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State Policy Spotter

This is your July edition of BHA's State Policy Spotter - a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting our wild public lands, waters and wildlife across North America. Note - this...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Colorado Attorney General Weighs in on 10th Circuit Corner Crossing Decision

The following communication is from Colorado Statewide Hunter Education Coordinator, Jordan Likes, and details the current Colorado Attorney General's position regarding corner crossing. While...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

BHA Pushes for Permanent Protections of Two Iconic New Mexico Watersheds

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...
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California BHA Drafts Resolution in Support of a Second Bear Tag & Submits a Petition to the Fish & Game Commission

After many years advocating for science-based management of fish and wildlife, California BHA celebrates the release of the Final Black Bear Conservation Plan and has submitted a petition to the...
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Colorado BHA Applauds Passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25-009 in Defense of Public Lands

DENVER – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Colorado chapter celebrates the passage of Senate Joint Resolution 25-009, "Protection of Colorado’s Public Lands," which reaffirms the state’s...
Media Chapter News State Issues
Media Chapter News State Issues

UTAH 2025 Mid-Legislative Session Update

Every year in Q1, Utah state officials engage in the Utah Legislative Session to pass new laws or amend laws. Utah BHA follows and engages in the Session quite closely, as there are typically...
Media Chapter News State Issues
Media Chapter News State Issues

US Marines Provide Helicopter Support for Bighorn Sheep Habitat Improvement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 15, 2024 Contact: Devin O'Dea 415-246-5329, odea@backcountryhunters.org | Scott Gibson 909-210-0548, scottygibson@gmail.com Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and the...
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Wildlife Habitat Connectivity Bill Signed into Law in California

As urbanization increasingly carves up California's landscapes, the need to conserve and enhance wildlife connectivity becomes critical. Assembly Bill 1889 is a significant step toward addressing...
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BHA Volunteers Expand Elk Habitat on BLM lands in Northwest CA

On a still morning in Humboldt County, BHA volunteers gathered at the Lacks Creek Management Area for the second year in a row to expand elk and deer habitat by reducing encroaching conifers on...
Media Chapter News State Issues

California’s New Era in Black Bear Conservation: A Science-Driven Approach with a Role for Hunters

Bear hunting has been an integral part of California’s history since the Golden State was founded in 1850 and for thousands of years prior to colonization. In 2021 and 2022, anti-hunting groups...
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BHA Opposes Sweeping Fishing Closures in California

Right now in California, anglers, spear fishers, Tribes and other saltwater stakeholders are grappling with a series of regulatory petitions that could result in reduced fishing access along...
Media Chapter News State Issues

California BHA Expresses Serious Concerns Over Future of Fishing Access in California

As an organization dedicated to ensuring our North American heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting with over 350,000 supporters, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers expresses...
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California BHA 2023 Recap

With 2023 in the books and some meat in the freezer (hopefully), we would like to take the opportunity to reflect on California BHA's engagement and accomplishments that were made possible by the...
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Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Get Another Boost from U.S. Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron

ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK, Calif - For the third year in a row the brave men and women of the U.S. Marine Corps Helicopter Squadron HMLAT303 have stepped up to provide aerial support for bold...
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BHA Volunteers Help Expand Elk, Deer & Bear Habitat in Northwest California

On a hazy, smokey Friday evening in Humboldt county, BHA members and volunteers gathered at Mad River Brewing Company to toast to the upcoming B1 deer and bear season opener and to put finishing...
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Press Release for Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area Public Land Planting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 6, 2023 The California Department of Fish & Wildlife and BHA plan to host a huge public land planting event and community gathering to restore winter range for mule...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

I-8 Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Crossing Project

News for Immediate ReleaseAug. 24, 2023Contact: Devin O'Dea, 415-246-5329, odea@backcountryhunters.org Wildlife Conservation Board Awards Multi-Million Dollar Grant to U.C. Davis for the...
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The PUBLIC Lands Act

Support the PUBLIC Lands Act - Take Action Today! The California Chapter of BHA has spent several years advocating for the passage of legislation that would have a monumental impact on rivers,...
Media Chapter News

BHA recognizes USMC Squadron with Plaque and Ram Skull

BHA and partner organizations recognize U.S. Marine Corps Squadron HMLAT 303 and Major Johnny "CONGO" Zimmer for their critical role in support of desert bighorn sheep during the extreme drought...
Media Chapter News State Issues

California BHA's Guide to Navigating a Full Fish & Game Commission Agenda

The Fish & Game Commission meets this Wednesday and Thursday (4/19 & 4/20), and we hope you can show up to provide comments on some very important issues for hunters and anglers in...
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Central Coast Heritage Protection Act Reintroduced

BHA is once again rallying support behind the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act recently reintroduced by Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24). This legislation would add nearly 250,000 acres...
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BHA Defends Navigable Waters Rule and Secures Access in California

Here in California we have a constitutional right to fish, and we have a right to access, hunt and fish the navigable waters of our state - for those waters are to be held in the public trust for...
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Legislation Introduced to Expand Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

I spent a portion of my childhood pursuing adventures on lands and waters within what is now known as the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument; however, the history of the land and its...
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More good news on wildlife crossings in California

The Brightline West high speed rail project plans to connect Los Angeles to Las Vegas along Interstate 15 and would have created a massive barrier to movement for desert bighorn sheep, mule...
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I-8 Peninsular Bighorn Sheep Crossing Project

Winding double yellow lines twist and turn through a boulder strewn canyon of Interstate 8 close to the border with Mexico. A federally endangered Peninsular bighorn ram lays motionless on the...
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Media Chapter News Field to Table

Catch + Cook for a Healthy Ocean Recap

The 2022 Catch + Cook for a Healthy Ocean Competition brought together an incredible community to celebrate wild food, coastal access and the good stewardship of our natural resources.  A huge...
Media Chapter News

California Chapter May 2022 Update

The California Chapter of BHA is firing on all cylinders this Spring and is thrilled to have defeated the HSUS petition to ban bear hunting in CA in addition to receiving over $165,000 in funding...
Media Chapter News State Issues

BHA Awarded $165K for Post-fire Rehabilitation and Connectivity in California

  The California Chapter of BHA is thrilled to receive over $165,000 in funding from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation for our Hallelujah Junction Wildlife Area Post-Fire Rehabilitation and...
Media Chapter News

California Chapter host San Diego ‘Surf, Sand and Public Lands’ day

BY JASON JONES, DEVIN O’DEA Photos: Eric Hanson, Devin O’Dea, Justin Bubenik, NganHa Tran Members of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers California Chapter traveled from various nooks and crannies...