Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently recognized Colorado BHA Central West Slope Regional Director and board member Craig Grother as BHA’s Member of the Month for February 2021. Craig’s accomplishments (detailed below) are included in BHA’s February 2021 Backcountry Beat.[1]

“Colorado is in the middle of a recreation renaissance that has resulted in more people spending more time on our public lands than ever before. Colorado BHA has been paying close attention to the associated impacts to wildlife and habitat thanks in large part to the leadership and expertise of Craig Grother, Colorado chapter board member.”

“Craig has led Colorado BHA efforts on this issue for some time, weighing in on concerns for specific trails projects, recommending policy changes at the state level, participating in working groups, commenting on administrative planning processes, and most recently developing a GIS analysis for the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison Forest Plan.”

“For the past six months … Grother has been hard at work developing this GIS analysis and report for the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests. This tool has been designed to bring wildlife management needs to the forefront of a decision-making process that will shape the management direction and priorities of the GMUG for the next 20-30 years.”

“Craig’s efforts have resulted in a tool that will allow Colorado BHA to build a strong coalition of support, educate the public, and shape the management direction of the GMUG to the benefit of wildlife. This tool is a giant step forward for the Colorado chapter, and we are confident that Craig’s efforts will elevate our ability to engage on these issues moving forward. You can see the report here.”

During January 2015, Craig was recognized as BHA’s Volunteer of the Month. In addition, during 2013 he was the recipient of BHA’s Aldo Leopold Award. This award is presented by the BHA North American Board and recognizes significant contributions towards preserving wildlife habitat.[2]

Craig is a retired U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist with 33 years of public service. Since joining BHA, Craig has spent countless days and weeks working to protect public lands habitat from motorized overuse and abuse and other threats in the Norwood and Ouray Ranger Districts of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests and elsewhere in the state.

“Thank you, Craig, for your lifetime of selfless service on behalf of protecting and perpetuating our nation’s wildlands and wildlife,” said Colorado BHA Co-Chair David Lien (a former Air Force officer). “You are one of the strongest, most persistent and consistent voices in speaking up and taking action on behalf of our wild public lands, waters and wildlife. We need many more like you!”

• For additional information on Craig’s awards/contributions to protecting wildlands and wildlife see (scroll down): https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_bha_award_winners
• “Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Appoint Central West Slope Regional Director.” AmmoLand.com: 1/26/16.
• “BHA’s Craig Grother & David Petersen Recognized For Protecting Backcountry Habitat.” AmmoLand.com: 3/25/13.

Additional BHA Information:

• Colorado BHA Corporate Partners.
• Hunting For Sustainability (H4S).
• BHA’s Public Waters Access campaign.
• BHA’s Collegiate Program. Collegiate Quarterly: (December 2020); (October 2020).
• Backcountry Journal (Winter 2021); (Fall 2020); (Summer 2020); (Spring 2020).
• Backcountry Beat (February 2021); (January 2021); (November 2020); (October 2020).
• BHA’s Armed Forces Initiative. “Armed Forces Initiative-Get Involved.”
• “Where Hope Lives: A Brief BHA History.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 11/30/20.
• “Empowering Leaders: It’s In BHA’s DNA.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/7/21.
• Make sure you’re checking our Take Action Center and following along with your local chapter to stay engaged on good and bad bills in your area.
• David “Elkheart” Petersen (founder of the first BHA state chapter, here in Colorado, and a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) books: www.davidpetersenbooks.com

Founded by Mike Beagle, a former U.S. Army field artillery officer, and formed around an Oregon campfire, in 2004, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice for our nation’s wild public lands, waters and wildlife. With over 40,000 members spread out across all 50 states and 13 Canadian provinces and territories—including chapters in 48 states, two Canadian provinces and one territory, and Washington, D.C.—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 some 2,500 dedicated hunters and anglers.

[1] “Craig Grother: Member of the Month.” Backcountry Beat: February 2021.

[2] “BHA’s Craig Grother & David Petersen Recognized For Protecting Backcountry Habitat.” AmmoLand.com: 3/25/13.