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 Press Releases State Issues

10th Circuit Court Affirms District Court Decision in Corner-Crossing Case, Upholding Public Access Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   March 18, 2025      CONTACT:   Devin O’Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager, odea@backcountryhunters.org     Denver, CO – In a huge victory for public land owners,...
Media Chapter News State Issues

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 State Issues Field to Table

Mule Deer Picadillo

  Growing up in Houston, Texas, I was exposed to an abundant food scene fueled by the city’s diverse population. From African oxtail stew to VietCajun crawfish and noodles, I developed an...
Media Chapter News Field to Table

Sourdough Cougar Claws

By Melissa Hendrickson   What better way to celebrate the rejection of Proposition 127 in Colorado, the citizen initiative that tried to ban mountain lion hunting, than baking up a delicious...
Media Chapter News State Issues

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 State Issues Field to Table

Grouse & Dumplings

The arrival of fall means many things to a hunter. Here in Montana in September, I’m often conflicted by the dueling options of archery elk hunting and the upland bird season. Bow or shotgun?...
Media Chapter News Backcountry Journal

Hunting on the Ballot

This article also appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Backcountry Journal.    By Bryan Jones This fall the public’s right to hunt will take center stage on the ballot in Colorado with a proposed...
Media Press Releases

U.S. House Passes Comprehensive Outdoor Legislation

For Immediate Release                                                                                     Apr. 9, 2024 Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111 plank@backcountryhunters.org U.S. House...
Media Press Releases

BHA Announces Patrick Berry as New CEO

News for Immediate ReleaseDecember 6, 2023Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111, plank@backcountryhunters.org MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), a trailblazing public lands and...
Media Press Releases

Three elevated to key front line roles at BHA

News for Immediate ReleaseNovember 15, 2023Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111, plank@backcountryhunters.org MISSOULA, Mont. – Three BHA staff members have been chosen to fill newly-created...
Media Chapter News

2023 Muster in the Marsh Recap

"Muster" is a verb. To muster anything takes action, and being the hunters and anglers we are, it’s our nature to do just that. We push ourselves to the limit and give our all for the things we...
Media State Issues

Hunting Ethically Is Good, Hard Work

While hunting Rocky Mountain elk or mountain Merriam’s turkeys or any other wild game in southwest Colorado’s San Juan Mountains I generally endeavor to meet up with Colorado Backcountry Hunters &...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Beat the "Chicken Bill" in Ohio

To be beaten in a game when you’re on the field and playing hard – that’s a defeat you can live with.  To be beaten in a game that you didn’t even know had started – that’s just not fair.  The...
Media State Issues Backcountry Journal

Privatizing Public Elk

Photos: Erik Peterson "The movement for the conservation of wildlife and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and...
Media State Issues

Why do we want to Keep Elk Public?

1. Why did Montana hunting and conservation groups formally file to intervene in the lawsuit by United Property Owners of Montana?   The coalition’s members – Montana-based hunting and...
Media Chapter News

A Voice for Grasslands

Have you been greeted by the predawn whistle of a bobwhite? It’s natures version of Bach and Beethoven. A sound so sweet, the greatest composers on earth would have trouble replicating. If you’re...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA Bestows Top Honors at North American Rendezvous

News for Immediate ReleaseMay 17, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers bestowed its top honors on a suite of...
Media Chapter News

Spring Bear is only the Beginning

Stemming from the appointment of three new commissioners in recent weeks, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted on March 19 against the Washington spring black bear hunt in a 5-4 decision. The...
Media Chapter News State Issues

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...
Media Chapter News Backcountry Journal

Paying It Forward

  BY JOEL GAY It’s not easy for resident hunters to draw an elk tag in New Mexico, even for kids. As in many states, demand for tags far outstrips supply. But that’s only part of the equation....
Media Chapter News

BHAers Don't Camp

Guys, we need to talk.  I was there. At Muster. Camping right beside you.  Which is why we need to talk.  You guys know you don’t have to camp to be in BHA, right?  I’m serious. You can think...
Media State Issues Field to Table

Wild Game Blue Cheese Burger

As summer comes into view and the meat selection in the freezer gets a little sparse, we love to utilize ingredients we have on hand to create a recipe perfect for the warmer weather and some...
Media Press Releases

BHA Hires Schmidt to Lead Development Program

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 9, 2021Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org With a diverse background including firearms manufacturing and government policy, Rachel...
Media Press Releases

BHA Reacts to Regan’s Selection as EPA Head

News for Immediate ReleaseDec. 18, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org MISSOULA, Mont. – In response to President-elect Joe Biden’s planned nomination of...
Media Press Releases

BHA Officially Launches Florida Chapter

News for Immediate ReleaseNov. 10, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Sunshine State sportsmen and women unite in support of public access, critical...
Media Press Releases

Great American Outdoors Act Becomes Law

News for Immediate ReleaseAug. 4, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org President signs ‘once in a generation’ conservation and access bill following strong...
Media Press Releases

BHA Announces New Chapters, Board Leadership

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 13, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Public lands and waters continue to galvanize hunters, anglers, others across North...
Media Press Releases

BHA Launches Armed Forces Initiative

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 6, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org New outreach program engages active duty and veteran service members in public lands...
Media Press Releases

Senate Passes Great American Outdoors Act

News for Immediate ReleaseJune 17, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Decisive vote in support of the popular legislation is victory for public lands...
Media Press Releases

BHA Announces 2020 Award Winners

News for Immediate ReleaseJune 12, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Sportsmen and women receive organization’s top honors for their work on behalf of public...
Media Press Releases

BHA Rendezvous Goes Global in 2020

News for Immediate ReleaseMay 18, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org North America’s biggest gathering of public lands hunters and anglers shifts to online...
Media Press Releases

BHA Wins Highest Ratings from NGO Watchdogs

News for Immediate ReleaseDec. 11, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Charity Navigator, Great Nonprofits and GuideStar all award BHA top honors MISSOULA,...
Media Chapter News

Bonds of the Wild

You hear it all the time, hell, I’ve even said it myself: “it goes fast”. But nothing can really prepare you for how fast life actually goes. How you can be in your twenties and blink and you’re...
Media Chapter News

My Home Water, The River That Caught On Fire

There aren’t many universal truths that stand the test of time, but I’ve got one. This will be my 4thseason that I call the Cuyahoga River my home water. I live between Akron and Cleveland, a...
Media Press Releases

House Introduces Bill to Fully Fund LWCF

News for Immediate ReleaseJune 12, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Following Senate introduction of similar legislation, bipartisan bill acknowledges...
Media Press Releases

BHA Launches New Blog, ‘Field to Table’

News for Immediate ReleaseJune 6, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Wild food harvested from public lands and waters is the theme, techniques for preparing...
Media Press Releases

BHA Bestows Top Honors at Rendezvous

News for Immediate ReleaseMay 21, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Hunters, anglers recognized for contributions to North America’s public lands, waters,...
Media Press Releases

New Senate Bill Would Fully Fund LWCF

News for Immediate ReleaseApril 9, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Bipartisan bill would secure funding for popular access and conservation program,...
Media Press Releases

BHA Rendezvous Returns to Idaho in 2019

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 14, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   May 1-4 will bring thousands of public lands sportsmen and womento Boise for...
Media Press Releases

Filson-BHA Partnership Advances in 2019

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 21, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   Renowned gear and apparel company partners with public lands group on expanded...
Media Press Releases

BHA Joins Wild Harvest Initiative

News for Immediate ReleaseAug. 1, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   BHA Joins Wild Harvest Initiative Initiative is the first program to evaluate...
Media Press Releases

Filson Partners with BHA on Storytelling Events

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 27, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Renowned gear and apparel company to host BHA series of ‘Campfire Stories’ at locations...
Media Press Releases

Senate Weighs Public Lands, Wilderness Bills

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 7, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Backcountry Hunters & Anglers members speak up for conservation of, access to backcountry...
Media Chapter News

Trapshooting Gaining Popularity

In Colorado, and on public lands nationwide, ATV/OHV overuse and abuse is increasingly impacting big game (and other wildlife) habitat and related watersheds for trout and other aquatic species....
Media State Issues

Sportsmen Praise Badger-Two Medicine Action

Montana hunters and anglers are thanking Sen. Jon Tester, the Department of the Interior and the Blackfeet Tribe for their continued commitment to conserve some of the finest big game habitat and...