season, but I do not shoot because, in my judgement, they are too 

 far away to shoot. The maximum distance I will shoot is 30 yards, 

 and it must be a clear, kill shot. Being born & raised in Montana 

 and hunting all my life with my dad and by myself, I personally 

 have seen too many, for my taste, crippled & dead animals shot by 

 archery hunters, who, by where the animals were hit, escaped & 

 died, or were in no condition for human consumption. 



I feel that a competancy education course is a prerequisite 

 to obtain an archery stamp, much more so than for a rifle 

 license. 



I believe the top priority for all Montana archers who wish to 

 improve their sport is to eliminate the "slob" bowhunters . 

 Through education & regulation we need to eliminate the people 

 who are not prepared or capable of "fair chase" bowhunting. As a 

 rancher and bowhunter in prime elk country I'm sick of the 

 prejudice shown by many landowners against the hunting archer do 

 to those afield merely because it is legal, not because they are 

 real bowhunters. I doubt these people will be "priced" out of the 

 field. 



I would vote for choosing to hunt with bow only if it were 

 the only way in which I could bowhunt . This step, though it would 

 certainly curb the type of "bowhunter" I complain about, would be 

 unfair to those who enjoy both. I appreciate your effort in this 

 questionnaire . 



I feel that if Archery classes are taught during hunters safety. 

 Archery will be taken seriously and badshots won't be taken by a 

 careful hunter. With that thesas I think that the population of 

 animals won't be endangered by inexperienced hunters won't be 

 taking badshots and just wounding the animal. 



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