1. GENERAL MISCELLANEOUS COMMENTS, 



When I started bow hunting nearly 20 years ago bow hunters were 

 looked upon with respect. They were generally good woodsmen with 

 high ethics. Success rates were quite low and it normally took a 

 few years for a new bow hunter to be successful. Success was 

 considered secondary to personal challenge and the enjoyment of 

 the hunt. All hunting was strictly fair chase with basic 

 equipment. All competition was between the hunter and the game. 

 It brings me great sadness to see the state of bow hunting 

 today. Many of todays bowhunters (fortunately not all) will stop 

 at nothing to kill an animal. Fair chase, sportsmanship, ethics 

 and challenge seem to be old fashioned words with little or no 

 meaning to many modern bowhunters. Success is measured in terms 

 of how many animals con be taken with as little effort as 

 possible. Game violations and criminal acts were almost unheard 

 of years ago, now they are all too common. There are many 

 methods used to short-cut bowhunting skills, woodsmanship, 

 knowledge of the game, etc. 



Airplanes are used to spot game, land in the vicinity and make a 

 kill. One very serious problem in N W Montana is the use of 

 ATV's to violate road closures, herd and harrass game. In my 

 opinion the most serious problem facing bowhunting today is the 

 use of the compound device with a bultitude of gadgets . The 

 compound by itself is really not a problem. But with full draw 

 holding devices mechanical releases that work just like the 

 trigger on a rifle, scope sights, electronic sights, electronic 

 rangef inders, and a myriad of other gimmicks the sport of 

 bowhunting has been diluted to the point where it has no meaning. 

 Statistics from other states have shown that this modern 

 equipment actually contributes to wounding loss due to flimsy 

 high tech broadheads, too light arrows (overdraws), and the 

 willingness to shoot at excessive distances. Mandatory 

 bowhunting education for all bow hutners would certainly help. 

 Either or would also likely improve the quality of hunters in the 

 field but in my opinion we need equipment restrictions. No 

 electronic devices of any kind, no full draw holding, no 

 overdraws, no rangef inders and no mechanical releases. Obviously 

 there are people opposed to this, but they are not bowhunters and 

 should be hunting during the rifle season. These people do not 

 want a challenge, they simply want to kill an animal as quickly 

 as possible. Let's put challenge and ethics back into bow 

 hunting and return its status as a hunting sport to the high 

 level it belongs . 



Bow hunting is a very special undertaking that should not be 

 taken lightly. It rewards its participants with challenges, 

 excitment, joys, and rewards beyond anything I've experienced. 

 Please help us same this wonderful sport. 



Sincerely, Chad Sivertsen Thanks for listening. 



