Barber Ranch, Bear Paw Bowmen benefit from MWF Grant

 

July 1, 2020

The Bear Paw Bowmen recently matched funds awarded to them through a grant received from the Montana Wildlife Federation. The $4,000 were to be put to use helping people that support public events. The funds went towards improvements at the Barber Ranch south of Chinook. The ranch is home to the Barber Ranch Bow Shoot held annually in June. Above, club members install an Auto Pass, aka cattle guard, on the Barber property last week as part of the improvements made to the property.

The Bear Paw Bowmen's Annual Barber Ranch Bow Shoot this year was a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the cancellation of so many events. The Annual Bow Shoot takes place the third weekend of June, concluding on Father's Day each year. 2020 would have been its 22 year. The shoot has been a staple for many to start the summer each year and while its cancellation isn't what anyone wanted it was done in the best interest of everyone involved. Like so many other events that have been forced to postpone or cancel folks involved in the event have kept them present in the minds of the community.

The Bear Paw Bowmen host a number of events annually from bow shoots to banquets, auctions and raffles to raise funds for the club. The Barber Ranch Bow shoot is a primary function for the club and its cancellation was a tough decision to make.

Although the event was canceled, the spirit of it still shined through and recently the Montana Wildlife Federation approved a grant to be matched by the club to make improvements on the Barber Ranch property. The Federation grant was for $2,000, which the club matched for $4,000 total.

Frank and Bettie Barber have hosted the event at their ranch south of Chinook in the heart of the Bear Paw Mountains for the previous 21 shoots. "The Montana Wildlife Federation offered the club a $2,000 grant to help out the private community that supports public events," stated Bettie. "They chose us after seeing the weed issues we had and the lack of auto passes (aka cattle guards), the Bear Paw Bowmen came to us with the proposal. Weeds are an ongoing problem and they purchased and applied spray that will also be shared with neighbors. We asked for a cattle guard going up to John and Vanessa Schoen's and one going into Gordon and Sheila Young's. Both of them are on our property but will benefit our neighbors as well."

All of the labor was donated and according to Bettie 'the boys' built the cattle guards on their own free time. In the application, the club had to use the term 'Auto Passes' in place of cattle guards to get approval. This past weekend the crew came together to install them. "Club members Mark Daniel, Dustan Nyberg, Robert Kurtz, Duke Thomas, Tim Teske, Jack Teske, Ron Cortese, Ian Pike, Larry Richards, Bill Patera, Frank Barber, and Gordon Young all got the four auto passes installed and the 2-4D chemical spray for the Barbers, local land owners that host our shoot," said Brandy Kurtz.

The Annual shoot is a two-day event but often visitors to the Barber Ranch stay for the week, "It's a two day shoot and on average we get around 500 visitors with 300 shooters," said Bettie. "They come in, set up camp in our fields and have a good time. If it's raining Frank will take the big tractor and pull the campers up the hill."

Folks from all over the western United States descend on the ranch each year, but Bettie added that guest come from other regions as well, "We have a lot of Canadians come for the week, some from Florida and one year we even had two guys from the Netherlands show up!" The local 4-H clubs are on hand selling food to raise money for their clubs. Bettie also mentioned that other vendors are on hand selling apparel, bows and doing some bow repair work as well.

Frank and Bettie have really enjoyed hosting the shoot each year and were recognized for their efforts by the Bear Paw Bowmen Archery Club. The club holds various auctions and raffles and recently started a scholarship program at Montana State University Northern named in their honor, "It was their way of saying thank you," said Bettie. "They hold an auction for it and generally we are able to give a $1,000 scholarship away.

The bow shoot is a family-oriented gathering that is sure to be enjoyed by the whole family. There are plenty of good times to be had by all. The comradery and friendships created will last a lifetime. COVID-19 may have canceled this years event but organizers, the Bear Paw Bowmen Club members and of course Frank and Bettie look forwarded to seeing everybody back at the ranch in 2021 for another. great shoot.

 
 

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