MBA Fall 2011

VOL. 39 #1 FALL 2011

inside this issue: Officer Reports Next Step for MBA Magazine 2011 Carp Safari MBA Bison Survey Results

www.mtba.org

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 2 WWW.MTBA.ORG

www.mtba.org

MBA

MBA

Regional onal R Representatives epre p esent e tatives a

Region 1

PO Box 219, Libby, MT 59923..............................................406-293-2900 alman@frontiernet.net 3160 Airport Road, Kalispel, MT 59901 ................................406-261-4456 paulhm@dishmail.net

Al Kelly Paul Martin

PRESIDENT Jason Tounsley 8630 Longmeadow Dr. • Billings, MT 59106 jtounsley@msn.com • 406-679-1434

Region 2 Region 3

Paul Roush II

5106 Mainview Dr., Missoula, MT 59803..................................406-544-2169 montanaarchery@hotmail.com

Lucas Zemlicka

26 Sheridan Ave., Bozeman MT 59718 .................................406-580-9560 lucaszemlicka@hotmail.com 44 Sundance Trail, Bozeman, MT 59781.................................406-539-3195 lyle@pixelelk.com

Lyle Hebel 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Joelle Selk 6963 York Road • Helena, MT 59602 jselkmt@3riversdbs.net • 406-475-3023

2ND VICE PRESIDENT Jesse Nelson 407 N. Teton • Bozeman, MT 59718 sharpstx@gmail.com • 406-580-1952

TREASURER Jenn Schneider PO Box 23611 • Billings, MT 59104 mtba@mtba.org • 406-697-7668

PAST PRESIDENT Jim Gappa Billings, MT jsgappa@msn.com • 406-655-8263

MAGAZINE EDITOR Denver Bryan 18 Gardner Park Drive • Bozeman, MT 59715 denver@denverbryan.com • 406-539-9272

WEB DESIGNER Lyle Hebel www.pixelelk.com

MAGAZINE DESIGN K Design Marketing, Inc. Kimberly Kinsinger 15275 Thayer Rd. • Lolo, MT 59847 kim@kdesignmarketing.com • 406-273-6193

Region 4

Great Falls, MT ....................................................................406-788-9009 obsession_archery@yahoo.com 107 Duck Haven Lane, Lewistown, MT 59457 ........................406-350-0451 doug@alliedsteelmt.com

Cliff Garness Doug Krings

Region 5

Ernie McKenzie Brad Zink

Region 6

Don Stein Mark Weber

Region 7 Region 8

Rex Rogers

Billings, MT......................................................................... 406-690-7110 mbarepr5@hotmail.com 3536 Summerfield Circle, Billings, MT 59105......................... 406-699-0126 region5mbarep@hotmail.com 1625 Northern Heights Drive, Havre, MT 59501 ....................406-265-8099 dr.camo@bresnan.net 2885 Old Highway Road,Chinook MT 59523...........................406-357-4119 mweber@itstriangle.com Colstrip, MT ......................................................................406-740-3077 rr_tradbow@yahoo.com

VACANT

AT LARGE DIRECTORS EVEN YEARS Cory C. Benge Pete Iacavazzi Levi Johnson Steve Kamps Roger Peffer Steve Schindler Steve Sukut

P.O. Box 10024, Bozeman, MT 59714 – bengebow@yahoo.com.......................................406-220-3337 Billings, MT – pciacavazzi@hotmail.com ..........................................................................406-599-5786 105 West Main, Winnett, MT 59087 – lkj@midrivers.com................................................406-366-2247 P.O. Box 192, Lincoln, MT 59639 – kamps@linctel.net ....................................................406-362-4907 2517 9th Ave So Great Falls, MT 59405 – regorp77@msn.com ........................................406-452-0911 134 Sawney Drive,Glasgow, MT 59203 – sas@nemont.net...............................................406-228-9024 900 Hall Terrace, Glasgow, MT 59230 – sksukut@nemont.net..........................................406-228-9898

ODD YEARS Adam Barker Denver Bryan Ray Gross Mark Renner

1020 Valley View Dr., Great Falls, MT 59405 – adam.barker@ge.com ................................406-461-2792 18 Gardner Park Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715 – denver@denverbryan.com .........................406-539-9272 355 Antelope Dr., Dillon, MT 59725 – Ray_gross@bresnan.net.......................................406-683-2046 PO Box 5151, Bozeman, MT 59717 – mark@bethedecoy.com .......................................406-579-1771

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.

PUBLICATIONS DATES AND DEADLINES WINTER ISSUE, DEADLINE, October 15 SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 15 Stories, photos or cartoons should be sent to Denver Bryan, 18 Gardner Park Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715 or email to Denver@denverbryan.com.

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

MEMBERSHIP INQUIRIES Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Treasurer, PO Box 23611 Billings, MT 59104 or call 406-697-7668 or ask any member.

Fall 2011

3—

from the EDITOR

5

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Jason Tounsley 1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Joelle Selk

6

THE NEXT STEP . . .

FOR THE MONTANA BOWHUNTER MAGAZINE — Steve Sukut

8 9

2011 CANYON FERRY CARP SAFARI MBA SURVEY ON THE LIMITED PERMITS IN THE BREAKS AND 22 OTHER DISTRICTS

12

MBA ARCHERY BISON OPPORTUNITY SURVEY RESULTS MBA MEMBERS HELP OUT AT THE ROCKER 6 RANCH — Lucas Zemlicka

14

BUSINESS MEMBERS

About

THE COVER TH

By Denver Bryan / Images on the Wildside

T

he clock is ticking and I suspect most of you can feel it.

Only a few weeks before archery seasons start opening here in Montana. Is there a better time of the year anywhere?

Before you head into the field and get too busy to pay much attention to anything else, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to fill out and send in the MBA survey that is likely going to determine the future of the MBA magazine. The MBA has reached a crossroads of sorts with our magazine. The MBA board of directors believes that the high costs of printing a fullcolor quarterly magazine for our relatively small membership have gotten too high to justify. And I’d have to agree. We have a decision to make and options to choose from so please read past-MBA magazine editor Steve Sukut’s article on the history and future of the MBA magazine and then send in the magazine survey that follows his piece.

Also contained in this issue is a new MBA survey on the issue of limited permits in the Breaks and 22 other hunting districts. This is a complicated and contentious issue and the board would really like to hear from as many MBA members as possible.

As always, I’d like to think the various MBA board members and regional reps for their time and various contributions. We are genuinely fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people working for bowhunters all across Montana.

Denver Bryan

Moontana

BOWHUNTER — 4 WWW.MTBA.ORG

First Vice PRESIDENT’S message T

PRESIDENT’S

S

message

eems like spring bear season just finished and the endless wait until Antelope season started. Next thing you know there is the Carp Safari, a couple MBA meetings, you take the family camping once or twice and all of a sudden it’s August 15th and the ten glorious months of hunting season start all over again.

We are truly fortunate in Montana with the number and variety of hunting opportunities we enjoy and that is reflected in the number of sportsmen and women who take part in those opportunities. But it is more than a little disheartening to see how few of those who enjoy the opportunities actually participate in the public process which shapes them. The 2011 tentative process will begin in August with public input or scoping meetings and I would encourage each of you to attend or at least give your input through the FWP website.

Also keep an eye out for emails from the MBA Tentatives Committee for alerts about tentative issues when we need immediate input from our membership regarding them.

he MBA Board has been running full-bore since the Legislative session, and there’s no let-up in sight.

The new opportunities afforded in terms of the archery bison opportunity, the wolf hunt, and the fresh look at the limited archery permits have presented us with quite a full plate this summer. I’ve included our current strategies for each of these topics in this issue, and we’re soliciting your input regarding the limited archery permits. We’ve formatted the survey question in an open format in order to gather the most input possible. We want detailed comments about how the limited archery permits impact you, positively or negatively.

You’ll note it isn’t strictly set up for a yes/no vote, and that’s intentional. This is a complex topic, and it needs to be informed by all perspectives.

You’ll notice our newsletter is dramatically slimmed down. The magazine costs are becoming burdensome to the organization despite our attempts to defray costs through advertising. We need your input about how we can update you in a more economically feasible fashion. Steve Sukut gives a full explanation of our options in his article. We’d like to offer our updates in a combination of print and electronic media, and we’ll be guided by your input of how you prefer to receive information.

Antelope season is upon us, and I for one plan to take every advantage of my Be the Decoy hat and Montana Decoy setup to hoodwink a speed goat within shooting range. Good luck to you all in the upcoming season!

Joelle Selk

The region three crew is already working hard on next year’s convention and as always I am sure it will be a good one. I don’t want to ruin the surprise but I think they have found a great way to change things up a bit while shedding some light on where the MBA came from and the direction we need to go as we move forward.

Enough business though, time to go out in the back yard and watch some arrows fly, tune some broadheads, sharpen the knives a couple more times, find my favorite camo shirt… all the things you need to do to pass the time till hunting season arrives again. Good luck to everyone and I hope you all shoot straight, fill the freezer, and more importantly make it home safe.

Jason Tounsley Fall 2011

5—

The Next Step…

for the Montana Bowhunter Magazine.

Here’s a brief history of the Montana Bowhunter magazine. I was at the meeting twenty years ago where we decided to take the MBA newsletter to the next level. We decided that a professionally done magazine with a color cover, regional articles, hunting stories, and member photos would aid the MBA’s mission… to enhance and promote bowhunting in Montana.

It wasn’t cheap, but it was felt that we could offset the cost with advertisement sales and the expense would be worth it due to the increased revenue and members. The magazine was greeted with great enthusiasm. The MBA members loved it and we have enjoyed complete support. However, as time went on it became apparent that it wasn’t working out as hoped.

Membership didn’t rise as a result of the new, improved and sexy magazine. Significant ad revenues did not occur either. We sold some ads but mostly to generous supporters who gave us ad business more to help our cause than to promote their product. Most advertisers don’t seem interested in spending ad dollars on a magazine with such a limited audience.

However, our influence on Montana politics and on the FWP Commission seems to be as strong as ever, if not more so. That is most likely the result of the passionate work of the Tentative Committee during the FWP Tentative setting meetings and the effort of the Legislative Committee during the state legislature, not the Montana Bowhunter Magazine.

It has become very expensive to produce and print a full color magazine quarterly. Costs have risen to the point where the MBA has virtually become a life-support system for the Montana Bowhunter Magazine and that is not the MBA’s mission. Unfortunately, the cost of printing a 32 to 40 page magazine four times a year have risen to close to $20,000 per year, including shipping. That’s ton of money that could be better spent.

Our options are few. We can continue to print quarterly color magazines. If we take that route, that will be the MBA’s new mission.

We can drop back to quarterly black and white “newsletters,” which are about 16 pages of bare-bones news that will still cost us around 8 to 10 grand per year. We can go to an online magazine, which is very cheap (less than $500/year) or we can do some kind of combination of these options, which is the way your MBA Board of Directors would like to go.

There are two things that make a quarterly color magazine very hard… one is the cost and the other is finding a martyr who is willing to donate the time and stress to organize and edit it. I cannot describe to you the hours that go into editing one of these magazines and 21st century life just does not allow for that to be done for free. No one wants to be paid but it is unfair and unrealistic to ask someone to donate that kind of time.

So what’s next? What we propose is that we print one annual mega-issue, before the MBA Convention, that displays our donors’ advertisements and gives all pertinent information about the upcoming convention. The other issues will be newsletters, online magazines, or some kind of combination of the two. The Montana Bowhunter that you hold in your hand is an example of the newsletter. It is the size and type that we had back in 1991.

All magazines and newsletters will also be posted on the MBA’s website. The mega issue in the early part of the year would not only give ad space to our donors but it would also direct attention to the upcoming Convention, which is our main fundraising effort of the year. Throughout the year, we need our members to go to the website where they can find the latest news and regional reports.

These are our thoughts. However, this magazine and the efforts of the MBA are led by input from the members, so we would like to hear your thoughts on the matter. Please fill out the following survey regarding the MBA Magazine and mail it to Denver Bryan (current editor of the MBA Magazine), 18 Gardner Park Drive, Bozeman, MT 59715.

Thanks!

Steve Sukut At Large Director & Past MBA Magazine Editor

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 6 WWW.MTBA.ORG

cut here

Legislative:

Joelle Selk, Chair Adam Barker • Steve Kamps Cliff Garness • Jason Tounsley Mark Weber • Jesse Nelson • Ray Gross

Tentative:

Steve Kamps, Chair Adam Barker • Don Stein • Joelle Selk Paul Martin • Rex Rogers • Doug Krings Jesse Nelson • Ray Gross Jason Tounsley

Financial:

Steve Sukut, Chair Mark Weber • Paul Roush Jenn Schneider • Brad Zink

Landowner/Sportsman: Lucas Zemlickas, Chair Cliff Garness • Don Stein Cory Benge

Nominations:

Ernie McKenzie, Chair

Awards:

Pete Iacavazzi, Chair Roger Peffer • Jenn Schneider

Membership:

Steve Schindler, Chair Rex Rogers • Denver Bryan Cory Benge • Lucas Zemlicka Doug Kring

Merchandise:

Paul Roush II, Chair Jenn Schneider • Cliff Garness

Convention 2012:

Lucas Zemlicka, Chair Jenn Schneider • Joelle Selk Cory Benge • Lyle Hebel Mark Renner • Jesse Nelson Paul Martin

Magazine:

Denver Bryan, Chair Joelle Selk • Al Kelly Lyle Hebel • Rex Rogers • Steve Sukut

Website:

Lyle Hebel, Chair Denver Bryan • Paul Roush Joelle Selk • Rex Rogers

Carp Shoot: Joelle Selk, Chair

Bow-Ed:

Al Kelly, Chair Don Stein

If you would like to take this survey electronically online an email has been sent to your current email address on fi le with the MBA with the survey link. If you didn’t receive this email please contact info@mtba.org and the email will be sent again. Please ensure that the email didn’t go to you spam folder before you contact the MBA on this matter.

1. How important do you feel it is to having an MBA magazine printed quarterly like it currently is?

Very Important Important Not Important 2. Based upon the information presented in Steve Sukut’s article related to our magazine options, how would you prefer to receive MBA updates?

Magazine Format Only (4 Quarterly Issues) Online Version Only (4 Quarterly Issues) Yearly Annual Mega-issue with Additional Smaller Printed Issues Yearly Annual Mega-issue with Additional Smaller Online Issues 3. Should it be decided that the MBA no longer produce a magazine in its current capacity where would you like to see the addition funding go? Select all that apply. Select all that apply.

Youth Programs Educational Pursuits Political Pursuits New MBA Member Recruitment Website Enhancements 4. Would you be willing to pay an additional fee above your current membership dues to receive the magazine?

Yes - $5 more Yes - $10 more Yes - $15 more Yes - $20 more Yes - $25 more Yes - $30 more No 5. How often do you frequent the MBA website?

Once a Week Several Times a Week Once a Month Several Times a Month Never 6. With the popularity of Facebook and other social media would you like to receive notifications and information through these channels?

Yes No

Please Return completed survey to: Montana Bowhunters Association c/o Denver Bryan 18 Gardner Park Drive Bozeman MT 59715

Fall 2011

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2011 Canyon Ferry Carp Safari This year’s spring deluge delivered challenging conditions for the competitors of the Carp Safari. Attendance was healthy despite the cool, cloudy weather, and comprised 23 teams, 15 individuals, and 7 youth vying for the coveted fish plaques.

Brady Miller and Tim Ostlie made the most of their custom-equipped carp vessel by plying many bays in search of the most clandestine carp. They brought in the winning haul of 127 fish. Tim Ostlie also won the “sucker award” this year with a 3.10 lb. fish, due to his uncanny ability to track down the peculiar critter. Brian McDaniel focused on winning the individual competition and captured both the individual most and biggest fish awards, with 96 carp and a 13.4 lb. bruiser. Hope Hilty garnered the smallest fish at 1.11 lbs., establishing herself as perhaps the best shot by hitting the smallest target.

Sadly, the carp carried the day in the youth category by managing to evade all the youths’ well-placed arrows. Reports came in of near-misses, but no one was able to submit a fish at the weigh-in. Happily, Mitchell LePage and Morgan Williams each won a Retriever reel and were both jumping for joy at the prospect of future bowfishing opportunities.

This year’s festivities included the crowning of the new Carp Princess, Morgan Williams, who presided over the ceremonies with all the solemnity a young person can muster. The prizes included the carp plaques donated by Scott Reed, custommade 2011 Carp Safari t-shirts donated by the LePage family, Retriever reels and archery tackle donated by AMS Bowfishing, bowfishing videos and archery tackle donated by Muzzy, and two block targets donated by the Great Falls Archery Club and 3-D Archery Supply of Vaughn. Many thanks go out to the weigh-in and meal crews: Marvin Drake, Craig Marr, Gail Delp, Jim Gosink, Tim Reilly, Larry Bloxsom, Brittany Johnson, Jason Tounsley, Jesse Nelson, Joey Nelson, Lyle Hebel, Al and Terri Kelly, Lucas Zemlicka, and Ashley Hartsook. My apologies if I’ve forgotten anyone – your help was much appreciated!

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 8 WWW.MTBA.ORG

Win a dozen Easton Axis-N Fused arrow shafts!!!

Fill out both the limited permit and the MBA magazine survey and double your chances of winning. All surveys must be returned

by November 1. There will be a drawing for both surveys and two lucky MBA members will receive one dozen Axis-N Fused arrow shafts from Easton.

The Montana Bowhunters Association is interested in your feedback in order to better represent the organizations’ membership.

Please complete and return the survey on the following page, including your name and address. Personal information will only be used to verify current membership and for raffle entry. Results of the survey and drawing will be announced in the next issue. Entries must be from current MBA member to be eligible for raffle, Non addressed surveys will not be eligible for prize drawing.

Opinions portrayed in this article, survey questions, and the results are NOT connected or representative of the donating manufactures’ opinion.

cut here

MBA SURVEY ON THE LIMITED PERMITS IN THE BREAKS AND 22 OTHER DISTRICTS The MBA would like your response on the limited permits in the Breaks and the 22 Other Districts. Our stance towards supporting the limited archery permits in the Breaks has been consistent over the past four years, as has our questioning the necessity of limiting permits across the individual units that make up the 22 Other Districts. Your responses will guide our input within an Archery Elk Working Group formed by FWP to address the limited archery elk permits. In an effort to better understand our regional members’ concerns, we would like your comments regarding the specific areas in which you hunt and how the limited permits directly impact you positively or negatively. Please list the units that you have archery elk hunting experience in or are affected by followed with your specific input to those hunting districts. (Due to limited Magazine space please put lengthy comments on an additional sheet of paper.)

If you would like to take this survey electronically online an email has been sent to your current email address on fi le with the MBA with the survey link. If you didn’t receive this email please contact info@mtba.org and the email will be sent again.

Please ensure that the email didn’t go to you spam folder before you contact the MBA on this matter.

Name:______________________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________________ In general, what is your view on the MBA’s stance on the limited permits in the Breaks and why? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Breaks hunting districts you have experience hunting (410,417,620,621,622,700,701)?________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Breaks hunting districts comments or input? _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In general, what is your view on the MBA’s stance in the 22 Other Districts and why?__________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22 Other Districts hunting districts you have experience hunting (401,403,411,412,420,426,447,450,455,500,5 02,510, 511,520,530,570,575,580,590,702,704,705)? _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22 Other Districts hunting districts comments or input? _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please Return completed survey to: Montana Bowhunters Association ATT. Survey Department 407 N Teton Bozeman MT 59718

Win a dozen Easton Axis-N Fused arrow shafts!!! Fill out both the limited permit and the MBA magazine survey and double your chances of winning. All surveys must be returned by November 1, 2011.

There will be a drawing for both surveys and two lucky MBA members will receive one dozen Axis-N Fused arrow shafts from Easton.

The Montana Bowhunters Association is interested in your feedback in order to better represent the organizations’ membership. Please complete and return the survey on the back of this page, including your name and address. Personal information will only be used to verify current membership and for raffle entry. Results of the survey and drawing will be announced in the next issue. Entries must be from current MBA member to be eligible for raffle, Non addressed surveys will not be eligible for prize drawing. Opinions portrayed in this article, survey questions, and the results are in NOT connected or representative of the donating manufactures’ opinion.

Fall 2011

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Montana

BOWHUNTER — 10 WWW.MTBA.ORG

Do you enjoy bowhunting and our bowhunting seasons in Montana?

Join the MBA to preserve, promote and protect bowhunting!

What the MBA offers you:

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP

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

One Year $25.00 Three Years $67.00 Life $500.00

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP One Year $30.00 Three Years $81.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year

Fellowship with others who are interested in shaping the future of bowhunting

$5.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Quarterly magazine keeping you informed on local, state, and national bowhunting issues, bowhunter education, events, and great hunting stories

One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

OVERSEAS MEMBERSHIP Add $10.00 a year to membership choice for added mailing costs Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.

Join Today!

Visit the MBA website at: www.mtba.org

YES! I wish to join the MBA. Enclosed is my check, money order or credit card for the membership checked below!

SEND TO: MBA, PO BOX 23611 . BILLINGS, MT 59104 • PH. # 406-697-7668 Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Street: ____________________________________________ City: __________________________ State: ________ Zip: __________ Email: _________________________________ Date:______________________Telephone: (_____) ____________________________ INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP* One Year $25.00 Three Years $67.00 Life $500.00

CLUB MEMBERSHIP* One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

MBA HATS $15.00 each + $5.00 postage

FAMILY MEMBERSHIP* One Year $30.00 Three Years $81.00

BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP* One Year $45.00 Three Years $120.00

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP (Under 18) One Year $5.00

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

MBA PATCHES $2.50 each please send______patches DONATIONS

$_________________

PAYMENT TYPE Check

Money Order

Credit Card—

VISA

MASTERCARD

TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED _______________

Credit Card #________________________________ Exp. Date________ Signature__________________________________________ This is a gift membership from____________________________________________________________________________________

Fall 2011

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MBA ARCHERY BISON OPPORTUNITY

SURVEY RESULTS The MBA has been actively pursuing an archery opportunity for bison do you support these efforts?

38-YES

0-NO

The current hunt takes place in locations that are heavily used by a variety of users, placing it directly in the public eye. Is this current opportunity a good fit for an archery hunt?

26-YES 12-NO If archery equipment is allowed, should some equipment restrictions beyond the general regulations be considered much like the firearm restriction that currently exists?

17-YES 21-NO During the first bison hunts successful applicants were required to take an instructional class. Not knowing who will draw these tags, should the MBA work to implement a required course before a hunter may use archery equipment?

29-YES 8-NO 1-UNDECIDED Should it include proficiency?

21-YES 16-NO 1-UNDECIDED

CONGRATULATIONS TO LARRY RATTRAY, WINNER OF THE HOYT BUFFALO RECURVE GIVEN OUT TO AN MBA MEMBER FILLING OUT THE BISON SURVEY!!!

The Montana Bowhunters Association will use this feedback in order to better represent the organizations’ membership. Opinions portrayed in this article, survey questions, and the results are in NOT connected or representative of the donating manufactures’ opinion.

The MBA is still actively pursuing input from members pertaining to Montana Bison Archery Hunt. An electronic survey has been sent to your email on file with the MBA. Opinions portrayed in this article, survey questions, and the results are in NOT connected or representative of the donating manufactures’ opinion.

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 12 WWW.MTBA.ORG

MBA Members Help Out At The Rocker 6 Ranch Once every year the MBA tries to put together a work party to help out a landowner that has allowed public access over the years and is open to bowhunters. It’s a chance for the MBA to thank a landowner and let them know we appreciate them giving us an opportunity to hunt on their property. This spring I was contacted by MBA member and Montana game warden Bill Dawson. He asked if the MBA would be interested in teaming up with the FWP on a work party for the Rocker 6 Ranch. The ranch is located south of Colstrip and is owned by Clint and Wally McRae. The Rocker 6 Ranch has been enrolled in the Block Management program for many years and the McRae’s welcome bowhunters with open arms. The MBA felt it was a great opportunity so on Aril 30th volunteers from the MBA, FWP and the local area met at the ranch to help install ¼ mile of new fence and repair some older fence. When we arrived Clint was very well organized and had fencing pliers, hammers, posts, steel post staples, wood staples, fence stretchers and wire all ready to go. With 40mph winds and confirmed gusts up to 59mph volunteers split into 3 groups and began the fencing project.

Two groups worked on repairing some older fence by stretching up broken wires and replacing rotten wood posts. The remaining group helped Clint build ¼ mile of new fence that would divide a large pasture into two smaller pastures.

At the end of the day we gathered at the ranch shop where we swapped hunting stories and ate a great meal that Clint and his wife prepared. When it was all said and done we had completed the quarter mile of new fence, repaired many broken wires and put over 200 new posts in the ground. It was a successful day that I hope showed the Rocker 6 just how much we appreciate them allowing access for sportsmen. We don’t take it for granted and truly do appreciate the generosity the Rocker 6 has shown over the years. Also thank you to the MBA volunteers that showed up to help out as well- Jason Hegg, Rick Miller, Bill Dawson, Jason Zemlicka, Dana Miller and Rex Rogers. Good work and a job well done guys!

Lucas Zemlicka / MBA Region 3 Representative

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?

•

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 the MBA has done for you?

What can you do for the bowhunting in Montana?

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

Fall 2011

13—

BUSINESS MEMBERS

Become a Business Member of the MBA and be listed on this page every issue!

For membership visit www.mtba.org.

Active as of May 2011 24/7 MUSCLE & FITNESS

Kelly Kimzey

ARCHER’S ROOST

Steven Battaglia

ATLAS CHIROPRACTIC

Dr. Tony Nieter

435 South Atlantic

Dillon

MT

59725

406-925-3485

PO Box 429

Hardin

MT

59034

406-672-5945

46 Village Loop Road

Kalispell

MT

59901

406-253-7027

BE THE DECOY

Mark Renner

PO Box 5151

Bozeman

MT

59717

www.bethedeccoy.com

BIG SKY ARCHERY

William Farris

120 Pollywog Lane

Belgrade

MT

59714

www.bigskyarchery.com

BRUCE’S QUICKLUBE

Bruce Metcalf

1111 E Front St

Butte

MT

59701

406-782-6124

2710 Broadwater Ave

Helena

MT

59602

406-449-3111

84 Williams Drive

Dillon

MT

59725

406-380-0986

PO Box 9936

Kalispell

MT

59904 www.mtcrownphoto.com

BUFFALO JUMP ARCHERY

Judy Adams

C. DOUGLAS WEBB

C. Douglas Webb

CROWN PHOTOGRAPHY

M & L Layne

DAHL WHOLESALE

Chris Dahl

PO Box 384

Drummond

MT

59832

406-449-1517

DR. CAMO

Don Stein

1625 Northern Heights Dr

Havre

MT

59501

406-265-8099

FIRST CLASS OUTDOORS, LLC

10 Grassy Flat Road

Roundup

MT

59072

661-317-0001

FIVE VALLEYS ARCHERY CLUB

PO Box 5083

Missoula

MT

59806

406-544-2169

FLATHEAD VALLEY ARCHERS

PO Box 1282

Kalispell

MT

59903

5348 Florence Carlton Loop Florence

MT

59833

406-273-2210

1105 Spurgin Court

Missoula

MT

59804

406-327-4800

GREAT FALLS ARCHERY CLUB Rick Maynard/President

PO Box 3653

Great Falls

MT

59403

406-453-1158

K DESIGN MARKETING, INC.

15275 Thayer Rpad

Lolo

MT

59847 www.kdesignmarketing.com

LEWIS & CLARK ARCHERS

PO Box 6271

Helena

MT

59604

LIBBY ARCHERY CLUB

PO Box 755

Libby

MT

59923

MAKOSHIKA BOWMEN

PO Box 781

Glendive

MT

59330

MONTANA HISTORICAL SOC LIBRARY

PO Box 201201

Helena

MT

59620

POLSON AMBULANCE, INC.

PO Box 838

Polson

MT

59860

2491 W 42nd St

Casper

WY

82604 www.pronghornbows.com

ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION David Allen

5705 Grant Creek Road

Missoula

MT

59808

406-523-4500

ROYAL ELK SEWING

703 Goldenwest

Belgrade

MT

59714

406-388-9780

115 Rocky Cliff Lane

Kalispell

MT

59901 www.spiritquestarchery.com

3312 Rome Lane

Stevensville

MT

59870

406-370-5311

1299 Fort Ellis Road

Bozeman

MT

59715

406-924-4494

31345 Lost Creek Lane

Ronan

MT

59864

406-676-5150

3170 MT Hwy

Philllipsburg

MT

59858

406-859-0297

1865 Hwy 2 E

Havre

MT

59501

406-265-4572

Dan Tracey

2214 Tschache Lane

Bozeman

MT

59715

406-586-0100

Bernie & Dorothy Smith

3036 Cheyenne Drive

Colstrip

MT

59323

406-748-4119

John Wilson

945 Lorraine St

Billings

MT

59105

406-256-4909

Rich Wormington

280 HWY 14A E

Lovell

WY

82431

307-548-6292

GAME TRAILS WILDLIFE STUDIO GARRAMONE BUILDERS

Steve Brett Don Garramone

Sam & Kim Kinsinger

Tim Brester, Eric Henslin

PRONGHORN CUSTOM BOWS

Herb Meland

Marvin Hansen

SPIRIT QUEST ARCHERY SIMMONS SHARKS

Dave & Brandy Oligee

SPORTSMENSACCESS.COM

Joe Esparza

TOELKE TRADITIONAL ARCHERY

Dan Toelke

TROPHY’S ONLY TAXIDERMY WESTERN TRAILER & MARINE SALES

Clyde Thomas, Jr.

WHOLESALE SPORTS #144 BOZEMAN WILD THINGS PRESERVED TAXIDERMY WILSON BUILT CONSTRUCTION YELLOWSTONE BOWS

Montana

BOWHUNTER — 14 WWW.MTBA.ORG

406-377-1572

406-883-5778

Fall 2011

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