It’s been an incredible year for the Armed Forces Initiative. I cannot thank all our volunteer leaders both new and seasoned for everything they have done in 2022 for the military community and for conservation. There’s much yet to do together and 2023 planning is looking like it’s going to be a great year, but right now I want to focus on all the great events, camps, cleanups and policy initiatives the Armed Forces Initiative took on in 2022. Commander's Intent: Instill within the military ...

Hunters agree on the need for things like quality habitat, large landscape conservation, and scientific management of our wildlife. But things get fiery when you start asking sportsmen about who gets to hunt, when, where, what, and how.  For example, the question of quality opportunity vs. quantity of opportunities came up during December’s Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. Vice Chair Pat Tabor brought a proposal to move a currently limited, quality bull elk hunting opportunity to ...

As the year comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on some of our 2022 accomplishments in Pennsylvania.   We welcomed four new Board Members: Ross Miller, Steve Mohr, Nick Scalo and Mike Strollo. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish in 2023.   Bob Smith again led the fourth annual Pennsylvania Trail Challenge. Each year he cooks up an adventurous trek. This year covered 30.5 miles along Pine Creek Gorge. Be sure to look for next year’s event.   Our Take 2 mentoring program ...

December 23, 2022   Scott Snelson Hungry Horse Ranger District PO Box 190340 Hungry Horse, MT 59919   Re: Dry Riverside Project Scoping   Dear Mr. Snelson,   The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a grassroots conservation organization representing more than 3,000 dues-paying members in the state. Our members value productive habitat, public access, and quiet recreational opportunities to hunt and fish. With many of our members living and recreating in northwest Montana, the ...

A 2022 survey of Wyoming BHA members shows there is strong support for improving public land access opportunities in the state as well as for respecting private property rights. Read more below.  Wyoming hunters and anglers strongly support public and private access rights and overwhelmingly cite access as the biggest barrier while hunting and fishing. Wyoming BHA members are likely to have extensive hunting experience in the state, with 67% having hunted for 10 years or more. Nearly 30% of ...