News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 21, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org President Biden designates Avi Kwa Ame National Monument and Castner Range National Monument following requests by Tribes, hunters, business owners, local residents WASHINGTON – Valuable wildlife habitat and important cultural lands will be permanently conserved following the Biden administration’s designation today of Avi Kwa Ame National Monument in southern Nevada and Castner Range ...

A package of bills reforming hunting and access programs are advancing through the Legislature — the product of negotiations between outfitters and public hunter groups aimed at finding common ground. The six bills, first announced at “Elk Camp at the Capitol” early in the session, are endorsed by the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association and Montana Citizens Elk Management Coalition. Each bill passed its respective chamber to meet procedural deadlines and remain viable this session. ...

Update: On April 21st, Governor Gianforte sent HB 635 back to lawmakers with amendments. One of those was to triple the number of licenses given to nonresident landowners owning 2,500 acres. So instead of one deer/elk license being given per 2,500 acres owned (up to five), Gov. Gianforte wants all nonresident landowners who own 2,500 acres or more to get three deer/elk licenses. The explanation we got for the change was an attempt to further address hunter crowding by giving more licenses to ...

After a new mining company recently announced that it intends to develop a rare-earth metals mine in the headwaters of the Bitterroot River, the Bitterroot National Forest issued a statement saying it hadn’t received a mining application from the company. At the end of January, U.S. Critical Materials Corp. announced it had discovered "the highest-grade (rare-earth element) deposit in the United States" among its 223 mining claims near the confluence of Sheep Creek and the West Fork of the ...

Samantha Lutz grew up in a small town in Clarion County, PA, and now resides in Wampum, PA. She is a mother, biologist, avid hiker, and overall outdoor enthusiast. From an early age, she was drawn to the water and loved exploring the creek behind her house or the Clarion River at her family’s camp. Her father and grandfathers instilled in her the simple treasures of camping, fishing, and hunting. She has carried these passions into adulthood and seeks opportunities to get out into and help ...