Idaho Chapter Mobilized Wave of Grassroots Opposition to Public Land Sales for Flood the Lines Day

Last week in response to Sen. Mike Lee’s relentless attempts to sell off our public lands, the Idaho chapter rapidly organized three pint nights across the state in concert with “Flood the Lines Day”. These events activated over 200 public land owners between Boise, Lewiston, and Moscow, ID to call, email, and snail mail their elected officials while gathering at local watering holes Payette Brewing, Groundwork Brewing, Hunga Dunga Brewing. These efforts complimented 1944 Idaho based actions taken through BHA’s action center throughout the day.

At the Moscow event, Clearwater Region Representative, Ty Thompson led attendees in a group phone call to Senator Risch thanking him for voicing his support for public lands, and asking him to continue opposing any proposals to sell of our public lands. The chapter also raffled off a sign from our friends at Chisel Custom Décor which the winner Kelsi donated back to the brewery to be displayed for years to come. 

“The crowd at Groundwork Brewing was very positive and were fully supportive of maintaining public lands in public hands. Even people not there specifically to attend the event engaged in the discussion and overwhelmingly supported our efforts, many very eager to participate in writing a postcard to Senators Risch and Crapo. We look forward to hosting future pint nights in Lewiston!” – Greg Obray, BHA Member

At the event in Boise, Idaho BHA Policy Chair, Nate Collins, provided folks with a clear background of the battle for public lands and what Idaho would stand to lose, if Mike Lee's proposal were accepted. With scripts in hand, every person at the event began calling both Senators Risch and Crapo -- letting them know not to sell our public lands. It was a special moment to listen to people from all backgrounds engaging in public policy, leaving voicemails for our elected officials with impassioned pleas for protecting our public lands.

In addition to raising our collective voice for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife, across Idaho, event attendees engaged in discussion around how our political systems and land management agencies operate, asked questions, and discussed the challenges that our public lands are facing. 

Over 100 postcards were delivered in person to Senator's Risch and Crapo's Lewiston offices following the pint nights. Notably, two parents from Moscow, ID told their daughter Lila that she could write anything she wanted on her postcard. Upon seeing the note on the postcard pictured below, wide eyed and quick thinking they said “uhhh can you draw a fish on it too?”.

The Idaho Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers thanks Senator Risch, Senator Crapo, and Representative Simpson for their support in keeping public lands in public hands, as well as for listening to young constituents like Lila.