By Don Rank HARRISBURG, PA, July 9, 2025 – This morning, at a small ceremony near the state capital, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law House Bill 1431. At last the ban on Sunday...

Pennsylvania Senate bill SB67, and House bill HB851 were introduced recently and referred to each chamber’s Game & Fisheries Committee. Both SB67 and HB851 would permit the Pennsylvania Game...

Pennsylvania BHA leaders and members - and all of our conservation organization allies - were hopeful earlier this year when there was not one, but two bills, one each in the Senate and House,...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is disappointed in the actions taken in the State Senate August 30, 2023 when a last-minute amendment was added to HB 1300 that if...

Legislative Update Our efforts in Harrisburg on behalf of our members continues. With the legislature moving into summer recess, here is an update on the bills we are following.   Support SB 67...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is tracking a lot of bills in Harrisburg this session, but one that has our particular attention is Senate Bill 344, authored by Senator...

Samantha Lutz grew up in a small town in Clarion County, PA, and now resides in Wampum, PA. She is a mother, biologist, avid hiker, and overall outdoor enthusiast. From an early age, she was drawn...

The Pennsylvania Chapter welcomed four new board members to its roster of leaders in 2022. We welcome our new leaders and are excited to see what they bring to our efforts in the Keystone...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has had another busy year advocating for our members in Harrisburg. Our board members have regularly visited the capitol to meet with...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers applauds the passage today of SB431. Now approved by the full legislature, the bill goes to Governor Tom Wolf, who has said he will...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers joins the National Deer Association in calling for the regulatory oversight of the 723 captive deer shooting facilities to be...

Whether by working to ensure walk-in-access to our favorite hunting spots or breaking down barriers to recruit new hunters, BHA PA strives to improve access and opportunity for hunters throughout...

The following is a joint statement by the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Chapters of BHA: The Pennsylvania and New Jersey Chapters of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers are dedicated to the protection of...

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...

Pennsylvania Backcountry Hunters and Anglers believes that restrictions on Sunday hunting are an impediment to reasonable hunting access, and we support the effort made by Senator Dan Laughlin...

Story and Photos by Aaron Hepler We’re currently in “the dog days” of summer. I never quite understood what that meant as a kid. Yeah, it was hot, humid, and buggy, but we got to go to the pool...

The following is the text of a letter delivered this week to key Pennsylvania Senate lawmakers: Subject: Support of Senate Bill 607To: Leader Kim Ward, President Pro Tempore Jake Corman. The...

Access to places to hunt is often referenced as one of the biggest challenges for current and aspiring hunters in Pennsylvania and nationwide. Sportsmen and women cited a lack of access as one of...

In the spring of 2018, the Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers joined a number of other groups to oppose a planned resort development at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ­–...

By Aaron Hepler When it comes to fishing, opinions and styles differ. Some want catch and release fishing only. Some would like to keep every little minnow. Styles vary widely. Wilderness fishing,...

The increased popularity of e-bikes has created new demand for areas to ride on public lands in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Chapter acknowledges that e-bikes, like other forms of motorized...

Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania BHA member John Conte III   By Don Rank   Despite routinely boasting some of the largest numbers of hunters in the United States, Pennsylvania is one of the few...

In August, the Pennsylvania chapter continued to bolster their habitat improvement work throughout the state with their 3rd work day of the year at Raccoon Creek State Park’s Wetland Trail. The...

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf ushered in a new era today in the Keystone State when he signed into law a bill that will allow pursuit of deer and other species on three Sundays starting in the...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is committed to speaking up for hunting and fishing access and habitat for wildlife and fish. In June 2018, the Pennsylvania Chapter...

  In response to a slew of questions from members about chronic wasting disease in the Keystone State and the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) CWD Draft Management Plan, the PA Chapter of...

Pennsylvania hunters are another step closer to enjoying expanded Sunday hunting after legislation to allow hunting on three Sundays passed the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly in...

In Defense of Brook Trout By Nick DelVecchio, BHA Member Pennsylvania has been blessed with treasure troves of natural resources.  Over the decades, prosperity and wealth has been owed to the...

Pennsylvania hunters are closer than ever to being able to hunt on Sundays. Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Senator Dan Laughlin, would expand opportunities for Pennsylvania hunters by providing...

The New York, Pennsylvania and Capital Region Chapters weighed in to support S. 2591, a bill to enable the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service to assist local stakeholders to expand conservation and...

The Pennsylvania chapter has coupled their rapid membership growth with many opportunities for members to get involved with on-the-ground habitat improvement projects in 2019. Members attended two...

By Aaron Hepler The time of year is here, again. Time to gear up for doves! Remembering back to my favorite first hunt, I was decked in some of my Dad’s old army camo with a weapon in hand. The...

Pennsylvania Chapter volunteers have been working with National Park Service staff to form the “Riparian Habitat Protection Team” within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Team goals...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers applauds two pieces of legislation authored by state Rep. Mike Turzai of Allegheny County aimed at increasing the Pennsylvania Game...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of BHA recognizes that Chronic Wasting Disease in deer is a real threat that demands real management solutions, including more research. Any claims to have already found a...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is committed to speaking up for hunting and fishing access and habitat for wildlife and fish. We are therefore opposed to a plan by a...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a nonprofit group that seeks to ensure preservation of Pennsylvania’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting,...

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has an entirely new slate of officers and, for the first time, a full slate of board members. Immediate past chair Jeff Sample and...