We awoke to grim skies Saturday morning, but with raincoats in tow we were prepared to have a great day on our public lands, nonetheless. The hour drive was unexpectedly dry and when we arrived at Gale Meadows Wildlife Management Area we were greeted by a platoon of men and women ready to get to work. After a short walk through old forest cuts to promote early successional growth (which they did, successfully), we emerged from the canopy to the foundation of an old farmstead, which happened ...

The Idaho Legislature officially adjourned on March 31, 2022, capping off an 81-day session. As in every year, multiple bills were introduced in the legislature during this session that impact our public lands, waters, and wildlife, and Idaho BHA tracked a number of them closely. Likely the most controversial bill of the year was House Bill 507, which was designed to declare mechanical broadheads and lighted nocks as legal tools for use during Idaho’s archery seasons. Due to our belief ...

When I moved to Minnesota in 2020 to start my graduate program in Natural Resources Science and Management at the University of Minnesota, I had high hopes, despite lockdowns and virtual learning, of making connections with people who could mentor me through the process of becoming a hunter and angler. I had the passion and determination; all I needed was a mentor, or as it turns out, a whole group of mentors who could channel that energy. What I found in Minnesota still feels like a ...

Senate Bill 22-169, "Sensitive Species Data And Public Records: Concerning the nondisclosure of sensitive species information under the "Colorado Open Records Act" is an important bill that will protect sensitive game species' GPS coordinates and keep the principles of fair chase in play in Colorado. This bill passed the Colorado legislature in April and is now awaiting Gov. Jared Polis's signature as of today.

On Monday the Alaska House Resource committee moved forward with a version of House Bill 120 that maintains recreational rivers designations in the Susitna Basin, thanks in part to a significant amount of feedback from constituents. Alaska BHA members sent letters to members of the House Resource Committee requesting that the language repealing the recreational rivers designations be pulled from the bill. Thank you for your actions!        These designations and the associated management ...