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...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

10th Circuit Court Affirms District Court Decision in Corner-Crossing Case, Upholding Public Access Rights

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,...
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...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

President Trump’s Day One Actions Include Assault on Alaska Public Lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 21, 2025 Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org   President Trump’s Day One Actions Include Assault on...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Land Grab Lawsuit: A Victory for Public Land Owners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 13, 2025   Contacts:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org  Devin O’Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager,...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA Applauds Chuckwalla Designation Conserving 624,000 Acres of Public Lands

For Immediate Release:  January 7, 2025    Contacts:  Nadia Marji, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, nadia@backcountryhunters.org  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy & Government...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Anglers, Hunters Cheer President Biden’s Action to Designate Sáttítla Highlands National Monument

For Immediate Release: January 07, 2025   Contacts:Sam Davidson, Policy Director, California Public Lands, Trout Unlimited(831) 235-2542 / sam.davidson@tu.org Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Hunters & Anglers Celebrate Temporary Oil and Gas Withdrawal in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 30, 2024 Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Government Relations Manager, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org   The Sportsmen for the Rubies Coalition encourages strong collaboration...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Sporting Businesses Rally Around Protections for the Dolores Canyons

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 18, 2024 Contact:  Bryan Jones, Regional Policy Coordinator, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers – jones@backcountryhunters.org Jay Chancellor, Colorado Advocacy Campaigns...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Two-Year Protection Initiated for Pecos River Watershed

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....
Media Chapter News Press Releases

New Senate Bill Would Conserve Over 700,000 Acres of Colorado Public Lands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sep. 26, 2024 Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111, plank@backcountryhunters.org New Senate Bill Would Conserve Over 700,000 Acres of Colorado Public Lands WASHINGTON, D.C. –...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

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...
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 Press Releases

Legislation to Restore Hunting to California’s Castle Mountains, Improve Public Land Management

For Immediate Release May 2, 2024  Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111 plank@backcountryhunters.org  Legislation to Restore Hunting to California’s Castle Mountains, Improve Public Land...
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 Press Releases

BHA Enters into New Partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 20, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  USFWS will invest in restoration and fence removal, inventory and modification work in...
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...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Administration Designates Grand Canyon Monument

News for Immediate ReleaseAug. 8, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Close to 1 million acres of public lands in Arizona permanently conserved via Antiquities...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Sego Trailhead Expansion Joins Public, Private Forces to Expand Access for Backcountry Users

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 19, 2023Contact: Katie DeLorenzo, 505-410-6284, delorenzo@backcountryhunters.org SALT LAKE CITY, UT. — In a multi-agency and organization collaboration, Utah...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Arkansas BHA Brokers Access Agreement to Thousands of Acres

News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 13, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Volunteer-driven partnership with private landowner and Game and Fish Commission...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Colorado Supreme Court Considers Stream Access

News for Immediate Release May 3, 2023 Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  BHA continues fight for public waters access in the Centennial State  DENVER, Colo. –...
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...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

New Mexico Public Lands, Habitat Would be Conserved in New Wilderness Bill

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...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

U.S. Supreme Court Decision Upholds New Mexico Public Access Law

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...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Reintroduction of Bill for Permanent Protection of Boundary Waters Met With Support from Sportsmen’s Organizations

News for Immediate ReleaseJan. 31, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act Would Ensure Public...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Alaska’s Bristol Bay Region Receives Critical Protections

News for Immediate ReleaseJan. 31, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org EPA Final Determination preemptively revokes Pebble Mine permit under Section 404(c) of...
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.—...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA Commends Administration Designation of National Monument in Colorado

News for Immediate ReleaseOct. 12, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument conserves valuable fish and wildlife...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

New Mexico Supreme Court Rules in Support of Public Access to Public Waters

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...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA Bestows Top Honors at North American Rendezvous

News for Immediate ReleaseMay 17, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers bestowed its top honors on a suite of...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

New Mexico Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Public Access to State Waters

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 1, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Court rules unanimously that ‘non-navigable regulation’ is unconstitutional, voids...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Alaska Roadless Habitat Conserved, Local Economies Boosted in USDA Plan

MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry roadless lands in the Tongass National Forest, a public lands crown jewel in southeast Alaska, will see conservation safeguards restored and new measures put in place...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA Officially Launches Iowa Chapter

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 1, 2019Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   Public lands sportsmen and women in the Hawkeye State unite in support of...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Sportsmen and Women Unite in Court Case Challenging State Ownership of Louisiana Lake

News for Immediate Release Feb. 1, 2019 Contact: Katie McKalip, BHA, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Rebecca Triche, LWF, 225-362-9007, rebecca@lawildlifefed.org John Devney, Delta,...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Industrial Mining Advances in Boundary Waters Watershed

  News for Immediate ReleaseDec. 20, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   Interior Department moves ahead with renewal of controversial mining leases upstream...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

BHA Adds Four New U.S. Chapters

  News for Immediate ReleaseMay 9, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   Public lands sportsmen and women in Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota and Ohio...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Minnesota Sportsmen-Conservationists Unite at Capitol on Public Lands Day

News for Immediate Release April 24, 2018 Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org   Backcountry Hunters & Anglers gather to celebrate public lands and 10th anniversary...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Public Waters Access Bill Fails in the State Legislature

News for Immediate Release April 18, 2018 Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Legislation would have guaranteed public access to some tidal waters located above...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Alaska Wilderness to Be Developed Following Covert Land Exchange

News for Immediate ReleaseJan. 9, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  A road through key migratory waterfowl habitat would be developed under...
Media Chapter News Press Releases

Administration Reverses Boundary Waters Mining Ban; Minnesota BHA Pushes Back

News for Immediate ReleaseJan. 9, 2018Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.orgPublic lands sportsmen unite to oppose development within wilderness area watershedELY,...
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

Colorado BHA Op-Ed: Transferring Federal Public Lands to States Bad for Hunters and Anglers

As a big game hunter who (like over 90% of Colorado sportsmen) hunts public lands, the recent push by some elected officials and big-industry groups to transfer our federal public lands to state...