Mike Shepard 351 7th Ave East N, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 - michaelshepard7@gmail.com 406-250-9806
EDITORIAL COMMENTS
The MBA Magazine is a quarterly publication of the MBA and is intended to inform, entertain and educate its members on happenings within the organization and to bowhunting in general.
PUBLICATION DATES AND DEADLINES
FALL ISSUE, DEADLINE, July 15
WINTER ISSUE, DEADLINE, October 15
SPRING ISSUE, DEADLINE, January 15
SUMMER ISSUE, DEADLINE, April 15
Stories, photos, or cartoons should be sent to Julie Jensen at 391 Coral Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714 or email jjensen44@mac.com. All materials are the opinion of the author unless otherwise stated, and are subject to being edited. All submitted or published photos may be used by the MBA in the newsletter,
and MBA Photo Album and/or on Facebook. Any questions as to policies of MBA please contact the President.
MEMBERSHIP INQURIES
Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Administrator, Claudia Davis, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, or register online at www.mtba.org, or ask a member.
Ihope this letter finds you in good health! As the 2024-2025 big game hunting season comes to a close, we are gearing up for the upcoming Legislative season. I hope that many of you had great success this year as well as lots of fun making memories with family and friends. Congrats to all who were able to fill tags on your archery hunts! At the time I’m writing this letter, some of you may still be out trying to fill a late season rifle cow tag. Good Luck to those hunters and be safe.
Our Legislative Committee has been super busy getting up to date on some pretty significant Bills that are being introduced. At the time I’m writing this letter there has been a survey sent out soliciting feedback from on our membership. Please take the time to complete these surveys. This really helps us know where you all stand and what we need to be supporting or not-supporting. Thank you to all that already responded. We are pleasantly surprised at the immediate response from you all.
Again, this year there is a (Disabled Hunter/Crossbow) Bill heading our way. It is in the early preliminary stages and we will be watching this Bill very closely. In the meantime, we are introducing a Bill that was put together by Jerry Davis (Secretary MBA) to solicit funding to help fund the PTMAE equipment through the State. This Bill is sponsored by Senator Janet Ellis and it is Bill LC0634. In the past, the MBA has been funding 100% of these DrawLock systems and Bows that have been given out. Jerry has put a lot of time into this Bill and did a fantastic job putting this Bill together. This Bill is so we can help even more Disabled Hunters get into the field and harvest big game animals. Please take time to look over this Bill when you can. Thank you, Jerry and Janet for your dedication.
The time is getting very near for our upcoming 47th Annual MBA Convention. It will be held in Great Falls again this year at the Heritage Inn. The Heritage Inn always does a fantastic job hosting. By the sounds of things, there is going to be a great keynote speaker (Aron Snyder), awesome auction items, educational workshops and of course great “Food and Drink”! The convention dates will be April 11-13, 2025. Please go to our MBA Website and get registered to join us.
Thank you to all the members that have responded to our first survey. Please help us as much as you can by participating. Our #1 Goal is to preserve our coveted “6” week Archery Season in Montana and we’ll fight hard from all angles to protect that! With that, I’ll leave you with the reminder to “Shoot Straight and Always be a Straight Shooter”!
Ken Schultz
1ST VICE PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
New year, new seasons
2
024 was possibly the best hunting season I may have ever had. I was so lucky to start off the year by taking a Pope & Young tom mountain lion last January after a good friend and his hounds put him up in a tree. Spring was busy chasing gobbles and shed hunting, followed by a summer filled with a Smith River trip, lots of fishing, and lots of floating. Opening day of archery, I was able to luck out on one of the best trophies I’ve taken with a bow yet—a big mature 8-point whitetail that scored 142”! I later took a nice antelope with my bow and was blessed on opening day of rifle to shoot a nice bull my husband put me on, after I had a bit of bad luck during the archery season on elk. Fall and winter went quickly with lots of bird hunts over our pack of labradors, a little coyote hunting, and I even learned how to trap beaver. While I took some great animals, that really wasn’t the highlight of my season. It really was the hunts and friends I shared each of those experiences with, and their successes that I got to be a part of—those are the moments that made this season so special. If I don’t punch a tag next year, but have half the adventures, laughs and stories, it will be a wild success. That is really what it is about.
This year is shaping up to be another busy legislative session with lots of bills already surfacing around public lands, fish, and wildlife. Of course, a crossbow bill is in the works, though as of now we don’t know the text or details around it. There are other folks trying to change hunting seasons in a way that would shorten archery season and move it further into August when it’s even hotter. Rest assured; we’ve got a great board who is working hard to preserve “The Last Best Bowhunting” here in Montana. We could use some help this session, so please watch your emails for opportunities to reach out to your representatives and let them know how important the archery season is to you.
I wish you all good luck in the draws! Shoot straight >>>-------------------------------------------->
Stephanie Prater
Stephanie Prater
Ken Schultz
SECRETARY’S MESSAGE
Secretary Position
This will be my last column as Secretary. I am hoping that a board member will step up and take over the reins of secretary as I think it is an important job that helps our board maintain continuity.
Now that archery season is over the legislative season is upon us. At the time I write this MBA has gotten a draft bill on the docket. That bill has been assigned number LC0634, titled “Allow hunters to donate funds for archery equipment for disabled bowhunters.” The intent of this bill is to allow hunters to donate money to a fund that will be managed by FWP for use by 501(c)(3) non-profit groups to pay for the costs of modified archery equipment. Hopefully by the time you read this column LC0634 will have become law.
MBA wants to help bowhunters with disabilities procure individualized modified archery equipment so that they can enjoy this sport we all love. Modified archery equipment can be expensive both in terms of the individual design time and fabrication time. In the past MBA has procured that equipment at significant cost and donated time. But our budget is limited, and we are hoping to be using more of our funds in the future help to underwrite youth archery programs.
By the time you read this, the 69th Legislative session will be coming to an end and hopefully we on the board and on the Legislative committee will have kept you abreast of all the bills that could affect bowhunting in Montana.
Please let your MBA Regional representative know if you think we are doing a good or bad job.
Jerry Davis
PAST PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Along with the arrival of the new year, also comes a flurry of activity here at the MBA.
The Legislative Committee has been fervently researching upcoming bills and having thoughtful conversations on which the MBA needs to support or fight against and prudent strategies for moving forward in their attempt to protect and promote bowhunting. This committee contains some of the MBA’s best and brightest. Their hard work and attention to detail is admirable and I hold each one of them in the highest regard.
There is great deal of activity coming out of the Convention Committee. This committee is a constant force for the MBA, and it is working tirelessly to put on the type of event that you have come to expect from the MBA. For the first time in many years, I will not be attending the convention and am brokenhearted about it. I highly encourage you to attend!
Unfortunately, the Carp Safari Committee has the heard the news that the Bureau of Reclamation has denied our application for a permit to host the Carp Safari. This is a great disappointment to me and my family, as this has been a constant fixture in the LePage crew.
Aside from all that, I was able to put a few lions in trees this year and enjoyed every minute of it. I was also fortunate enough to do a few spear fishing charters this winter down in a warmer climate. Now I do not think it even approaches the excitement or passion that I have for bowhunting, but I did immensely enjoy shooting lobsters and fish.
Sincerely,
Stephen LePage
MBA-past president 406-535-5636
Stephen LePage
Jerry Davis
REGION 1
AL KELLY
MICHAEL ITEN
REGION 2
MARLON CLAPHMAN
KEVIN ROBINSON
REGION 3
LIBERTY BROWN
ROBIN MESTDAGH (NO REPORT)
REGION 4
JUSTIN DOLL
MARK SCHWOMERYER (NO REPORT)
REGION 5
BEN BULLER (NO REPORT)
REGION 6
TRISTAN MANUEL (NO REPORT)
REGION 7
BOB MORGAN (NO REPORT)
1
Hello friends and fellow bowhunters. As I am now firmly entrenched in retirement, my time with the MBA as a Region One Rep is coming to an end. While I’ve made the choice to step down from the board and devote my time to getting all the honey-do’s my lovely bride has for me, as well as some other important pursuits like hunting, fishing, camping etc., I will continue my involvement and support of the MBA.
The MBA is an essential part of bowhunting in Montana. Without the MBA and its constant efforts, we would see the hunting opportunities and seasons we Montana bowhunters currently have diminish. Whittled away by special interest groups and unsupportive legislatures with an eye on the prize of some good Montana territory or some special hunting opportunities to give them the edge on the biggest game prizes.
It’s a constant battle and if you’re reading this, then you’re someone who supports those efforts with your membership as another voice in support of Montana bowhunters. For those that are not reading, maybe you can give them the opportunity to do so. Share your newsletter with them or at least share the message and vision of the MBA to protect those bowhunting opportunities. Pay attention to what elected officials are supporting us and which are against us and vote accordingly.
My time with the MBA will not end, I will continue to support it not only with my lifetime membership, but I will continue to be vocal about the mission of the MBA and encourage more of
Al Kelly
our 30,000 Montana bowhunters to join our ranks and be a voice in support of a lifelong tradition of bowhunting in Montana. We are one of the last best places and if we want it there for ourselves and future generations then we can all step up and do a little more.
Thank you for allowing me to assist in these efforts over the last give or take 20 years of being a region one rep. I truly hope that another region one member will take up the reins and continue those efforts. And I’ll see you all at the convention! A good time will be had by all.
Al Kelly
It’s currently January 20th and I’m five days past the deadline to get something written for the Spring magazine. I always struggle with trying to think of something to write about, so here goes.
There has been some recent news regarding management- or lack thereof-regarding black and grizzly bears in our state. In February 2024 the FWP Commission changed the spring black bear season date for Region 1 from May 31st to June 15th. I inquired about this change with the local FWP in Region 1 and was told that this was done to make the bear season uniform across the state. However, after a smidgen of research, I found the agreement to extend the spring bear season by two weeks was allowed because of a stipulation. The stipulation was that once 37% of female bears were killed, the season would close for this region (similar to quotas in other regions throughout the state). Fast forward to December 19th of 2024, and without public comment or input, the Commission voted to eliminate the 37% quota for female bears in the spring season. This decision to remove the female quota was only for Region 1-no other hunting district. This decision is against wildlife biologist’s input, data, and recommendations. Hunters in Region 1 kill approximately half of the statewide average for spring bears. Let that sink in. Region 2 Commissioner Jeff Burrows had support from Region 1 Pat Tabor to hold a no-notice amendment to eliminate the quota for the spring bear season that starts April 15th. The commission voted to pass the amendment. There is a lawsuit currently pending regarding the no-notice and lack of public input. It’s hard for me to understand why the agreed upon quota would be rescinded and the commission ramrodded this through without public comment or concern and against wildlife manager’s input. Could it be that Pat Tabor would benefit from this since he owns and operates Swan Mountain Outfitters in Region 1? Or is there something more sinister afoot? Contact information for R1 and R2 Commissioners is below.
Pat Tabor Region 1 (406) 438-1714
CommissionerRegion1@mtfwp.org
Jeff Burrows Region 2 (406) 438-1148
CommissionerRegion2@mtfwp.org
On January 8th, 2025, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) rejected petitions from Montana and Wyoming to remove the Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections from two separate grizzly bear populations in both states. The rejection prevents Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming from managing grizzly bears anytime soon. The petitions requested to delist grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) which is around NW Wyoming and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) which is in NW Montana and includes Glacier National Park the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Scapegoat Wilderness, Mission Mountain Wilderness, and Great Bear Wilderness and following the Continental Divide south to Ovando-about 8 million total acres. Grizzly bears were placed on the ESA in 1975. The federal government established the individual recovery zones in the ESA which are the two aforementioned ecosystems. USFWS has conclusive data that grizzlies have not only met the recovery goals in those ecosystems, but have exceeded them. However, the USFWS would have to determine that both of these areas are socalled “distinct population segments” (DPS). With the proposed rule change, the USFWS will instead designate all grizzly bear populations in the Lower 48 as one single population segment.
REGION 1 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
The proposed new population segment would include the entire state of Washington, most of Idaho, most of Montana (which appears to include portions of regions 6 & 7) and the greater northwest portion of Wyoming. The USFWS’ January 8th proposal would be a major change in how it would approach grizzly bear recovery by managing grizzlies as one interconnected population instead of distinct population segments. This includes all six grizzly bear areas in four states; North Cascades (Washington), Selkirk (Washington & Idaho) Cabinet-Yaak (Montana & Idaho), NCDE (Montana), Bitterroot (Idaho / Montana), and GYE (Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming) into one “population segment.” The NCDE and GYE are memorialized in numerous federal and state research studies as individual recovery zones. The proposal to create one population segment is incongruent with the initial ESA recovery goals.
This past spring FWP only counted 280 elk in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Could this low elk population be attributed to the number of predators in “the Bob,” specifically grizzly bears? In 2016 elk calf recruitment in the Bob Marshall was 19 calves per 100 cows, which the highest it has been since 2012. Currently, elk calf recruitment is 10 calves per 100 cows.
Moreover, elk, mule deer, and moose are at significant lows in the NCDE and seem to be more “endangered” than grizzly bears. Each spring bear season I encounter grizzly bears in Region 1. One such grizzly bear I encountered while walking down a two-track road. He sauntered towards me-even after I shot to the left and front of him with a 300 WSM when he was 100 yds away-until he was within 17 yards. Talk about a hair-raising experience. When I finally reached my pickup, the entire one-hour drive home felt as though I was touching an electric fence.
For positive news, I purchased a new Mathews Lift. Compared to my previous bow, this thing is a dream to shoot. I’m enjoying shooting my bow again. What a difference a change in a bow/ manufacturer can make! I’ll be busy wrapping and fletching new arrows during these cold months anticipating this season.
Michael Iten
Marlon Clapham
Wthis spring, we will be needing to figure out a way to keep the carp tank from making a mess and I hate to say it, out of the public eye. The MBA Board are working to put something else together for a summer gathering to take the Safari’s place, like the Bridger Bowman’s 3D shoot in Bozeman. The MBA already helps sponsor this event, and from what I hear, it is fast coming to be a very popular event.
The Convention is fast approaching and will be held in Great Falls this spring, April 11th-13th. Good seminars are in the works and loads of items for the raffles and auctions, something for everyone. Make plans and join us for a good time.
Keep-Em Sharp and Shoot-Em Straight.
ell, the 2024 Hunting season is now etched in memory. I haven’t heard to many hunting stories from around Region 2, so maybe you all will be at the Convention coming up in Great Falls to share those hunting memories.
As you have read in previous newsletters, Merri and I both drew 261 Moose tags for the Bitterroot valley on the east side. Well, we hunted 58 days and had a few moose spotted, but just couldn’t pull it off. With no arrows released, no damage was done. We did manage six flat tires in four weeks, until we purchased a new set of heavy faced tires, problem averted.
Legislation Session for 2025 is about to begin in earnest, and the MBA will have a full agenda to respond to. Be prepared to respond at a moments notice, as the committee will be needing to hear for the membership’s thoughts on issues. The Crossbow is going to be a very hot item again this session, along with the Blackpowder shooters want to move their season to an earlier time in the season. The MBA has a piece of legislation of our own to help fund the PTMAE equipment we purchase for the physically challenged folks we try to help get back into the woods. Just to name a few of the early issues.
The MBA will again be involved with The Youth Expo, one in Helena, April 19th at the fair grounds in Helena, and The Youth Expo in Hamilton, May 3rd at the Hamilton fairgrounds. Both events will be needing volunteers to help with the youths running the booths. We do reach hundreds of youths at both events, and it is a pretty good time well spent.
Jackie Doyle is putting another MBA, Teen Bowhunting Camp together for this summer up Trout Creek. I know she will be needing volunteers for the week it takes to set up and run the camp. The MBA tries to raise all the funding to hold the camp, so the monies do not come out of the general fund. Hopefully she will get the personnel she needs for a successful camp. And on a side note, this is the MBA’s camp and if you have a youth that would like to attend, they are surly welcome. We sponsor all the kids with the funds we raise. So, think about it, it’s fun.
The Carp Safari will have to be put on hold for
Happy winter everyone! I hope your freezers are full (and plugged in) and you had a successful bow season. I recently had a friend with a full freezer suddenly realize the freezer was not working. Luckily he salvaged all the meat and replaced it with a new one. There are some really cool gadgets out there from basic alarms to phone apps warning you if your freezer temperature is too high. I tend not to worry about mine, I look in there about every day like it’s a bank vault with those precious little packages stacked up all nice like gold bars!
Today was the last day of my archery season here in Region 2. There are three days each year you can count on me to be in the woods chasing something with my bow: opening day, November 20th (my birthday), and the closing day of January 15th. With a couple hours left of my season today, I was able to make a great shot on a big whitetail doe to cap off another awesome bow season. Those late season does are pretty wily!
The 2025 legislative session is now underway, and we need all hands-on deck. As of now there is a bill that is being teased regarding crossbows. As I write this it’s not out yet, but our legislative team will pounce on it and keep us posted. I urge everyone to stay involved with all the happenings in Helena as the session progresses. The MBA legislative team works very hard to keep us updated on new bills and the progress of current bills. One thing I’ve learned over the past few legislative sessions is that your voice is heard, and our politicians do appreciate when you personally reach out to them,
Marlon Clapham
Kevin Robinson
from my experience.
The 2025 Convention is also coming up in a few months and it’s shaping up to be a “banger” as the kids say. Tristen has been kicking some tail getting things all set up, and I am really looking forward to it. We could always use volunteers at the convention and other events, so feel free to reach out if you’re willing to donate some time.
And sadly, the annual Carp Safari will be no longer. The Bureau of Reclamation did not renew our permit to hold the event due to complaints and a hot mess (literally) from last year’s event. Maybe we’ll work on one for the future, but this year’s Carp Safari will be replaced with the MBA supported Bridger Bowmen archery shoot the weekend of June 7th. There will be some information sent out regarding that shoot. If anyone has photos from past Carp Safaris please email or send to me.
See y’all at the convention!
Kevin Robinson
Ihope this message finds you well and ready for the upcoming season. I wanted to reach out to provide an update on the state of bowhunting in our region. As of late, not much has changed here in Region 3. However, I want to make you aware of ongoing efforts at the state level that could affect our community. The Montana Bowhunters Association (MBA) Legislative Committee is actively engaged in addressing important issues surrounding bowhunting, including the introduction of yet another crossbow bill at the state capitol. This bill poses significant concerns for our sport, and the MBA is working diligently to ensure that bowhunting rights and traditions remain protected.
While there may not be immediate changes in our region, these legislative matters could have a broader impact on the future of bowhunting across Montana. Your support is critical in helping us stand united and advocate for our interests. If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to know more about how you can help, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Staying informed and involved is key to maintaining the integrity of bowhunting in our state.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our sport. I look forward to hearing from you and working together to keep bowhunting strong in Montana.
Sincerely, Liberty Brown 406-570-4280 | mbareg3@gmail.com
Greetings fellow bowhunters!
As I write this, it seems most seasons have wrapped up for the year. Winter seems to have had a bit of a delay showing up this year, but we have finally gotten some snow and cold temperatures. Sounds like others east of me have gotten much more snow out of the last storm than we did. Hopefully the critters can weather this and make it through the rest of the winter season.
This is the time of year I like to start my bow maintenance or prep for the upcoming year. Normally by swapping strings, tuning my bow, and maybe making additional tweaks to my arrow build. Sometimes it goes smoother than others, but when the temperature is hovering around zero this is a great thing to keep one busy inside.
The Montana State Legislature is again meeting this year for another 90 days, which by the end of the session will feel like much longer. After meeting with the Legislative Committee recently, it seems the crossbow bill will be brought forward again. For as many times as this topic has been pushed and rejected, you would think the message is clear that Montanans believe crossbows do not have a place during our archery only season. But MBA’s Legislative committee will continue to work hard to keep it out of archery season. If any of our members
have questions on where MBA stands with any particular bill, please feel free to reach out to anyone on the legislative committee.
We are also quickly approaching the annual convention, which will be hosted this year by Region 6, but will be in Great Falls. It sounds like Tristan and the Convention Committee have a great line up of speakers again this year. I look forward to getting together with all our members at the convention as it’s a great time to catch up and swap stories from the past year.
Justin Doll
Liberty Brown
Justin Doll
DIRECTORS AT LARGE
JACKIE DOYLE
CLIFF GARNESS
JAKE GARNESS
BRIAN KOELZER
JUNE LEPAGE
MIKE SHEPARD (NO REPORT)
GUY STICKNEY
DIRECTOR’S AT LARGE
Hello MBA members,
Ihope everyone is doing great. I am getting ready to teach some Bowhunter Education classes. I will be attending the Bowhunter Education Instructors’ Workshop in Region 2 in April. If you are in Region 2, and thinking about what it’s like to be a bowhunter ed instructor I would love for you to attend with all of us. Teaching bowhunter education is something I am very passionate about. If anyone has any questions on it, I would love to sit and talk with you!
Spring bear season is coming up quickly. As most of you know, it is my favorite season. I love spot and stalk black bear hunting. There is something about sitting behind good glass looking for bears that will never get old to me.
I hope this new year has been great for everyone and that all of you have a great 2025!
DAL Region 2
AHnother year and hunting season is in the books! I hope everyone had a great season and filled your freezers. Legislative session has started in Helena, and it is hard to believe, but spring is around the corner. Our banquet is coming up in April and Tristan will have more information on that, but we look forward to seeing everyone at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls again. I hope everyone had a great holiday season and a Happy New Year.
See you at the banquet in April!
Cliff Garness Region 4 DAL
ello everyone! I hope all had great Holidays and got everything they wanted or wished for. Hunting season was slow for me this year with a little action. I harvested a whitetail doe with my bow early in the season and missed a big buck with my bow. Work was busy and I spent a lot of days during archery season this year working, so I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked to. I harvested my personal best Mule deer this year in rifle season. I ended up four and a half miles in by myself when I found him and season was coming to an end very quick, so I wasn’t going to be greedy. Down in a deep ravine, there he was. It had made my day from very short to very long. I shot him at 9:30 in the morning; completely deboned, and on my back, making the hike out. I only made it about 2 miles towards the truck and decided it was to much for my young back. I hung some of the game bags on the fence and shot for the truck. I went back early the next morning with mom and dad to get the rest. I had woken up that morning very tired and sore because the terrain was very steep and deep for the most part. Wish I could’ve filled a few more tags, but as we all know, sometimes that’s how hunting goes, unfortunately. Hope to see everyone at the banquet this year and happy new year!
Brian Koelzer
Jake Garness
Region 4 DAL
Cliff Garness
Jackie Doyle
Jackie Doyle
Greetings everyone! Hopefully this finds you all with full freezers and great memories after last fall’s adventures. As I write this, I’m marinating some delicious venison backstrap. Horns are sexy, but man do I love cooking and eating wild game. Doesn’t get more organic than God’s wild creatures.
We are currently just a few days into the legislative session and already there are bills coming forward that we need to keep an eye on. Please be on the lookout for member alert emails and surveys sent out by our legislative committee. Our legislative committee is working hard to keep members informed and the feedback from these surveys directs the board where to go. We are here to represent you.
Convention is just around the corner and from what I’m seeing, it’s going to be another great one. Mark your calendars and get your rooms and banquet tickets reserved early!
Unfortunately, this is going to be the first convention that I’m not going to be able to attend in the last 20 years. Our convention is overlapping the Pope and Young convention, and a year ago, P&Y asked me to deliver the Friday Night Keynote address, which I said yes to. That old griz I shot this fall is also getting called in for panel measuring as well, and I’ll pick up his award at the Saturday Night Banquet. I am going to miss seeing everyone in Great Falls for sure.
Hopefully the winter passes without any brutally cold weather, and we keep getting some snow. So far, it’s been a mild one here in the southwest corner. Saw my first shed whitetail buck this week but with a foot of fresh snow, it’s gonna have to be a pretty big horn to be seen under all that white stuff.
Green grass will be poking up before we know it, and with it the search for brown gold and bears will begin. What a great place to call home!
Cheers, Brian Koelzer
>>>————->
This winter has been filled with cozy fireplaces, warm homecooked meals, and, as always, an abundance of mountain lions. Lion season is an awkward time for archers who are not used to clumsily clunking through the snow towards an animal that is practically waiting for you. Though there is not the tranquility of stealthy stalking or peaceful tree stands, lion season is vibrant time in my household. If you have not had the opportunity to hunt lions with a houndsman, I recommend you start buddying up with anyone who complains about their obnoxious dogs.
This winter, we put down one of our family’s hounds, which I considered my childhood dog. An almost 12-year-old black and tan, I remember when we took her home as a skittish puppy who would lick everything. I was in 4th grade at the time and my family immediately went to work training her to chase lions. While she honed in her ancient tracking instincts in the woods, she also became my cuddle buddy at home. She helped tree the cat I got to shoot with my bow just four years later. She had helped in dozens of hunts and followed probably 100 tracks. She even committed a bit too hard to her job at times. Two years ago, at the ripe age of nine, she met a lion on the ground when it bailed out of its tree. I thought we were going to lose her after she was found with a nine-inch-long slash through her side. But as stubborn dogs do, she survived and even went on to continue chasing lions the following year.
Though putting her down saddens me deeply, letting go of an old hunting partner has reminded me of how lovely it is to share a hunt with someone. Whether you are out with family, friends, or a furry and four-legged enthusiast, appreciate your hunting partners.
As I write this, it’s January and the new year has begun. Winter finally arrived here in eastern Montana. We are finally receiving some much-needed moisture. I hope you were able to close out your 2024 season exactly the way you hoped and made a lot of memories. Speaking of memories, I was reminded at the end of November that not all memories made are good. However, even the bad ones often do serve a purpose, as you will see.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, one of my closest friends and I decided we would put together a four-day whitetail hunt. Our plan was to stay mobile and hit some of the spots I had scouted in the past and maybe even try a new one or two. We had a great first couple days. Lots of deer sighted and even several very nice bucks were passed up. We were just having too much fun to end it. The mercury was steadily dropping throughout the hunt. A welcome development that seemed to increase deer activity commensurately each day. Things were really setting up for quite a finale, or so I thought.
On the morning of our third day, it was a very crisp cold morning with the thermometer registering near zero. First light found us ascending trees to what we hoped would be our all-morning perches. We had decided to set up in adjacent trees that morning and share the hunt. As my friend began the climb using my climbing stand, I began climbing the adjacent tree. I had just got my second climbing stick set and was adjusting my lineman’s belt when it happened.
CRACK!!!! AAAAAWWWWW!!! My friend cried out! I will never forget that sound nor the sight when I turned around to see my friend hanging from the bottom platform of the stand upside down scorpion style, his feet firmly wedged and caught in the climbing bar of the stand.
Luckily, he had only climbed up about 5 feet, so I was able to quickly jump down from the tree I was in and provide assistance that allowed him to pop free to the ground where he fell in a heap. After assessing the situation, my friend only had severely bruised feet, calves, and, of course, his pride. Upon investigation, the climbing tree stand upper platform had catastrophically failed. The upper climbing belt had sheared completely off on both sides. He was not wearing his lineman’s belt, so he fell backwards with the failure of the upper platform.
We will never know what the outcome would have been had he been alone. I had used that stand hundreds of times in the past, similarly, and alone. Even now when I think back about it, a chill runs down my spine. I can’t believe our luck. It was definitely a memory made that I will never forget and a stark reminder that archery hunting is inherently a dangerous endeavor, and things can go wrong very badly in the blink of an eye. And of course, the key parting takeaway, if you’re going to climb trees, wear your climbing belt or lifeline at all times. Your life may depend on it.
Guy Stickney
Brian Koelzer
MBA 47th Convention
April 11-13, 2025
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
10am – 4pm MBA Board Meeting
9am – Noon Manufacturer’s Row Setup
Noon – 6pm Registration and Manufacturer’s Row Opens
7pm Social hour Begins
SATURDAY
8am – 9:30am General Membership Meeting
9 am – 4pm Registration and Manufacturer’s Row, Silent Auction Open
9:30 – 10:30 am Seminar – Adam Kauth FWP mule deer management plan
3-4 pm Seminar – Dave Maclay-Schulte The mountains are calling
4:30 – 5:30pm Pre-Banquet Social 5:30pm B anquet Seating Begins 6pm Silent Auction Closes
6:15pm Honor Guard Presentation 6:30pm Dinner Served
7:30 – 9pm Live Auction & Raffle Drawings
9 – 10pm Checkout
SUNDAY
8am – 9:30am Bowhunter Education Breakfast/Meeting 9am – Manufacturer’s Row tear down trophy pick up
OFFICIAL BALLOT
2025 MBA ELECTION
Your membership status must be active to vote. Family members receive two ballots. Submit this ballot in the secret ballot envelope.
Candidates Seeking Election
1st Vice President
Stephanie Prater
Write-in__________________
Region 1 Representative (Region 1 members only – vote for candidate and/or write-in)
Mike Iten
Write-in_________________
Region 3 Representative Region 3 members only – vote for candidate and/or write-in)
Liberty Brown
Robin Mestdagh
Write-in__________________
Region 5 Representative (Region 5 members only – vote for candidate and/or write-in)
Ben Buller
Luke Pisk
Write-in __________________
Directors-At-Large – Odd Year
(All members vote for candidates and/or write-in – total of 4 DAL positions)
Todd Anderson
Jackie Doyle
Brian Koelzer
Write-in_________________
Write-in_________________
VICE PRESIDENT STEPHANIE PRATER
My name is Stephanie Prater, and I am a fourth-generation Montana sportsman. I currently live in Lewistown with my husband, Michael and our 3 Labradors: Dove, Missouri, and Ember. I grew up hiking in the woods near Helena with my family, looking for sheds and mushrooms each spring and tagging along with them on hunts in the fall until I was old enough to complete hunter’s education. I have been avidly hunting ever since.
I have been archery hunting for about 20 years and have been blessed with success both in Montana and on travels abroad. I have been serving on the MBA board for six years and actively support various conservation efforts and organizations. I am passionate about preserving bowhunting in Montana.
I currently serve as the chair of the Season Setting (Tentative Committee) and the Landowner/Sportsman Relations MBA Committees. I also serve on the Magazine, Nominations, and Legislative Committees. I am also a certified Bowhunter Education instructor, have served on the Montana Fish, Wildlife, Parks (FWP) Citizens Elk Advisory Group and was most recently appointed to the Private Land Public Wildlife (PLPW) Committee which assists with FWP’s access programs.
Thank you for your support!
REGION 1 MIKE ITEN
My name is Michael Iten, and I am currently one of the Region 1 representatives for the MBA. I’ve been a Region 1 representative since May 2024. I became a Region 1 representative as I wanted to preserve and promote bowhunting in the state of Montana. It’s also my goal to protect our archery season, to keep it as an archery season without crossbows, and to try to increase our archery opportunities in the state. I’m a fourth generation Montanan with two daughters and I believe preserving our archery season for the next generation is vital.
REGION 3 LIBERTY BROWN
My name is Liberty Brown and I’m seeking re-election as a Region 3 representative.
I moved to Bozeman, MT in 1998, after spending 6 years as a submariner in the United States Navy. I graduated from Montana State with a B.S. in Business Marketing, and I now run my own digital marketing business.
My wife Andi and I have 3 children and we are proud to be raising them in Montana. We’ve been family members of the MBA for 10 years and I’ve been serving as an MBA Region 3 representative for the last six years. I’m also responsible for maintaining the MBA website and helping with the social media marketing.
Since my involvement with the MBA, my passion for bow hunting has continued to grow. As a Region 3 representative, I hope to continue as an advocate for the MBA by striving to live by the mission statement of the MBA and to be a voice for other bowhunters in Region 3 and the state of Montana.
REGION 3 ROBIN MESTDAGH
Greetings,
My name is Robin Mestdagh. I am a 3rd generation Montanan. I was raised in Roundup, MT, moved to Billings, MT finishing high school there. I left after graduation and was in the Air Force active duty for four years. I spent a couple years after my enlistment Cowboying and then returned to Billings. I have been married for 30 years and have four children and two granddaughters. I was a Flooring and Tile Contractor for 23 years in Billings. Ten years ago, we moved to Helena, MT where I am the Regional Manager of the Northwest for a company called Schluter Systems which supports the tile indus-try. I am responsible for The Pacific Northwest including Alaska which results in a great deal of travel but has allowed me to get off my hands and knees thankfully.
In my spare time and enjoy the outdoors, including horseback, hunting and fishing which have always been a huge part of my life. I have been shooting a bow as long as I can remember, and Archery is my main choice for hunting. If you ask me if I have been a successful hunter, I will have to break it down like this. If it were measured on how many animals I have taken with a bow, I would say I have had minimal success. If you measured it by what I have been able to experience, learning from countless mistakes, and still making mistakes, but most of all the amazing adventures and encounters that I have been able to enjoy while pursuing animals with a bow and arrow, I am extremely successful and would not change any of it.
In closing, I feel I am very blessed to have been brought up and live in Montana. Being able to pursue our hunting lifestyle with family and friends is great privilege that I would like to pass on to our younger generations to come.
Thank you.
REGION 5 BEN BULLER
I am Ben Buller. I am an avid bow hunter. I have been archery hunting since I was twelve and continue to do so now. I help run the archery course out at Bluecreek Sports Complex. My son loves to be around when we do ar-chery stuff out there, and loves shooting his bow with me.
REGION 5 LUKE PISK
I grew up and have lived in Montana my whole life. Hunting has been a part of my entire life passed down to me by my dad. I started bow hunting in the 8th grade with just a long bow and three wooden arrows. I learned really quick that three arrows were not going to be enough. Also, an elder showed me the proper way to string a bow. At that time, I felt I was part of an elite brotherhood.
As time passed to my junior year of high school, I bought my first compound bow. This lead my brother and I to chasing white tail deer on the river bottoms of the Yellowstone to decoying antelope on the plains.
In my mid-twenties I started entering 3-D shoots with the help of TJ Smith and Tom Tyre. These two bowmen introduced me to elk hunting the Missouri River Breaks. That was all she wrote. I have been hooked for the last 30 years!
During this time, I got involved in the state games at the Billings Rod & Gun Club. Here I coached two youth shooters to gold medals. I find a certain satisfaction passing on the tradition I so love—Archery!! Currently I am involved with Blue Creek Archery and Superior Archery. I believe bow hunting is a privilege that we all need to stand up for. As my father passed on to me hunting, I would like to pass on bow hunting to the next generation.
REGION 7 TODD ANDERSON
I grew up in Northwest South Dakota in the town of Lemmon. For as long as I can remember, I had an interest in the outdoors. I first hunted with a bow in 1988 with a Bear Whitetail that I borrowed from our local game warden. In those years since, I have harvested elk, mule deer, whitetail, black bear, antelope and turkeys with archery equipment. That same warden mentored me, and I graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in wildlife management.
I began my career as a South Dakota game warden in 1997. I served for five years there, last stationed in Sturgis. In 2002 I became a Montana game warden, where I was stationed in Jordan, Miles City, Lewistown and Glas-gow. I was promoted to warden sergeant in Billings in 2011. My last position was a warden captain in Miles City where I recently retired in June 2024. I’ve always appreciated the MBA’s work to maintain our archery seasons and the passion in which the organization shares my appreciation for our incredible wildlife resources and the ethi-cal harvest of those resources!
DAL ODD YEAR JACKIE DOYLE
My name is Jackie Doyle. I have been a Director At Large (DAL) in Region 2 for the MBA for the last two years thanks to those who voted me in. It is once again time to vote. Before I ask you to vote again, I would like to let you know about what I have done these past two years as a DAL for the MBA. For those of you that are new, let me tell you a little about myself. I grew up here in Montana. I have been bow hunting since I was twelve, but I have been following my dad around since I could walk. I have a passion for the outdoors that is unexplainable. I am raising a young outdoorsman. I coach my son’s basketball team. For my career I manage a Daycare in Corvallis, MT. I have recently been selected for a Pre-Apprenticeship program to get my Child Development Associate Certificate Degree. I will be completing that this next year, and I am so excited to further my education. Only fifteen candidates are selected for the program in the entire state. In my spare time I am a Bowhunter Education Instructor for MT FWP. I shoot both compound and traditional. My favorite animal is a bear. To say I am addicted to bear hunting is an understatement. I harvested my tenth bear this year. She was a beautiful blond multicolor phase. I have been a member of the MBA since longer than I can remember.
These last couple years I have spent my time volunteering at all the youth events the MBA is associated with. I help with conventions and banquets. I go to FWP meetings in my region. I attend MBA board meetings. I spend time listening and learning from past and present MBA board members and bowhunters. I believe it is very important to pass on all the knowledge I have and obtain to future bowhunters and MBA members. Archery and Bowhunting is a very large passion of mine and I believe that to keep it alive and well we need more people involved. If I can spend five minutes and inspire someone to pick up a bow and arrow, then I have done my job. I will tell you now—I DO NOT LIKE CROSSBOWS! If you want to shoot a bow, then shoot a bow. If you want to shoot a gun, then shoot a gun. If you are handicapped and want to shoot a bow, there is a way. It can be done. I will fight my hardest to keep crossbows out of Archery Season. I will fight to keep Archery Season alive with everything I have. But crossbows are not archery equipment, period! That is my own personal belief, and I will defend it until I am blue in the face!
The MBA is a part of one of the COOLEST Teen Camps in MT!!! Teen Bowhunters Camp is an annual camp where kids across the state of Montana come to learn what bowhunting is all about. We spend four funfilled packed days learning all about BOW CAMP! My parents, Jerry and Beckie Doyle, started this camp ten years ago. It is something amazing that I wish everyone could be a part of. We also learn Hunter-Landowner RELATIONSHIPS!!
So, if you’re looking for a DAL rep for the MBA that will put all heart and soul into keeping our heritage alive and passing on the torch to the next generation, then look no more. I am your gal! Thank you for taking the time to read my bio and considering me for this role.
DAL ODD YEAR BRIAN KOELZER
Greetings everyone! My name is Brian Koelzer, and I currently am a DAL on your board of directors. I’ve worn several hats on this board over the last 14 years and I believe I have one more term in me before it’s time to pass the torch. If you are willing to have me, I will proudly serve.
Archery and bowhunting have been a part of my life literally since the beginning. According to my mother I was conceived at the MBA convention in Lewiston in 1977. My dad served as secretary/treasurer from 1980-86.
My first bow was made for me when I was born by MBA founding father Bob Savage. At the age of 5 I started shooting that little 15# recurve and had many fine adventures hunting carp and gophers with that little bow. It currently rests on the mantle of my fireplace in the trophy room.
My first archery season was in 1992 and in the 32 years following I have hunted exclusively with traditional archery equipment. In high school I started working in the family masonry business during the summers and in 1999, I went to work full time in the trade. A business run by avid bowhunters means we work hard all year to be able to play a fair amount in the fall. I’ve been blessed to be able to hunt quite a few species all over North America through the years.
I knew at an early age that the bowhunting opportunity in Montana was incredible and that this opportunity did not come without a lot of hard work and a bit of a fight. The MBA is 100% of the reason we have these opportunities and continue to have them to this day. “Promote and Preserve” is the mission statement of this organization and believe me it’s a lot of work to do so.
Besides the MBA, I’m a member of Traditional Bowhunters of MT, Bowhunters of Wyoming, Pope and Young (Regular), Professional Bowhunters Society (Qualified Regular), and Comptons Traditional Bowhunters. I’m also approaching the 20-year mark teaching bowhunter education in Montana as well. Bowhunting and archery is not a hobby for me but a way of life. I feel it’s important to support organizations that work to promote what I love. If I can give back in some small way to what has given me so much then I am happy to do so.
Currently we (my wife Kara, and sons Bowen and Schafer) live in the country outside Manhattan in the southwest corner of the state.
Stone Glacier sky archer 6400 pack
Mystery Ranch women’s pop up 30
WITH MANKAZANA SAFARIS IN THE EASTERN CAPE OF SOUTH AFRICA
You are bidding on the following Donation:
• 7 full days of Bow Hunter may book extra days at $300 per day.
• Hunter will receive $1200 in Trophy Fee Credits
• All animals taken during the Hunt will be at Current Trophy Fee Prices. Trophy Fee Prices may be subject to change from year to year. Remember that any animal wounded and not recovered is considered taken and the full Trophy Fee is due.
• If a hunter fails to shoot the donated Trophy Fee Credit value of $1200, there will be NO refund given to the hunter.
• All Donation winners will be given 90 days from the date of the auction to confirm their Hunt dates via a deposit. Or the Hunt will be forfeited.
This Package INCLUDES: Services of a licensed professional hunter (guide), hunting vehicle and support team, pick-up and drop off at Port Elizabeth airport, accommodations at the lodge, meals, soft drinks, liquor, local beer and wines in reasonable quantities, daily laundry service, trophy fees for the included animals, field preparation of trophies and delivery of trophies to a local taxidermist or shipping agent. Plus Includes Value Added Tax.
The Safari ——— Must be taken during the 2026 hunting season. We hunt beginning of February to the end of September. To reserve preferred dates, the winning bidder MUST contact John Gunnels (see below) within 90 days after the closing of the auction. Failure to do so will result in the winning bidder forfeiting their Hunt. A $1000 non- refundable deposit per hunter is required to lock in your dates.
The deposit will be applied to your hunt. All Trophies taken will be at Current Trophy Fee List.
Donor Normal Retail Value: $4,600
Mankazana Safaris North America, LLC
2804 Bear Creek Road E. Duncanville, Alabama 35456 251-751-3437
Email: johngunnels1954@gmail.com
John Gunnels
Black Eagle Arrows
Blast from the Past 1994
In this issue, the Blast from The Past comes out of the newsletters from 1994. After reading through all four issues, there wasn’t much that was going on. There were however some interesting issues that might be of some interest, so here goes.
The first four months of 1994, the MBA’s president was Dick Solum, finishing out his term after the shake-up from a year ago. Then, of course, at the Convention election in Butte, Jim Bradford was elected as the new president. Over the past year the old and new officers were finalizing the newly adopted ByLaws to take to the membership for their ok. There was one item of unfinished business left behind that was of great importance. Our papers with the Commissioner of Political Practices were not filed. Without these papers, the MBA couldn’t testify as an organization during the Legislative Session in 1995. President Dick Solum reached out to the Commission and informed them that we have not received any notification on the matter. The Commission stated that they had sent us three letters but to a Great Falls address of out previous president, which he did not forward on to the new officers. Our attorney was sent the letters and completed them and the matter was corrected.
The Convention was held in Butte. Bruce Metcalf was the lead with the Silverbow Archers, and MBA members put on “One Hell of a Party”. The Convention was very well attended, and Larry D. Jones was the guest speaker, and very well received. There were plenty of raffles, seminars, an Elk Bugling contest, and loads more. There was, of course, Bingo at the Banquet.
Outside of the state were some national news headlines— Bomb Scare at National Archery Show. The Bowhunting Trade Show was held in the Louisville Expo Center. The show is the largest manufacturer’s convention of archery and bowhunting equipment in the world. The device appeared to be a bomb. It was made up of what appeared to be seven sticks of dynamite, a blasting cap, and a complex-looking electronic control box. It appeared to be set for detonation at 11 am.
The bomb squad determined that the device was real, and of undetermined control. A decision was made to allow detonation, rather than risk losing human life during an attempt to defuse it. Detonation did not occur at 11 am. It was initiated by the bomb squad at 11:10 with a small detonation charge of their own. At that time, it was determined that the dynamite sticks were wooden dowels carefully disguised with dynamite wrapping paper to look like the real thing. The bomb replica was placed in a location where it would be found easily, to assure the convention center would be evacuated. It was estimated that 5000 people were in the hall at the time. It was expected that the Anti Hunters were responsible for the action.
In the last survey conducted by the MBA, one question was whether to push for broadhead restrictions, and there was
a majority in favor of restrictions. Then the question turned to what restrictions. Quite a few folks got into the conversation, both pro and some con. Then there was the question—how to regulate the restrictions. The MBA was in the forefront leading the conversations working with FWP law enforcement officers on the how to enforce the new laws. We the MBA supplied the 7/8th rings for each warden for the width restriction. The minimum two blades and weight was still on the table.
Another issue of importance making the news was the controversy about the Game Farms. The MBA’s membership voted to get them removed. The question was do we the MBA want to get into the conversation because it was not a bowhunting issue. So, we didn’t jump into the mess with both feet, but we took on the task of gathering information both pro and con. The fight turned into a Cattle Rancher versus the Game Farms. Both sides had compelling information. Dino Fanelli, our editor, put together a very informational editorial with both sides. It was good information.
Grazing on public lands was a hot topic to also consider and the rights of the Rancher who had the lease. It didn’t take long, and the issue was held up in court. Montana Congressmen got involved to try to get the issue solved. Congressmen urged the National Wildlife Federation not to seek a preliminary injunction, which would stop grazing on the disputed allotments while the suit was heard. The Federation filed the suit and Congressmen Williams said that it caught him by surprise. As they now had the upper hand in the suit, Williams personally wished that they would withdraw, but felt it was “unlikely” they would. He still pushed for both sides to get together to settle their differences.
The Forest Service was brought into the mix, we’ve laid out our concerns to push the Forest Service to make up its mind on the course of action they will take. Other Sportsman’s groups started dropping their affiliations with the Montana Wildlife Federation because of the lawsuit and the fallout between the Landowners and the Sportsman. As of this latest newsletter in my position, Judge Hatfield had the arguments, and the ball, and we awaited his verdict.
For not much going on, it didn’t take much digging to fill my space with some of what I thought was interesting for the times. There was still another article that needs some review, so I’ll save that for next issue of the Blast from The Bast. Hope you found some of this interesting. Until next issue.
Marlon Clapham (Historian) What do you think of that title?!!!!!
Flaming Arrow Archery
Nicole Tindale
1282 Hwy 2 East Kalispell, MT 59901
Flaming Arrow Archery
Nicole Tindale
1282 Hwy 2 East
Kalispell, MT 59901
406 - 752 - 0702
1282 Hwy 2 East, Kalispell
1282 Hwy 2 East, Kalispell
With over 4000 members, WUM was organized in 1983 as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit to coordinate/support members’ efforts to develop projects, to enhance/sustain and improve Walleye and warm water fishing opportunities for future generations.
Become a member of the largest warm water fishing organization in Montana. Local chapters are in: Big Horn Basin, Billings, Circle, Crooked Creek, Flathead, Fresno, Gallatin/Madison, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Jordan, Malta, Miles City, MonDak, Plentywood, Upper Missouri River, Upper Yellowstone and Wolf Point.
Visit https://montanawalleyesunlimited.net for more information on how to join Walleyes Unlimited of Montana.
The mission of WALLEYES UNLIMITED OF MONTANA is:
• The organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes or to foster national or international sports competition under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue code.
• Improve and conserve walleye and other warm water fish in suitable bodies of water.
• Organize and educate fisherman to promote walleye and warm water fishing.
• Develop and maintain forage fish programs in suitable bodies of water.
• Support building and maintaining suitable warm water fish hatcheries and develop a hatchery program which can accommodate the needs of warm water fishing.
• Support any worthwhile fishing, hunting, wildlife or recreational program organized for pleasure or other non-profitable purpose.
• Dedicate its members by social and educational means to the conservation and propagation of warm water fish; to support true sportsmanship in a lawful and legal manner among those who fish; to promote and encourage good fellowship among sportsmen; to encourage support of fish and game laws; to work for the respect and knowledge of the just rights of property owners and to work for, support and encourage a close, friendly relationship between property owners and sportsmen.
• Dedicated to introducing youths to fishing; educate them to become ethical and responsible sportsmen that respect and conserve fish and wildlife, respect and preserve our public lands and public access and abide by fish and game laws and acknowledge the just rights of property owners.
• Have a positive presence in our local chapter communities through participation in worthwhile projects and activities.
The 2024 Elk Camp
didn’t go as planned.
By Glenn Osbornea
Afer a successful 2023 hunt and twenty-two hours of packing a six-by-six bull out on our backs, my hunting buddy and I agreed we would never return to the unforgiving, steep, thick country again. But that all changed on the drive home to Columbia Falls, Montana. We had been surrounded by elk and bugling bulls and planned to return the following year.
This time, we’d pack in our camp and plan on spending ten days in the middle of elk country.
As always, Tony and I were back at it after the snow had melted on his bow range the following spring, setting up different scenarios of a huge bull coming into range and engaging in a friendly competition.
As the 2024 season drew nearer, our excitement reached a fever pitch. We embarked on several scouting trips into the backcountry, each one fueling our anticipation.
At sixty-six and with a bad knee, I decided we’d pack our camp in with a game cart. Camp would be comfortable, and the 6-man Alaskan guide tent would be a welcomed sight every night.
Two weeks into the 2024 bow season, I woke up on the second day to a bull’s heavy, raspy chuckles as I exited the tent to make coffee. He was in the steep burn area above camp and was heading straight to me, giving me no time to waste. I hastily grabbed my bow, release, rangefinder, and calls. I then headed into the thick deadfall forty yards from camp, wearing only my camo sleeping duds and camp slippers. The cold morning wind was coming straight down the mountain into my face. It was a perfect setup, except for being in my pajamas and slippers, eyes watering, and the uncontrollable shivers from the cold.
I notched an arrow and struggled to get my hand to stop shaking to fasten the release.
At one hundred and five yards, the bull showed himself. It was exactly what I had dreamed about for a year. He was side hilling to my right. My mouth was dry, but the pitiful cow call stopped him, and he turned into some thick alders. My nerves settled, and I was solid. I could only see the long 4th, 5th, and 6th points at eighty-six yards.
After I had managed to build up enough moisture in my mouth, I gave a calf call. The bull turned, headed straight to me, and knew my location. At 76 yards, he froze, offering a perfect frontal if he was 50 yards closer.
“There was no way he could see me,” I thought. “He will keep coming.”
I couldn’t believe what was happening just a few yards from the tent, but I never saw the five cows to my left that were making their way up the mountain away from the bull. My heart sank when the bull turned back into the alders and back up the mountain to join the cows. I couldn’t make another call; my mouth was too dry, and I watched him disappear.
Tony had watched the whole thing unfold from the tent and told me about the cows when I returned. I put on a jacket, and after taking a sip of water, I gave out a bugle, a series of chuckles, and cow calls. Nothing, no response. It was quiet except for the wind whistling through the trees.
Tony and I sat in disbelief as I fired up the jet-boil to make coffee. After breakfast and getting dressed, we began our hike straight up the burn and deadfall in hopes of locating the bull. The terrain
Top: Kitchen area Bottom: Our camp
was unforgiving, and after a drastic wind change, we backed out and returned to camp to make another plan.
Two days later, we located another bull a long way off across the creek somewhere in the steep slides. The plan was to drop down the horrible steep burn, cross the creek, and then climb back up in the slides.
Unfortunately, on the way down, my bad knee caused me to take a terrible fall and tumble four times down the mountain before coming to rest, piled up in the thick alders below me.
The fall had folded my leg up behind me; Blood ran down into my face as I lay there in pain. Tony tended to the scrapes and cuts on my head and arms. The pain from my knee scared me, but after a long break, we continued our way down toward the creek and thick alders.
After pushing through the nine-foot-tall maze and crossing the creek, we climbed up a short way to a small level spot to take a break. I told Tony we should return to the creek and fill our water bottles, and he agreed. First, I decided to check on the GPS to see how far we were from camp.
Tony pointed out that he saw movement in the alders; we had just fought to get through. Suddenly, twenty-five yards away, a huge sow grizzly and three cubs crossed the creek where we planned to get more water. She didn’t see or smell us, and after we watched her and the cubs mingle around at the creek, she vanished into the alders away from us.
It was a close call, and I can only imagine what would have happened if we were at the creek refilling our water bottles. The potential danger was intense, but the thrill of the encounter was undeniable.
We had no choice but to climb up and sidehill across the slides away from the bears. Then, battle the alders again and cross the creek. The route back to camp was a grueling, almost a vertical climb. I could only put just a little weight on my knee. The climb took six hours to reach the trail, half a mile from camp. It was almost dark, and two hundred yards from camp, we started seeing fresh bear scat and, in the mud, the track of a grizzly. It would be a long night but with the injury to my knee and grizzlies too close. Elk camp was over.
After having my knee checked out and receiving physical therapy, Tony and I are already planning our next hunting trip into the rugged backcountry of Montana.
Top Left: Slides Top Right: Above camp Middle: Me and the game cart Bottom Left: My best friend Tony Bottom Right: Alders
Tips for Taking Great Field Photos
By Stephanie Prater
No matter the size or species, any trophy is a memorable moment that can be preserved for years to come with good pictures. Today’s advanced digital and cell phone cameras coupled with easy photo editing software and apps helps make getting great photos easier than ever. But, with a few quick tips and pointers, you can make your pictures look NEXT LEVEL without a ton of extra effort in the field. I’ve had years of photography courses, training and worked with other experts to help perfect my field photos so hopefully this advice can help you!
Take a minute to enjoy the moment.
Clean up the scene. Find a good background.
No need to rush - CELEBRATE your success! Look around and at your trophy to see any unique features about your trophy or the landscape. PRO TIP: Take a few pictures of the landscape and details of the harvest, such as a close-up of the antlers or fur, or the arrow. These can come in handy later for a photo album or to showcase some unique perspectives of the hunt.
If you need to and can move your animal away from a bloody scene do so. Use wipes or water to help clean up the animal (or yourself if needed). Take photos before field dressing the animal if possible. We all know hunting is messy and bloody, but it sometimes can take away from a picture. PRO TIP: Tuck in the tongue…It’s easy to forget but really helps show the animal respect.
Try to get the animal and/or the hunter in the skyline. The sky gives a clear background to really showcase the details your trophy, it’s antlers/horns and the hunter without getting lost in a busy background. If you can’t use the skyline, try to find a less cluttered background. Watch for objects in the background and foreground that might be distracting. Sometimes portrait mode can help blur out a busy background. PRO TIP: Often times you can get low when photographing to capture the sky.
Find the light.
Pose the animal and hunter.
Try to stage the animal and yourself or the hunter with the sun in front of but not straight on to prevent squinting. Sunlight behind the subjects will produce a darkening effect. If you can’t get good light, don’t be afraid to turn on the flash and try it. If your photos are at night, try to use headlights or headlamps to light up the hunter and their animal. Flash can work good here too. PRO TIP: Watch for your shadow as the photographer, as well as other shadows in both day and night scenarios.
Try to tuck the legs under the animal so it sits up by itself. Clear away any brush or debris and flatten the grass in front of your subjects. Have the hunter sit behind or next to the animal on their butt or knees. Make sure you can see the hunter’s face if it is framed in the antlers and they are sitting up tall enough to clear the animal especially on bigger animals. Have the hunter move the head around or move around as the photographer to catch different angles of the antlers/horns. If you want to include the bow or rifle make sure it’s not too far in front of the animal and hunter that it takes away from them. PRO TIP: It often tempting to do the “fish pose” and sit or stand way far back to try to make the animal look bigger, if you do, try to not make it too obvious or dramatic (unless for fun.)
Take lots of pictures. Photograph the process.
And lastly, submit your pictures to the Montana Bowhunters Association magazine!
Deleting pictures is free and easy especially with new digital cameras and phones. Snap photos in both vertical and horizontal formats. Try some interesting angles, like getting low or above the animal/hunter. Use portrait mode, zoom or other settings to create unique pictures. If you are by yourself, use the timer or burst mode to get yourself in the picture. PRO TIP: Check your photos (if you can) while taking them and see what works or what needs to be changed, often one little thing you catch in the photo can easily be adjusted in the field to make it better.
After field photos are taken, try to remember to grab some images of the celebration with fiends, processing, the pack out… all the moments that really make your hunt special. Sometimes these photos capture the best parts of the hunt. PRO TIP: It’s really hard to remember to do, but try to get some pictures before and during the hunt, but don’t let taking pictures distract from the hunt itself.
We are always looking for photos of our members successes to feature in our gallery, in a story or cover! You can share these with any board member or directly to our Magazine Editor, Julie at jjensen44@mac.com. Thanks and HAPPY SHOOTING (photos and arrows)!
Field Photos
Mule deer photos: My husband’s deer died in a super thick coulee that we were lucky enough to winch him out of to get the beautiful sunset in the background. I took several angles and poses of the antlers and Michael to show off the nice mule deer.
My elk photo: My elk died in a heavy patch of timber and downed trees. We really couldn’t move it without field dressing it so we improvised and tried a different angle where the background was less busy. The lighting wasn’t ideal as it was getting dark but the photo turned out good with his antlers silhouetted against the blue bird sky and following the lines of the pine tree in the background.
Antelope photo: On this solo hunt, I used portrait mode on my phone to really show the pretty details of this antelope’s face while keeping the bow in the background. The photo of me with this antelope is used in my 1st VP write up. I had to run around with the timer on several times to get it right.
Montana Bowhunters Association Teen Bowhunting Camp
June 19-22, 2025
Location TBD
Trout Creek, Montana
The MBA annually hosts this experiential adventure engaging Montana’s youth in the Outdoors while sharing information and experiences to help young bowhunters become great stewards of the sportsman’s’ community and in seeking individual success and growth. Our goal is to simulate the hunting camp experience from beginning to end. The attendees will learn how to set-up/ take-down their camps, prepare meals & camp chores, attend in the field seminars/activities that teach how-to hunt, calling techniques, wildlife biology, and other lessons that encourage ethical bowhunting methods.
Each team of archers will explore the surrounding area in search of knowledge, adventures, and learn to hunt on the simulated elk hunt. This is a physically active camp and attendees, and the camp support will be in the wild outdoors.
Attendees 12-17 years old & preferred to have completed Hunter Ed/Bowhunter Education. Campers must have their own archery equipment (some exceptions apply)
Camp Fee-$250.00 Scholarships Available
Contact below for infor mation packet/application: Beckie Doyle: 406-242-0498 bdoyle@troutcreekeagles.org
William Lane CommissionerRegion7@mtfwp.org (406) 438-0143
Ismay, Montana
Fish & Wildlife Commission Members
BUSINESS & CLUB MEMBERS
Expanded hunting opportunities through working with FWP and commissioners to preserve and expand bowhunting seasons
Unified voice during legislative sessions to protect seasons and access programs while opposing efforts which seek to limit the role of FWP in managing wildlife
Fellowship with others who are interested in shaping the future of bowhunting
Quarterly magazine keeping you informed on local, state, and national bowhunting issues, bowhunter education, events, and great hunting stories
INDIVIDUALMEMBERSHIP
OneYear$25.00
ThreeYears$67.00
Life$500.00
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP
OneYear$30.00
ThreeYears$85.00
Life $750.00
JUNIORMEMBERSHIP (Under18)
OneYear$5.00
CLUBMEMBERSHIP
OneYear$45.00
ThreeYears$120.00
BUSINESSMEMBERSHIP
OneYear$45.00
ThreeYears$120.00
OVERSEASMEMBERSHIP
Add $10.00 a year to membership choice for addedmailingcosts
Memberships run January 1 to December 31 each year.
Please send new memberships or renewal memberships to MBA Administrator, Claudia Davis, PO Box 426, Helena MT 59624 or call 406-404-6168, or register online at www.mtba.org, or ask a member.
