because I like being out in the mountains at this time of year. 

 You see a lot of game and you don't have need the people running 

 around as you do int he rifle season. I strongly support 

 increasing branch antlered bull elk even if it meant bulls only 

 during the archery season and major rifle season. 



I was within 20-40 yards of 4 branch antlered bulls, I had no 

 clean shots so took none. I enjoy the hunting but won't take 

 poor shots- I also enjoy greatly the area 260 hunting. I 

 harvested a total of 4 deer, all does. 



I'm thankful for the opportunity to live in and hunt this great 

 state of Montana. 



Primarily my bow is used ot help me relax and walk in the woods, 

 it's a major trick to go go a walk, to dream and relax-get away 

 fromt he pressures of life and hard work.- I would hate to see 

 large prices $ put on my excuse to go for a walk-to relax I 

 already pay that price by living in a beautiful kept economical 

 depress area. Put the price on those who come from out of state 

 just to hunt. 



Archery elk hunting during bugle season is a fine thrilling 

 sport. The killing of an animal is completely secondary to the 

 solitude, beauty and knowledge of wildlife behavior gained. 



Dear Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; 



I'm writing this short letter to fill you in and what I feel 

 about Montana's archery season mean to me. And also what I feel 

 about the effects archery has on game, such as deer, elk, bear. 



Archeiry season, to me , is a chance for me to once again hit the 

 field. Each year opens new experiences. Each and every one is 

 full fulling and rewarding. 



I have been hunting since 1970 with a bow and arrow. And to use 

 a saying I found out real quick, just why the Indians were skinny 

 until the got a hold of there guns. 



It took me five years before I shot my first deer. And eleven 

 years for my first elk, and 2 more successful years after that. 

 But in 17 years I nwo feel that only a person who loves the 

 outdoors, the hardships, etc. will remain a hunters, both archery 

 and rifle. 



Out of 20,000 archer's, you will get 150 guys that will remain 

 bow hunters. The rest will go back to guns. 



But I have found out by experience that I have become a better 

 gun hunter, from what I've learned from bow hunting. 



17 



