Chapter News and Issues

Media Chapter News Press Releases State Issues

BHA Condemns Senate Proposal to Sell Off Up to 3 Million Acres of Public Lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2025  Contact: media@backcountryhunters.org    MISSOULA, Mont. — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is rebuking a sweeping new proposal released by the Senate...
Media Chapter News State Issues

CA BHA 2025 Desert Bighorn Survey Recap

At sunset on Saturday, a small and enthusiastic group of BHA volunteers joined up with CDFW's Region 6 sheep biologists at the foot of the Marble Mountains in the Mojave for the annual desert...
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CA BHA Turkey Camp 2025 Recap

Recap: California BHA’s 2025 Spring Turkey Hunt In the heart of California’s spring turkey season, the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) hosted its third...
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CA BHA 2025 Q1 Newsletter

Support a 2nd Bear Tag in CA! CDFW has released their final black bear conservation plan, and in response, CA BHA has submitted a resolution calling on the Fish & Game Commission to implement a...
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Western State Policy Spotter - March

This is your March 4th edition of BHA's Western Policy Spotter - a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting wild public lands, waters and wildlife across the West. Note - this...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Western State Policy Spotter - First Look

Welcome to your first glimpse of BHA's Western Policy Spotter - a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting wild public lands, waters and wildlife across the West. Much like...
Media Chapter News State Issues

California BHA 2024 Recap

With 2024 coming to an end, we would like to take the opportunity to reflect on California BHA's engagement and accomplishments that were made possible by the support of our dedicated members and...
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Senate Committee Advances Final Public Lands and Waters Legislation for the 118th Congress

On November 19, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held its final Business Meeting of the 118th Congress. The record-breaking number of bills on the docket highlights the backlog of...
Media Chapter News

Bighorn Sheep Survey 2024 Re-Cap

CA BHA Volunteers help CDFW Staff Survey Bighorn Sheep Across the Mojave!    The heat was coming and we all knew it. With a projected high of 115 for both days, we knew that getting to elevation...
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California BHA 2023 Recap

With 2023 in the books and some meat in the freezer (hopefully), we would like to take the opportunity to reflect on California BHA's engagement and accomplishments that were made possible by the...
Media State Issues

Lion vs Sheep

For some, keeping a constant eye on game cameras and venturing deep into the backcountry is a break from their everyday lives. For Jeff and Vicki Davis, it is their lives. The Sierra Nevada...
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The PUBLIC Lands Act

Support the PUBLIC Lands Act - Take Action Today! The California Chapter of BHA has spent several years advocating for the passage of legislation that would have a monumental impact on rivers,...
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California BHA 2022 Policy Recap

California BHA has been firing on all cylinders in 2022 not only with a record number of stewardship projects, but also on policy matters and advocating in the legislature. (link to a story map of...
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Southern California steelhead CESA listing

It Is Time to Designate Southern California Steelhead as Endangered The story of southern steelhead is a story of concrete and progress, of the forces of human will over the balance of...
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UPDATE - Western Riverside National Wildlife Refuge Act

Yesterday, Senator's Feinstein (D-CA) and Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Western Riverside National Wildlife Refuge Act, companion legislation to Rep. Calvert (R-CA) & Takano's (D-CA) H.R. 972 The...
Media Chapter News Field to Table

Catch + Cook for a Healthy Ocean Recap

The 2022 Catch + Cook for a Healthy Ocean Competition brought together an incredible community to celebrate wild food, coastal access and the good stewardship of our natural resources.  A huge...
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California Chapter May 2022 Update

The California Chapter of BHA is firing on all cylinders this Spring and is thrilled to have defeated the HSUS petition to ban bear hunting in CA in addition to receiving over $165,000 in funding...
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Feather River Closure Lifted in California

Just a week and a half after BHA and partner organizations submitted a coalition letter (led by American Whitewater) to the Forest Supervisor for the Plumas National Forest, a 2 year long closure...
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California BHA Comments on Pathways to 30x30

The California Natural Resources Agency recently released the draft "Pathways to 30x30" document and has solicited public comment. (From the Pathways to 30 by 30 draft) "In October 2020, Governor...
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BHA Opposes Proposed Bear Hunting Closure

Stand up for black bear hunting in California! The Fish & Game Commission in California will be considering a petition (2021-027) to eliminate the open hunting season for black bear at the next...
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11 Ways BHA Chapters Are Working on Public Access to Your Public Lands & Waters Right Now

Quality public hunting and fishing access consistently tops the list of issues outdoorsmen and women expect Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to help tackle.  The need for recreational access only...
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CA Chapter Comments on Coastal Public Access Guidelines

California BHA comments on the California Coastal Conservancy revised Coastal Access Project Guidelines. View the comment letter: Dear California Coastal Conservancy Board Members, I write on...
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CA BHA Advocates for Sequoia NF Land Acquisition

A letter to the District Ranger for the Sequoia National Forest regarding LWCF nomination for the Fay Creek Ranch Acquisition:   September 14, 2021   Mr. Alfred Watson, District Ranger Sequoia...
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Fire and Forest Service Closures in California

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the voice for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife in the Golden State, is closely monitoring the Forest Service District 5 decision...
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California Chapter Helps with Guzzler Repair Project

Volunteers from the California Chapter of BHA recently showed up to support the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep on a guzzler repair project in Southern California. They believe a big...
Media Chapter News

Wild Recipes of California

Join us around a virtual campfire event for regional wild game, fish, or foraged recipe presentations, as well as camaraderie, companionship, storytelling and tradition. Present a favorite wild...
Media Chapter News

California Big Game Drawing Overview - Deer

I can still remember the first time I tried to understand the process of applying for deer tags in California’s Big Game Drawing. Not coming from a hunting family I had no idea what preference...
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Chapter supports Federal Bills to expand public access

The California policy committee recently submitted a letter of support for the legislative bill Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act (S. 3288)....
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Support for Northwest California

Anyone who has spent time in the vast expanses of public land in Northern California can attest to the richness of the landscape. From the ancient redwoods of the coasts to the sprawling...
Media Chapter News

Sporting Clay Shoot in Southern California

Photo Credit: Eric Hanson Members and friends of the California Backcountry Hunters and Anglers chapter braved the heat on July 27 to bust some clays, prepare for the upcoming upland season, and...
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California Chapter supports Federal Conservation Bills

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently sent a letter of support of Congresswomen Judy Chu’s (D-CA) San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (H.R....
Media Chapter News State Issues

Chapter Supports Northwest California Bill H.R. 2250

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently authored a letter of support for Congressman Jared Huffman’s (D-CA) Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working...
Media Chapter News

Summer 2019 California Chapter News

            With the chapter growing to over 2000 members, chapter leaders are planning many exciting events and clinics to keep the momentum moving forward for the remainder of 2019. The...
Media Chapter News State Issues

CDFW Proposes New Fishing Regulations

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) recently released a proposed set of changes to the state’s inland trout fishing regulations in furtherance of the Department’s Inland Trout...
Media Chapter News

California Chapter helps with Desert Sheep survey

On March 4th, members from the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers volunteered to survey wild sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains located just west of Los Angeles. The survey was...
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California Desert Bill included in S.47

On February 12th, the Senate overwhelming passed the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), a landmark conservation public lands package in a 92-8 vote in support of the measure. The highlight...
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Chapter works with Congress on Desert Protection

Throughout last year, the California Chapter was been involved in working with Representative Cook and Senator Feinstein on their California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act (H.R. 857) and...
Media Chapter News State Issues

California Chapter joins in R3 Initiative

This past October, the California chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers joined a group of California sportsman organizations and dozens of other stakeholders to review the first draft of the...
Media Chapter News

California BHA Summer 2016 Update

The California Chapter will have a table at the North American Longbow Safari, July 2 and 3, hosted by Traditional Archers of California, in Petaluma. We are looking for members to help man our...
Media Chapter News

California BHA Spring 2016 Update

The California Chapter has been growing over the past three years, and our 2016 leadership team will continue to impact issues affecting the state. Craig Van Arsdale is secretary. The chairman...