Following the arrests of armed militants who had been occupying Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney issued the following statement:
"Backcountry Hunters & Anglers cannot support the tactics and objectives of the militants in Oregon. We regret the loss of life associated with the arrests; however, the individuals arrested, along with anyone else who participated in the seizure of Malheur, must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
"We thank law enforcement officials for their attempts to restore law and order to Harney County. The men and women who manage our national wildlife refuge system, including the staff of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, deserve our respect and support."
BHA Oregon Chapter Chair Ed Putnam stated, "Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is a public lands gem and haven for migrating waterfowl and other wildlife. The Oregon chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers hopes that this disruption to the refuge and Burns community is resolved quickly and peacefully."
BHA was born around an Oregon campfire in 2004.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the sportsmen's voice
for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.
Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, [email protected]
About Katie McKalip
Vice president, communications and marketing, Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society