On the face of it, the deal that billionaire Dan Wilks got last fall from Montana’s Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department last fall was underwhelming. Wilks, the non-resident owner of one of Montana’s largest ranches, received a permit from the state agency to hunt trophy bulls on his central Montana land. In exchange, he selected a Montana resident hunter who had drawn a bull permit in the area of Wilks’ ranch and agreed to provide that hunter free access to his 179,000-acre ranch. ...

The Utah chapter was recently invited by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to sit on the Elk Management Plan Committee.  Every seven years, the Division rewrites this plan to provide guidance on each specific unit plan, which is drafted after the statewide plan is finalized.  Chapter Chair Perry Hall is representing the BHA constituency, with Board Member William Peterson as his alternate. The committee is running from late April through Mid-September, and is comprised of stakeholders ...

Earlier this week news broke that longtime FWP’s Wildlife Division Chief, Ken McDonald, has been “assigned different responsibilities.” This seems to fit a recent pattern of demotions, resignations and reassignments within the department ever since the current administration took office. What concerns the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is that these personnel changes have all involved long-time and experienced staff with sound reputations using the best science available ...

What is SCORP?  Per federal regulations, each state must complete a statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan every five years to receive resource appropriations from the National Land and Water Conservation Fund. These funds, distributed per state, are then used to increase outdoor recreation access and participation via state approved projects. Each state must submit this plan to the National Park Service to meet requirements for funds distribution. Part of this plan includes outdoor ...

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 deserving recipients at the 11th annual BHA North American Rendezvous, held in Missoula, Montana, May 12-14. BHA’s annual awards honor unequalled commitment, tireless effort and ongoing dedication to public lands and waters, fish and wildlife and hunting and fishing. BHA's Collegiate Club members ...