on that the MBA is either helping with or sponsoring throughout the State. Follow us on our Facebook or look at our Website for more details. (www.mtba.org) If you have a desire to volunteer, please reach out to your Region Rep or any of us on our emails. You can also send an email to mtba@ mtba.org. There are camps, functions, and shoots going on all around the State. Don’t forget, we have the “Carp Shoot” at Canyon Ferry coming up on the weekend of June 8th. We will be giving away an “Iguana Hunt” at the Carp Shoot. Don’t miss it! We’d love to have you attend and participate in these functions.

Here’s wishing everyone an enjoyable summer with Family taking in the beautiful scenery in Montana however that may be! Happy Camping, Fishing, Hiking, and maybe a little Hunting sprinkled in there. With that, I’ll leave you with the reminder to “Shoot Straight and Always be a Straight Shooter”!

Ken Schultz

1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S

MESSAGE

April 15th is a big day for most Americans—tax day, but for us MBA board members, our stories are due to create this great publication. I want to shout out to Julie Jensen, the force behind getting it put together and sent out to our members. Thank you, Julie! Each issue gets a little better each time. We are always looking for stories and pictures, recipes, and tips from our members so please feel free to reach out to me with anything you’d like to see in the next issue. This year April 15th also brought us special elk and deer permit drawings. Hopefully, you had luck in the draw. April 15th was also the season opener for bear and turkey. Maybe we can all find some time to chase gobbles and black bears around the hills before the heat of the summer hits.

If you missed this year’s banquet it certainly was one for the books! The Garness Family puts on a well-oiled machine of a banquet and good time! Thanks to all the donors, vendors, volunteers, board members, speakers, and our members who attended! Save the Date for next year: April 4-6, 2025. You won’t want to miss it! Mark your calendar for the Carp Safari too!

In addition to being 1st Vice President, I am chair of a few committees including Tentatives (season-setting) and Landowner/Sportsmen Relations. Both committees are packed with folks who are passionate about these topics and are coming up with new ideas including sending landowners who allow public archery access MBA swag as a thank you! If you know of a landowner who should be recognized with some gear, email me at mthuntress406@gmail.com. We don’t share these names publicly so no fear of your honey hole getting blown out—we just want to recognize those good folks who still allow us to access some prime country!

Thank you again for being a member of the Montana Bowhunters Association. Because of you, we can do great things in continuing to preserve the “Last Best Archery Season.”

Stephanie Prater

Ken Schultz

2ND VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Spring is here, and as I write this, bear and turkey seasons are underway. My wife and I had our first baby in late March, so I’ve had different priorities this year. The company I work for is pretty generous with their parental leave, and I envisioned myself having more time than ever to catch up on house projects, shed hunt, and do some spring fishing. Boy was I wrong! It turns out that taking care of a newborn is a lot more work than I had imagined. I have managed to get out for a few half-day hikes to look for sheds, and I hope to get out and look for bears later in the spring. There are too many things to do in the spring and never enough time to do it all, even before you factor in a baby. Hopefully, the apple won’t fall far from the tree, and I’ll be taking my boy shed hunting and looking for bears someday.

I wasn’t able to attend the convention with the baby being born, but some of the other board members were nice enough to Facetime with me so I didn’t have to miss out on listening to the seminars. It looked like they were well attended. If you know of someone you think would put on a good seminar, feel free to make a recommendation to us. I never would have thought to ask Troy Pottenger to do a seminar if a friend hadn’t told me about him.

If you took the legislative survey we recently sent out, thank you for the feedback. It is valuable in helping us decide where to focus our efforts. Please continue to reach out to your region representatives, we want our members to be involved and keep us accountable!

Sincerely,

Jess Wagner

SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

Thank Yous Are In Order

On April 13th the MBA along with about 30 other wildlife and conservation organizations put on a free to the public one-day event at the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds for youth. The Montana Youth Matters Outdoor Experience brought in over 600 kids to experience archery, fly casting, a climbing wall, spoor and track identification, the Forest Service Nine Mile pack string, and much more. I have to say it was a great day. MBA had two user interactive booths. An indoor archery range where kids got to try their hand at popping balloons using Genisis bows and the LaPort target launcher where kids were challenged with hitting flying targets using 15# recurve bows. It was a hoot. I personally want to thank Marlon Clapham for organizing and for bringing over the archery gear and launcher from Stevensville. Also, I want to thank Helena MBA volunteers, Robin Mestdagh, Larry Bloxsom, and Gail Delp. Thanks, guys we couldn’t have done this without your help, hope you had a good time. I know we were all pretty wiped out at the end of the day.

Another topic I want to talk about is the progress of a bill to help fund modified archery equipment for those who have a Permit to Modify Archery Equipment (PTMAE). On that topic, MBA brought on an intern from Carroll College, Charlie Said. Charlie has helped immensely in the research and writing of such a draft bill. I want to thank Charlie for all his efforts and results. Charlie did a short video presentation for the board at this year’s Convention on April 6th and it was well received.

Speaking of this year’s Convention, it was in Great Falls at the Heritage Inn and it was a resounding success, thanks to all of you who attended. Your attendance is proof of the wide support bowhunting has in Montana. Region 4, who hosted this year’s event did a bang-up job. Thanks, Cliff and Mandy, and all others involved in planning, organizing, and pulling off this year’s Convention.

I also want to welcome two new members to the MBA Board of Directors, Mike Iten as a Region 1 Rep and Guy Stickney as a Director-At-Large. Also, Mark Schwomeyer has come back on the Board as a Region 4 Rep. Thanks for stepping up guys.

Today is the opening of the Turkey Season. am hoping to get out a few times this season and I hope all of you also get to enjoy the spring. As one way to enjoy this spring, I want to remind everyone that this year’s Carp Safari will be on June 8th at Hell Gate Campground on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. I am hoping conditions are good for harvesting carp but regardless it is always a great time. Hope to see you there.

Signing off for now but everyone stay safe and shoot straight.

Jerry Davis

Jess Wagner

TREASURER’S MESSAGE

The banquet was a fantastic success! Thank you so much to everyone who donated time, product, or funds to help us celebrate bowhunting in Montana. We now switch gears for the Carp Shoot and a summer of 3D shoots. I hope you drew some great tags and get out there scouting and honing your skills.

As always, I welcome input if you care to join the Finance Committee; just get in touch with me so we can reach out on WhatsApp and/or email.

Welcome to new members that have joined the organization recently. We must keep recruiting, so invite a friend or family member. Any board member can assist and the website is set up for memberships as well. www. mtba.org

Have a great summer! Mandy Garness

PAST PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Hello MBA!

We have a new Board of Directors after the election and I would like to thank each and every one of them. I truly appreciate the volunteers who rise to the occasion and help protect, preserve, and promote bowhunting in Montana. Speaking of thanks, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who put in the extra efforts required to hold the 2024 banquet in Great Falls. It was an amazing event and if you have never, or infrequently, attended the MBA banquet, I strongly encourage you to come next year. The prizes are amazing, the speakers are amazing and most of all, the members are amazing. I would like to congratulate the Bowhunter of the Year and the Youth Bowhunter of the Year. They truly embody the best of the best and I always enjoy hearing their stories, and I must admit, I get a little teary-eyed when they receive their awards. That is all I have for now and I look forward to seeing you at the Bridger Bowmen/MBA 3-D Shoot and the Carp Safari!

Mandy Garness

Stephen LePage

MBA-Past President

REGION 1

AL KELLY

MICHAEL ITEN

REGION 2

MARLON CLAPHMAN

KEVIN ROBINSON

REGION 3

LIBERTY BROWN

ROBIN MESTDAGH (NO REPORT)

REGION 4

JUSTIN DOLL

MARK SCHWOMERYER (NO REPORT)

REGION 5

BEN BULLER (NO REPORT)

REGION 6

TRISTAN MANUEL (NO REPORT)

REGION 7

It’s been quiet at the Kelly house this year as far as harvest and tags go but we did get to spend time with friends and family at the MBA Convention in Great Falls, which was a great time. Kudos to the Great Falls crew for all their hard work, the event was well-planned and executed. In our neck of the woods, we are entering 3D shoot season, which is always a great time and another reason to see family and friends.

Another topic I’d like to touch on is our awesome newsletter. I like to read about what’s happening in other areas and see the stories and photos of my fellow archery hunters. With that thought in mind, I’d like to encourage you all to contribute your photos and stories to our newsletter. Julie does a great job and is always in need of material. You can find her contact information in the newsletter.

The last thing I’d like to encourage today is the importance of being involved. There are a lot of clubs and organizations out there that encourage archery, bowhunting, and just a general getting out in the woods and enjoying that type of living. It’s important to be a part of those organizations like the MBA whose sole purpose is to unite the state’s bowhunting sportsmen to work towards a common goal of preserving and promoting the sport of bowhunting in Montana.

Al Kelly

These groups seem to be shrinking, the old guard is getting older and the new guard is hard to find. In our local archery club, we have recently lost a key member who was an icon in anything archery, a good friend, and a champion of archery hunting. Without people like my friend, who is willing to be involved, these clubs, groups, and efforts of what we’ve fought to achieve are lost. No matter if you are young and just beginning or an old gray beard like me, choose to get involved.

Rest in Peace my friend, Mike Vinion, you will be missed.

Al Kelly

I’d like to introduce myself as a newly elected Region 1 Representative. My name is Michael Iten and I’m a fourth-generation Montanan who grew up hunting this great state. My wife and I currently reside in Kalispell. As a lifelong resident, I’ve enjoyed the generous hunting seasons that we get to partake in. Now that our daughters have gone off to college, I’ve found myself needing something to invest time doing and the R1 position was available, so I volunteered.

At last year’s convention, I won the Let It Fly Bowfishing trip in Ft. Lauderdale. After winning, I was put in contact with Will (Captain Sharky) who owns and operates Let It Fly. He was a pleasure to work with and was very helpful, not only with setting up the bow fishing trip, but with answering questions about visiting the Keys, alligator hunts, deep sea fishing trips, possible hog hunts, and even places to stay or stay away from. I had the option of doing a blowgun iguana hunt or a bow fishing hunt that was done at night. After speaking with Sharky, I elected for the bow fishing trip. We booked our trip for Monday, April 22nd, 2024.

We met Captain Sharky at the dock at sunset and he did a quick tutorial about bow fishing, then we were off to the Everglades. We quickly made it to the area where we were fishing, and Captain Sharky put the trolling motor down and we began. The trip started off quickly with me harvesting a nice gar, which is basically a long fish with an elongated snout with a lot of sharp teeth. The night continued with tilapia and catfish being harvested as well. We also saw a couple of alligators and one was quite aggressive and bit the propellor of the trolling motor (neither of which was injured). Captain Sharky took some time so we could observe and take some pictures.

I easily had over 100 shot opportunities and the night was a blast. I was the only one with a bow as my wife enjoyed the scenery and was the parttime photographer. We arrived back at the dock well after midnight and Captain Sharky filleted a couple of tilapia for us to eat. The gar would be used as bait for another excursion and this particular catfish wasn’t edible. All of the fish we pursued were invasive species that do not require a harvest limit. Therefore, it was a great time and more than enough shot opportunities. One has to react quickly as soon as the fish notices the boat approaching as you have limited time to execute a shot.

Thankfully, I was available to go on this trip due to the Montana Bowhunters Association and the numerous opportunities at the annual convention. Rest in Peace my friend, Mike Vinion, you will be missed.

Michael Iten

AHnother Banquet has come and gone. Great Falls outdid themselves again. Cliff and Mandy and their entire group of family and members put together a great event. The Regional games made a few bucks and the auctions went off without a hitch. Next year the show will be back at Fairmount, and the crew is already working to put it together.

It was an even year for elections, we filled a few positions, but there are still a few positions yet to be filled. We here in Reg. 2 need an area rep to take my place. I’ll be here to fill in until someone steps up to help Kevin and Jackie.

April 13th, The Montana Matters Youth Experience event held in Helena at the Fair Grounds was a wild success. Over 700 youth showed up for the day. The MBA has been a part of this event from the very beginning with an archery shooting booth for the kids. Region 3 members Jerry Davis, Robin Mestdagh, Larry Bloxsom, and Gail Delp were a big help having never done an event with this many kids, most of whom had never shot a bow before. It was nonstop from 9 am to 3 pm. Thank you for all the help.

Next on the agenda will be May 4th at the Hamilton Fair Grounds and the MBA will again have our Archery Booth and the La-Port for the kids. There will be thirty other groups as well with a message for the youth. The kids then will put their names in to attend a camp of some kind of their choice.

Then June 8th the Carp Safari will be on Cayon Farry again, with some new activities to enjoy. Kevin has been working very hard to spice things up for more fun. Lots of Door Prizes and a raffle for an Iguana hunt in Florida. If the weather cooperates or if not, we will still have a good time. Hoping to see you all there.

Well Keep-Em Sharp and Soot-Em Straight Marlon Clapham

appy Spring/Summer everyone! I hope all you gobbler-getters and bear chasers had some luck this spring. Maybe some of you were present at the convention and were able to listen to Brian Barney’s stalking black bear presentation and put those tactics to work. This year’s convention was what the kids would call “hella good” which basically means it was awesome. Region 4 knocked it out of the park! Great raffles, awesome seminars, and hella good times were had. It takes a ton of work to put that convention together every year and ALL Montana bowhunters, whether an MBA member or not, benefit from all the hard work. Thank you, Jess Wagner, Justin Doll, Region 4 volunteers, and the entire Garness clan!

We have a handful of great events coming up as well. Whether it’s a big event or small, we are always in need of volunteers. Region 2 has its hands full with several youth events in June that we would love to have help with. Teen camp is the third week of June in Lewistown and volunteers are needed there as well. Please reach out to me if you have a day or even a few hours to volunteer, it’s for the kids, man!

Also, Region 2 is looking for a region representative to fill the other Region 2 position. The obligations are small but the impact is tremendous. Again, reach out to me if you are interested in giving back to the bowhunters of Montana.

Furthermore, at the convention, I won the first raffle for the annual traveling wooden bugle tube! I will be yelling at raghorns all September through that bad boy and will return it for next year’s convention. However, it will leave our fine state for a short visit to Wyoming where I hope to yell at big mature bulls for a friend. I should have some great stories and photos to include in the photo album that accompanies the traveling bugle.

Finally, the Carp Safari is on June 8th at Canyon Ferry. This year we are raffling off an Iguana hunt donated by Let It Fly Bowfishing Charters in Miami Florida. Get your tickets at the Carp Safari and you must be a participant to win. Let’s set some records at the Carp Safari this year and overflow that big dumpster!

Thanks y’all, shoot straight!

Kevin Robinson

Hello Region 3 Bowhunters,

Ihope everyone had a great time at the convention. I was not able to attend the banquet this year but I heard it was fantastic! It takes a lot of work to put on the Convention each year. Thanks to the gang from Region 4 who busted their humps to put on another great event!

It was a pretty mild winter and according to FWP’s latest winter counts, elk numbers in this part of region 3 are within objectives.

HD-360: The total count for HD 360 was 5,473 elk with 1,512 elk in HD 360N and 3,961 elk in HD 360S. This represents about a 17% increase from last year’s count of 4,653 elk. This increase makes sense based on the light winter, average hunting season harvest, and a slow post-season game damage hunt.

HD 312: FWP counted 1,316 elk on this survey. Counted 44 brow-tined bulls and 84 spikes for a total of 128 bulls. Counted 231 calves and 641 cows. The resulting calf:cow ratio was 36 calves per 100 cows. Put another way, calves and cows made up about 26.5% and 73.5% of unclassified antlerless elk. From the survey, there were 316 unclassified antlerless elk, of which about 232 would have been cows (0.735 x 316 unclassified antlerless = 232 cows). Adding the classified cows (641) results in an estimated 873 cows and a bull:cow ratio of 15 bulls per 100 cows.

As we head into the Spring and Summer months there are a couple of events that we recommend adding to your calendar. The first is our co-sponsored 2-day 3D shoot with the Bridger Bowmen. That shoot will take place June 22nd and 23rd. Check out the Bridger Bowmen Facebook page for more info. Also, we have the annual Carp Safari on June 8th. Tickets for the Carp Safari can be purchased on the MBA website. Info for both shoots can be found on our Facebook page as well.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions. Thanks for your support!

Sincerely, Liberty Brown 406-570-4280

mbareg3@gmail.com

Kevin Robinson

Liberty Brown

4

JUSTIN DOLL MARK SCHWOMEYER

Greetings fellow bowhunters!

Time has sure flown by this spring! It was great getting to catch up with everyone at the convention. Seems like every year the convention flies by quicker and quicker. I want to thank all of those who helped make the convention flow so smoothly. And I also want to thank our members for traveling to Great Falls to attend the convention.

I hope everyone was able to draw the deer or elk permit they applied for. As spring turns to summer, I hope everyone can take advantage of all that Montana has to offer whether it be shed hunting, scouting for the fall, turkey hunting, fishing or just being able to get out for a hike. I would also encourage you to attend the Carp Safari at Canyon Ferry as well as the Bridger Bowmen shoot just outside of Bozeman in the coming months.

Blast from the Past

1992

This issue of the Blast From The Past goes back to 1992, I know the last issue was also 1992 but while looking for the 1993 newsletters I came across two more issues from 1992 and there was some important information that I thought might be interesting.

Jerry Taylor was still the President, and he had some interesting thoughts in his message for the newsletter. He mentioned that there were 18,000 bowhunting licenses sold and our membership was over 1200 members. The cost of a membership was $15.00 per year. We were in the middle of a membership drive, with raffle tickets going into the bow raffle of your choice for every five members you signed up.

The anti-hunting groups were very active after the ski pole incident on the Buffalo hunt down in Yellowstone. Looking into Constitutional Initiative 62 guaranteeing our rights to hunt. We were to join others in this push and it was in it’s beginning stages.

We were pushing hard for the earlier opening for the 800 antelope archery season. There were mixed feelings among the MBA members with this issue. Some thought we were asking for too much and some thought we hadn’t been asking for enough. We were also looking into a Bighorn Sheep hunt on Wildhorse Island. The Anaconda Bighorn Sheep had a 40% die-off due to pneumonia. Over 100 sheep were found dead out of 400.

The first Bowhunting Haritage Shoot took place up on McDonald Pass. There were 50-some participants showed up to shoot the 40 3D targets. There was a mixed group of sponsors, the MBA, MAA, Five Valley Archer’s from Missoula, Lewis & Clark Archers from Helena, the Great Falls Archery Club, Silver Tip Archery Shop from Helena, and Ron Deyerle provided the targets.

The next Convention was to be held in Great Falls.

Well, that’s all for 1991, again. Till next issue, hope you enjoyed.

Marlon Clapham

Justin Doll

MEMBERHIP COMMITTEE UPDATE

The MBA Membership Committee had a booth at the banquet and we signed up six new lifetime members. Thank you to our new lifetime members, your commitment to the MBA is impressive and shows your dedication to bowhunting here in the Great state of Montana. I was fortunate to have worked at the booth for a good portion of the convention and I appreciate everyone who stopped by and chatted with us. I also apologize for harassing everyone who walked through the doors! I think the highlight of this experience was thanking the Lifetime Members with a Life-member exclusive drawing. Every Life member’s name was put into a hat and we drew out names until someone was in the room, as you had to be present to win. I was pleased that the winner was one of the new Lifetime members that we had signed up that weekend.

During the convention, another issue was brought to my attention…the Washington State Bowhunters Association has disbanded. That is correct, Washington no longer has a bowhunters association. That means that the bowhunters in Washington have NO representation when laws are being passed or when their equivalent of the MT Fish and Wildlife Commission is making decisions. I asked what had led to the demise of a state bowhunting organization and was told that it was a lack of membership and apathy of the upcoming bowhunters. I implore you to recruit just one bowhunter to join the Montana Bowhunters Association.

Stephen LePage MBA-Membership Chair

CLIFF GARNESS

JAKE GARNESS (NO REPORT)

BRIAN KOELZER

JUNE LEPAGE (NO REPORT)

MIKE SHEPARD

GUY STICKNET

JACKIE WEIDOW

DIRECTOR’S AT LARGE

TFhanks to everyone for another great banquet in Great Falls. We appreciate everyone who supported Region 4. While I didn’t get to visit with everyone as much as I had hoped, it was good to see everyone and visit. Rumors are that this year was our highest-grossing banquet to date! While we had a few issues, overall it was a great banquet. Thank you to Jess for lining us up with some great seminar speakers, thanks to everyone for helping to make our trophy display great, and for all who helped us during the banquet.

Elk and deer tags are already drawn and before we know it, hunting season will be upon us. Good luck chasing the big gobblers and black bears this spring and have a great summer supporting the local archery clubs at their shoots.

irst and foremost, the Garness family and Region 4 members should be applauded for putting on an outstanding convention in Great Falls! If you were there you know what I’m talking about and if you missed it then dang you missed a good time. Manufacturers row was jam-packed with awesome stuff and the trophy display was world class. The seminars were entertaining, informative, and packed to standing room only. South Cox did a great job, as always, with his keynote presentation during supper. I respect a person who is more willing to show his mistakes than his triumphs to an audience of hundreds of people. His sense of humor caters to most and inside all the stories there was a bucket full of gold nugget information.

The icy clutches of winter are slowly releasing its grasp although this was a fairly mild one. I’m concerned about a dry summer and the effects it may have on forage and the potential fire threat that may be looming in the upcoming months. By the time you read this bear and turkey season will be well underway and hopefully, there will be some success photos for future newsletters. I’m of the mindset that since we can now chase black bears with hounds, there is no reason we should not be able to bait them the same way as Idaho and Wyoming. I’m headed to Saskatchewan in a few short weeks and after 30+ trips up there bothering bruins, it would be fun to do that around home!

As always your board members are working diligently to keep up with all the current events and ideas that are constantly flooding your archery opportunity in our great state. The men and women you’ve chosen to represent you are doing an outstanding job and the workload at some points is staggering for a volunteer position. A tip of the hat to everyone who has ever been willing to step into that role.

A couple of random final thoughts…117 Billion “modern” humans have been born on this planet. The current world population is 8.1 Billion. The current US population is 335 million. Montana is the 3rd least densely populated state in the US. Montana’s current population is 1,142,746. The percentage of the US population that lives in MT is 0.0034. The percentage of the current world population that lives in MT is 0.00014. If you are reading this then you are more than likely part of that minuscule percentage and for that, I’d say we are damn lucky! Now take advantage of your situation and get out there to make some adventures happen!

Brian Koelzer >>>————->

Cliff Garness

Region 4 DAL

Cliff Garness

Brian Koelzer

DIRECTORS

Not much to say from my area. Lots of wintering deer...a little rough, but looks like they will be OK. I did not do a report last issue, as I was in Roatan, soaking up the sun, local beers, and good cigars. I almost cut off my ring finger on my left hand on September 1. I did very little bowing...sorry. Just found a not-used new Schafer 60 in Longbow. Already getting back in form. Apps in for various tags, which I seem can never draw.

Was antler hunting and the picture is one I will look for in the fall. My lab found it buried in the snow, she was proud of her find.

I hope we are prepared for Molnar, as he is coming back. This time rumors are we have disallowed his Constitutional Rights and hunting RIGHTS. Hunting is a privilege, not a right in my book. Stay safe, be ethical in all things, and look toward the frosts of fall. This year will be my 63rd year using longbows or recurves. Getting old. Ye Ode Bowhunter.

It’s great to get this opportunity to be part of an organization that represents an activity I am so passionate about When I think back, opportunities have had a huge impact on my life. The MerriamWebster dictionary defines “opportunity” as “a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place”.

I will never forget the raw excitement and emotion I felt when I got the opportunity to harvest my first big game animal with my bow, a cow elk. Who would have ever thought that the trajectory of that arrow could affect the trajectory of my life but I undoubtedly know it has. Inches different at the time could have led me to be, two and half decades later, hundreds of miles and multiple state boundaries away. The successful outcome of that opportunity led to a passion that cemented my resolve to stay in Montana and chase critters instead of chasing careers.

Last May, my wife and I welcomed our first baby boy to our family. As expected this meant fewer walks with my bow last fall. Only time will tell if he will have “Dada’s” passion for archery hunting. He may not and that’s okay, but if he does all I want is for him to have that opportunity. Stay Vigilant!

Thanks

Guy Stickney Miles City, Montana Director At Large - Even

Bowhunter Education

Are you the next Bowhunter Education Instructor? Do you love bowhunting? Do you want your kids and the next generation of bowhunters to have a hands-on class that teaches them skills they will not learn behind the computer screen? Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is looking for dedicated people to become Bowhunter Education Instructors. You can sign up as a junior instructor until you’re eighteen. Once you hit eighteen you can become a full-fledged instructor. Passing on your knowledge to the next generation is very important.

The students get hands-on action with in-person training classes. If I handed you a blank drawing of a deer could you draw the vitals in correctly? Why would a student need to know what a quartering-away shot is and where to aim? Why would a new hunter need to know how to properly hang a treestand? Why would a new hunter need to learn the different colors of blood and guts? Why would they need to know the legal specs for archery equipment? I could ask you questions all day why these things are important to learn. Instead, I’ll tell you why I LOVE being a Bowhunter Education Instructor!

I started as a junior instructor when I was fourteen. At age eighteen I became a Bowhunter Education instructor and have been teaching ever since. I love teaching the next generation of bowhunters. To me, it is a great way to encourage the history, art, and heritage of our tradition. Seeing those students walk through the door on the first day and watching them step out the last day as two different people. Watching them absorb all the information. Watching them learn to tell yardage. Getting them engaged with what you’re teaching. Seeing the passion and drive in them that someone once saw in a younger version of me. You get to be a part of the students’ lives for 14-16 hours. In that time you play a small but big role in their lives. They are learning from you. So taking time to answer their questions and engaging with them is very important. As a mother and bowhunter, I want to keep my love and passion alive by teaching the next generation and handing down everything I learn. I believe it is very important to have these in-person trainings because being involved in making a difference is important. What I love most about teaching is when former students send me pictures and stories of their harvest. Seeing that they take what I taught them and put it to work out in the field is truly a blessing. So if you are wanting to become a MT FWP Bowhunter Education instructor please feel free to reach out to me, your local FWP headquarters, or your Regional MBA rep and they can all help you get started with becoming a Bowhunter Education Instructor. You are also welcome to sit in on a class and see if teaching is something you’d like to do!

Mike Shepard

Jackie Weidow

MBA Teen Bowhunters Camp Guidelines

It is the vision of the Teen Bowhunter Camp to provide an experiential education that is filled with learning by doing, ownership of the camp and projects, making new partnerships, and BEING in the outdoors. WE, as volunteers, strive to share our combined knowledge of archery hunting tactics, woodsman ship and survival skills, as well as our love and enjoyment for the outdoors to the next generation of sportsmen and women. The Montana Bowhunters Association and our Camp Sponsors are honored to host this event at the McCartney Creek Ranch in Forest Grove, MT.

Landowner/Hunter Relations will play a large role throughout the camp and the final day of camp will commence with a work project that will benefit not only the Landowners but the Wildlife and Block Management users as well.

Hunting Camp has many varied traditions, expectations, and responsibilities. Our goal is to simulate the Hunting Camp experience from beginning to end. The campers will be responsible to setup/take down their provided lodging, prepare their meals as teams and do needed cleanup and camp chores. They will get to scout for their intended quarry, practice vital shot placement, and learn calling techniques among other skills and lessons. Each team will go on a simulated hunt for one of Montana’s best known wild game animals and retrieve the harvest back to camp. This is a physically active camp and attendees and their guides will be in the outdoors.

To help make this event a GREAT experience, everyone should be considerate of others, participate fully in the event, and observe the rules below. The rules are intended to assist in providing for the health, safety, and social well-being of everyone at camp. If a situation or question arises which is not clearly covered by this list, ask your team Guide before acting

1. Attendees must be 14-17 at time of registration, some special accomadations can/will be made

2. Attendees are encouraged to have completed Hunter Education and Bowhunter E ducation prior to registration.

3. Attendees must bring their own archery equipment and hunting gear (see Camper Checklist)

4. Be pleasant and cooperative: all participants will enjoy themse lves more.

5. Be prepared to hike, walk, be in the elements of weather, use your hands and minds, and do camp chores, as well as participate during the work portion of camp.

6. Respect supervision at all times. You are accountable to all adults connected with this camp.

7. Broadheads (except as provided for learning) Fireworks, Cell Phones/pads/laptops, firearms, illegal drugs, tobacco and intoxicants of any kind are not permitted (there will be phones available for the campers to use if needed)

8. Use of pocket knives/hunting knives with a 4” or longer blade are allowed with parent/guardian signature below. (permission required by MT State Law for minors under 18)

9. Attendees will participate as team members and have Adult Guides, obtain permission from your Guide before leaving your team for ANY reason.

10. Respect your surroundings and lodging. Portable Outhouses and Portable Shower facilities will be on site as well as potable water for drinking and cooking. Leave No Trace and Be Bear Aware Guidelines will be taught and enforced throughout camp. This is a privilege to be here.

11. Respect others privacy. Campers will be using Wall Tents and are expected to only go into their assigned tents. Girls will have separate tents than boys. Girls will have a female guide and boys will have a male guide.

12. Attendance at instructional sessions and scheduled activities is required, unless excused by your guide. Show respect for the volunteers, be prompt or ahead of schedule.

13. The camp directors, along with the committee, will set any guidelines not a ddressed as needed.

14. V iolation of any of these rules is grounds for dismissal of individuals and forfeiture of all fees. Parents will promptly be notified of any issues and any individual dismissed from camp must call parent/legal guardian to arrange transportation home at their own expense.

15. This experience is designed for the attendees. Parents are encouraged to participate on Sunday for the work day. There are nearby campgrounds on the National Forest with great hiking, scouting, and fishing opportunities.

16. I understand that there may be a need to transport the campers to the stream for fishing, swimming and the work day via pickup truck. YES______________NO_____________

17. We provide a bow tech. to check camper’s bow and will make minor adjustments if needed. May we make these adjustments? YES_________ NO____________

I have read the MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp Guidelines and agree to the expectations as noted above:

Participant’s signature

Date

As the parent or legal guardian of ___________________________________________, I have read and support the guidelines. I give permission for the camp director in charge to administer the guidelines.

Parent/Guardian Signature

Date

Parent/Guardian home phone________________alt.#_____________________________

Camp Attendee Checklist -Mandatory Items

Sleeping bag & pillow mat or cot

Hiking boots & Tennis shoes or Sandals No open toed shoes

Personal hygiene items-deodorant, toothbrush/past e etc.

Camo Hunting clothes mostly for pictures /camp clothes/sleeping clothes / rain gear/ swimming gear for in the creek

Personal Bow/release/quiver (preferably in a case )

MBA’s Teen Bowhunter Camp

MBA’S TEEN BOWHUNTER CAMP

June 20- 23, 2024

A minimum of 6 arrows with field tips only and 2 bird tips Rubberblunts

June 20-23, 2024

Hunting pack or backpack with gear (as approved by parents)

Camp chair

McCartney Creek Ranch • Forest Grove, Montana

McCartney Creek Ranch Forest Grove, Montana

Camp Attendee Checklist-Mandatory Items

Sleeping bag & pillow mat or cot

Hiking boots & Tennis shoes or Sandals No open toed shoes

Personal hygiene items-deodorant, toothbrush/past e etc.

Camo Hunting clothes mostly for pictures/camp clothes/sleeping clothes / rain gear/ swimming gear for in the creek

Personal Bow/release/quiver (preferably in a case )

A minimum of 6 arrows with field tips only and 2 bird tips Rubberblunts

Hunting pack or backpack with gear (as approved by parents)

Camp chair

Personal medications

Camera

Binoculars/GPS

Sunscreen, bug repellent

Personal medications

Camera

Binoculars/GPS

Sunscreen, bug repellent

Fishing gear with basic tackle

Hat

Optional Gear

No Cell Phones/Pads/Tablets preferred, we do not have service there

There will be phones available to attendees to stay in touch with parents

Please have name attached to all items.

Optional Gear

The M.B.A.’s Teen Bowhunter

Fishing gear with basic tackle

Hat

1. How many years have you been bowhunting?

No Cell Phones/Pads/Tablets preferred, we do not have service there

2. Did you hunt last year?

There will be phones available to attendees to stay in touch with parents

3. How many times have you attended a camp previously?

Please have name attached to all items.

4. What kind of animals have you hunted?

5. What kind of animals do you want to learn how to hunt?

6. When looking at places to hunt, what are things you must consider prior to your hunt?

7. What kind of hunting equipment have you used previously?

8. What skills would you like to learn about or improve upon?

9. I understand that this camp will be a physically challenging camp. We will be hiking in the mountains, along the creeks and ridges. We are in the wilderness under primitive conditions. We expect each and every camper to participate. If someone is physically challenged we will make arrangements for them. I have read and understand these conditions.

Camper sign here _________________________________________________________________________

MBA Teen Bowhunter Camp Health Data

Name:__________________________________ AGE_________________________

Address:________________________________DOB__________________________

City/State/Zip____________________________Ph#___________________________

Emergency Contact Name:_______________________________________________

Relation to Camper__________________________Ph#________________________

Mandatory Health Ins. Carrier:________________________ Policy#:_______________

Known or expected allergies to: (please circle and provide description)

MEDICATION, FOOD, INSECT BITES, PLANTS

If your child will be requiring medications at camp please list: 1.___________ 2.____________ 3.___________4.________________

ALL MEDICATIONS LISTED ACCOMPANYING THIS CAMPER, MUST BE GIVEN TO THE CAMP MEDICAL STAFF AND BE ADMINISTERED BY SAID STAFF AS PRESCRIBED. It is mandatory that the medication accompany the camper even if not given daily. The proper medication may need to be administered. Substitutes are not recommended as they may not work for the camper.

What kind of situation may cause the camper Stress?

1._____________________2._________________________3.___________________

Do the camper/campers’ family has a history of the following: (please circle and provide description)

ASTHMA, EPILEPSY, DIABETES, NOSE BLEEDS, BEHAVIOR DAIGNOSIS, OTHER:

In case of a medical emergency, I hereby give permission to the physician selected by the camp director to secure/transport to proper treatment for my child as named above. In case of minor emergency, I hereby give permission for the camp medical; staff to administer first aid/cpr, and simple medications such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, pepto bismal, cough syrup, etc. to my child.

__________________________________________________ DATE:_________

Adult Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian of Camper

2024 MBA CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Happy Spring everyone and another convention is in the books! This year’s convention was another great one, but it did not come easily. There are too many people to thank individually, so I just want to say thank you to the MBA Board, the Great Falls Archery Club, and the volunteers who made this convention so successful. Thank you to all the donors, vendors, and speakers. Please be sure to thank these folks throughout the year when you’re out shopping and let them know that we appreciate their support and participation. Congratulations to all the award nominees and winners for this year.

I do want to thank Kevin who was an amazing emcee and Jess who lined up one hell of a list of seminars and speakers including Troy Pottenger, South Cox, Brian Barney, and Chad White from MT FWP. I have never seen an MBA seminar packed as much as Troy Pottenger’s was this year! Thank you, Jess!

Great Falls hosted in 2019, a short 5 years ago, but man oh man, has the donations world changed in those 5 years. We sent donation requests early via mail and email… and lots of them. There was little response from the manufacturers, so everyone on the convention committee and volunteers had to change their thought processes to ensure the banquet was successful. We ended up getting many more bows than expected, so thank you to all the bowyers and donors who gave bows. Peax Equipment stepped up with some great products for both live auction and silent auction. Then there was the lineup of backpacks including Stone Glacier, EXO Mountain Gear, Kifaru, and Mystery Ranch. The lineup of hunts was made up of some long-time donors, but then some new ones as well, so we hope to see photos and pictures in future magazines from the winners of these African safaris and black bear hunts. The hunts went great and while all the winners/buyers were excited for their hunt, I think it will be hard to top the young man that got the iguana blow gun hunt. WOW was he excited, so we hope his hunt goes well and gives him memories for many years to come.

Welcome to the new members who joined over the weekend. We look forward to seeing you at the Carp Safari, as well as future banquets. A couple of lucky life members won prizes in a drawing, so keep in mind that you must be present for these opportunities. Be sure to register early for the next convention.

Many other great items helped to make this convention successful like Zink and Rinehart targets, various coolers, fire pits, taxidermy pedestals and taxidermy hangers, gift certificates, hunting gear, camping gear, scents, and scent elimination products. THANK YOU ALL DONORS, VENDORS, AND VOLUNTEERS FOR EVERYTHING!! Without you, this banquet would not have been so successful.

GREAT SPEAKERS

Photos by Jim Morton Photography

Andrea Lamanna

Claudia Davis

Ed Evans

Huck Lewis

Steve Lepage

RAFFLE WINNERS

Beer Glass Raffle Knife

Elisha Stoddard

Blow Gun Iguana Hunt Bohyn Wester

Buffalo Jump PSE

Miniburner Raffle Ryan Austin

Hat Raffle MT Knife Co Knife - Ryan Austin

Hat Raffle Zink Target

Cliff Garness

Matlabas Game Hunter Raffle - Andrew Toth

Hurst Bows Scott Scheeler

Kifaru Pack Tony Toth

Pistol and Holster Morgan Williams

Rinehart Stegosaurus Scott Backus

Schafer Silvertip Raffle Bill Siebrasse

Stalker Stickbow Raffle Kevin Robinson with South Cox

Stone Glacier Pack Logan Garman

Toelke Longbow Dan Anthony

Treestand Package Josh Sayder

Turkey Hunting Package Trevor McGurran

Xpedetion Bow Raffle Reed Throckmorton

Yellowstone Custom Bows Schuyler Watt

Youth Diamond Bow Raffle Bruce Davidson

BOWHUNTER

INTERVIEW WITH ANDREA LAMANNA BOWHUNTER OF THE YEAR

The MBA is chock-full of amazing people and impressive bowhunters. I had the pleasure of handing out a special award to one of those impressive bowhunters at the spring convention in Great Falls. I thought I’d ask our 2023 MBA Bowhunter of the Year Andrea LaManna a few questions about her short but successful bowhunting journey.

K: Congratulations on being named our 2023 MBA Bowhunter of the Year. Can you share with us again how you became involved in archery and bowhunting?

A: I’ve always deeply admired animals growing up, especially the ones that live here in Montana. Once I started dating my boyfriend (Bridger Kamps), I was introduced to seeing these animals from a completely different perspective. That perspective was bowhunting. Hearing all about their encounters with these amazing animals and not just bringing home a story but food to the table. I wanted to experience that intimate moment with an animal and fill my family’s freezer. At the beginning of January 2022, I took bowhunter safety and then received my first bow in March.

K: I can remember as a kid when I drew back on my first whitetail doe in 1990, I didn’t release the arrow but I felt I was successful by just getting to full draw. What would you consider your first “success” as a bowhunter?

A: I see my first point of success as a bowhunter as the discipline and confidence I grew over the few months from constantly practicing before the archery season. I wanted to make a lethal shot. The only way I could make that happen is if I practiced a lot. I’ve never shot a compound bow until that year and I felt like I had a lot to work on before the season started. I truly fell in love with the daily practice of just simply shooting a target in the backyard.

K: What would be your most memorable bow hunt so far?

A: My most memorable bowhunt so far has to be my first. I was blessed to have my first opportunity on a beautiful 6-point bull. It was such a rush of emotions. The first few days of going hunting I realized pretty fast that this was out of my comfort zone. It was hard sometimes. I quickly learned to love how hard I had to work for it. I remember how excited I would get thinking maybe today is the day. The rush of being in the elk woods, listening for a bugle to interrupt the silence. It happened on September 24, 2022, at 7:45 in the morning. A bugle never rang, but a quiet giant walked by with a couple of cows at his side. He ripped out one last bugle, beat up a tree, and chased his cows right into 22 yards. I grew the strength to pull back my bow, rested my pin, took a deep breath, and let it fly.

K: I think the recognition of being the Bowhunter of the Year and the plaque is sweet BUT if the award was a super tag for any species in any location in Montana, what and where would that be? I’ll try to push FWP for that gift...

A: I’d love to hunt a moose, anywhere and anytime

K: At this year’s convention we had some awesome seminar speakers that have dedicated so much of their lives to studying and learning the behavior of certain species. Chad White shared some awesome grizzly bear information, Troy Pottenger showed us what a real whitetail mad scientist looks like, Brian Barney shared his knowledge of stalking black bears and South Cox showed us his high country backpacking mule deer tricks. Do you have a particular critter you tend to favor during archery season?

A: It’s difficult to narrow it down to one. I’ve been very fortunate to hunt some amazing animals. Such as elk, mule deer, whitetail, and mountain lion. I’d have to say going out into the woods and hunting elk with your bow is pretty life-changing.

K: If you could spend a day hunting in any day from the past, what would that look like? This could be a “re-do” of a missed opportunity or a day hunt for a Mastodon 12,000 years ago.

A: Hunting a Saber Tooth Tiger with my bow sounds pretty epic. Nice, I can picture a full-body mount of a Saber Tooth Tiger above the fireplace!

K: Well, I think your answers were pretty damn thorough! Usually, when I do these Q and A’s there’s a bit left out and I have to follow up but you’re very thorough and thoughtful! Thanks again for doing this and congratulations on your bowhunting accomplishments!

Black Eagle Arrows

2024 CARP SAFARI RULES

- 2 person teams (multiple teams can shoot from the same boat)

- Individual shooters age 16 and older

- Youth shooters 15 years old or younger

- Participants must stay 50 yards from any rod and reel angler

- All participants must have a valid Montana fishing license

- All watercraft are required to be Cleaned Drained and Dry before launching in Canyon Ferry

- Event starts at 5am Saturday June 8th

- Weigh in before 5pm Saturday June 8th (participants may make multiple weigh-ins throughout the day)

- All participants must keep count of all fish harvested regardless of the choice not to weigh in officially. Harvest numbers are recorded for MBA and Montana FWP record keeping.

2024 Awards: Youth Biggest Fish, Youth Smallest Fish, Youth Most Fish Team Most Fish, Adult Most Fish, Adult Biggest Fish, Adult Smallest Fish Annual Carp Princess and Carp King

*New Award this year: Biggest Mirror Carp!

- All carp must be disposed of in roll-off dumpster provided by Montana Bowhunters Association at boat launch site at Hellgate campground. This includes fish from non-event days before and after the event.

Additional persons are welcomed to join for an additional cost of $200/pp.

All the gear, ice, drinks included and five iguanas cleaned and bagged.

$5 for 10 raffle tickets

(must be a Carp Safari participant to win)

RAFFLE

We will be raffling off a Let it fly Bowfishing Charters four-hour iguana hunt for two people June 8th at the annual Carp Safari

Let It Fly Bowfishing would like to offer anyone in attendance a 20% off discount for any trips booked through the event including:

• 4-hour half iguana hunt / half -peacock fishing

• 4-hour freshwater bowfishing

• 4-hour saltwater bowfishing

• 4-hour peacock fishing trip

Region 1

Pat Tabor Vice Chair CommissionerRegion1@mtfwp.org (406) 438-1714

Whitefish, Montana

Region 2

Jeff Burrows

CommissionerRegion2@mtfwp.org (406) 438-1148

Hamilton, Montana

Region 3

Susan Kirby Brooke CommissionerRegion3@mtfwp.org (406) 438-0460

Bozeman, Montana Region 4

KC Walsh

CommissionerRegion4@mtfwp.org (406) 438-3625

Martinsdale, Montana

Region 5

Brian Cebull

CommissionerRegion5@mtfwp.org (406) 438-2551

Billings, Montana

Region 6

Lesley Robinson Commission Chair

CommissionerRegion6@mtfwp.org (406) 301-0787

Dodson, Montana

Region 7

William Lane

CommissionerRegion7@mtfwp.org (406) 438-0143

Ismay, Montana

Fish & Wildlife Commission Members

fwpwld@mt.gov/aboutfwm/commission

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS

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

INDIVIDUALMEMBERSHIP

OneYear$25.00

ThreeYears$67.00

Life$500.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP

OneYear$30.00

ThreeYears$85.00

Life $750.00

JUNIORMEMBERSHIP (Under18)

OneYear$5.00

CLUBMEMBERSHIP

OneYear$45.00

ThreeYears$120.00

BUSINESSMEMBERSHIP

OneYear$45.00

ThreeYears$120.00

OVERSEASMEMBERSHIP

Add $10.00 a year to membership choice for addedmailingcosts

Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

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

Name:

Street: _________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip:

Email: ______________________________

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP*

o One Year $25.00

o Three Years $67.00

o Life $500.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP*

o One Year $45.00

o Three Years $120.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under18)

o One Year $5.00