Newsletters

Greetings from Broadus!

I guess I want to start this message with apologies. I recently found out that there were several of you that did not receive the last newsletter. I'm still not sure what happened, but I assure you it was not intentional. We are still hoping to phase out most of the hard copies and mailing of the newsletter in favor of internet and website or perhaps offer the option. However, we are not to that point yet. It's moving, but slowly. We all know we like the internet; we just don't don't always know how to make it work for us. We recently hired Kerby Ross from Arizona to rework our website, but the ball is back in our court to get him information and photos. Kerby is doing several sites for other state associations. Recent additions to our board are Don and Jane Keever from Billings. Don brings a great enthusiasm that we hope to utilize in the MTA. Plans are going forward for the spring show March 24th-27th. It will again be at the Red Lion in Helena. Judges have been finalized and we think we have a great lineup. Chris Krueger from Arizona will be returning to judge lifesize mammals. Joe Kaiser, from Arkansas, will judge both birds and fish. And lastly, Jody Green, from Illinois, will be judging our gameheads. All these guys have received national acclaim and we look forward to them coming here. In addition to seminars that our judges will conduct, we also have Ray Hatfield from Wyoming doing a lifesize alteration seminar. Bill Stratton with SCI will be doing a Safari Club measuring class. A recent thing that we're really excited about is our partnership with United Special Sportsman's Alliance (USSA). USSA provides hunting and fishing trips for kids with life threatening illnesses. By working with the MTA, taxidermy for trophies taken on these trips in Montana will also be provided at no cost to these kids or their families. This a great opportunity for members of the MTA to be part of a fine humanitarian project. And it's a great opportunity for the MTA and the taxidermy industry to be promoted in a positive light. We think the potential can be far reaching. This fall, the first three hunts with USSA took place in Montana. The first two took place in the Broadus area with Gardner Ranch Outfitters with one being guided by yours truly. The third was done by Milk River Outfitters in the Glaskow area. All the hunts were arranged through the MTA. The illnesses that these kids have vary as does their condition. One kid was wheelchair bound and shot his rifle with a mechanism that he blew into a straw. They're kids though, and some of their stories break your heart. Local businesses also contributed and put together care packages. Meat processors donated their services. Brannen Rogers (Rogers Taxidermy) even drove one kid all the way from Great Falls to Broadus and back! All these things and people worked together to give these kids a wonderful unforgettable time. Taxidermy for these three mounts will be done by Bruce Babcock, Katie Rogers, and Paul Faber. Suppliers have also partnered by donating forms and supplies. We hope to involve more suppliers and tanneries as well. We also hope to see the efforts of USSA and the MTA spread to other areas and communities in Montana. As you can see, the sky's the limit what you can do to love on these kids at the local level. It's a very gratifying thing to be apart of. Contact me or any board member if you want to help with taxidermy or anything else. Go to www.childswish.com for more information about the organization. Brigid O'Donogue, the organization's founder and CEO, plans to attend our show and banquet in March. Hopefully you're working on your show pieces. If not, there's still time. Get those creative juices flowing. Once again, we'd like you to register as soon as possible. We plan on having a registration form on the website. We will be adding to the website from now on, so check it frequently for news and updates. Here's hoping you're wintering well and that we see you in March!