WVBHA 2024 State Legislature Update   The 2024 West Virginia state legislative session is about two-thirds done. Your local chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has been monitoring the session for issues that impact our public lands, waters, and wildlife. After a quiet start, there are a few bills to watch. Legislative action will accelerate as the session winds down, so stay tuned to this blog for more updates.  CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW! We can start with the good news! Senate Bill ...

  When the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve redesignation went into effect hunters were left holding the short straw as we were now permanently excluded from 4,385 acres of what was once public hunting access. “We had public hearings and we heard everybody and the hunting community came out forcefully, especially those who hunted portions of the area,” said Senator Capito.   Both Senators Manchin and Capito recognized this issue and have been working with other parties to add land ...

West Virginia Backcountry Hunters and Anglers needs you to stand up for our public lands! A series of bills have been introduced for a comprehensive motorized recreation program on our public lands under the pretense of a “wildlife viewing” stamp that would provide off-road access on our Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests and State Parks from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. This disguised motorized recreation program would turn West Virginia’s public wildlife habitat and hunting ...