Welcome to BHA’s new website! This digital campfire is still being built—thanks for bearing with us as we get it burning bright.
Dan grew up on Washington’s Hood Canal before relocating to Eastern Washington in 2006. After a few years working overseas, he came home with a deeper appreciation for the unique experience of American public lands and a reinvigorated interest in hunting and fishing. Whether crashing his Dad’s deer camp, discovering his own morel honey hole or picking up fly fishing in the last few years, his desire to be an outdoor generalist keeps him in the field year-round. An academic background in anthropology informs his perspective that through food, development and culture, hunting is intrinsic to the human experience.
Dan resides in Spokane with his wife and son, as well as two dogs that couldn’t hunt their way out of a paper bag. He is deeply committed to advancing recruitment, retention and reactivation in hunting and angling, especially reaching out to develop new participants from diverse backgrounds.
A perfectly seared pronghorn backstrap with a huckleberry balsamic reduction is about as good as it gets.
For hunting I really enjoy the Average Conservationist to get an idea of how other people are giving back to the outdoors. Wild Thing is a great long-form podcast on the enduring cultural impact and relevance of bigfoot that I enjoyed more than I would have ever expected and anyone who cares about public lands should listen to Bundyville.
A free-range Aoudad hunt in Texas or New Mexico.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Spencer spent most of his adult life in the southeast, including recently serving on the Georgia BHA chapter board. He recently relocated back to his Northwest roots with his wife and two kids.
Spencer is the rare BHA member who is more accomplished as an angler than as a hunter. He considers himself "competent" with a fly rod and has been fortunate enough to fish several renowned trout streams throughout the West and Appalachian regions. This led to an increasing desire to connect with humanity's roots and its ability to live off the provisions of the natural world, and Spencer decided he wanted to get serious about hunting and salmon fishing. Fortunately, he found a job in Wenatchee, WA, an excellent place to further these efforts.
An attorney by profession, Spencer also coached high school football for ten years. He has coached multiple Division I athletes and has a couple of former players now in the NFL. He plans to put his analytical, advocacy, and teaching skills to use fighting for public lands and waters across Washington state. He considers hunting and fishing very spiritual experiences and hopes to help bring those experiences to others, giving them a deeper appreciation for our natural resources.
I probably have the most fun in the field just on a trout stream with my fly rod. Typically, I am practicing catch-and-release (though I am not a catch-and-release purist). So we'll scratch that one. And while I am pretty new to western big game hunting, and thus reserve the right to change this answer in the future. Ultimately, it will be hard to unseat spring turkey hunting. The early morning gobble is a sound like no other in the woods. Normally I crockpot the legs and thighs with whatever seasoning suits my fancy at the time, and use the meat later for tacos, stir-fry's, and salad's, etc. It's quite versatile and very underrated, in my opinion. The breasts I've done several ways, but the most popular way in our house is to cut them into strips/nuggets, bread them, and fry them. My kids are very fond of this highly sophisticated method.
Not a big podcast guy. I've enjoyed a handful of Rogan episodes over the years.
Locally, easily the Swakane sheep tag, which is once-in-a-lifetime. I could hunt practically every day and still see my wife and kids. Plus, there are some monster rams in that herd. Beyond my immediate area, I don't have a super specific answer in terms of the precise species or location. What I can say is that it would be some type of combo hunt in western Wyoming or Alaska that involves a big game tag and some very nearby blue ribbon trout water.
Mandy is a Washington State local, who grew up the Westside of the Cascades with her family riding horses through public lands bordering their neighborhood and trolling a wooly bugger behind the drift boat at a local lake. She spent her youth in 4-H and golfed throughout high school and college while completing her BA in Business. After graduating, moving to the Olympic Peninsula and marrying her husband, she got into hunting due to Cash, their GSP. The first season started with a pheasant release site, and ended with notching her first big game tag, on a blacktail doe with her bow. The following years have been spent chasing elk, deer, turkeys, upland birds, waterfowl and salmon.
As Doug Duren best says “its not ours, it’s just our turn”- conservation, habitat improvement and ensuring access to those things we all love is so incredibly important. Through public lands Mandy was able to find where her true passions lie and is incredibly excited to be a part of BHA and help create more opportunities for others to find theirs.
My absolute favorite wild game to pursue is elk with my bow. One of the first dishes I’ll make when I punch an elk tag, will be my favorite blacktail recipe: Sirloin tip cooked in the sous vide with butter, garlic and rosemary at 130 for 4-6 hours, rested for 30-45 minutes then onto the cast iron for a quick hot sear seasoned with salt, pepper and rosemary, garlic and butter in the pan.
Feels impossible to pick one- Cal’s Week in review, Meateater, Live Wild and Cutting the Distance
Backcountry hunt for elk- as far back and away as you can get chasing some screaming bulls with the bow.
Ryan is a seventh generation Washingtonian and grew up on an alfalfa farm in Okanogan County where his parents still live. He grew up hunting and fishing all over Washington State, including hunting for goose in the winter, mule deer, grouse, and other upland bird in the Fall, and trout fishing almost year round. Ryan lives in Cashmere with his wife and kids, and still likes to hunt and fish, and mostly hunts with a compound bow. He's also an avid trail runner and cross-country skier. Professionally, Ryan completed his Masters in Natural Resources and PhD in Water Resources both at University of Idaho. He has worked on various natural resource issues including the impact of dams on river temperatures in Eastern and Western US, forest thinning impacts on water resources in the interior Pacific Northwest, and riparian buffers in Nicaragua. At the Upper Columbia Salmon Recovery Board, Ryan is the Watershed Program Manager and works on a wide array of issues. Ryan is passionate about working with BHA to both increase hunting opportunities and public land access. He's also excited to work with BHA on projects to conserve and improve habitat for fish and game across Washington State.
Elk is on the top of the list. My preferred way is to sauté the meat in some curry or soy sauce. But elk is most palatable to my kids when ground and served in tacos or quesadillas - so that's how I most often cook and consume elk.
I'm all over the place with the podcasts I listen to - history, comedy, hunting, politics, etc. I'm going to try to hunt elk on the west side this year, so I've been listening to any podcast about hunting Roosevelt elk.
Hunting with my kids for mule deer in Washington State. The first big game I shot was a mule deer in the high Cascades with my Dad. The deer wasn't very big, but given the rugged terrain, we earned it. That is a memory I will always cherish. I'm hoping I can give my kids a similar experience hunting.
Bill was born and raised in Spokane and has had a life-long obsession of everything related to the outdoors. It started when Bill was a kid, hunting for deer and grouse with his grandpa and fishing with his dad and older brother. After a four-year hitch in the US Marines, serving two combat tours and receiving a Purple Heart, Bill returned to Spokane and reignited his passion for the outdoors. Now Bill can be found chasing pheasants across the Palouse and eastern Montana, searching for elk south of Spokane or floating down the Spokane, St. Joe or Grande Ronde river with his wife and two dogs.
Bill is a lawyer by trade and a graduate of Gonzaga Law School. With his background in law and policy, Bill aims to help preserve and improve wild lands and the public’s access to them.
Elk has to be my favorite game to pursue but wild pheasants are a very close second. As far as my favorite recipe, it is medium rare elk tenderloin medallions over mashed potatoes and horseradish sauce on the side. Paired with a Caesar salad and glass of good scotch, that is about as close to perfection as one can get.
I generally don’t listen to podcasts (I tend to get distracted too easily) but I did enjoy Zero Dark Thirty.
In 2021, I took a month-long sabbatical during the month of October while in between jobs. During that time, I hunted grouse in northeast Washington, fly fished the Yellowstone with an old high school friend, spent five days hunting pheasants in eastern Montana and rounded out the month by taking a young bull elk in south east Washington. It is really hard to think of a dream hunt which can top that
Matt grew up camping and fishing with his family in Eastern Washington. While serving in the Army he and his wife, Amy, moved to south eastern Alabama. While there, he joined a hunting club so he could hunt whitetail deer, turkey and feral pigs on leased timber land. It was at this time that he became aware of how amazing the public lands that he grew up on were. After the Army, Matt and Amy returned to Spokane where he continued to hunt whitetail deer and started hunting for elk, ruffed grouse and pheasant.
In the summer months he enjoys being thigh deep in a secret mountain stream fly fishing with his two sons, Logan and Derek. When not fishing with the boys, he and Amy enjoy kayaking the Little Spokane River and the Priest Lake thoroughfare.
My favorite wild game to pursue right now is Elk with a black power rifle in North Eastern Washington. Sadly, I have been unsuccessful. My favorite game to cook is whitetail deer. There is nothing better than venison blackstrap pan seared in a cast iron skillet.
I listen to a wide variety of podcasts including WTF, PulpMX, Americana Podcast, The Problem with John Stewart and The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast.
Anything Alaska, especially goats or sheep.
Nick is a Washington native and a "west side refugee" escaping to North Central Washington in 2022. He grew up poor with the woods as his free playground growing up. Now living near Wenatchee allows Nick to easily escape to his favorite wilderness areas Pasayten, Glacier Peak, and Alpine Lakes. True to his surname, which means Mountaineer in Italian, you'll find Nick exploring the mountains and chasing mountain Mulies. He enjoys any hunting opportunities but also focuses on upland and waterfowl in the shrubsteppe with his dog, Rhea.
With a Master in Public Administration and a background in teaching and volunteerism, Nick switched from a nonprofit career to now working with WDFW Hunter Education because he deeply believes in conservation and hunting's important role for wildlife, people, and wild places. He is also a First Hunt Foundation mentor helping new hunters.
.Deer and steaks over a fire. Keep it simple with salt, pepper, and good wood for good smoke
Hunt Backcountry by Exo Mountain Gear followed by The Hunter Farmer Artisan podcast.
Mountain Goat Billy near Mt. Baker with a rifle, hopefully harvested in October for a great coat.
Justin was raised in the Bellingham area and the San Juan Islands. He now lives happily on the eastern slopes of the Cascades nestled amongst some of the largest tracts of public land Washington has to offer and perhaps some of the best habitat for big game. As a young adult, he decided to learn how to hunt. He’s still learning.
He earned a B.A.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Natural Resource Management from the Evergreen State College. He’s been employed to research wildlife, enhance habitat, raise cattle, and manage wildfire. He now works for a King County fire and EMS agency and is thrilled to be a part of the Washington Chapter of BHA.
What is your favorite wild game to pursue, and how do you cook it?
I love the way hunting changes the way I experience and interact with a landscape. I love feeling like a participant in an ecosystem. I’ve enjoyed every hunt I’ve been on. Mule Deer and Elk are the two species that have always motivated me the most. I love them and their habitats. My family eats a lot of meat, so getting a deer and/or an elk is a good deal. I think my favorite thing ever is eating steaks. If I had to narrow that down, I’d say backstraps. Marinated… grilled… or sautéed with copious amounts of fat… yes.
What is your favorite podcast?
Well, I think Hal Herring’s work on the BHA Podcast & Blast is fantastic. I also dig the stuff coming out from Prolonged Field Care, the Wilderness Medical Society, the Wildfire Lessons Learned Center, the Art of Range, etc.
What is your dream hunt (species and location)?
Any wild sheep hunt anywhere in wild sheep country.
Tom is a passionate outdoorsman with over 20 years of experience in fishing, specializing in steelhead. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he developed a deep connection to the region’s rivers and wild landscapes. Now living in Maple Valley with his wife Anne, Tom has recently ventured into the world of hunting, expanding his love for conservation and outdoor recreation.
He is especially committed to protecting wild fish populations and advocating for access to fishing and hunting locations. Tom is dedicated to ensuring that current and future generations have the opportunity to experience the joys of angling and hunting. He brings a fresh perspective as a newer hunter, along with a steadfast dedication to advocating for responsible stewardship of public lands and preserving access to these vital resources.
His passion for preserving the natural beauty of the PNW and protecting its ecosystems is at the core of his involvement with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
My favorite wild game to pursue has to be winter steelhead. There’s nothing quite like the challenge of chasing these incredible fish during the colder months. While I mainly practice catch and release for wild steelhead, the most prized catch in the Northwest, in my opinion, is the spring Chinook salmon. When it comes to cooking, I like to keep it simple and let the fresh flavor shine—just a bit of lemon, salt, pepper, and butter does the trick for a delicious meal.
My favorite podcasts are Remi Warren's Cutting the Distance and Live Wild. I really enjoy his ability to break down hunting tactics and share his wealth of knowledge. I also tune into Cal's Week in Review to stay updated on important conservation topics, and I regularly listen to the Rokslide Podcast. Robby's insights into hunting mountain mule deer are invaluable, and I’m always looking to learn from his expertise.
My dream hunt would be a Wyoming mule deer adventure on horseback, immersing myself in the rugged backcountry and creating enough wild stories to last a lifetime. On the fishing side, catching a 30-pound steelhead on the Dean River would be the ultimate experience—combining breathtaking scenery with the thrill of landing a true giant.
Brad grew up in Western Washington, and as soon as he stopped playing sports in college he looked to the outdoors to fill his time. For years he chased adventure while fly fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking and backcountry snowboarding. He lives in the Snoqualmie Valley and spends his time playing in the mountains with his wife, son and bad dog, walking trout streams, searching for mushrooms, and more recently in life, learning to hunt. Public lands have provided solace, education, perspective, adventure, and so much more, and he’s thrilled to help protect them.
Favorite wild game to pursue, and how do you cook it?
Salmon, smoked and dressed up in tacos.
Favorite podcast
Mountain and Prairie and BHA’s Podcast and Blast
Dream hunt?
Alaska Blacktail where you can fill in the gaps with crab pots and salmon fishing!
Rebekah originally grew up in the Midwest hunting Indiana whitetails and squirrels before moving to Washington in 2020 for graduate school. Washington quickly felt like and became home, especially after marrying a West Coast guy, and she now resides in Olympia with her husband, Clark. Growing up in a family that valued the outdoors, Rebekah pursued hunting, camping, backpacking, fishing, and anything else that involved being outside all through her childhood and adult life. This passion and love of wild places led her to pursue a B.S. and M.S. in Wildlife Conservation, then work across the country studying wildlife populations. While working, she learned about BHA and started getting involved because so many of her experiences had been on public land, and it’s an amazing resource we need to protect. She is very excited to help advocate for public lands and wildlife in Washington.
Although I love big game hunting, I have a special place in my heart for squirrels, as I grew up heading out my back door to hunt them in the forest behind my house and using it as a break from school when I could be in the woods. One of my favorite squirrel recipes is squirrel pot pie, but I’m often trying something new each time as well.
I’ll have to be a little cliché and say Meateater, although I also listen to a lot of Your Mountain and Ologies (all about different scientific fields).
Elk hunting with my husband and brother. Location doesn’t matter; getting to create memories with two of my favorite people would be the best part.
AFI Liaison
Todd grew up as an active outdoor kid in the Midwest, spending his early childhood running through the woods, climbing trees, building forts, gigging frogs, catching crawdads with bacon on a string, hunting squirrels and rabbits with a single-shot .22, and cooking his catch over a fire. These wild-eyed adventures laid the foundation for the outdoorsman he would become throughout his life.
After leaving those formative experiences behind, Todd attended college through the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation, he received his commission and was assigned as an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Launch Officer in Montana. There, he discovered a whole new level of outdoor challenges, from chasing mule deer, elk, and pronghorn to waterfowl and upland hunting, and developing a strong passion for fly fishing. After a long tour in Montana, he was assigned to Central California, where he found his passion for teaching by training space and missile experts to mentor new recruits. He also learned to hunt feral hogs and convinced the base to start a whitewater rafting program on the Kern River. Trained as a swift water rescue technician, Todd developed and ran a program that took active-duty members and their families on rafting trips to help them enjoy and appreciate the outdoors.
Later, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, he served as a Mission Flight Control Officer, managing the ascent phase of manned and unmanned rocket launches to ensure public safety by "terminating" malfunctioning flights. While stationed in Florida, Todd embraced scuba diving and spearfishing, fished for snook and permit, and eagerly awaited the tarpon bite.
After a 24-year Air Force career, Todd retired and worked to return to the Northwest, which he dearly missed. When an opportunity to teach high school AFJROTC in Washington state arose, he seized it. He now resides in Southwest Washington on a small homestead bordering the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. When not teaching, he serves as the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) Armed Forces Initiative (AFI) Board President for Washington State. The mission of BHA AFI is to ensure that military members and veterans have the opportunity to continue their service to the nation by protecting public lands and waters, while fostering a community that strengthens their connection to the outdoors.
In addition, Todd volunteers as a member of his local sheriff's office search and rescue team. Channeling his childhood spirit of adventure, Todd spends his time exploring the woods with his wife, foraging for wild edibles and mushrooms, hunting elk, bear, turkey, and blacktail, and learning to fish for salmon and steelhead.
Spot and stalk mule deer. I like to reserve the tenderloins from a successful harvest and prepare a "Steak Diane" that evening.
Meateater is a given. But also Addicted Fishing, Brian Call's Gritty Podcast, the Shawn Ryan Show, and Huberman Lab.
I don't really have a species and location. My dream adventure would be deep in a backcountry, with a couple of close friends, hunting, fishing, foraging, and living off the land for an extended period of time.