Welcome to BHA's State Policy Spotter – a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting our wild public lands, waters and wildlife across North America.

Note: The Policy Spotter is not a comprehensive list of legislation or issues that BHA chapters are working on, but rather a spotlight in the moment of what is moving. There are many more bills and issues BHA's chapters are grappling with, so be sure to check out individual chapter pages for more news and updates.

---

June 2026

Alaska: BHA Engages on Dalton Highway Land Transfer. Take Action.

Alaska BHA is encouraging hunters, anglers, and other public land users to participate in a public comment process that will help shape how 1.4 million acres of newly transferred state lands along the Dalton Highway corridor are managed in the future. While the transfer fulfills a longstanding Alaska Statehood Act land entitlement, it also raises important questions about future public access, recreation opportunities, infrastructure development, motorized use and fish and wildlife habitat. BHA is urging members to tell the Alaska Department of Natural Resources that maintaining hunting and fishing opportunity and public access must remain top priorities as the state develops management plans for these lands. The chapter will continue advocating for policies that protect Alaska's outdoor traditions and ensuring public lands remain accessible.

TAKE ACTION

 

California: Restrictive Fishing Petitions Advance as Anglers Rally Behind Department Recommendations. News.

California BHA recently co-hosted a series of pint nights educating and encouraging anglers and ocean advocates to participate in the public process surrounding proposed expansions of California's Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network. A suite of petitions has been submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission that could eliminate recreational fishing access along several large stretches of the California coast. BHA supports science-based, adaptive management of MPAs and applauded California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff recommendations to deny essentially all of the petitions they have evaluated citing a lack of sufficient scientific justification, enforcement concerns and more. The chapter is urging anglers to continue to engage in upcoming public meetings and comment opportunities to ensure adaptive management of the MPA network is guided by sound science, meaningful stakeholder involvement, and a balanced approach that conserves marine resources while maintaining sustainable fishing access.

LEARN MORE

 

Montana: Backed Into a Corner on Public Land Access. News.

On May 14 2026, Montana BHA and the Public Land & Water Access Association filed legal action to cement the legality of corner crossing in Montana and maintain access to approximately 871,000 acres of public lands. For generations, Montanans have responsibly corner crossed to hunt, fish, and recreate on public lands without ever being found guilty of trespass. However, a recent Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks memo declared corner crossing unlawful, and in a major departure from previous guidance, has now instructed game wardens to issue citations for criminal trespass or hunting without landowner permission to individuals accessing public land in this manner. As part of the organization's broader effort to work towards collaborative solutions, BHA also launched a public-facing ArcGIS "Problem Corners" survey that allows users to identify corners where missing monument pins, barriers, or uncertainty could prevent the public from reaching lands they own. The lawsuit and mapping effort reflect BHA's continued commitment to public land access AND respect for private property rights.

LEARN MORE

 

Texas: BHA Supports Science-Based Mountain Lion Management. News.

Texas BHA recently encouraged members to submit comments in support of a proposed mountain lion harvest reporting rule that would provide wildlife managers with critical information on mountain lion populations, harvest trends, and demographics. In its position statement, the chapter emphasized that better data is essential to science-based wildlife management and ensuring mountain lions remain a sustainable, huntable resource for future generations. By participating in the public comment process, BHA members helped elevate the importance of informed conservation and responsible stewardship of one of Texas' most iconic predators.

LEARN MORE

 

Indiana:  Chapter Concerned about Big Oaks NWR Future. News.

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana, a 50,000-acre public hunting and fishing destination, faces an uncertain future due to severe USFWS staffing and funding cuts. The refuge, managed through a 99-year agreement with the Army, has seen a major reduction in key staff members. These cuts could potentially impact public access, given the complex nature of managing hunting opportunities here—due to safety requirements like mandatory briefings for hunters related to the site’s history as a munitions testing ground. The possibility exists that the USFWS Region 3 office could consider withdrawing from the management agreement altogether, which would close the refuge entirely, a move BHA finds unacceptable. While conversations with USFWS regional staff indicate they are committed to maintaining public access, we will continue to monitor the situation closely as decisions develop.

LEARN MORE

 

Pennsylvania:  SB 857, A Threat to Public Land Access & Landowner Rights. News.

The Pennsylvania chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is actively opposing Senate Bill 857, which would require county government approval for land acquisitions by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, DCNR, and Fish and Boat Commission. BHA argues this bill politicizes conservation, inserting a local veto over science-based decisions by expert wildlife agencies and undermining the rights of willing landowners who seek to conserve their property. The chapter emphasizes that Pennsylvania’s $20.4 billion outdoor recreation economy is fueled by public access, and that the bill threatens future hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities by stifling the growth of the public land base. BHA contends that existing programs like Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) already address local revenue concerns, making SB 857 an unnecessary barrier to conservation and public access.