The Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) held a Pint Night at The Craftsman American Restaurant in Edwards (on June 14). The event was organized by the chapter’s incoming Central Rockies Regional Director, Micah Shanser. Colorado BHA West Slope Sponsor/Events Coordinator, Rick Seymour (a U.S. Air Force veteran), assisted Micah with forming the Central Rockies Group.

“Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Colorado has recently initiated a Central Rockies Group in the Vail area. The Group will be led by Micah Shanser, Jimmy Donohue and Brian Busker,” Rick said. “We would like to thank the public land and water outdoor businesses that participated in the event with gift items and individual participation at The Craftsman in Edwards,” Micah added. “Vail Valley Anglers, Upslope Brewing, Colorado Angling Company, Minturn Anglers, QuietKat, plus a special thank you to the forty individuals that participated in public lands discussion and upcoming advocacy coordinated events in the Vail Valley and surrounding forests and rivers.”

The event was a great time and also well-timed to be on National Bourbon Day! The Colorado chapter had 17 new members join plus one Lifetime member sign up for the Kimber mountain ascent rifle. BHA’s Colorado & Wyoming Coordinator, Brien Webster, said: “It sounds like it was very successful and I’m thrilled to have so many capable leaders taking the reins and building power for BHA. Thank you for all you do!!”

One recent Central Rockies Group initiative was a collaborative project with the U.S. Forest office in Minturn. The Eagle/Holy Cross forest supervisor, Michael Beach, advised the Group that the local FS office had areas where public lands were being illegally accessed by motorized recreationists. The Central Rockies Group purchased 20 “No Access” signs for the surrounding Vail Valley trails to indicate which trails are closed and that a reward of $500 will be paid by BHA for the conviction of anyone found riding in closed (temporarily or permanently) areas.[1] 

“We all must step up to help protect our wild public lands, waters and wildlife,” chapter chair, David Lien (a former U.S. Air Force officer) said. “If you have a voice and are a good speaker, use it. If you are good at writing letters, compose some. If you have deep pockets, donate to the political individuals that hold your views. Whatever you do, speak up for your wild public lands and waters heritage! In the words of Theodore Roosevelt: ‘Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.’”

The Central Rockies Group is sponsoring a Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Blue Starlite Drive-in (8:30 pm - 10:30 pm) in Minturn on July 23 and a Wild Game Cook-off in Avon (at Ein Prost) on August 5. Contact Central Rockies Group Regional Director, Micah Shanser ([email protected]), for additional information. Also see the letters-to-editor below for more information about the Edwards Pint Night and Central Rockies Group.

-Rick Seymour. “Local Backcountry Hunters & Anglers chapter hosts meet and greet June 14.” Vail Daily: 6/13/18.

-Rick Seymour. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: Speak up for ‘your’ public lands, waters (letter).” Vail Daily: 6/26/18.  

Founded by Mike Beagle (a former U.S. Army field artillery officer) and formed around an Oregon campfire, in 2004, BHA is the sportsmen’s voice for our nation’s wild public lands, waters and wildlife. With over 20,000 members spread out across all 50 states and Canada, including chapters in 39 states and two international chapters—in Alberta and British Columbia—BHA brings an authentic, informed, boots-on-the-ground voice to the conservation of public lands. Since the Colorado BHA chapter was founded by David Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) in 2005 (the first official BHA chapter), they’ve grown their boots-on-the-ground presence to over 1,400 dedicated hunters and anglers.