LETTER: MT BHA Supports Two Archery Ranges In Flathead Valley

Lone Pine State Park Archery Range EA

Brian Schwartz (Lone Pine State Park Manager)

Lone Pine State Park

300 Lone Pine Road

Kalispell, MT 59901

RE: Lone Pine State Park Land Acquisition & Archery Range Development EA

December 2, 2021

Dear Mr. Schwartz:

The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers represents roughly 3,000 dues-paying sportsmen and women in Montana who value quality recreational opportunities and ethical conduct in the outdoors. Our Montana Chapter includes many members who hunt and recreate in the Flathead Valley.

The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers fully supports Alternative B, the proposal to purchase 9.3 acres adjacent to the existing Lone Pine State Park archery range and to use this land to increase capacity and facilities at the range. Montana has seen an incredible response to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and we support expanding regional opportunities for archers to practice and hone their skills. Increasing available target ranges and access to public education events are critical to creating new, ethical hunters and to retaining hunters in the long term. Young or novice archers and seasoned hunters alike will all benefit from increased opportunities to learn, practice and improve their archery skills.  

Furthermore, we applaud your proposed use of Pittman Robertson Act dollars to fund this project. As sportsmen and women, we have a vested interest in seeing the wise and beneficial uses of our excise tax dollars. We look forward to the success of this range and are ready to assist promoting this excellent opportunity for Montana bowhunters.

Sincerely,

Paul Kemper, Montana BHA R3/DEI Chapter Leader, Bozeman, MT

Molly VandeVoort, Montana BHA Flathead Valley Chapter Leader, Columbia Falls, MT

Flathead Lake State Park- Big Arm Archery Range Development Draft EA

Amy Grout (Flathead Lake State Park Manager)

Stevie Burton (Administrative Assistant)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

490 N. Meridian Rd

Kalispell, MT 59901

RE: Big Arm Archery Range EA

December 2, 2021

Dear Ms. Grout:

The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers represents roughly 3,000 dues-paying sportsmen and women in Montana who value quality recreational opportunities and ethical conduct in the outdoors. Our Montana Chapter includes many members who hunt and recreate in the Flathead Valley.

Montana BHA fully supports the proposal to build an archery range in the Big Arm Unit of Flathead State Park. Montana has seen an incredible response to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and we support expanding regional opportunities for archers to practice and hone their skills. Increasing available target ranges and access to public education events are critical to creating new, ethical hunters and to retaining hunters in the long term. Young or novice archers and seasoned hunters alike will all benefit from increased opportunities to learn, practice and improve their archery skills.

Furthermore, we applaud your proposed use of Pittman Robertson Act dollars to fund this project. As sportsmen and women, we have a vested interest in seeing the wise and beneficial uses of our excise tax dollars. We look forward to the success of this range and are ready to assist promoting this excellent opportunity for Montana bowhunters.

Sincerely,

Paul Kemper, Montana BHA R3/DEI Chapter Leader, Bozeman, MT

Molly VandeVoort, Montana BHA Flathead Valley Chapter Leader, Columbia Falls, MT