Top Chapter Highlights Kassi Smith was recognized as BHA’s Member of the Month for October 2021. Matt Roberts was appointed as a Habitat Watch Volunteer for the White River National Forest. Brittany Parker, Genevieve Villamizar and Andrew Coe volunteered to serve as Assistant Regional Directors (ARDs) for our new Roaring Fork Valley Group. Kris Hess volunteered as an ARD for the Boulder County Group, Chris Slaughter volunteered as an ARD for the Central Rockies Group and Eric Jones & ...

In the time since publication, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains on March 31st, 2022. The chief regulatory officer for Twin Metals, the company overseeing the mining project that threatens the Boundary Waters, was a witness at the hearing. BHA and our partners submitted a letter for the record stating our belief that the United States can and must balance domestic critical mineral production with ensuring that we do ...

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this week removed State Game Commissioner Jeremy Vesbach, apparently because he has repeatedly stood up for New Mexico resident hunters and anglers. She notified him Tuesday morning that he was out, even though he still had a year left in his term. “I think the governor was looking for someone who would ride the fence,” Vesbach told NMBHA. “That’s not me.” Since he was appointed in 2019, Vesbach has been a fierce advocate for New Mexico hunters and anglers. He has ...

By Don Rank, Chapter Secretary and Policy Chair The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers continues to monitor and advance policies that provide access and opportunity for our members. We identify and track issues and legislation that may impact our ability to not only partake in our hunting and angling traditions, but also grow them and expand our community. In 2021, chapter leaders met with many legislators and staff in the House and Senate to discuss those issues ...

Photo: Matt Hartsky, from our 2020 Public Lands and Waters Photo Contest   This article first appeared in the Summer 2021 issue of Backcountry Journal. Join BHA to get 4 issues a year right in your mailbox.    BY TIM BRASS Never before have BHA chapters been so engaged at state and provincial legislatures throughout North America. While the volume and range of bills we’ve engaged on has increased dramatically, our focus has remained on advancing policy that expands public access and ...