A federal judge issued a blow to hunting and fishing advocates in Montana on Friday, recommending the dismissal of a lawsuit that accuses the Forest Service of failing to protect public access to Montana’s Crazy Mountains. But plaintiffs in the case warn that such an outcome could cut off access not just to that region, but to forestlands across the nation. “This is potentially a road map for landowners to really restrict access on these trails that don’t have recorded deeds,” said Matthew ...

The federal magistrate judge considering a lawsuit over the Forest Service’s handling of access disputes in the Crazy Mountains has issued a preliminary order favorable to Forest Service leadership and landowners. The plaintiffs, a consortium of sporting and conservation groups, sued the Forest Service in 2019 arguing that the agency has failed to maintain public access on trails traversing prescriptive easements in violation of its own policies and federal laws governing the agency’s ...

Deb O’Neill Special Projects Director Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks PO Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620 doneill@mt.gov   RE: Programmatic Pheasant Release EA Comments   Dear Ms. O’Neill: The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (Montana BHA) represents roughly 3,000 dues-paying sportsmen and women in Montana who value quality recreational opportunities and ethical conduct in the outdoors. Our Chapter values the opportunity to pursue wild upland birds in quality habitat and strives to ...

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 18, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  MISSOULA, Mont. – Following a Senate voice vote last night confirming the nomination of Martha Williams as director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with overwhelming bipartisan support, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney offered this response:“Martha Williams brings considerable knowledge, expertise and a deep appreciation of our public lands and waters ...

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is proud to announce the Aidan Long Outdoors for All Scholarship, a fund dedicated to help young people with disabilities get outdoors by providing access to adaptive equipment or provide assistance with outdoor education. BHA is currently seeking applicants for this new opportunity.  Aidan Nichols Long, 2004-2021, loved life and nature every day. Growing up in Montana his best times included camping, canoeing and fishing with his mom and dad, Karen Nichols and ...