Media Chapter News State Issues

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 Press Releases
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Public Lands Victory: BHA Applauds Removal of Land Sale Amendment from House Budget Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2025   Contact:  media@backcountryhunters.org   Public Lands Victory: BHA Applauds Removal of Public Land Sale Amendment from House Budget Reconciliation...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Reintroduced Senate Bill and New House Companion Would Conserve More Than 700,000 Acres of Public Lands in Colorado

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 19, 2025    Contact:  media@backcountryhunters.org   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), North America’s leading public lands advocacy group, is...
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...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Hunters and Anglers Applaud the Reintroduction of the Ruby Mountains Protection Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 11, 2025   Contacts: Dan Johnson, California/Nevada Public Lands Manager, Trout Unlimited, dan.johnson@tu.org Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Hunters and Anglers Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Permanently Protect Boundary Waters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 9, 2025    Contacts:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy & Government Relations, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org  Lukas Leaf, Executive...
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Texas BHA - Mid-Session Legislative Update

Over a week has passed since the bill-filing deadline in the 89th Texas Legislative Session, and Texas BHA has been deep in the weeds monitoring key pieces of legislation on priority issues — most...
Media Chapter News State Issues

2025 Utah Legislative Session Recap & Impacts

After an extremely busy session, the Utah Legislature wrapped up on Friday, March 7. The chapter leaders of Utah Backcountry Hunters and Anglers tracked several bills this year and participated in...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

California’s National Monuments a Bullseye, 850,000 Acres of Public Lands Under Threat

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  March 18, 2025  Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy & Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org  California’s National Monuments a Bullseye, 850,000...
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New Mexico BHA Policy Update 3.17.25

Have you been paying attention to your local public lands? Sierra, Otero, and Catron counties recently passed anti-public lands resolutions, and now Luna County is next. The attack on our public...
Media Chapter News State Issues
Media Chapter News State Issues

NM BHA Supports SB 5 - Bill Summary & Status Report

The New Mexico Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (NM BHA) supports Senate Bill 5 (SB 5) and has worked with legislators and hook and bullet partners to ensure the hunting and angling...
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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

Senate Committee Advances Final Public Lands and Waters Legislation for the 118th Congress

On November 19, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held its final Business Meeting of the 118th Congress. The record-breaking number of bills on the docket highlights the backlog of...
Media Chapter News

Utah Public Lands Lawsuit: How Can I Get Involved?

A lot of hunters and anglers have reached out to our chapter asking how they can get even more involved in opposing Utah’s Public Lands Lawsuit in addition to signing the petition on BHA’s...
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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...
Media Chapter News

Keep Public Lands Out of Utah's Greedy Hands

In the history of ill-advised plans and underhanded schemes to squander the public lands legacy shared by all Americans, Utah officials may have just eclipsed the rest of the bunch. In August, the...
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Anglers and Hunters Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Create Sáttítla National Monument

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Aug. 30, 2024  Contact: Joel Weltzien, (406) 925-3771, weltzien@backcountryhunters.org Anglers and Hunters Applaud Introduction of Legislation to Create Sáttítla National...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BLM to Maintain Conservation Status for 28 Million Acres in Alaska

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Aug. 29, 2024  Contact: Mary Glaves, 415-246-5329, glaves@backcountryhunters.org BLM to Maintain Conservation Status for 28 Million Acres in Alaska  Washington, D.C....
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Utah Attempts to Wrest Public Lands Out of Public Hands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Aug. 20, 2024  Contact: Devin O’Dea, 415-246-5329 odea@backcountryhunters.org  Utah Attempts to Wrest Public Lands Out of Public Hands SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Backcountry...
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Kansas Legislative Recap 2024 - Efforts to Fight Commission Attacks

The policy team at Kansas BHA rode a veritable roller coaster of legislation in the 2023-2024 session aimed at abolishing or drastically modifying the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, the...
Media Chapter News

Senate Committee Considers Legislation to Conserve Public Lands and Waters

On June 12, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a legislative hearing which included the consideration of six bills supported by...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA, TU Launch Sportsmen for the Dolores

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contacts: Jay Chancellor, Trout Unlimited, jay.chancellor@tu.org, 720-484-9247  Kaden McArthur, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org,...
Media Chapter News

House of Representatives to Vote on Attacks to Public Lands and Waters

Update 5/1/2024: On April 30, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the WEST Act with a vote of 211-202. The Superior National Forest Restoration Act was passed with a vote of 212-203. On May...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Chuckwalla National Monument Would Conserve, Connect Public Lands

For Immediate Release April 16, 2024  Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111 plank@backcountryhunters.org  Chuckwalla National Monument Would Conserve, Connect Public Lands  WASHINGTON, D.C.— As...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Kentucky Senate Bill 3 Defeated

FRANKFORT, KY -- The Kentucky Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers helped defeat a dangerous bill in the statehouse that would have made conservation more difficult in the state. Senate Bill...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Kansas BHA encourages action on three bad House bills

Kansans are facing a rash of bills in the state legislature that will greatly affect hunters and anglers. It should be noted that all these bills originated from the House Committee on Agriculture...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Wilderness in Virginia? Yes, that there is!

    Back in the spring I was fortunate enough to participate in a “fly-in” event in support of the LWCF Coalition at our Nation’s capital.  You can read the blog post I published about that...
Media Chapter News

BHA, Other NGOs Save Waterfowl Season at Popular Missouri National Wildlife Refuge

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recently helped score a big win for hunter access and opportunity in Missouri that will keep hunting open during the upcoming waterfowl season at Swan Lake National...
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The Land and Water Conservation Fund benefits our nation, so let’s build on it

The following article was first published by The Virginian-Pilot on 15 August 2023.   It is an op-ed I wrote in support of an ongoing collaboration with the LWCF Coalition on behalf of Backcountry...
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LWCF Coalition Fly-in with Capital Region Chapter and AFI

Capital Region Chapter Vice Chair and Mid-Atlantic AFI Liaison   Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a fly-in hosted by the LWCF Coalition in Washington, D.C.  This is the second time...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Kansas Chapter Chair heads to D.C. to speak up for LWCF

By Kurt Ratzlaff Kansas BHA Chapter Chair The words “What the heck am I doing here?” rattled around in my mind several times during the 48 hours I recently spent in Washington DC. But there I was,...
Media Chapter News

Senate Committee Takes Action on Recreation, Conservation

A May 17th business meeting held by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was a highly anticipated opportunity to advance multiple conservation and recreation policy priorities...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

House Bills Would Weaken, Strip Funding from Land and Water Conservation Fund

News for Immediate ReleaseApril 28, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org BHA roundly condemns suite of House bills that would undermine America’s most...
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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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Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Co-Chair Receives Sigurd F. Olson Award

The Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Sigurd F. Olson Award recognizes outstanding effort conserving rivers, lakes or wetland habitat. Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Co-Chair Don...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Utah Legislature Approves Funding for Wildlife Crossings

A request for appropriation (RFA) called “Wildlife Highway Mitigation” was approved by the Utah Legislature in the 2023 Legislative Session budget. This funding request was for $20M of State funds...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Another Dam in the Arkansas River? In Tulsa? Why?

The Oklahoma chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has joined several other local conservation organizations to raise concern at a proposition brought forth by the City of Tulsa to add an...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Milestone Decision Reached on Boundary Waters, Most Visited Wilderness Area in United States 

News for Immediate ReleaseJan. 26, 2023Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111, plank@backcountryhunters.org Protections will Keep Pristine Wilderness Untouched for 20 Years  WASHINGTON, D.C.—...
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Beat the "Chicken Bill" in Ohio

To be beaten in a game when you’re on the field and playing hard – that’s a defeat you can live with.  To be beaten in a game that you didn’t even know had started – that’s just not fair.  The...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Pennsylvania BHA Legislative and Policy Roundup 2022

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has had another busy year advocating for our members in Harrisburg. Our board members have regularly visited the capitol to meet with...
Media Chapter News

Protect Colorado's Thompson Divide

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has been working for years to secure greater certainty for Colorado’s Thompson Divide and the quality hunting and fishing experiences it provides. Now we need your...
Media Chapter News State Issues

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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Passage of SB431 Pink Envelope Bill a Win for PA Hunters!

The Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers applauds the passage today of SB431. Now approved by the full legislature, the bill goes to Governor Tom Wolf, who has said he will...
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Southern California steelhead CESA listing

It Is Time to Designate Southern California Steelhead as Endangered The story of southern steelhead is a story of concrete and progress, of the forces of human will over the balance of...
Media Chapter News

Slate of Public Lands Bills and Nominee Considered in Senate Committee

A long-awaited markup of public lands legislation by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was held on Thursday, July 21. Among a total of more than three dozen bills were eight pieces...
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Oklahoma HB 3280 Dies In The Senate

For the 3rd consecutive year the Oklahoma Legislature has attempted to limit public land percentages, while also trying to impose government overreach into the rights of private land owners. The...
Media Chapter News State Issues

W.VA. Monongahela National Forest Receives Funding

  West Virginia is beginning to feel the effects of the Great American Outdoors act with $6Million dollars going to help with deferred maintenance at the Monongahela National Forest! The money...
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It's time to modernize PA's antlerless license system

Whether by working to ensure walk-in-access to our favorite hunting spots or breaking down barriers to recruit new hunters, BHA PA strives to improve access and opportunity for hunters throughout...
Media Chapter News

$25 Million Dedicated to Indiana Conservation

The Indiana DNR has announced the formation of the Next Level Conservation Trust and the state is passing along a record breaking $25 Million into the NLCT! This is the largest amount of money...
Media Chapter News

OH Gov. signs HB 687 Funding BIll

      Ohio’s Governor DeWine just signed the Capital Budget Bill(HB 687) which allocates $515 million, the largest such investment in Ohio history, to help provide significant improvements in...
Media Chapter News State Issues

Massachusetts Hunting Regulatory Amendments - Hunting Hours on WMAs & Small Game

Take Action Now! For the past few months, we have been excited to share that MassWildlife will be moving forward on several of our regulatory priorities. These include ending hunting hour...
Media Chapter News

CO BHA Comments On State Trails Policy

Public Comment - State Trails Program Policy and Grants May 27, 2022 Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission Members of our organizations have been actively engaged with the State trails program...