Media Chapter News State Issues

BHA Shuts Down a Petition Attempting to Close Nearshore Fishing in California

Fish & Game Commission voted unanimously to reject a petition that would have closed over 250 miles of nearshore fishing access in California's Central Coast. A petition before the Fish & Game...
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California BHA 2022 Policy Recap

California BHA has been firing on all cylinders in 2022 not only with a record number of stewardship projects, but also on policy matters and advocating in the legislature. (link to a story map of...
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Public Lands Month Stewardship Recap in California

The golden state was buzzing with activity this Public Lands Month, and it wasn't just the dove and deer season openers getting folks out in the field. California BHA hosted several public land...
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UPDATE - Western Riverside National Wildlife Refuge Act

Yesterday, Senator's Feinstein (D-CA) and Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Western Riverside National Wildlife Refuge Act, companion legislation to Rep. Calvert (R-CA) & Takano's (D-CA) H.R. 972 The...
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BHA Highlights Thomas Creek Parcels for LWCF Acquisition to the Sanhedrin Wilderness

Benefits to anadromous fish like steelhead trout, game species and species of special concern make the Thomas Creek parcels a valuable candidate for addition to the Mendocino National Forest's...
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Nation's Largest Private Landowner Closes Public Access due to Wildfire Risk

Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is a forest products company that owns 2.3 million acres of land across California, Oregon and Washington. They are the largest private land owner in California...
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BHA Endorses Petition to Restore Historic Fishing Access to Surf Beach

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers urges the California Fish & Game Commission to adopt the regulation change proposed by the city of Lompoc to modify the Vandenberg State...
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BHA Partners with BLM to Improve Riverine Habitat & Fisheries in CA

Volunteers from all over California convened last weekend to work on wildlife-friendly fencing along the South Fork of the Kern River in order to improve riverine habitat for deer, turkey and...
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Feather River Closure Lifted in California

Just a week and a half after BHA and partner organizations submitted a coalition letter (led by American Whitewater) to the Forest Supervisor for the Plumas National Forest, a 2 year long closure...
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BHA Compiles Scientific Data in Report to CDFW on Bear Ban Petition

The following is a tremendous effort put forth by California BHA board member, Jonathan Fusaro, to compile a thorough report to CDFW regarding the HSUS petition to ban bear hunting in California....
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CA Bill SB865 to Increase Junior Hunting License Eligibility

A junior hunting license offers young people the opportunity to participate in numerous high quality “apprentice” hunting activities offered by DFW and nonprofit wildlife conservation groups. By...
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26 NGO's Band Together for Bear Hunting in California

A resounding coalition of NGO's has rallied around the following letter from the Bear Management Subcommittee of the Hunting and Conservation Coalition.  This thoroughly researched and...
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California BHA Comments on Pathways to 30x30

The California Natural Resources Agency recently released the draft "Pathways to 30x30" document and has solicited public comment. (From the Pathways to 30 by 30 draft) "In October 2020, Governor...
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BHA Opposes Proposed Bear Hunting Closure

Stand up for black bear hunting in California! The Fish & Game Commission in California will be considering a petition (2021-027) to eliminate the open hunting season for black bear at the next...
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CA Chapter Comments on Proposed Chumash National Marine Sanctuary Designation

The following reflects the comments of the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to NOAA regarding the proposed Chumash National Marine Sanctuary Designation.   January 25, 2022 RE:...
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CA Chapter Advocates for Wildlife Overpasses in High Speed Rail Project

The following reflects the comments of the California Chapter of BHA along with numerous hunting and environmental groups advocating for wildlife overpasses to be included in the Brightline West...
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CA Chapter Comments on Coastal Public Access Guidelines

California BHA comments on the California Coastal Conservancy revised Coastal Access Project Guidelines. View the comment letter: Dear California Coastal Conservancy Board Members, I write on...
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CA BHA Advocates for Sequoia NF Land Acquisition

A letter to the District Ranger for the Sequoia National Forest regarding LWCF nomination for the Fay Creek Ranch Acquisition:   September 14, 2021   Mr. Alfred Watson, District Ranger Sequoia...
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Fire and Forest Service Closures in California

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the voice for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife in the Golden State, is closely monitoring the Forest Service District 5 decision...
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U.S. Marine Corps Helicopters to Haul Water for Wildlife

Photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl Gabrielle Sanders With huge support from the United States Marine Corps, the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), the...
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California Chapter & AFI Events Recap

Shark tacos, guzzler installations & pint nights The California Chapter and BHA Pendleton AFI Club have been busy Operation Horno Last month BHA Pendleton Armed Forces Initiative Club and the...
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Wildlife Refuge Conservation & Recreation for the Community Act

H.R. 972 The Wildlife Refuge Conservation & Recreation for the Community Act If you have ever been to Western Riverside County in Southern California, you might not believe that a 500,000 acre...
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CA Chapter Emphasizes Habitat Connectivity in 30x30 Discussion

The California Chapter of BHA recently submitted a letter in collaboration with Wildlands Network, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and a number of other groups highlighting the...
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CA Chapter Tackles Riparian Restoration in Sierra Foothills

The California Chapter of BHA convened in the Southern portion of the Sierra Nevada mountains last Saturday to tackle a riparian restoration project in coordination with the Bureau of Land...
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California Chapter Helps with Guzzler Repair Project

Volunteers from the California Chapter of BHA recently showed up to support the Society for the Conservation of Bighorn Sheep on a guzzler repair project in Southern California. They believe a big...
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Why Californians Should Support H.R. 803 "Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public Lands"

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers was amped to see the House pass a massive public lands package last month, H.R. 803, Protecting America’s Wilderness and Public...
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Wild Recipes of California

Join us around a virtual campfire event for regional wild game, fish, or foraged recipe presentations, as well as camaraderie, companionship, storytelling and tradition. Present a favorite wild...
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Chapter Calls for Hunting & Fishing Mentors and Mentees

The California chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is excited to announce the launch of a new mentoring program designed to help provide guidance to members interested in learning the...
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California Chapter supports Federal Conservation Bills

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently sent a letter of support of Congresswomen Judy Chu’s (D-CA) San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (H.R....
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Chapter Supports Northwest California Bill H.R. 2250

The California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently authored a letter of support for Congressman Jared Huffman’s (D-CA) Northwest California Wilderness, Recreation, and Working...
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California Chapter helps with Desert Sheep survey

On March 4th, members from the California Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers volunteered to survey wild sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains located just west of Los Angeles. The survey was...
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California Desert Bill included in S.47

On February 12th, the Senate overwhelming passed the Natural Resources Management Act (S. 47), a landmark conservation public lands package in a 92-8 vote in support of the measure. The highlight...
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Chapter works with Congress on Desert Protection

Throughout last year, the California Chapter was been involved in working with Representative Cook and Senator Feinstein on their California Off-Road Recreation and Conservation Act (H.R. 857) and...
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Sportsmen Welcome Conversation about Protecting Berryessa Snow Mountain

Napa, Calif. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today welcomed the Interior Secretary and Under Secretary of Agriculture to California for a public meeting about the opportunities to protect...