In the words of former Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Conservation Director John Gale, “Conserving large tracts of undeveloped public lands as national monuments is essential to America’s hunting and fishing traditions.”[1] “National monument designations offer a means to conserve large landscapes important to fish and wildlife and valued by sportsmen,” said Land Tawney, former BHA President and CEO.[2] “Numerous monuments are open to hunting and fishing, with recent designations—such ...

For Immediate Release                                                                                     April 3, 2024 Contact: Thomas Plank,303-720-0111 plank@backcountryhunters.org Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal Benefits Public Lands, Waters, Wildlife CARBONDALE, CO — Today’s decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior to finalize a 20-year administrative mineral withdrawal for approximately 220,000 acres of the Thompson Divide along Colorado’s ...

In April of 2022, Libby Tobey, Hailey Thompson and Brooke Hess skied into Marsh Creek in Idaho’s Sawtooth Range, towing their kayaks and a sled full of camping gear. The goal: trace the route of anadromous fish from the source of the Salmon River to the Pacific Ocean and advocate removing the four dams on the Lower Snake River that block that migration and are killing that river system. 78 days and 1000 miles away down the tiniest tributaries to the massive whitewater of the main rivers, ...

BHA MN Position on Ownership Transfer of Public Lands   As the voice for public lands, waters, and wildlife, the Minnesota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA MN) believes our shared public resources are vital to equitable access and opportunity for all hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists. BHA MN recognizes and respects the sovereignty and rights of Tribal Nations, as well as the historical injustices they have endured in MN and across North America. Recently, several ...

Happy Spring! Cabin fever is setting in and turkey season is right around the corner. The days are getting longer and we're starting to stir - here's what we've been up to:   Policy We expressed our opposition to the Golden Crest Exploration Drilling Project. A win from the 2024 legislation session is the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 605, which recognizes the value of grassland ecosystems and the importance of farmers and ranchers as managers. This is an exciting recognition of ...