Vol. 48 #2 Winter 2020 by Montana Bowhunter's Association

Montana Bowhunters Association PO Box 426 Helena MT 59624 Return service requested

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

PAGE 12

My Mountain

PAGE 13

UNBELEVEABLE PAGE 11

I Don’t Do Tree Stands

MBA

Regional Representatives Region 1

Al Kelly

Mike Shephard

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923 .....................................406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net 351 7th Ave East N. Columbia Fall, MT 59912 ..............406-250-9806 michaelshepard7@gmail.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

Barrett Haugan 560 Clovehitch Rd., Belgrade, MT 59714 ....................406-539-0602

275 Vigilante Trl. Bozeman, MT 59718 .......................406-581-7216

Brandingironmarketingllc.com btreasurestate@aol.com

Region 4

Michael Prater 416 Entrance Ave., Lewistown MT 59457 .................. 406-461-6949

Jess Wagner

Michael.prater@live.com 201 Big Sky Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 .....................406-939-3458 jess_wagner2@hotmail.com

Region 5

Jenn Schneider

Ken Schultz

jennk40@msn.com 302 Wyoming Ave., Billings, MT. 59101 ......................406-598-8550

Nick Siebrasse REP VACANCY. Rick Miller

Bob Morgan

officers PRESIDENT

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

4996 Bullhook Rd., 59501 Havre Montana .................. 406-390-0402 bowdude@mtintouch.net

Region 7

MBA

5509 Sunny Cove Billings MT 59106 ...........................406-697-7768

schultzy@iwks.net

Region 6

www.mtba.org

PO Box 2336 Colstrip MT 59323....................................406-749-0292

PAST PRESIDENT

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

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

EVEN YEARS

Cliff Garness Mandy Garness Rich Smith Stephanie Prater

AT LARGE DIRECTORS 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

ODD YEARS

Paul Martin Ray Gross John Grimstad Richard Lewallen

110 Sage Lane, Kalispell, MT 59901 - paulhmartin99@gmail.com...............406-261-4456 355 Antelope Drive, Dillon, MT 59725 – raygross0144@gmail.com...........406-660-1019 2031 Poly Drive, Billings, MT 59102 – twingrim@bresnan.net.....................406-252-3620 234 Audubon Way Drive Billings, MT 59106 – rpdlew@aol.com..................406-690-0854

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 Al

or Teri Kelly at PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or email teray1979@yahoo.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.

MAGAZINE EDITOR

Teri Kelly PO Box 219 • Libby, MT 59923 teray1979@yahoo.com • 406-293-2900

WEB DESIGNER

Liberty Brown Branding Iron Marketing 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

Winter 2020

EDITOR’S NOTE

his year, 2020, has been a year of incredible challenge and change and by the time you get this issue in your hands the elections will be over and some of your candidates will have won or lost. Whichever way the election went for you, whether your candidates won or lost, some aspect of all of our lives will change again because that’s what happens, life changes. This particular newsletter has some examples of change that aren’t great. People abusing animals, people not being considerate of each other and some people just being all out jerks. We see it every day outside of bowhunting in our daily lives, certainly the elections and COVID have brought out the worst in people. It’s disheartening to watch how badly people treat one another over the simplest things. I believe that if you’ve chosen to be a member of the MBA you tend to be on the opposite end of the spectrum in that we are the type of human that care; we care about the land we hunt, the people we hunt with and around, and the animals that we hunt. I believe that caring attitude translates into other aspects of our lives as well. I know numerous very good people in this organization that give a lot of themselves not in just protecting our hunting opportunities, environment and wildlife but also looking out for each other. I count myself lucky to be an acquaintance and friend of these folks and encourage you all to continue to lead by example. On a hunting note, I didn’t get squat this year but it was more of a choice than lack of opportunity. We have prevalent CWD in our area so I was not super enthused to harvest a deer and have to go through the testing process, so I didn’t arrow anything. Of course, I can still try to get something with my bow during the general season but one of my favorite things about archery season is the weather. We had two degrees out this morning! I hate cold weather so if this winter turns out to be a long, cold one, I will likely be in the house hanging out by the woodstove.

Teri Kelly

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:

rian Koelzer, Chair B Al Kelly • Paul Martin • 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 2020-Region 5 Rich Lewallen, Ken Schultz, Jenn Schneider, Stephanie Prater To be determined Region 3- 2021 Fairmont Region 1- 2022 Fairmont

Magazine:

Al Kelly, Chair Teri Kelly, 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

Montana

BOWHUNTER

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. WWW.MTBA.ORG

TABLE OF CONTENTS VOL. 48 #2 Winter 2020

PAGE

EDITOR’S NOTE

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Teri Kelly

Stephen LePage

1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Brian Koelzer

SECRETARY’S MESSAGE

Jerry Davis

6 REGIONAL REPORTS 10 BLAST FROM THE PAST 11 I DON’T DO TREE STANDS

My Mountain PAGE 12

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

MY MOUNTAIN

Howard Copenhaver

UNBELIEVABLE

A 2020 ARCHERY ELK HUNT

Rick Miller

FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

14 SENSELESS COW SHOOTINGS 15 BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS 16 17

MBA MEMBERSHIP FORM MEMBER GALLERY

I Don’t Do Tre e Stands PAGE 11

UNBELEVE ABLE PAGE 13

Montana Bowhu nters Association PO Box 426 Helena MT 59624 Return servic e requested

Dave Windauer 2020 Bull

Hugh Hayden

On the Cover

Fall 2020

OFFICER’S REPORTS

PRESIDENT - STEPHEN LEPAGE 1ST VICE PRESIDENT - BRIAN KOELZER 2ND VICE PRESIDENT - MARK SCHWOMEYER (NO REPORT) TREASURER - CLAUDIA DAVIS (NO REPORT) SECRETARY - JERRY DAVIS

President’s

Message

have heard some define “insanity” as doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results. This definition is a summary of my 2020 season. I spent 19 days straight bowhunting elk (yeah, yeah, I know I am a lucky guy.) During this large span of time in the woods, the hunting gods only gave me a single opportunity to shoot an elk. Fortunately, I was able to capitalize on my opportunity and killed a really interesting elk. (See the photo with this report). I find that killing any elk is a big accomplishment and this year’s success will be celebrated during many venison dinners around my dining room table Much more interesting than my bowhunting season is the season of my wife, Amy. She started off by shooting a P&Y pronghorn, followed it up with a huge B&C elk, a 140“whitetail and finished up with an average boar black bear. She does have a few tags left, but I am considering cutting her bowstring. Previously, I considered myself an above average bowhunter. Marlon At the very Claphman least, I was the best bowhunter in my family. That self-aggrandizing, false image came crashing down this September. She, in one hunting season, gave me a reality check, a figurative slap in the face. Again, in one bowhunting season, my humble wife, shot four animals that are larger than any four animals of the equivalent species than I have ever shot in my entire 35 years of obsessively bowhunting. If there is a “glass ceiling” she has shattered it and my fragile ego all in one month. On another note, your MBA board has been putting your dues to good work. Recently, they have supported politically and paid for transplanting a ram and a pregnant ewe bighorn sheep, of 50 total sheep, into the Little Belt Mountains in central Montana. I believe this is the first sheep transplant in

First Vice President’s Report

very day is a blessing. Every year that we get to participate in another one of Montana’s exceptional archery seasons is an even bigger blessing. Some days and some years it takes a little more work to find the good and the positive but its always there. Generally, an individual finds what they are looking for. Some folks look for the silver lining and assume that the glass is half full, others look for a reason to complain and their glass is always half empty. Thankfully my crowd will agree when the glass is half full it’s best to just go get another beer! 2020 certainly has posed some challenges and I’ll be happy to see it in the rear view. Wyoming served me “tag soup” for the first time in my life but during the course of my time down there I put a ton of miles on my boots and found teepee rings, firepits, artifacts, and had a few stalks on some nice deer. I’m a less than good elk hunter and I actually went after them a few times this year and had some very close calls. This very morning, I stalked a group in a nasty snowstorm and when the moment of truth arrived, I watched my arrow fly just an inch under a decent bull’s chest. Oh well, would have been a nasty day to pack an elk out anyway. (trying to reassure myself the glass is half full…) It seems like there are more folks out in the woods this year than I can ever remember. Can’t hardly blame them though. No better place to socially distance than out in the wonders of nature packing a stick and string. I’ve seen pictures of some dandy critters that have been taken as well. Congrats to all the successful and to those of us still trying keep your chin up! The MBA has been in contact with FWP concerning a sheep reintroduction into the Little Belt Mountains. As of late summer the board has agreed to donate $1,100 to this effort. The money will go directly to transplanting one ewe and one ram. ($550 per sheep) Anyone willing to put in a little leg work this next summer to help monitor these sheep would be greatly appreciated as well.

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

the state in over 13 years. It is these type of investments in the conservation of game animals in Montana that ensure the future of bowhunting for the next generation and I am proud that the Montana Bowhunters Association is involved in the process. Many of you have heard that someone shot a beef cow and calf with a bow and arrows here in Montana. This type of negative publicity is a blackeye on the face of all bowhunters and cannot be tolerated. The MBA has stepped up to the plate and helped pay for the veterinary bills that the rancher was stuck with and increased the reward that is offered by MT Fish Wildlife and Parks. We are a small community and one of us might know the jerk who committed this offense. If you have any information, please contact FWP. In addition to this, the MBA signed onto a movement started by the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers in opposition to a proposed land swap in the Crazy Mountains. This land swap was not a good deal for Montana Bowhunters. One additional issue that is constantly on the MBA’s agenda is that of declining membership. I commend everyone one of you that is reading this right now. Your membership means a stronger voice when we fight for your bowhunting interests. To that end, you are also our best ambassadors. I implore you to talk about what we do here at the MBA and invite your nonmember bowhunting friends to join up. We need strong numbers to fight for bowhunting and for only 25 bucks you get a voice in the way we bowhunt here in Montana!

Stephen LePage

FWP is considering purchasing a conservation easement near Lost Trail as well and the public comment period runs through Nov 8. Looks like a winning deal for outdoor enthusiasts so take the time to voice your opinion. The board has also okayed getting on board with BHA for some added horsepower to try and keep adequate access to Sweet Grass Drainage in the Crazies. (another crappy land swap deal). To say the least, the ladies and gents that make up your board of directors are working hard to promote and preserve our bowhunting opportunities here in our great state. Remember we are working for you and the more input we have from our members the better we can represent what you want. God Bless and pick a spot!>>>--------->.

Brian Koelzer

OFFICER REPORTS

Sectretary’s Message

hope all of you had or are having a successful hunting season.

As I write this we are fast approaching the 2020 General Elections. I am guessing that by the time you read this the results of those elections will have been decided. I hope that all of you of voting age have voted. I hope our votes will ensure the continued support of our bowhunting heritage, our public lands ownership, and our access to those public lands. The 2021 Montana State Legislative session will be starting in January. The results of the election will most likely have an effect on what type of session this will be for MBA and for all sportswomen and men in the State of Montana. I have heard rumblings that this session may be abbreviated to only address appropriations bills. If that is the case then there may not be a lot of Legislative citizen lobbying needs to protect our public lands and bowhunting heritage. But I have also heard rumblings that there may be a rider to the HB 2 budget bill that will required Land Board approval for all FWP Conservation Easements (ie. A rider is “an unrelated substantive piece of legislation” incorporated in HB 2). If you recall, the Montana State Supreme Court ruled in a 6-1 decision that Gov. Steve Bullock acted within the law when he circumvented the Montana State Board of Land Commissioners to finalize an eastern Montana conservation easement (Horse Creek). The Court determined that the State Land Board lacked the authority to under existing statues to approve, or disapprove, FWP conservation easements. A rider to HB 2, or a bill if we should have a full session, would seek to give that authority to the State Board of Land Commissioners. Passage of this legislation would mean the State Board of Land Commissioners would have the authority to determine how Habitat Montana (hunters’ dollars) could be used. Also it is possible there may be a rider to HB 2 to once again allow crossbow use during Archery-Only season and to remove quotas for Archery-Only hunting districts. And if there is a full session we can be pretty sure of House and Senate bills of the same. MBA must remain vigilant if we are going to preserve and promote the sport of bowhunting. If any of you hear of legislative actions being planned that may jeopardize Montana’s bowhunting please let me know so we can be prepared. You can contact me at pipelinejerry@ gmail.com or call at 406-475-2226. Please be safe, Good hunting

Jerry Davis

rd ANNUAL

C ON VENT ION

March 26th, 27th and 28th, 2021 Fairmont Hot Springs Resort 1500 Fairmont Rd Anaconda, MT 406.797.3241 | 800.332.3272 Reservations can also be made online at www.fairmontmontana.com the online code is 21629. Make your reservations early! There is a block of rooms open for convention attendees at a special rate of $139.00 per night plus tax.

Winter 2020

REGIONAL REPORTS

REGION 1

REGION 1 AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD (NO REPORT)

REGION

REGION 2 MARLON CLAPHMAN KEVIN ROBINSON

REGION

REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGEN (NO REPORT) REGION 4 MICHAEL PRATER JESS WAGNER REGION 5 JENN SCHNEIDER (NO REPORT) KEN SCHULTZ REGION 6 NICK SIEBRASSE REGION 7 RICK MILLER (NO REPORT) BOB MORGAN

REGION

REGION REGION

AL KELLY MIKE SHEPARD

riends – I hope you all enjoyed this wonderful time of year. I have seen some nice animals harvested in the pictures that have been shared so far. Be sure to send your photos in to be shared in the member gallery. 2020 has turned out to be a real test of a year. Hoping 2021 sees some return to normalcy, whatever that may be. It seems as if even our hunting has been scourged with CWD. What a kick in the gut that is. It’s not enough that our region has been hammered by predators, now we have to watch our herds be decimated by CWD. All I can say is make sure you are ready to get your deer, elk, and moose tested. There are some good videos on the internet so you know what needs to be done, how to harvest the gland, and how to send it in for testing.

REGION 2 1

REGION

REGION REGION

MARLON CLAPHAM KEVIN ROBINSON

t has been quiet here in Region 2. I have stayed home for the most part and wearing my mask everywhere we go. I have tried to make phone calls to keep in touch but everyone seems busy. With this being an election year, it has become very hard to watch TV with all the political ads. One thing for sure you need a shovel to dig your way through all the crap and I do mean crap. We need to be very carful on who we vote for and pay attention to those getting elected that would like to change the way Montana views our Public Lands. We must not let them sell us off. Must importantly get out there and VOTE!!! It’s our decision and right as citizens to hopefully get the right persons elected. A year ago, the Hellgate Hunters and Anglers asked the MBA for a donation to help with the new Archery Range behind the FWP offices. We made the donation and asked them if we could put up a reader board sign to put newsletters and notices on. Well it took me all spring to get it built but I finally finished it around late June. There is a place to pin up notices for upcoming events, meetings, classes or whatever. (As soon as we get back normal. ) Merri and I took a few folks out on the boat to do a little carp shooting. With the wind blowing all the time our days were limited. We did get Joelle out for an evening in late August and stayed on the water till well after midnight. The shooting was slow but Joelle might have gotten her biggest carp ever. Merri got a twenty-pound Mirror carp, the ones missing their scales that look like they have a disease

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

As much as a pain in the backside this is, it’s preferable to consuming infected meat and it’s also important to test so a good picture of the true spread of the disease can be made. Things never get simpler. You know this is the curse of being an old guy, you remember and long for simpler times and days. Shootem’ sharp!

Al Kelly or something. The pictures I took look like Merri and Joelle were hitting the wine pretty hard with their rosy cheeks. We are in the middle of Archery Season as I write this and not much has gone on for Merri and I. We have hung a few whitetail stands to get ready for the rut. The elk were on the state land by Lolo but getting to them across the private land is another story. I do know of at least four were harvested but I only know one of the hunters, he took a rag horn 6x6. The youth hunters from the Teen Bowhunter Camp showed some success with Mule Deer and an Elk. Mathews Anderson made his first archery harvest, a fork horn Mule Deer buck and his older brother Joe got his first Elk, a 6X6 bull. Speaking of the Teen Camp we will be trying to set it up for next summer if we get through this Covid thing. We will not put our campers in any kind of risk so hopefully it gets under control soon. That’s about all I have for now, time to hunt. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE

REGION

Al Kelly

MBA reader board at Hellgate Hunter & Anglers Archer Range.

Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight.

Marlon Clapham

REMINDER:

Mailing Labels Show Your Membership Renewal Date Merri and Joelle at an August carp shoot.

REGIONAL REPORTS

t’s mid-October now as I write this and things are still strange with COVID and all, but like I’ve been saying, the mountains and rivers haven’t changed and the critters don’t know the difference either. General archery is about to close so I hope everybody was able to get out and enjoy the woods with bows in hand. I was fortunate to make a quick kill opening morning in the Elk woods taking a nice 6 point on my annual backcountry hunt with a couple good friends. The bulls were quiet but I had one squeal just enough to give up his location and I made a lucky stalk to seal the deal. As the Fall progresses, I know a lot of bowhunters take to the tree stands to hunt whitetails, including myself. Take your time getting up and down from your set with caution. A good friend of mine just received a pile of internal stitches and staples from slipping off his climbing stick and falling

onto another sending the step into his hamstring. Although he uses a lineman’s belt, his rushed descent caused the accident two miles from his truck. With bulky layers and big boots, you have to be slow and deliberate to stay safe even with the proper safety gear. And one more positive reminder: there will be a post-COVID, the politicians will soon stop pestering us for votes and the sun will continue to set to the west! Good luck to everyone and enjoy the archery hunting opportunities we have here in our great state!

Kevin M Robinson

Kevin & Ove “the blade” Robinson!

REGION 3

REGION 4

REGION

REGION REGION

REGION

Liberty Brown Liberty Brown

Al Kelly

REGION REGION

MICHAEL PRATER JESS WAGNER

LIBERTY BROWN BARRETT HAUGAN Hello Region 3 Bow Hunters, opefully each one of you reading this had the opportunity to get out into the field this fall. I know success is not measured by whether or not we are lucky enough to harvest an animal but if you did, congratulations! Now that bow season is over it’s time for us to start planning for the 2021 convention. This year region 3 is responsible for the convention which will be taking place at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. With the cancellation of last year’s convention due to Covid-19, we need to plan what we are hoping will be a “Super Convention”. Planning a convention is a huge undertaking and volunteers are greatly needed and appreciated. Please email me at mbareg3@gmail.com if you are willing to help plan or donate to our convention planning efforts. Thank you!

REGION

I had several stalks on antelope of trophy quality and a few close encounters with bull elk. I spent almost every weekend out and was able to take several days away from work to enjoy what Montana has to offer. We are all very fortunate to live in a state that has so much public land opportunities and the abundance of game as well as the number of different species to pursue.

Michael Prater

Jess Wagner

2020 Unsuccessful/Successful Hunting Season s I write my report the season is coming to a close without the opportunity to draw on an elk or antelope and thinking back it was challenging and different from past seasons. The weather was abnormally hot and dry and the sea of grasshoppers made antelope stalks tough as the ground crunched beneath my feet. The wind either was missing or blowing extremely hard greatly affecting accuracy and effective distance of a shot. The number of hunters this year seemed much higher than before which is bittersweet. I am glad to see there are more hunters out enjoying archery and supporting our shared endeavors, although not in my favorite spot to pursue wildlife. Had a few encounters with other hunters that seemed to become a race to these desired locations that made me question that mutual respect we should have as peers. All that being said, it was still a successful season even though there were no shots taken and no game harvested. We observed the wildlife we are pursuing almost every time we were in the field.

ello from Region 4. I hope everyone has been having a good season. It has been one of my most memorable elk seasons, having had some close encounters with some really nice bulls. I was also able to help a friend take his best bull. I still have an un-filled tag, but that just means I have been able to spend more time in the hills! As I write this, there is about a week of archery season left. I am looking forward to getting out one last time. It looks like snow in the forecast, so that could make things interesting. If I don’t get an elk, I still have a couple out of state hunts planned, COVID permitting. Hopefully by the time the next newsletter comes out I will have some successful hunt stories to tell. Election season is here, be sure to take the interests of sportsmen into consideration when casting your votes. Good luck to everyone the rest of the season!

Jess Wagner Winter 2020

REGIONAL REPORTS-CONTINUED

REGION 6

REGION 5 REGION

REGION

Bob Morgan JENN SCHNEIDER

REGION

Montana

BOWHUNTER

WWW.MTBA.ORG

NICK SIEBRASSE Fellow Bowbenders, ad a great archery season and hope you did as well. If you can’t say it was a great season maybe you are doing it for the wrong reasons? Hoping to see you all in Fairmont at our convention. Last year my buck tested positive for CWD. It doesn’t hurt to get them checked and might help for our officials to better understand this terrible disease.

Nick Siebrasse

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

REGION

Ken Schultz

REGION

REGION REGION

RICK MILLER BOB MORGAN

KEN SCHULTZ Greetings All, opefully everyone has had a great season! With the Election and the COVID craziness, it’s a great time to escape for a few hours or days from all the madness. Hopefully you all made the effort to get out and vote this year, it was a real pivotal year on many issues including gun control. As we roll into the rifle season, many of you have trips planned with Family and Friends. ThisKen yearSchultz has been really dry throughout most of the state, so be very careful with campfires. As I write this article, there is snow and cold weather in the immediate forecast. That should help with some of that fire danger! I wanted to touch a little on a situation that has risen in the Harlowton, Martinsdale area. There have been multiple reports of Ranchers Cattle being shot by “so called” Bowhunters. There was a picture of one the cows and the arrow that was removed from her floating around on Facebook. This is very disturbing and harmful to all Bowhunters and Bowhunting across the country. It also left the Rancher with very expensive Vet expenses to have the arrow removed. This is the kind of behavior that gives hunting overall a “Black Eye” and gives “Fuel for the Fire” to Anti-hunters! If we want to be able to hunt on any private land, this is the kind of behavior that has to be stopped! I personally have spoken to a few of the ranchers in that area and they have had reservations about letting anyone on their land because of this issue. The MBA has offered a $1000 Reward to anyone who has information leading to the arrest and conviction of these criminals. Let’s “Unite” and get these Idiots caught and stopped before they ruin it for all of us!! Be very careful this year as we roll into the final stages of the season. Hoping everyone has lots of Fun and Success! I will leave you with that and remember “Shoot Straight and ALWAYS be a Straight Shooter”!

REGION

REGION 7

ot a lot to report in region 7 at this time. Life is good, I spent some time this fall getting out in the woods doing a little hunting and a little fishing. Keep practicing and don’t forget to take a youngster out bow shooting. God is good.

Bob Morgan Bob Morgan

REGIONAL REPORTS

CLIFF GARNESS MANDY GARNESS JOHN GRIMSTAD (NO REPORT) RAY GROSS RICHARD LEWALLEN PAUL MARTIN (NO REPORT) STEPHANIE PRATER RICH SMITH

DirectorsAt Large

ell, in 2020 we’ve dealt with obstacles and worries we’d never seen before. I hope we’ve come through stronger, with more patience and a renewed appreciation for our “normal” lives. I sat last night wearing a face mask not for germs but for camouflage...you know, like the old days! Through illness and elections, at least the sunsets, moon rises and animal sneaking through the trees toward the meadows keep us grounded. Shot opportunities were not plentiful this season, but smiles were. Girls’ Weekend was rejuvenating, for the soul if not the freezer. And Steve shouldn’t be complaining too loudly...he needed to head home for a shower anyway! We also spent some time in the Breaks but apparently the elk were quarantining, too. Maybe they’ll get stirred out of their hiding spots for rifle season. We’re crossing our fingers hoping for a real convention gathering. Stay safe, wash your hands & try not to lick anything between now & then! : )

Cliff & Mandy Garness Ray Gross

y 2020 antelope archery season: I spent several long, hot days in a blind, 12-13 hours, waiting for a good buck. As luck goes opening day a good buck came in, just as I drew my bow, a small buck stepped in front of him. I didn’t get a shot. The next day I missed a good buck after practicing shooting for 2 weeks. The good thing is it was a clean miss, nothing on my arrow. The third day I wasn’t seeing anything so I decided to go to another blind. Just as I was getting out of the blind a good buck was coming in, he spooked. Well persistence, perseverance and patients paid off. I finally got a shot at a good buck. Hunting success is keep on keeping on. Every year it gets harder getting permission to hunt on private land, where most of the wildlife is these days. Land ownership changes, wealthy out of staters are buying up and locking up Montana and lands are getting leased for hunting. I started hunting antelope with a bow in the early 80s. No one was archery hunting for antelope then. Now there are blinds for antelope every where. This is the second year that someone has put a blind up right beside one of mine. My blind was there first. There are more archery hunters now, many equipped with OnX maps in their cell phones, trail cams and bows that they will shoot up to 100 yards. Competition for access on private land is increasing and access to public land is being closed. I hope you remembered this on November 3 when you voted. There is a stark difference in all the candidate’s, for state offices, in their support for access to our public lands and rivers and opposition for privatization of wildlife. Our stream Access Law is at risk; transfer of federal public lands to the state, where they can be sold off, is at risk; and more privatization of wildlife is at risk. Know where the candidates stand on these issues and don’t just take the political adds at face, get their voting records.

Ray Gross

was recently e-mailed a picture of a beef cow on a Montana ranch with an arrow stuck in the left shoulder. This was an act by a criminal with archery equipment. Hopefully, with veterinary care this cow can be salvaged. I was recently driving east of Rexburg Idaho heading towards West Yellowstone on an Interstate style highway. I was in the right-hand lane with the cruise control set one to two miles above the speed limit. I noticed a car to my right that was merging. As I signaled Richard Lewallen and was pulling into the passing lane, I noticed a Toyota FJ Cruiser in the passing lane 200 yards behind me going 8 to 10 miles above the speed limit. Once the car had merged, I returned to the right-hand lane. I noticed California plates on the FJ cruiser and gear stacked on the car top carrier. As they passed, I noticed the passenger dressed in a camouflage shirt giving me the finger. Just as the vehicle was almost past me, he jerked his vehicle over into my lane, causing me to slam on my brakes and head for the shoulder. He had a cargo carrier rack attached to his trailer hitch with a gear tub and propane tank obscuring his rear license plate. They returned to the passing lane and sped off. I assumed it was two California hunters headed for eastern Idaho or Montana. I considered calling 911 but it would have been the word of two against one. There was a lot of empty road ahead of me as well and more opportunity for road rage. We are all on this journey through life together, we need to be aware of our behavior and the image we portray. After my experience in Idaho, California nonresident hunters do not bring a warm welcoming feeling from my heart. Last fall I had an opportunity to hunt prairie elk in eastern Montana. This dry summer changed their location and they vanished. Have a great year and remember we are all archery hunting ambassadors.

Richard Lewallen Tagless in September

looked at MyFWP, and kept telling myself “Hey, you had an excellent season last year…” as I reviewed the lack of success on the drawings. I could feel myself gritting my teeth. The days approaching August 15, were filled with disappointment as I knew I wouldn’t be crawling through the sagebrush, cactus in my knees, chasing antelope. While they are arguably the hardest animal to spot and stalk with a bow, and failure is high, there is no failure higher than not even having the tag. Then came Labor Day weekend, good old September and archery opener. That fall crispness in the air (a little less so this year with the heat and smoke) and chasing bugles…my favorite time of year. But this year would be different for me. “The Draw” is like a chess match. You’ve got to have some degree of short-term game, but keep an eye on long term wins as well. So, I threw in for a trophy unit for elk, thinking this was my year, I have enough points. But there it was, staring me in the face – NOT SUCCESSFUL. Not that a general elk tag is bad, it is awesome and we are so blessed here in Montana, but the areas we know and hunt are in a draw unit, and while odds are good, you can’t pick the tag up second choice. My aggressive game left me Tagless in September.

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Winter 2020

REGIONAL REPORTS-CONTINUED

DirectorsAt Large

continued from page 9

t the start of September, I couldn’t help but feel remorse for my decision to roll the dice. This year has been so full of pressure and stress, I really wanted to be the hunter, I wanted to notch those tags. I was resentful and even a little bitter that my season was reduced to hiking in and out, more or less an observer. As each day in the field passed, something within me happened, and slowly started changing like the leaves on the aspen trees as each passing day gets shorter. I noticed the grass moving in the wind, and the movement of the antelope herds as they trotted past. The stars, moon, clouds and endless sky and the silhouettes of the trees framing it. The sounds- birds, bugles, even the silence. The smell of sage and juniper, the marshlands and pine sap, and of course elk. Without the weight of those tags in my pocket, I reconnected better than ever with the reasons why we hunt, especially bow hunt. It isn’t about the kill, it’s the experiences afield. I’ve had more close encounters with wildlife this season - not trying. On one of the last days of September, I laid down in the tall grass on a hillside, watching my husband stalk a bedded bull in the willows below through my binoculars. The full moon hung softly in the dusty blue and pink sky in the west and the golden sunlight had just begun to pour out over the land in the east. I could see another bull walking my way and feeding up the draw I was laying in. As he got closer, I could hear his breath, calm and steady, the grass being pulled from the ground, his teeth grinding as he chewed, the rocks and dirt slipping beneath his hooves. I could smell him, that familiar musky odor. I watched his dark chocolate antlers crest the hill only 5 yards from me. His heavy antlers were broken on one side, a beautiful 5 point on the other. He moved slowly past me undisturbed, never knowing I was there, and at about 15 yards, stopped broadside, slightly quartering away, opening up that perfect shot placement we all wish for. He looked over the valley away from me, this is when I would pick up my bow, the perfect time to draw… and then he looked slowly my way, then forward. He then walked slowly across the open yellow prairie grass, and faded into the distance, like the magic month of September transitions into October. It was one of the most peaceful experiences I had ever had as a hunter. For in that moment, I was thankful my bow was in the truck, and I was Tagless in September.

Stephanie Prater

think we would all agree that this has been a year like none that we have ever experienced in our lifetimes. The coronavirus pandemic has affected us all in one way or another, including MBA starting with the cancellation of our annual spring convention. Even so, since the onset of the pandemic the board has endeavored to continue addressing issues of concern to Montana bowhunters. As I’m certain you’ll read elsewhere in this issue, Region 5 board member Ken Schultz stepped up to the plate and decided to try organizing a summer archery shoot in the Billings area. This shoot was a success despite being put together on relatively short notice. Not only was MBA able to get some much-needed publicity here in Billings, but we were able to recruit a few new members as well. Ken deserves, and earned, a big tip of the hat for all his hard work in organizing this event. Special thanks are also due to Blue Creek Shooting Range, which hosted the event, and to Cabela’s which donated prizes. Given all the upheaval that 2020 has wrought, I am certain that every one of you were eagerly looking forward to the fall archery season even more so than in years past. I know was...right up until I decided to do something stupid which resulted in a shoulder injury that prevents me from shooting my bow for a while. But I’m already looking forward to next year. I hope each of you had success in your fall hunts and found some respite from some of devastation we have have witnessed in recent months. A new year is coming. Let’s hope for the best.

Rich Smith 10

Montana

BOWHUNTER

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Blast from

the Past

For this lookback were going to 1980. Lee Poole was our President. The MBA was in the process of making some major changes in our structure. There was a need to get more area reps on the ground. So, co-reps were added to help gather information and help with the area meetings to take information to the Board. This way more input was gathered from across the state for each area’s need or concerns. On the tentative front there was a big push for the early rifle bugle season for bulls during Archery season. Three of the five commissioners were on board with the proposal. There also was a proposal for an either-or season. Choose your weapon gun or bow. So, we had our work cut out come tentative session. At the April General Membership meeting it was proposed to raise the general membership fees from $5.00 to $10.00 and a family membership was going to $13.00. This passed 128 to 37. The price for the Banquet ticket at the next convention will be $13.00. For the banquet there was going to be a Big Game Awards, a trophy competition. It was going to be a way to get more heads for display at the convention. Checking into the by-laws of the MBA one of main points in them was that the MBA would not sponsor any kind of competition, so the idea was scraped. It’s the middle of hunting season as I draft this, so I’m keeping it short. Hope you enjoyed this from the past.

Marlon Clapham

MEMBER STORY

I Don’t Do Tree Stands

By: Hugh Hayden

Chris, I don’t do treestands! That was the start of a phone call I had with my buddy Chris Blaskowski who was prepping a bear camp in Idaho for us last spring. I let Chris know that if I was coming on this bear hunt, he’d have to throw a ground blind together for me 20 yards from the bait barrel. Chris responded by telling me that he could put me on the ground, BUT there would be angry mama bears with cubs that time of year and there would be angry boar bears because they were both hungry, and being ignored by the pretty mama bears. I didn’t relent, it would be a ground blind or nothing, I’d take my chances on the ground with multitudes or angry, hungry, amorous bears rather than climb up in a tree stand only to fall out and break myself. I could hear Chris’s eyes roll over the phone. The first evening of the hunt was when the real fellowship happened, we painted each other’s faces for the hunt. There is something that feels like a building tension when we put on the “war paint.” When you know you may go out and engage your quarry, and it may be hands on, it may be so close that you have to lean away from it just to make your arrow comes off the string before it enters the animal and doesn’t jam up in the space in between. There’s something about the putting on of “war paint” that connects me to my primal ancestors that drew animals on cave walls, and I think a lot of hunters feel that. Of course, there are facemasks that you can wear and then take off so you don’t stain your pillow or sleeping bag after the hunt and there are facemasks that will protect you from insects, but why do that when you can have the experience of decorating each other for “battle?” After I was certain that Chris had not painted any crude pictures or dirty words on my face, because your buddies will do that from time to time, I took the first selfie of my life. We headed to the river where Chris rowed us across and left Kim, my other best buddy and Chris’s lovely bride, on the other side. From there we walked a trail to the bait station. Kim proceeded to sit in her tree stand that was at least 30 or 40 feet up the tree and we devised a plan of hand signals to alert each other if one of us was going to take a particular bear or not. Now, I try not to cuss because there are so many better words to use, but in this story, I got to my ground blind and said, “Shit!” It was completely appropriate at the time because upon entering my blind that is what was on the floor where I was supposed to sit. It was left there by a very large bear. Now I have to crawl into this blind. It’s not a canvas blind or a popup type of tent, nope it was a crude, haphazard construction of dead cedar branches stacked together with fresh cedar boughs sort of woven into it. I was more or less completely exposed or at least felt like it, and the big pile in question at my feet left no doubt that a big bear was aware of my ground blind and comfortable enough to make itself at home in it. Great, I thought maybe I should have climbed the tree stand that is way up in the air and take my chances. Maybe I could climb up and tell Kim to scoot over? In just a few minutes after settling in, I looked up to Kim and she was looking at me and pointing to her eye, letting me know that she sees a bear. It walked right in. We had a great game of charades at that time. She pointed at me motioning that I should shoot and I pointed at her motioning her that she should shoot. She pointed back to me and I thought, fine, I’ll take a shot. It wasn’t a big bear but I reminded myself that I had two bear tags so decided I should shoot the first one and get the jitters out of my system and then save the second tag for a big bruiser. I drew my bow just as the bear took a step and turned his rump towards me. I held at full draw for so long I had to let the string down, the bear heard it and ran off. A few minutes later, another bear came past my right side and spooked and ran, a few minutes after that, a bear came in and laid down 30 yards behind me. I slowly shifted in my blind and caught him watching me. He flipped his head down dramatically and laid in the grass. After several minutes went by, he picked up his head and saw that I was still looking at him so he flipped his head down again. I couldn’t help but laugh although I tried to do it quietly. Yet another bear strolled in and walked right past my blind. I’m not sure exactly how far away he was but it felt like I could reach out and touch it! I looked up to Kim and she was pointing at me to shoot once again. I slowly, but forcefully shook

my head, “no”. In exasperation she tossed her hand up and mouthed a dirty word at me and I saw her take her bow off the hook. I was so excited at the thought of getting to see my friend kill a bear, especially with the front row seat I had. But the bear moved off and out of my sight, so I looked up to see that Kim was still drawing her bow. A mere second later I saw her string fly and I heard the tell-tale sound of an arrow making its mark. I heard the crashing through the trees as the bear ran and then I heard nothing. Seconds later I heard the dying moan come from somewhere in the woods. She did it! She really did it! My Facebook who had become my real-life friend had just killed a bear and I got to be there for it. Kimmy Mac Mamma Bearskowski had the resolve to get to her feet in a treestand, lean out over the emptiness and sling an arrow! She climbed down and I hugged her! Kim then told me the bear had stood up on its hind feet and was looking up the tree at her when she laced it through and through. It was a short blood trail to the bear who had piled up in the brush. I’m not much for sitting still when I hunt, and I’d never been on a bait hunt, but what a rush! We propped up the bear on a fallen log and took the obligatory trophy photo and then I flung it over my shoulders and started packing it to the meeting place on the river to wait for Chris to pick us up. Kim had wisely sunk two beers in the ice-cold river on a string and tied the other end to a rock so we sat in the gravel, hot and bloody and toasted my brother, Shawn Hurla, and of course the bear; always aware of all that an animal gives for us to have something. It was dead dark by the time we reached the other side of the river again and I helped Chris hump the raft along with the bear up through the trees and into the trailer. When we got back to camp and I asked Kim how many bears had come in as we sat there and she laughed and said “It was the same bear all night. He just kept circling.” The rest of the hunt was similar but along the way, I got to talk whitetails with the famous Gene Wentzel who stopped in at camp. We returned home base to butcher Kim’s bear, watched the season premiere of Yellowstone, got to check trail-cams and re-bait several different stations. We ate biscuits ad gravy, drank bloody Mary’s at a touristy place in the woods which was all great, then hiked into some natural hot springs where an old man took of every stitch of clothing and jumped in with us buck-naked, not my idea of a good time. I won’t be sharing any photos of that encounter. On an evening at the end of the hunting adventure Chris and I sat in the ground blind and had an exciting encounter with a nice big blonde-cinnamon colored bear. I didn’t get to bring it home but that’s okay. I had a long drive home after the hunt and got to relive it all as I drove. Chris and Kim took me to the northern border and some day I’d like to take them to the southern border. The terrain, the vegetation and the animals will be completely different but the face paint and the friendship will remain the same. And as much as I hope to see them here in my home area, I hope more that they will invite me to bear camp again. Bear or not.

Winter 2020

MEMBER STORY

MY MOUNTAIN

Discussion of

By Howard Copenhaver

MY MOUNTAIN By Howard Copenhaver With not much going on this past summer with the Covid and all I was rereading a book I have had for quite some time. I’m sure there are some others that have read these books written by Howard Copenhaver, They Left Their Tracks and More Tracks. Howard was from Ovando and outfitted this country for over 60 years. He was instrumental along with others in getting the Wilderness act passed, the Bob Marshal, Scapegoat, Great Bear and others. Back in the late eighties we used to set up a hunting camp just north of Ovando the last two weeks of general season to bowhunt whitetails along the Blackfoot River. We would dig out the snow and set up a wall tent, when one afternoon this thin old man drove into our camp, I recognized who he was as he introduced himself. We were getting lunch and invited Howard to join us. He declined lunch but asked if we had hot chocolate and maybe a cookie or two. We sat and listened to some of his old stories until he had to go retrieve his grandkids from there morning hunt. He left and headed back to our treestands. Howard stopped in for hot chocolate and cookies around lunch several times that week and for years after. He wrote his books and signed all my copies, four in all. While reading More Tracks, the other night the second chapter really hit home, it’s not a hunting adventure but a recap of the place that I have spent fifty years of my hunting and fishing life. I called Stoneydale Press Publishing Company to see if I could get permission to use this chapter in the MBA Newsletter. Dale Burk the publisher who had just passed away was a good friend and wilderness advocate along with Howard, Dale’s daughter Rachel said Dale would have been happy to let me use this piece. I hope there is something in this chapter for those of you have hunted in the shadow of Scapegoat Mountain.

Montana

BOWHUNTER

s I lay here in my sleeping bag on top of “My Mountain”, Scapegoat, a huge pile of rocks and craigs that support the Continental Divide, backbone of Montana, I look as far as the eye will allow me East, North, South and West. It is not heard to visualize dreams of the past. Off to the southeast I see Lewis and Clark trudging up the Missouri headed for the Pacific. I see Indians chasing buffalo or a Blackfoot Indian war party in search of the Crow Indians. A little farther north and east is Charlie Russell and a group of cowboys raising a dust as they for the “Old Mint” bar in Great Falls. What’s that streak across the plans? It’s a homesteader and his plow. Right behind him comes a mangy crew planting post and barbed wire. I can see cattle grazing through the tall prairie grass with sheep climbing the foothills in search of feed. Elk, deer, goat, mountain sheep and grizzly bear looking down the mountain and wondering, “How long can I hold my ground?” Farther north stands the Anaconda Swelter at Great Falls, a city that covers the prairie like ringworm on a horse’s eye. Off to the west and far below I see fertile valleys, lakes and streams, ranches and cities, sawmills and loggers with logging roads. Also, farther south, mines of silver and copper and gold. Off to the side is the “Richest Hill on Earth,” the mines of Butte. I dream I can hear the clatter of trains when I’m rudely awakened out of my trance by the roar of a Boeing 707 jet as it flies overhead. I’ve tried to tell people of this and more. Always their comment to me has bee, “If only this mountain could talk!” I’m going to lay here and listen and take down some notes, maybe she’ll have something to say of days long gone by and years to come. I’ll try to write them all down and pass them on. Then you’ll know she’s something that lives and man can’t change. She’s a beautiful, spectacular mountain whose lifeblood (water) flows down her sides to head the great rivers. On the north flows the South Fork of the Flathead, to the west the North Fork of the Blackfoot. They flow on to the Pacific. To the east the Dearborn, Marias, Milk, Sun and Yellowstone rivers join the Missouri River, then flow into the great Mississippi all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Scapegoat is a name taken out of the Bible so why shouldn’t she stand high and stately over all the other mountains reigning as queen! Well, I’m getting sleepy. I think I’ll have the last of that coffee and turn in. It’s a beautiful night. I can almost touch the stars and that moon is so bright I can see like day. “What did you say? Hey, there’s no one here.” I must be dreaming. “Oh, yes, there’s someone here alright. It’s me, the mountain. You lay still and listen. I’ll tell you of my past as best I can. “Many millions of years ago I was the flat bottom of the ocean. I can prove it by the many seashells and fossils of fish and horned sharks imbedded in my face. Then a great change came and I became a prehistoric tropical plain with dense swamps and lush tropical plains bordered by a sea whose shores were lined with pin and redwood forests. These lands and swamps were inhabited by dinosaurs, large and small. There were Triassic, the Jurassic and the Cretaceous. Then we the mountains started to grow. As we raised our heads up, the water receded, drying up the swamps and changing all vegetation and climate as well. We grew

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until we towered many thousands of feet high forming the backbone of America, the Continental Divide. “Then came the Ice Age with its glaciers shifting, tearing at our sides. They slipped, leaving beautiful cirques, plateaus and canyons along with the Great China Wall. The earth heaved and buckled. How long this lasted I do not know. When it was all done, there was a great dam way off to the west somewhere near where Thompson Falls now is, causing a great lake. Lake Missoula was formed as the ice melted, raising the waters until they broke out and flooded the Columbia Basin and rushed to the Pacific Ocean below. “If you drive down Highway 90 and stop near Missoula, the shoreline of Lake Missoula is clearly defined high on the sides of my sisters, Mount Jumbo and Mount Sentinel. All the valleys to the west are lake beds of washed gravel and rocks washed smooth, covered with sedimentation that has now become soil. “Great forests of pine, fur, spruce and larch have covered our sidehills, valleys and ridges. Grasses, bushes, willows, berries, cottonwood and aspen trees are here for the use of animals, birds and man. ( To the north, south and west you;ll see great forests of trees 200 feet high. ) “As it was, you’d find Indians on both sides of this mountain. To the west were the Nez Perce and Flathead. Out east were the Crow and to the north the Blackfeet with the Cree in between. They are hunting and fishing in a land that is free. Sure, they fought over areas, but in all, it was a good life. There’s plenty of room to wander and enjoy a good life. Then here come the trappers and mountain men, and also the searchers for gold. Soon the cattlemen and farmes followed. “You ask me where did all the animals come from? I really don’t know. I hear they walked across land or ice bridges from Russia and Asia and maybe Finland or Sweden. Your guess is as good as mine but I think The Great Spirit, God, put them here. “I can prove all I’ve told you if you’ll just look below. To the east they are digging out fossils over 60 million years old. Right at my feet they’ve found huge fossils along the Sun River and even dinosaur eggs. Right now they are digging up Tyrannosaurus Rex that is supposed to be 65 million years old. This is to the east on the Missouri River Breaks. Just below me on Wolf Creek is a cave on Tag Rittell’s ranch. They are finding fossils and bones of animals many thousands of years old, also, a skull of prehistoric man, so the claim.” “Hold it right here, Old Friend, you’ve lost me. Can I ask you some questions as we go along? “What of the Hudson Bay Fur Company traders who came across the plains to the Missouri and Maris Rivers to set up trading posts with the Cree and Blackfoot Indians? When I was quite young, some prospectors came to us. They wanted us to pack them and their equipment in to the head of the Dry Fork in search of gold and any traces left by these Hudson Bay men. They had documents claiming a strike that these men had made; also a crud map of how they travelled. They came up from the prairie to Half Moon Park, then off to north and up that long ridge between Green Creek and Straight Creek, climbed up on top where they found gold in soft quartz. They needed water to wash it so they packed it down into the Dry Fork to the west. Here they made sluice boxes out of hued logs. Then they went back over the top and down to the plains. They did not cut blazes on the trees to mark their trailthey built monuments or stone and on your west face they painted the Royal British Shield. We packed them into

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the Dry Fork where they spent two summers. When I packed them out last summer, they showed me their find- no gold or quarts left around. Just rotten old sluice boxes hued out of fur logs where the creek had washed gravel and rocks over them many years ago. This story goes, that on the second trip, when they hit the plains south of Great Falls on their way home, the Blackfeet Indians overtook them. When the dust settled on this skirmish, they had no gold and no hair! “While hunting mountain goat years after this I found three different places where someone had painted the British Shield on the cliffs facing west at the foot of Cabin Creek Reef.” “I cannot answer you, my son, but I can tell you someone built piles of stone marking a trail and painted my face with that old British Shield. Daylight is approaching and it’s time for me to go. Write down your experiences, my friend, so others might know of your love for the mountains, animals and fellow man.” From up here with nothing to do but think, my mind gets to running away. I’ve seen so many big years of advancement I could never put it all in one book- gas-powered carriages, diesel motors, radio, flying machines to supersonic jets. Now, men on the moon and weapons so accurate you can pinpoint a target miles out of sight. There is also television and laser light even used for bloodless operations. Then there’s this do-hickey that doctors use where they can see inside of you to tell what ails you. This has most happened in less then my lifetime of 78 years. Have I had a full life? You can bet I have! This all makes me feel I must be one special guy for the Lord to have let me live through this period and have such a wonderful memory of the past. Howard is gone now but his memories live on in his four books. There may not be any bowhunting adventures in his books but the hunting adventures spun by a good story teller more then makes up for it. Hope you enjoyed this one chapter it sure brings back memories for me.

Marlon Clapham Thanks to: Stoneydale Press Publishing Company 205 Main Street – Drawer B Stevensville Mt. 59870 Phone: 406-777-2729

UNBELIEVABLE

A 2020 Archery Elk Hunt By Rick Miller

hile eating breakfast and watching the morning news another political ad came on dissing the opponent. Having had more than my stomach could take of this childish mean-mouthing I grabbed the remote and turned the channel to one of the “outdoor” shows. What I randomly selected had a well-known professional hunter on and he had just killed a bull elk. He acted excited and said this one was special as it was his 65th bull taken with a bow. I really was not paying attention until that unbelievable number was tossed out for viewers to digest. The hunter appears to be at least ten years my junior (my opinion) so that meant multiple bull harvests for lots of years in his bowhunting career. Having been an absolute elk hunting junkie since age 12, I found his success to be hard to comprehend. In my world, it is just not that easy? For some odd reason, the thought of seemingly easy success with some of todays professionals was on my mind as I was setting up the wall tent for my 2020 elk hunt. What could I change to increase a close-range opportunity at a bull? Could I dream up something new that the bulls might be more relaxed with? I am sure fellow elk hunters have that same thought running through their minds as normal strategies become almost elk repellent with pressured public land bulls. Hot temps had kept me home for the first three weeks of the season. The thought of losing an animal to the summer like temperatures was not acceptable, but it was killing me not to be out there in the game. The weather forecast for the week ahead was better (not great) and the rut was happening despite the warmer than normal conditions. I pushed hard for six days, hitting all the spots I had seen elk in before, but saw few animals. Those that I did catch a glimpse of were just flashes through the trees. The few bugles I heard were right on the edges of too dark (morning & evening) and on adjoining private ground. Hunting was tough to say the least. Fifty years of experience has taught me that an opportunity could come at any time if I would just keep trying. Mentally I was ok. Physically I was starting to wear down. On the seventh morning, I decided to hunt an area that I’d had success in before, keeping in mind the wind change I could feel as I left the tent. Walking in the dark, I could hear two bulls bugling in the direction I was headed, definitely boosting my interest. As daylight broke, a herd of whitetail does and fawns spooked out of the meadow in front of me. They stomped and snorted for at least 15 minutes trying to get me to move. Finally, they gave up and moved into the trees. I was sure the elk gig was over with that many alarm

sounds resonating in the basin. I shook my head at the crazy luck I was having and started moving towards the bulls. Surprisingly, the bugling started again. Game on! I noticed that the bugles came from the same spots and that the exchanged appeared to be more advertising to the cows than challenges to other bulls. Thus, I resisted bugling back at them. The game trail I was on led to a perfect north side shaded bench. Once on the bench elk sign was evident, so I set up to see if a cow call might gain some interest. I am certainly not an expert caller, but for some reason the calls were pitch perfect (why can’t I do that all the time?). The bulls would answer, but in a passive tone. I was being very careful about overcalling and decided to stop after hearing a cow respond. I figured if I sounded good enough for a cow to buy-in, maybe I had set the stage? I sat down in an open spot and decided to just sit there all day if I had to. They had heard a cow (me) and I hoped it was going to play on their minds as the day went on. After an hour or so of absolute quiet, the sun hit my little spot on the bench. Early morning get-ups had me tired, so I laid down against my pack to relax a bit. I should have known better as getting comfortable led to me falling asleep. Not sure how long I had been snoozing, when I heard a bugle so close that I thought the bull was standing over me. Luckily, I had enough composure coming out of “out scout” mode to not sit up as I could hear a big animal walking towards me. Being completely exposed where I was, I pushed myself backwards on my stomach to a juniper that was just below. I put an arrow on the string and rose to my knees. At that moment I felt the changing thermals shifting to a direction directly downwind to the elk. My mind was racing about what to do when I remembered that I had a small spray bottle of cow elk scent in my pocket. I also noticed that the approaching animal had stopped (guessing it got a very slight hint of human in the thermals). I sprayed my hat with the scent and got ready for whatever was going to happen. I was surprised when I heard the bull continue towards me (the scent must have worked). I shifted my body to a solid shooting position and tried to focus. The animal that stepped out of the trees was absolutely amazing. He was only twenty-five yards away when he cleared so I tried not to look at anything but where I wanted to place the arrow. He was approaching head-on and then turned broadside to avoid a log laying in the trail. A small pine tree he had to go by provided a spot for me to draw. When he stepped clear at twenty yards, I saw a black fletched arrow headed his way. That

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Winter 2020

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Senseless Cow Shootings. UNBELIEVABLE

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moment was surreal in that I do not remember drawing the bow. The arrow was headed in the right direction when he exploded down the hillside, but I did not hear it hit? He busted dry timber in his escape for what seemed like minutes and then all was quiet. Quiet except for my ragged breathing and a body shaking like a leaf. Because I had not heard the hit (and usually do) I assumed the worst thinking I had missed. Kicking myself to where I thought the arrow might be, I just could not believe I had missed something that big that close. Scratching around in the pine needles was not turning up the arrow? Going back to where he was standing when I shot, I found no blood? What the heck?? When I first heard the sound, I was sure I was just creating it in my head. Then it came again. The sound was a cough, and it was coming directly from the direction he had gone. Then I heard a few branches break and then a crash. Could it be? Gathering up my pack and bow I headed towards the sounds. The hillside was covered in thick juniper, so it was tough to pinpoint where to look. Moving further downhill I saw a blond body sticking out of the foliage. All I could think was “UNBELIEVABLE!” I don’t know how many times I said it out loud – but it was a bunch! I certainly am not in the same harvest clan as the professional at the beginning of this story but have been fortunate enough to have taken my share of bulls. All have been stunning, and all are permanently etched in my mind. They just are incredibly special animals. This one was exceptional. I just sat above him for over an hour taking it all in. I just could not believe what had happened. I reflected on my mindset the night before thinking that it seemed impossible to take one of these ghosts with a bow. So many things must go right to see what I was seeing. It is an easy time to feel very spiritual and I know I thanked God numerous times. What an experience! It took all this 62-year-old body could do to move him out of the junipers. What an animal. He had almost no smell and was as plump as a 4H steer. His antlers were perfect with six on a side. Again, UNBELIEVABLE! In moving him I could now see where the arrow had landed. There right in the crease behind the front shoulder was the entry and nearly the same spot on the other side was the exit. Perfect! Could not have placed it better if I’d have had a hundred chances. Exactly as I hoped it would be. I could not have been more pleased with that aspect. Why Muzzy stopped building Phantom broadheads I will never understand? Breaking him down was interesting considering the steep slope and his size. When I had tied the last meat sack on the hanging pole, I was bushed to say the least. As I approached the truck right at dark, there was a game warden parked behind it. He had ran my plates to make sure I had all the correct licenses and permits and was getting ready to leave. The young warden was great (we need more like him) and actually offered to go back in with me to help bring out the meat. I told him that going back for the meat was out until morning and that he would probably have to help me get in my truck. A cool night had all the meat in great shape. I brought back clean game bags to replace those that were bloodied, and fly blown. The pack-out was tough, but I enjoyed every part of it. What an experience – UNBELIEVABLE! We are so lucky to be living the dream here in Montana. Rick Miller Region 7 Rep – Colstrip

Montana

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Unfortunately, it was brought to the attention of the MBA late this September that some low life criminal shot a moo cow with not one, but two arrows. The cows’ calf was also shot, but thankfully both animals survived. An act this heinous could not be ignored and an email request was sent to the entire MBA board detailing the situation. The folks whose cows were shot have always been sportsman friendly and let some of the general public hunt their property each year. The shooting occurred where their land meets forest service property. This ordeal got quite a bit of attention on social media and it was quickly decided that the MBA needed to get involved and let it be known that this was no “bowhunter” who committed this crime but some maggot criminal sneaking around the woods with a bow. The board unanimously decided to gift the land owners $1,000 to help defray any costs associated. We have also put up a $500 reward for info that leads to the perpetrator(s). We have had a number of our members offer to help pay for these costs and if any one else would like to chip in a few dollars there is no amount too small. We are going to earmark it “the cow fund” and hopefully someone who has some info will step up and we can find and prosecute the guilty party. The landowners were very surprised and extremely thankful for the donation and willingness of the MBA to help out their unfortunate situation and have said that they will continue to let the public hunt their land and that they won’t let one bad apple spoil the bunch. The senseless act of one gives all bowhunters a black eye and no amount of restitution can take away the fuel that this adds to the anti-hunter agenda. We have enough on our plate working to keep our seasons and keeping crossbows at bay. If anyone has any info that can lead to an arrest, please come forward. This individual needs punished.

CONTACT NUMBERS

Fish & Wildlife Commission Members

District 1

District 2

Tim Aldrich, Commissioner

District 3

Pat Byorth, Commissionerr

3340 Rodeo Road Missoula, MT 59803 Phone: (406) 241-7164 Term: January 1, 2021

fwpwld@mt.gov

Richard Stuker, Vice-Chairman 1155 Boldt Road Chinook, MT 59523 Phone: (406) 357-3495 Term: January 1, 2021

2360 Whitetail Road Bozeman, MT 59715 Phone: (406) 548-4830

District 4

District 5

Logan Brower, Commissioner

Shane Colton, Commissioner

P.O. Box 325 Scobey, MT 59263 Phone: (406) 230-2188 Term: January 1, 2019

335 Clark Billings, MT 59101 Phone: (406) 259-9986 Term: January 1, 2021

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 October 2020 Buffalo Jump Archery

Judy Adams

P.O. Box 5581

Helena

59604

406-539-3936

Crown Photography www.mtcrownphoto.com

Mike and Lucinda Layne

PO Box 9936

Kalispell

59904

406-752-6116

Elk Creek Family Outfitters

David Hein

1021 Toole Circle

Billings

59105

406-670-4366

Hurst Bows

Coltin Hurst

3368 MT Hwy 5 W

Plentywood

59254

406-765-7580

Kimzey Knifeworks

Dan Kimzey

134 Blue Heron Dr

Hamilton

59840

406-361-5863

Kutawagan Outfitters/ Bearpaw Lodge

Jeff and Annette Smith

Box 70

Choiceland

S0J 0M0

306-428-2032

Libby Archery Club

P.O. Box 755

Libby

59923

406-293-7174

Libby Sports Center

204 West 9th St

Libby

59923

406-293-4641

Matablas Game Hunters

Willem Frost

PO Box 1559

Lephalale

0555

27116794664

Moody’s Dirty Laundry

Jay Moody

221 W 9th St

Libby

59923

406-291-1609

Mountain Copper Creations

Jim Clapham

4085 Old Marhsall Grade Rd

East Missoula

59802

406-880-9411

Northwest Motorsports

Tom Gilmore

2318 Granite Creek Rd

Libby

59923

406-293-3131

Pronghorn Custom Bows

Herb Meland

2491 W 42nd St

Casper

82604

307-234-1824

Schafer Silvertip Recurve

Dave Windauer

357 Roberts Rd

Columbia Falls

59912

406- 892-0580

Toelke Custom Bows

Dan & Jared Toelke

31345 Lost Creek Ln

Ronan

59864

406-676-5150

Zinks Big Sky Archery Targets

Terry L & Dylan Zink

PO Box 1272

Marion

59925

406-253-4670

Limpopo

Winter 2020

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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

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M ontana

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ALISHA ZEMLIKA 2020 bull

MIKE PRESCOTT Bitterroot River Whitetail taken on public land

MATTHEW ANDERSON 2x2

JEREMY ALLEGRUCCI 2017 MT Archery Muley Buck

STEPHEN LEPAGE coyote 2020

SARAH ALLEGRUCCI 1st archery MT Mule Deer Buck 2019

AMY LEPAGE bear 2020

LUCAS ZEMLICKA 2020 antelope

TREVOR MCGURRAN with a nice bull 12 yard shot

MARTIN HAMPA MBA member with his antelope

JOE ANDERSON 6x6 bull

AMY LEPAGE elk 2020

Winter 2020

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? • • • •

•

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

•

What can you do for bowhunting in Montana? Join the MBA at www.mtba.org to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting.

Spring 2015

Vol. 48 #2 Winter 2020

Articles inside

BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS FWP COMMISSIONER CONTACTS

SENSELESS COW SHOOTINGS

UNBELIEVABLE A 2020 ARCHERY ELK HUNT

MY MOUNTAIN

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Teri Kelly

I DON’T DO TREE STANDS

EDITOR’S NOTE