Backcountry Hunters & Anglers - media

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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 Reports

Hunting and Angling Presidents

By Dalton Valette. To celebrate this year’s Presidents’ Day, let’s look at the long history of America’s heads of state who enjoyed the great outdoors. For us,...
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 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 Press Releases

BHA Responds to Secretary of Agriculture Nomination

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 3, 2024 Contacts: Thomas Plank, Communications Manager plank@backcountryhunters.org Nadia Marji, VP of Marketing & Communications nadia@backcountryhunters.org BHA...
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 Chapter News

The Access Frontlines

This article originally appeared as the President's Message column of the Summer 2024 Backcountry Journal.   By Patrick Berry Imagine the excitement and anticipation after a long week of...
Media Chapter News

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...
Media Chapter News

Keep Public Lands Out of Utah's Greedy Hands

In the history of ill-advised plans and underhanded schemes to squander the public lands legacy shared by all Americans, Utah officials may have just eclipsed the rest of the bunch. In August, the...
Media Press Releases

BHA Welcomes Peter Vandergrift to North American Board

For Immediate Release May 31, 2024  Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111 plank@backcountryhunters.org  BHA Welcomes Peter Vandergrift to North American Board  MISSOULA, MT — Backcountry Hunters &...
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 Ramps up Defense of Public Access in “Corner Crossing” Case

For Immediate Release                                                                                       January 17, 2024 Contact: Devin O'Dea, 415-246-5329, odea@backcountryhunters.org Thomas...
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 Press Releases

BHA Bestows Top Honors at North American Rendezvous

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 30, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org An impressive slate of honorees receives BHA’s 2023 awards MISSOULA, Mont. – At the...
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 Chapter News

Protect Colorado's Thompson Divide

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has been working for years to secure greater certainty for Colorado’s Thompson Divide and the quality hunting and fishing experiences it provides. Now we need your...
Media Press Releases

HuntStand and BHA Launch Corporate Partnership

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 5, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  HuntStand offers indispensable toolset for hunting, habitat management and land...
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 Press Releases

BHA Welcomes Williams Confirmation as USFWS Director

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 18, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  MISSOULA, Mont. – Following a Senate voice vote last night confirming the nomination of...
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

Governor Removes Another Qualified Commissioner

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this week removed State Game Commissioner Jeremy Vesbach, apparently because he has repeatedly stood up for New Mexico resident hunters and anglers. She notified him...
Media Chapter News

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...
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 Chapter News

Embers & Ecology: Historical Fires

The dramatic increase in wildfires since 2000 is strikingly obvious in these maps.  And unfortunately, the increase both in number of fires and in area burned only continues to climb. With...
Media Press Releases

BHA Honors Conservation Warriors with Annual Awards

News for Immediate ReleaseJune 22, 2021Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Standout sportsmen and women recognized at BHA Rendezvous for commitment to North...
Media Press Releases

Fleet Farm and BHA Launch Corporate Partnership

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 24, 2021Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Fleet Farm has deep roots in Midwestern hunting and fishing and has served hardworking...
Media Press Releases

Adams and Jenkins Join BHA North American Board

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 10, 2021Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Careers in public lands management, conservation leadership define new board members of...
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

House Votes to Advance Package of Public Lands Bills

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 26, 2021Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands Act includes longstanding hunter/angler...
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

House Passes Package of Conservation, Access Bills

News for Immediate ReleaseOct. 1, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org America’s Conservation Enhancement Act, or ACE Act, would expand public access, restore...
Media Press Releases

Boundary Waters Bill Clears Critical Hurdle in House

News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 30, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   House Natural Resources Committee advances bill that would conserve Boundary Waters...
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

House Passes Historic Great American Outdoors Act

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 22, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Following a decisive 310-107 vote, conservation and access bill advances to president’s...
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

Senate to Vote on Great American Outdoors Act

News for Immediate ReleaseMay 21, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Bipartisan legislation would provide full, dedicated funding to the Land and Water...
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 Press Releases

New Mexico Hunters and Anglers Celebrate Access Win

News for Immediate ReleaseNov. 22, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org State game commission overturns unpopular rule limiting public access to streams and...
Media Press Releases

Senate Advances FY2020 Interior Spending Bill

News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 26, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Natural resources funding increased, but lack of dedicated, full funding for LWCF a...
Media Chapter News Field to Table

How to Make Venison Rendang

Recently, several BHAers had the opportunity to join the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and our conservation partners North Carolina Wildlife Federation and National Wild Turkey...
Media Press Releases

Public Land Owner Pale Ale Premieres in Montana

News for Immediate ReleaseAug. 20, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Backcountry Hunters & Anglers partners with Highlander Beer in support of North American...
Media Press Releases

New BLM Leader Is Advocate for Sale of Public Lands

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 26, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org William Perry Pendley, an outspoken proponent of selling off public lands and waters,...
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 Press Releases

House Shows Support for Conservation in Funding Bill

News for Immediate ReleaseJune 25, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Increased funding for LWCF, CWD, sage grouse conservation anchor FY 20 Interior-related...
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’s ‘Hike to Hunt’ Kicks off on June 1

News for Immediate ReleaseMay 28, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Annual fitness competition gets bigger and better with $30K in prizes for miles covered,...
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

‘Vote Public Lands and Waters,’ Urges BHA

News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 25, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org On National Voter Registration Day, BHA calls on hunters and anglers to vote their...
Media Press Releases

Victory Archery Joins BHA as Corporate Partner

News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 12, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   With bowhunting season underway, industry leader takes a stand for public...
Media Press Releases

BHA Members Unite During Public Lands Month

News for Immediate Release Sept. 1, 2018 Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   BHA Members Unite During Public Lands Month Work days, policy forums and...
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 Press Releases

Savage Arms and BHA Launch Corporate Partnership

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 2, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Public lands hunting traditions underlie new alliance with longtime industry...
Media Press Releases

BHA Responds to Mistrial Declaration in Bundy Case

News for Immediate ReleaseDec. 20, 2017Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers stated that “justice must be served” in...
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 Press Releases Backcountry Journal

Inside The 2017 Fall Journal

News for Immediate ReleaseOct. 27, 2017Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Inside the Fall Issue of BHA’s Backcountry Journal The newest issue of Backcountry...
Media Press Releases

BHA Launches Hike to Hunt Challenge

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 20, 2017Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org ‘Get fit, win prizes, support public lands’ MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters &...
Media Press Releases

BHA Statement on Zinke Hearing

WASHINGTON – As members of the Senate meet this afternoon to hold a hearing on Rep. Ryan Zinke, nominated as secretary of the Interior by the Trump administration, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers...
Media Press Releases

Weatherby and BHA Announce Corporate Partnership

Public land traditions, opportunities and access form the center point of a new alliance MISSOULA, Mont. — Weatherby and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today announce the launch of a corporate...
Media Chapter News

"On The Wild Edge" DVD Trailer

David Petersen DVD Documentary (“On The Wild Edge”) Released David “Elkheart” Petersen, of Durango, founder of the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (the first BHA state chapter), recently...