Safari Club International has recognized longtime MOGA member Russ Smith as its Outstanding North American Professional Hunter of the Year. Smith, who owns and operates Montana Professional Hunters, will be presented with the award Wednesday, Jan. 9, at SCI’s 47th Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno, Nevada.
Although it has been through several name changes, Smith has operated his outfitting business since 1985. During that time, he’s outfitted on State, BLM and private lands across Montana as well as backcountry camps in USFS wilderness areas. In addition to guiding mule deer and elk hunts in Montana, he helps plan and coordinate complex hunts in remote locations across the globe.
Smith has demonstrated extensive service to the outfitting industry during his 34-year career. In addition to serving as President of the Montana Outfitter and Guides Association, he served on Governor Marc Racicot’s first Private Land/Public Wildlife Advisory Council. Two programs that came out of that effort include Outfitter Sponsored Licenses and the State of Montana’s Block Management program. He’s also served on the Montana Board of Outfitters, where he advocated for the role of outfitted hunting in conservation and Montana’s economy, and established important ethical and performance standards for license qualification. Smith was integral to the Montana launch of Hunters Against Hunger, a program that facilitates wild game donations to food banks.
“Within the hunting industry, we recognize the SCI Professional Hunter Award to be one of the most prestigious awards of its kind as it honors professional hunters who are acknowledged by both their peers and clients to be at the top of their field,” MOGA Executive Director Mac Minard said. “Being recognized as SCI Hunter of the Year is a cherished honor that few have attained, and Russ is highly deserving of this lifetime achievement.”
The selection process for the award is extensive. To be considered, applicants must submit a bio, answer a personal questionnaire and secure letters of recommendation. The selection committee looks for the following as they consider applicants: a skilled and competent hunter and guide who’s respected by clients and peers; someone who’s informed and knowledgeable about wildlife and conservation and dedicated to the same; adherence to the highest standards of integrity in the field; and commitment to abiding by the rules and regulations governing the industry, among other criteria. Shawn Murphy with SCI noted that Smith received nearly all of the first-place votes for the award during the Outfitter and Guide Committee’s final review.
“This award represents thousands of miles on horseback and thousands of miles on foot in cold and snow—all kinds of difficult conditions. But it was worth every minute because I was with some great folks,” Smith said. “We had a lot of successes, and there have been a few disappointments, too, but it’s been a great journey.”
Advertise Your Business with a Banner Ad on the
MOGA Website
MOGA Banner Ad Exchange Program allows members to promote their business and start receiving traffic by simply a joining the MOGA Banner Ad program. By placing an advertising banner on the MOGA website, you are encouraging visitors to your website in a very cost-effective way.
Our new system designates four areas on the NEW MOGA website for randomly-rotating ad banners. A click on your banner provides our viewers with a direct link to your products and services, or company website, while also providing brand or service name attention. It is cheap, reliable and effective Advertising!
THIS IS A TERRIFIC WAY TO ADVERTISE HUNT SPECIALS and COW ELK HUNTS or MONTANA BACK COUNTRY ADVENTURES!!!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Banner Ad?
A banner ad is a highly visible advertisement that contains a graphical ad that users can click and leads directly to your business website.
When will the banner ads run?
Banner ads can be purchased by month and you can select the time frame you want your ad to run. Sales will be made on a first come first serve basis so do not delay. For example, there will be a total of eight banner ad placements (2 large and 6 small) available each month. The months of December, January, February thru March are likely the most desirable for the Outfitters/Businesses engaged in hunting services. Those ads will go fast.
People wanting to place Banner ads related to fishing adventures/service may look toward the booking season and the summer pick-up season. You can purchase now and pre-schedule your ad to run at the time you want it to.
Where do banner ads run?
Banner ads appear on the MOGA website in four areas:
HOME PAGE
1) Top Sidebar Ad (300px by 300px): a square spot in the right hand column. This ad spot will be held by a maximum of 2 vendors, meaning that for each page visited on the MOGA website your ad will appear 50% of the time (or more). Price is $150 for 30 days.
2) Lower Sidebar Ad (300px by 300px): a square spot in the right hand column. This ad spot will be held by a maximum of 2 vendors, meaning that for each page visited on the MOGA website your ad will appear 50% of the time (or more). Price is $150 for 30 days.
3) Footer Ad (450px by 80px): a larger spot in the bottom footer that appears on EVERY Page of the MOGA website. This premiere ad spot will be held by a maximum of 2 vendors and randomly rotated per page. This means that for each page visited on the MOGA website, your ad will appear 50% of the time (or more). Price is $200 for 30 days. Appearing on EVERY page of the MOGA site is a real advantage.
NEWS PAGE
4) Sidebar Ad (300px by 300px): a square spot in the right hand column. This ad spot will be held by a maximum of 2 vendors, meaning that for each page visited on the MOGA website your ad will appear 50% of the time (or more). Price is $100 for 30 days.
When will sales start and How much is will they cost?
Ads may be purchased NOW and will be live on the website immediately after purchase. Pricing: large (footer) size on the Home Page is $200/30-day period. Side Bar AD Space on the Home Page is $150/30-day period. Side Bar Ad space on the NEWS Page is $100/30-day period.
Can MOGA Member Outfitters buy Banner Ads?
Yes, the MOGA Board has agreed that MOGA member outfitters may indeed buy space and advertise on the MOGA website.
Who develops the banner ads?
This can be done two ways;
1) The purchaser can provide camera ready logos and art work or
2) Call the MOGA office and we will connect you with our designer to create your banner at a very modest cost to you.
How Do I purchase a banner Ad?
Just call or email the MOGA office and we will get you set up. It is actually pretty easy to do and highly effective advertising. For more information, please contact the MOGA Office mogaoffice@mt.net or call 406.449.3578.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 12, 2018
Contact: Mac Minard, Executive Director
406 449-3578 (office)
406 439-2059 (cell)
Gibbs outlines what to do when field dressing and processing an animal, the best equipment to use, and how to disinfect clothing and gear you suspect of contamination.
Download the PowerPoint slides below to learn more about how you can prevent the spread of CWD and keep Montana’s wildlife healthy.
The Professional Outfitters and Guides of America, of which MOGA is a member, joined nine other National sportsmen-conservation organizations that have announced their support of the GO Act (Senate Bill 2335) introduced by U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and co-sponsored by Sens. James E. Risch (ID), John Thune (SD), and Steve Daines (MT). These 10 organizations represent tens of thousands of hunting and conservation organizations.
The outfitting and guiding industry is a highly regulated partner to federal land managers. The use of licensed and permitted outfitters provides many Americans the opportunity to experience firsthand their vast public lands and national treasures. Providing for these experiences keeps these national treasures and the agencies that manage them relevant today.
The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and the outfitter and guide permitting authority it contains will expire on Sept. 30, 2019. In addition to reauthorization of permitting authority, the GO Act will correct key permitting problems that threaten access for the public and impact many small businesses operating under federal permits. The GO Act will enhance opportunities for other organized groups to run trips as well as facilitate responsible access for new activities.
In addition to renewing Forest Service and BLM permitting authority, the GO Act will:
– reduce federal costs by encouraging the use of previous environmental analyses when issuing permits for the same or similar activities
– establish a reasonable permit use review formula to allow for consideration waivers due to a lack of available hunting licenses or the impact of natural disasters like drought and fire
– require agencies to reduce permit processing times
– allow extensions of existing permits for periods up to five years
Other sportsmen-conservation organizations joining the Montana Outfitter and Guides Association in support of passage of the GO Act include The Professional Outfitters and Guides of America, Archery Trade Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Conservation Force, Houston Safari Club, National Rifle Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Sportsmen’s Alliance and Safari Club International.
Passage of the GO Act will serve as an important step to ensuring that the public has access to its national public lands and that the industry that supports that access is sustained.
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Staff Sergeant Nathaniel Shurter was honored last week for his military service and sacrifices for our country.
Big Hearts Under the Big Sky and the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association gathered together to honor the veteran.
Around a dinner table at the Montana City Grill and Saloon Tuesday night, Shurter, his wife Olivia and outfitters and guides that are part of the Big Hearts Under the Big Sky program shared stories from their Montana adventures.
