MBA RECEIVES MWF CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Montana Bowhunters Association was the recipient of the Montana Wildlife Federation's 2002 Conservation Organization of the Year award in Helena on April 20. It was awarded "In special recognition of an organization devoted to maintaining and enhancing healthy, sustainable public wildlife and ethical sporting opportunities for future generations". MBA president Charlie Johnson accepted the award on behalf of the MBA membership.

Also presented was a Special Lobbying Achievement Award to MBA member Stan Rauch for his work on behalf of wildlife and wildlife related public recreational opportunity.

The MWF 2002 awards luncheon, with Jack Ward Thomas, former Chief of the US Forest Service as the program speaker, was held in conjunction with the Elk Management Symposium, of which the MBA was a sponsor. Other sponsors included the MT Wildlife Federation, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Orion -The Hunters Institute, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance.

The Elk Management Symposium included updates on elk research, discussions on the future of elk management, and dialogue concerning the opportunities and future challenges related to elk and elk hunting in Montana.

MBA board member Larry Rattray represented the MBA on a four-member Elk Management Planning panel. Other panel members were Glenn Erickson, FWP Wildlife Division; Lazy E L ranch manager, Ron Goddard; and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation representative, Tom Toman.

MBA board member Greg Munther served on a six-member panel as the Montana sportsman's representative on a panel titled "A Diversity of Interests: Biological and Social Considerations". Other panel members were Tim Mulligan, FWP Game Commissioner; Rep. George Golie, Legislator; Tom Hougen, chairman of the Private Land/Public Wildlife Council; Chase Hibbard, Devils Kitchen Group; and Chuck Rein, MT Stockgrowers Association. The primary topic addressed by this panel was the MT Stockgrowers Association's controversial Montana Wildlife Partnership proposal.