Over the last two summers, the Idaho chapter has been improving trail access in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. With financial support from Idaho Fish and Game (IDFG), National Forest Foundation (NFF) and funds the chapter has raised, BHA staff and volunteers worked with wilderness outfitters to open over 20 miles of trail. Crews flew into dirt airstrips where outfitters were waiting with pack stock and supplies needed to access difficult to reach sections of trail, deep in ...

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) was born around a campfire in March 2004, thanks to seven hunters and anglers, men and women, taking the initiative.[1] That’s how all battles are begun and won! In fact, BHA was founded by former U.S. Army officer, Mike Beagle. The “Gang of Seven” that gathered around our founding campfire also included a U.S. Navy veteran, Tony Heckard.[2] The first state chapter, here in Colorado, was founded (in 2005) by a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot, ...

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is moving forward with a controversial program to stock pen-raised pheasants on state-owned lands in an effort to recruit more hunters. FWP is now seeking final approval from the Fish and Wildlife Commission to fund the program through 2026, and the department hopes to get birds on the ground before the youth hunting season starts in September. Although the program has received significant pushback from hunters and sportsmen’s groups in the state, stocking ...

For the most part, we know our draw results and our fall hunting plans are beginning to take shape. Even though we're six weeks away from archery opener, elk still dominate the news here in Montana. Here's a rundown.   The latest uproar around elk management in Montana came from a proposal that FWP's elk advisory group forwarded calling for hunters to 'pick a weapon/season.' While the intent of this idea is valid, we argue that this is absolutely not the time for this change, nor is it ...

A long-awaited markup of public lands legislation by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee was held on Thursday, July 21. Among a total of more than three dozen bills were eight pieces of legislation supported by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers as well as the nomination of Laura Daniel-Davis as an assistant interior secretary. Not often does a lineup of important policy items all arise in one long hearing. Here's a breakdown of what's relevant for sportsmen and women and why. Laura ...