Every year near the end of August folks in my circle start talking about September 1 -- better known as dove season! They are always shocked when I tell them I won’t be out there on opening day. They are even more shocked when I tell them why. Dove hunters at the trailhead scratch their heads and look at me like I am trying to pull one over on them when I tell them, “No go ahead and hunt over there, I am hunting the marsh for sora rail!” This little-known bird is not only fun to hunt; it ...

Fracking public lands in Ohio comment period ending soon!by Gabe Karns and Dustin LindleyAs has been detailed in past posts "Beat the Chicken Bill" and "Public Comment Period Needed", we have been watching the passage and ongoing rollout of the fracking chicken bill in Ohio, HB 507. The short story is that this bill makes it much easier to get a lease to use hydraulic fracturing to extract natural gas under certain public lands including a number of state parks. In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine ...

“What if I made a bunch of money and die before I can spend it to buy the free time to fish?” – Jim Harrison, Field & Stream, February 2003 Hopefully you’re taking Mr. Harrison’s warning to heart, and the warmer weather and longer days have found you out enjoying our public lands and waters. For Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, summer also means stewardship. We started the season off with a bang in May with a massive party mixing habitat improvement, food, refreshments, music, giveaways, and ...

In a state where less than 2% of the landmass is publicly accessible, and even less open to hunting and fishing, the Iowa Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has identified a need to increase opportunity through land acquisition. Over the past year, IA BHA has helped to fund acquisitions on properties in 3 counties across the state through partnerships with County Conservation Boards and other NGO partners.  1.) IA BHA supported Lyon County Conservation and Director Justin Smith in ...

July 7, 2023   Lolo National Forest Supervisor’s Office Attn: Amanda Milburn - Lolo Plan Revision 24 Fort Missoula Rd Missoula, MT 59804 SM.FS.LFNRevision@usda.gov   Dear Ms. Milburn: Thank you for this opportunity to comment on the draft assessment and potential species of conservation concern list for the Lolo National Forest Plan Revision. The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (MT BHA) represents roughly 3,000 dues-paying members and thousands of supporters in Montana. MT ...