serious archers I would support it. 



Before action is taken I would like to see the Fish & Game 

 commisson conduct more of these surveys and meet with sportsmen 

 concerning just the Archery season to discuss options-there needs 

 to be mandatory bow hunting education for those under 18 yrs . of 

 age! 



Bowhunting has incresed in popularity over the past years that 

 something needs to be done educate the hunter. Gun hunter alike. 



Possibly the most important change would be an archery competency 

 test prior to issuance of an archery stamp. Please aslo try to 

 rem. that responsible rifle hunters are responsible bow hunters 

 and vice versa. Most hard core bow hunters like myself would 

 never give up their gun season, we do not in my opinion have an 

 archery hunter pop. problem. 



I think there should be a archery education and safety course. 

 Plus a shooting test to hunt big game 



I love archery hunting but the direction it seems to be heading 

 what with all of the "instant sucess Gimmickry" and elitest 

 attitude by a few can only hunt we need to maintain our numbers 

 because numbers count as votes-dollars. I am in favor of national 

 bow hunter education @took the course several years ago from Bill 

 Wadsworth and found it very worthwhile 



I am satisfied with bowhunting except for a few hunters who are 

 not qualified to even hunt with a bow or track a wounded animal 

 if need be. I also think that elk are becoming more spooky every 

 year because of hunting pressure. 



I am satisfied w/ rules & regulations of Montana's archery 

 hunting, but emphasis needs to placed on better archer education, 

 ei: safety, accurecy & proficency of shooting (practice before 

 season to achieve excellence w/ bow-many hunters don't & take 

 shots beyond bow capability thus wounding animals..) 



The problem with all types of hunting in Montana is the hunters. 

 Too many want to kill something at all costs. I feel making 

 hunters walk or horse back into an area improves hunting for 

 everyone because those who go back into an area are better 

 sportsmen! 



I am upset with the advertising and selling of bows a few weeks 

 previously and during the archery season. A person with no 

 experiance can not possibly be proficient in a short time. I'm 

 not happy with the use of mechanical bows for persons who are 

 physically able to shoot recurve or long bows. 



Your last 6 questions, I feel, do not adequately address the 

 problem as I see it. I see a lot of elk each year during achery 



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