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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...
Tags: Montana Chapter, idaho news, Idaho Chapter, Florida Chapter, Florida Issues, Florida news, New England news, New England issues, New England Chapter, Illinois Chapter, Illinois issues, Illinois news, Montana issues, Utah Chapter, Utah Issues, Utah News, Idaho Issues, policy blog, the campfire
Media Chapter News State Issues Press Releases

BHA Condemns Senate Proposal to Sell Off Up to 3 Million Acres of Public Lands

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...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado Issues, Washington News, idaho news, Utah Issues, Utah News, Idaho Issues, policy blog, the campfire, featured, press releases, Alaska issues, New Mexico news, Alaska news, Arizona news, Arizona issues, California issues, California news, Nevada issues, Nevada News, New Mexico issues, Oregon Issues, oregon news, washington issues, Wyoming Issues, wyoming news
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...
Tags: Utah Chapter, Utah Issues, Utah News, policy blog, the campfire, featured, press releases, Nevada issues, Nevada News, Nevada Chapter
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...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado Issues, Colorado BHA, policy blog, the campfire, press releases
Media Chapter News

Minnesotans Rally to Protect Public Lands and the Boundary Waters

Minnesotans from across the political spectrum gathered on May 8th at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda to voice their support for our public lands, waters and the iconic Boundary Waters Canoe...
Tags: Minnesota Chapter, Minnesota news, the campfire
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, press releases, Nevada issues, Nevada News, Nevada Chapter
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...
Tags: Minnesota Chapter, Minnesota news, policy blog, the campfire, press releases, Minnesota Issues
Media Chapter News

EVENT RECAP: Chicago Backcountry In Your Backyard- Turkey Hunting 101

  The Illinois Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers partnered with Minority Outdoor Alliance and Sitka Gear for a Turkey Hunting Workshop in the Vernon Hills suburb of Chicago. The workshop...
Tags: Illinois Chapter, Illinois news, the campfire, R3 Event
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,...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado Issues, Utah Chapter, Utah Issues, Utah News, the campfire, press releases, New Mexico news, Oklahoma News, New Mexico issues, Wyoming Issues, wyoming news, New Mexico Chapter, Colorado Chapter, Kansas, Kansas News, Kansas Issues, Oklahoma, Oklahoma Chapter, Oklahoma Issues, utah, wyoming, Wyoming Chapter, Kansas Chapter
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, press releases, California issues, California news, California Chapter
Media Chapter News State Issues

Western State Policy Spotter - March

This is your March 4th edition of BHA's Western Policy Spotter - a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting wild public lands, waters and wildlife across the West. Note - this...
Tags: Colorado Issues, Colorado BHA, Montana Chapter, Washington Chapter, Washington News, Idaho Chapter, Montana issues, Utah Chapter, Utah Issues, Idaho Issues, policy blog, the campfire, Alaska Chapter, Alaska issues, Arizona issues, California issues, Nevada issues, New Mexico issues, Oregon Issues, Wyoming Issues, California Chapter, Texas Issues, Texas Chapter, Nevada Chapter, New Mexico Chapter, Oregon Chapter, Wyoming Chapter, Arizona Chapter
Media Chapter News State Issues

Western State Policy Spotter - First Look

Welcome to your first glimpse of BHA's Western Policy Spotter - a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting wild public lands, waters and wildlife across the West. Much like...
Tags: Colorado Issues, Colorado BHA, Montana Chapter, Washington Chapter, Washington News, Idaho Chapter, Montana issues, Utah Chapter, Utah Issues, Idaho Issues, policy blog, the campfire, Arizona issues, California issues, Nevada issues, New Mexico issues, Oregon Issues, Wyoming Issues, California Chapter, Texas Issues, Texas Chapter, Nevada Chapter, New Mexico Chapter, Oregon Chapter, Wyoming Chapter, Arizona Chapter
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...
Tags: the campfire, Alaska Chapter, featured, press releases, Alaska issues, Alaska news
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,...
Tags: Utah Chapter, Utah News, the campfire, featured, press releases
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, California news
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, California news
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, Nevada issues, Nevada News, Nevada Chapter
Media Chapter News Field to Table

Sourdough Cougar Claws

By Melissa Hendrickson   What better way to celebrate the rejection of Proposition 127 in Colorado, the citizen initiative that tried to ban mountain lion hunting, than baking up a delicious...
Tags: idaho news, Idaho Chapter, the campfire, Field to Table
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...
Tags: Colorado News, the campfire, press releases
Media Chapter News

Beers, Bands, and Bitterbrush Stands - Public Land Stewardship with the California & Nevada BHA Chapters

  Our second Annual Beer, Bands, & Bitterbrush Stands event gathered BHA community members from Santa Barbara to Elko and everywhere in between to restore habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, upland...
Tags: stewardship blog, the campfire, featured, California news, Nevada Chapter, habitat, californiabha
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...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado Issues, Colorado BHA, policy blog, the campfire, California issues, California news, Nevada issues, access, Nevada Chapter, Public Waters Access, montana issues; montana bha
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...
Tags: stewardship blog, the campfire, California issues, California news, California Chapter, habitat
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...
Tags: Utah News, policy blog, the campfire, featured
Media Chapter News Backcountry Journal

The Access Frontlines

This article originally appeared as the President's Message column of the Summer 2024 Backcountry Journal.   By Patrick Berry Imagine the excitement and anticipation after a long week of work as...
Tags: the campfire, backcountry journal, Texas News, save the cutoff
Media Chapter News Backcountry Journal

Hunting on the Ballot

This article also appears in the Fall 2024 issue of Backcountry Journal.    By Bryan Jones This fall the public’s right to hunt will take center stage on the ballot in Colorado with a proposed...
Tags: Colorado News, the campfire, backcountry journal
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. –...
Tags: Colorado News, the campfire, press releases
Media Chapter News State Issues

Hunters Cannot Dismiss the Magnitude of Utah’s Public Lands Lawsuit

On August 20th, 2024, Utah’s Governor Cox announced a sweeping lawsuit that the State filed with the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the federal government’s legal right to hold and manage 18.5...
Tags: Utah Chapter, Utah Issues, Utah News, the campfire, featured
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...
Tags: Utah News, policy blog, the campfire
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, press releases, California news, California Chapter
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....
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, Alaska Chapter, press releases, Alaska news
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...
Tags: Utah Issues, Utah News, policy blog, the campfire, featured, press releases
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...
Tags: Colorado BHA, Montana Chapter, policy blog, the campfire, featured, California news, Nevada Chapter, Wyoming Chapter
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,...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, policy blog, the campfire, featured, press releases
Media Chapter News State Issues

Local Outdoorsmen Rally to Save the Cutoff

In early 2022, a private landowner illegally blocked access to a popular public hunting and fishing destination in East Texas known locally as “The Cutoff”. A group of local sportsmen who hunt and...
Tags: the campfire, Texas Issues, Texas Chapter, Texas News, access, Public Waters Access, container
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, California news
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...
Tags: Minnesota news, Utah News, policy blog, the campfire, Alaska news, Nevada Chapter
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, press releases, California news
Media Chapter News State Issues

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...
Tags: stewardship blog, the campfire, AFI Comms Channel, California issues, California news, California Chapter
Media Chapter News

Beers, Bands, and Bitterbrush Stands - Public Land Stewardship with the California & Nevada BHA Chapters

   When the event welcome speech closes with “one more question, does anyone want to help blood trail a bear?” you know you’re in for a great weekend. Beer, Bands, & Bitterbrush Stands  brought...
Tags: stewardship blog, the campfire, featured, California news, Nevada Chapter, habitat, californiabha
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...
Tags: stewardship blog, Colorado News, the campfire, press releases, habitat
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, access, Missouri Chapter, Missouri News
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, California issues, California news, California Chapter, habitat
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, Arizona news
Media Chapter News

2023 Muster in the Marsh Recap

"Muster" is a verb. To muster anything takes action, and being the hunters and anglers we are, it’s our nature to do just that. We push ourselves to the limit and give our all for the things we...
Tags: the campfire, Ohio News, Ohio
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, public access, public lands, Arkansas Chapter, Arkansas News
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, New Mexico news, California news, California Chapter, New Mexico Chapter, Oregon Chapter, Oregon Blog
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. –...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, the campfire, press releases, Colorado Chapter
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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, press releases, Arizona news
Media Chapter News State Issues

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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, California issues, California news, California Chapter
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 152: Murder of the Grand Kankakee Marsh

“I have never yet found a place that equaled the Kankakee swamps for the variety of game to be found there.” – J. Lorenzo Werich, 1920. Few know the history now. None who experienced it are still...
Tags: Illinois news, the campfire, Podcast, Indiana News
Media Chapter News State Issues

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...
Tags: the campfire, California issues, California news, California Chapter, access, Public Waters Access, stream access
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, New Mexico news, New Mexico Chapter
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, New Mexico news, New Mexico Chapter
Media Chapter News State Issues

CONSERVATION GROUPS CALL TO SAVE PINE LOG WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

The Georgia Board of BHA would like to keep you updated on the efforts to save Pine Log WMA. If you are able to attend the Bartow County zoning meetings on Feb. 7th or Feb. 9th please do in order...
Tags: the campfire, Southeast Chapter, Southeast News, Southeast issues
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...
Tags: Minnesota Chapter, Minnesota news, the campfire, press releases
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...
Tags: the campfire, Alaska Chapter, press releases, Alaska news, public lands
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.—...
Tags: Minnesota Chapter, Minnesota news, policy blog, the campfire, press releases, public lands
Media Chapter News State Issues

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...
Tags: stewardship blog, the campfire, California issues, California news, stewardship, California Chapter
Media Chapter News State Issues

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...
Tags: policy blog, the campfire, Ohio News, Ohio Issues
Media Chapter News

Hunting for Sustainability Continues in Colorado, Montana, and Arizona

We owe tremendous thanks to our partners who made these workshops possible: Timber to Table, G&H Decoys, Boss Shotshells, OnX Maps, Teller Wildlife Refuge, Arizona Wildlife Federation, and...
Tags: Colorado BHA, Montana Chapter, the campfire, Arizona news, r3, Collegiate Program
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...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, policy blog, the campfire
Media Chapter News

Stewardship Spotlight California BHA 2022

Tags: stewardship blog, the campfire, California news, stewardship, California Chapter
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 145: Ethnobotanist Dr. Susan Leopold

Dr. Susan Leopold is an ethnobotanist who spent the early years of her career in the jungles of the Peruvian Amazon and Central America. An epiphany led her home, to Virginia and to the American...
Tags: the campfire, Podcast, Ohio News, Mid-Atlantic News, Capital News
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...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, the campfire, press releases
Media Chapter News State Issues

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Rewards OHV Enforcement in Hesperus, CO

HESPERUS, CO — Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recently issued a reward to a citizen who reported illegal OHV use on Colorado’s public lands. Law enforcement officers from the U.S. Forest Service...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado Issues, the campfire, OHV
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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...
Tags: the campfire, featured, press releases, New Mexico news, New Mexico Chapter, stream access
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 139: Kyle Lybarger, Native Habitat Project

Kyle Lybarger, a 29-year-old consulting forester, father, deer-hunter, small creek addict and self-proclaimed “native plant nerd” of Hartselle, Alabama, is a major part of a new and wonderful...
Tags: the campfire, Podcast, Southeast News
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 138: Mississippi Forester Alex Harvey

Come with Hal to southern Mississippi to talk with Alex Harvey, a registered professional forester in Mississippi and Alabama and a land management consultant, wildlife biologist and...
Tags: the campfire, Podcast, Southeast News
Media Chapter News

2022 Muster in the Mountains

BHA leaders, members and friends joined together for the third Muster in the Mountains July 22 and 23 in Roseland, Virginia. Held at the beautiful Devils Backbone Brewing Basecamp and Meadows,...
Tags: New England Chapter, the campfire, Mid-Atlantic News, Capital News, West Virginia events, Mid-Atlantic Events
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 137: Marine Veteran and Storyteller Russell Worth Parker

Russell Worth Parker, known as Worth, is a retired Marine and a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan. After 27 years in the Corps, he is home in Wilmington, North Carolina, hunting and fishing and...
Tags: North Carolina News, the campfire, AFI Comms Channel, Podcast, public lands
Media Chapter News

A Voice for Grasslands

Have you been greeted by the predawn whistle of a bobwhite? It’s natures version of Bach and Beethoven. A sound so sweet, the greatest composers on earth would have trouble replicating. If you’re...
Tags: the campfire, featured, Indiana News
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...
Tags: Montana Chapter, North Carolina News, the campfire, AFI Comms Channel, press releases, Arkansas News, Wyoming Chapter, Collegiate Program, Rhode Island BHA
Media Chapter News

Senate Bill Would Greenlight Sale of Public Lands Out of Public Hands

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), joined by his colleagues Sens. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and John Barrasso (R-WY), announced in early April the introduction of the HOUSES Act (S. 4062), legislation that would...
Tags: Utah Chapter, Utah News, the campfire, public lands
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 129: Joseph Jenkins, biologist, herpetologist, Alabama wanderer

The Bankhead National Forest in Alabama is a place of shadowed canyons and rushing coldwater creeks, crystalline waterfalls and bluff shelters blackened by the smoke from campfires over thousands...
Tags: the campfire, Podcast, public lands, Southeast News
Media Chapter News State Issues Backcountry Journal

Water for Sheep

Photo: Brian Schwab, SCBS BHA’s California chapter, Armed Forces Initiative and the Marines team up to save bighorn sheep   BY EVAN NORDSTROM While the devastating fires of the Western states...
Tags: the campfire, AFI Comms Channel, backcountry journal, California issues, California news
Media Chapter News State Issues

Take Action to Recover and Protect Atlantic Striped Bass

In early May the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will convene for their spring meeting, at which time we’re expected to see their Atlantic Striped Bass Board finalize Amendment...
Tags: New England news, New England issues, New England Chapter, the campfire
Media Chapter News

Spring Bear is only the Beginning

Stemming from the appointment of three new commissioners in recent weeks, the Fish and Wildlife Commission voted on March 19 against the Washington spring black bear hunt in a 5-4 decision. The...
Tags: Washington Chapter, Washington News, the campfire
Media Chapter News Podcasts

BHA Podcast & Blast, Ep. 127: Florida Gulf Coast Writer, Naturalist and Advocate Jack Rudloe

Jack Rudloe is one of the orneriest watermen on the Florida Gulf Coast, a time- and sun-honed fighter for clean water, intact forests and wetlands, and the myriad salt and freshwater life that...
Tags: Fair Chase, the campfire, Podcast, Public Waters Access, Southeast News
Media Chapter News

Sunday Hunting Bill Passes Out of the Virginia Legislature

News for Immediate ReleaseMarch 7, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Legislation would allow Sunday hunting on public lands in the state for the first time;...
Tags: the campfire, Mid-Atlantic News, Capital News, Capital BHA, Capital Region
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, New Mexico news, New Mexico Chapter, public lands, stream access, keepitpublic
Media Chapter News State Issues

11 Ways BHA Chapters Are Working on Public Access to Your Public Lands & Waters Right Now

Quality public hunting and fishing access consistently tops the list of issues outdoorsmen and women expect Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to help tackle.  The need for recreational access only...
Tags: Pennsylvania News, Montana Chapter, the campfire, New Mexico news, California news, public lands, Oregon Blog, Wyoming Chapter, Mid-Atlantic News, Tennessee News, Mid-Atlantic Issues, West Virginia Chapter, Capital News, Rhode Island BHA, Mississippi News
Media Chapter News

Support Science-Based Wildlife Management in Arizona

The Arizona Chapter has recently been working to gather information regarding the Arizona Game & Fish Department’s Proposed Hunt Guidelines. This comment period and process has been making the...
Tags: Fair Chase, the campfire, Arizona news
Media Chapter News

Governor Removes Another Qualified Commissioner

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham this week removed State Game Commissioner Jeremy Vesbach, apparently because he has repeatedly stood up for New Mexico resident hunters and anglers. She notified him...
Tags: the campfire, New Mexico news, New Mexico Chapter
Media Chapter News Backcountry Journal

Paying It Forward

  BY JOEL GAY It’s not easy for resident hunters to draw an elk tag in New Mexico, even for kids. As in many states, demand for tags far outstrips supply. But that’s only part of the equation....
Tags: the campfire, backcountry journal, New Mexico news, New Mexico Chapter
Media Chapter News State Issues

Pebble Mine: Perspective From a Lifelong Alaskan Hunter

We are a family of hunters. As a child, I was taught to cherish, value and respect the animals we hunt and the environment in which they live. It was an easy lesson. My family's 40-acre homestead...
Tags: the campfire, Alaska Chapter, Alaska issues, Alaska news, public lands, Public Waters Access
Media Chapter News

BHAers Don't Camp

Guys, we need to talk.  I was there. At Muster. Camping right beside you.  Which is why we need to talk.  You guys know you don’t have to camp to be in BHA, right?  I’m serious. You can think...
Tags: the campfire, New York news, New York BHA Chapter
Media Chapter News

Embers & Ecology: Historical Fires

The dramatic increase in wildfires since 2000 is strikingly obvious in these maps.  And unfortunately, the increase both in number of fires and in area burned only continues to climb. With...
Tags: Washington Chapter, Washington News, the campfire, embers_ecology
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...
Tags: the campfire, Alaska Chapter, press releases, Alaska issues, Alaska news, public lands
Media Chapter News

Embers & Ecology: How to Report Burn Ban Violators

SEND US YOUR REPORT HERE Verified reports will be rewarded a free 1 year membership to BHA and a $50 gift card to the BHA store! This summer could be one of the worst fire seasons on record....
Tags: Washington Chapter, Washington News, the campfire, embers_ecology
Media Chapter News State Issues

Rhode Island BHA Oppose Aquaculture Lease that Threatens Hunting Opportunities

In April of 2020, two Little Compton brothers applied for a lease to establish a commercial oyster growing operation in the tidal waters adjacent to Sapowet Marsh Wildlife Management Area in...
Tags: New England news, New England issues, New England Chapter, the campfire
Media Chapter News Field to Table

How to find and cook chanterelle mushrooms

As hunters and outdoors folk, summer can be a bit of a restless time. Many of us are itching for our first cool fall morning in the field or tree stand. Foraging is a great way to get some wild...
Tags: the campfire, Field to Table, Tennessee News
Media Chapter News Field to Table

Fried Dove with Mesquite Pancakes and Smoked Prickly Pear Syrup

In September our Arizona chapter held its 1st annual Dove Cook-off and Pint Night to celebrate the opening of dove season. Held in Yuma, the event brought together BHA members and supporters from...
Tags: the campfire, Field to Table, Arizona news, Arizona Chapter
Media Chapter News Field to Table

How to Make Venison Rendang

Recently, several BHAers had the opportunity to join the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and our conservation partners North Carolina Wildlife Federation and National Wild Turkey...
Tags: North Carolina News, the campfire, Field to Table
Media Chapter News

Bonds of the Wild

You hear it all the time, hell, I’ve even said it myself: “it goes fast”. But nothing can really prepare you for how fast life actually goes. How you can be in your twenties and blink and you’re...
Tags: the campfire, Michigan news, Michigan Chapter, Michigan
Media Chapter News

My Home Water, The River That Caught On Fire

There aren’t many universal truths that stand the test of time, but I’ve got one. This will be my 4thseason that I call the Cuyahoga River my home water. I live between Akron and Cleveland, a...
Tags: the campfire, Ohio News
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...
Tags: the campfire, press releases, Alaska news
Media Chapter News

10+ Ways to Help the Backcountry and Get Involved with Colorado BHA

  1) We’re looking for volunteers (2-3) to help coordinate the annual Taste of Backcountry Angling Workshop hosted in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). If interested contact...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, the campfire
Media Chapter News

Colorado BHA College Chapters: The Next Generation of Hunters/Anglers

Hunters and anglers in Colorado are taking lead in engaging the next generation of hunter-angler-conservationists thanks to the state’s two Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) college chapters:...
Tags: Colorado News, the campfire
Media Chapter News State Issues

Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Team-Up with Pike National Forest (USFS) to Protect Habitat & Access

In Colorado, and on public lands nationwide, ATV/OHV overuse and abuse is increasingly impacting big game (and other wildlife) habitat and related watersheds for trout and other aquatic species....
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado Issues, the campfire
Media Chapter News

Trapshooting Gaining Popularity

In Colorado, and on public lands nationwide, ATV/OHV overuse and abuse is increasingly impacting big game (and other wildlife) habitat and related watersheds for trout and other aquatic species....
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, the campfire
Media Chapter News

"On The Wild Edge" DVD Trailer

David Petersen DVD Documentary (“On The Wild Edge”) Released David “Elkheart” Petersen, of Durango, founder of the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (the first BHA state chapter), recently...
Tags: Colorado News, Colorado BHA, the campfire, video, Backcountry Stories