News for Immediate Release
March 9, 2021
Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, [email protected]

With a diverse background including firearms manufacturing and government policy, Rachel Schmidt brings wide range of expertise to hunting and angling group

MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has hired Rachel Schmidt, former director of the Montana Governor’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, to lead its development program as BHA’s director of innovative alliances.

Schmidt comes to BHA from her role with the state of Montana, where in 2017 she created one of the United States’ first offices of outdoor recreation for then Gov. Steve Bullock. The first woman to direct an office of outdoor recreation, she held this role for three years. Prior to that, she played a key role in sales and marketing for a premier American firearms manufacturer. Her personal recreation pursuits and professional career that took her to public lands and waters led her to early involvement with and membership in BHA, including a seat on BHA’s North American board of directors.

BHA President and CEO Land Tawney welcomed Schmidt to the BHA team.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have Rachel join our team,” said Tawney. “She lives the backcountry lifestyle each and every day with her two boys, brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to her work, and her energy is damn infectious. I have no doubt that she will hit the ground running and be an instant contributor to our critical mission.” 

Schmidt, a lifelong Montanan, hunter, angler, river rat, and mother of two, brings a passion for public lands and waters to her role at BHA.

“Throughout my life in the outdoors and my career in outdoor recreation, spanning use, manufacturing and government policy, it quickly became clear: There is no greater calling than that of working for the conservation of public lands, waters and wildlife,” Schmidt said. “This is why I am so happy to be working for the members of BHA to help fuel their energy and to elevate and amplify their voices in our joint efforts working for the future of hunting and fishing in North America.”

Established in 2004 around an Oregon campfire, BHA is the fastest growing organization of sportsmen and women in the world and has chapters in 48 states, Washington, D.C., two Canadian provinces and one territory.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice
for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.

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