FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 11, 2025  Contact: media@backcountryhunters.org    MISSOULA, Mont. — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is rebuking a sweeping new proposal released by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that would force the sale of up to 3 million acres of public lands under the guise of a solution to the housing crisis. This proposal—led by committee chair Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)—would apply to public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 22, 2025  Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy & Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org    BHA Pushes for Permanent Protections of Two Iconic New Mexico Watersheds   Washington, D.C. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) strongly supports the reintroduction of the Pecos Watershed Protection Act, legislation aimed at permanently safeguarding New Mexico's Pecos River Watershed from mineral development. This bipartisan bill was reintroduced ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   March 18, 2025      CONTACT:   Devin O’Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager, odea@backcountryhunters.org     Denver, CO – In a huge victory for public land owners, today Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) applauded the ruling by United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirming the right to “corner-cross" to access public lands. The ruling marks a pivotal decision that cements the legality of public access to millions of acres of public lands in ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 13, 2024 Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Government Relations Manager mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org Two-Year Protection Initiated For Pecos River Watershed Washington, D.C. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers celebrates yesterday's announcement by the Department of the Interior initiating a two-year mineral withdrawal that would protect 165,000 acres in New Mexico's Pecos River Watershed. This move will grant protections as the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest ...

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 2, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Bicameral introduction of Cerro de la Olla Wilderness Establishment Act commended by hunters and anglers, bill would conserve habitat for elk, mule deer, mountain lions and black bear WASHINGTON – A bill that would conserve as wilderness 13,000 acres of public lands in New Mexico, including migratory corridors for elk and habitat for a range of big-game species, was introduced in both ...

News for Immediate ReleaseFeb. 27, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org The court declined to hear arguments from landowners challenging the public’s right to access waterways in the state WASHINGTON – Public land and water users scored a big win for public access today with the U.S. Supreme Court’s announcement declining to consider arguments brought by New Mexico landowners that would have challenged public waters access in the Land of Enchantment. The ...

News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 2, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   Decision confirms the public’s right to walk or wade streambeds that cross privately owned lands SANTA FE, N.M. – The New Mexico Supreme Court has ruled again in support of public access to public waters in a Thursday decision that confirms the public’s right to walk or wade streambeds crossing privately owned lands. The opinion ruling by the court follows its unanimous decision in ...

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 1, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Court rules unanimously that ‘non-navigable regulation’ is unconstitutional, voids existing closure certifications SANTA FE, N.M. – Today the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a ruling strongly in support of public access to the state’s waters when it unanimously struck down a regulation allowing landowners to close access to streams running through their properties. The New Mexico ...