MISSOULA, Mont. — Neither rain nor snow nor wind could keep BHA's 11th Annual North American Rendezvous from delivering an incredible experience and reunion in Missoula, Montana.
From a record number of vendors to members traveling from all parts of North America, the tight bonds of BHA's community were again on display at Fort Missoula. Throughout the weekend, attendees gained knowledge at seminars from public lands luminaries like Jonathan Wilkins from Black Duck Revival, experts from Vortex Optics and guides from around the continent.
Rendezvous attendees explore Fort Missoula
Photo: Aaron Agosto
Campfire Stories, an always popular event, was even bigger this year. On the stage of the historic Wilma Theatre, MeatEater's Mark Kenyon, Rue Mapp from Outdoor Afro, Montana legislator Tyson Running Wolf and other phenomenal storytellers sowed the seeds of inspiration with tales of their experiences on public lands and waters. (Stay tuned: 2022 stories will be released on BHA's YouTube channel soon!)
Backcountry Brewfest attendees smile for the camera
Photo: Aaron Agosto
This year BHA's Backcountry Brewfest returned for the first time since 2019! With 30-plus Montana breweries, cideries and distilleries and hundreds of attendees, the Brewfest was a smashing success that brought together Rendezvous attendees with members of the Missoula community.
BHA President and CEO Land Tawney chats with folks at Rendezvous
Photo: Aaron Agosto
But what really brought it all together was the spirited competition on Saturday afternoon among BHA chapters at the Wild Game Cookoff. Teams from all over North America brought their wild game and forage to challenge each other and the judges to determine who really knows how to take the field and bring it to the table. Father-son duo Greg Kvale and Pete Kvale from Minnesota successfully defended the MN chapter's title, winning for the second year in a row.
Fish cooks on the grill at Rendezvous 2022
Photo: Aaron Agosto
Saturday evening, BHA bestowed top honors on a suite of deserving recipients, honoring unequalled commitment, tireless effort and ongoing dedication to public lands and waters, fish and wildlife and hunting and fishing. See who took home our 2022 awards!
With Rendezvous 2022 in the rearview mirror, BHA is hard at work planning Rendezvous 2023. We are excited to announce that our 2023 gathering will return to Missoula, this time at its historic fairgrounds, March 15-18! Taking lessons from past events, we are transitioning to a hybrid indoor/outdoor platform. Our 2023 location offers indoor space for vendors, seminars, panels and more...along with both on-site camping and nearby hotels.
Mark your calendars and get ready for Rendezvous 2023!