We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The 23 Annual Barber Ranch Two Day Bow Shoot has come and passed, and another good time was had by all. The Bow Shoot has become a HUGE gathering of folks from all over the United States and Canada. Following a couple tough years with Covid-19 rules and regulations, the Bow Shoot was able to welcome back many of its dedicated Canadian friends to this year's event.
One of the unique features of the two-day bow shoot happens Sunday afternoon when items are auctioned off for the Frank and Bettie Scholarship fund the Bear Paw Bowmen established in their honor a few years back.
Bettie isn't sure who organized the scholarship originally, but through the years the auction has taken on an identity of its own. A traveling three-foot carved wooden Bear has attached itself to the annual event being resold to a lucky buyer to each year.
'Bruno' Barber as the Bear has become to be known as has been granted a passport, a tattoo, a bandana and even a sidekick named 'Canuck'. Each year, along with a few other items, the Bear Paw Bowmen auction them off with all funds raised going to the Scholarship.
The Scholarship is available to anyone to apply for and is awarded to a student with a 2.5 GPA that is pursuing a Degree in the Agriculture field at Montana State University - Northern. MSU-Northern accepts applications and then delivers a list of qualified individuals to Frank and Bettie for them to pick a winner from.
This year's Scholarship auction raised $3,585 with 100% going directly to the fund. Bettie is known to many as a fantastic baker, and two of her famous pies were a part of the auction. Bettie's Apple Pie got the bidders into a bidding frenzy and when the gavel was struck the pie sold for an astounding $1,100. In another pie bidding was, Bettie sold her Blueberry pie for $600 to add to her exceptional sales total.
Not to be outdone, Frank got into the auction as well, offering up a couple six packs of his own brew. Frank sold his first six pack for $600 and then followed with another strong showing, selling six pack number two for $500. In addition, a Horseshoe Cross was sold for $120, and a second Cross went for $80. The last item was a Boot Jack that went for $85.
The Scholarship auction as well as various projects done by the Bowman to help out Frank and Bettie with the Ranch has been the culmination of a great working relationship through the years that has made the entire week of the "Two Day Archery Shoot" a huge success.
"Archery just seems to draw a lot of people that like to have a good time and not be so competitive. The Bow Shoot is a family fun event we always hold on Father's Day weekend so that families can be together with their loved ones. We call it the biggest family reunion of the year," said Brandy Kurtz of the Bear Paw Bowmen Archery Club. "We ask Frank and Bettie every year what projects they need done around the ranch, whether it be cattle guards to painting, to putting up fences to clearing the cemetery. You name it, we do it for the use of their land for the weekend. It's our way of giving back."
This year's project included the painting of a barn and repair to adjoining fence near Frank and Betties house. In the end Bettie just really appreciates seeing everybody outside, having fun and enjoying themselves. Getting to see kids playing in the creek instead of on their phone and the camaraderie that comes with the entire week.
