It's the most wonderful time of the year! The days are getting shorter and hunting season is officially upon us. Like most of us here at Wyoming BHA, we expect many of you are spending as much time afield or on the water as possible this fall. With that in mind, here's an abbreviated recap of what we've been up to this quarter. Policy Updates In August, Wyoming BHA submitted comments on the Proposed Big Game Damage Claim regulation change, which was similar to HB60 that we ...

As hunters and anglers, we invest significant time, money, and care into the management of our state's wildlife and habitats. It's our right to protect these investments and ensure that our hard-earned license fees are used wisely, not to fund a damages program that incentivizes wildlife to consolidate on private lands in potential "wildlife refuges"—something our new Director of Game & Fish is aiming to address. However, this is precisely the incentive that will be created if the proposed ...

On May 1, 2024, BHA habitat stewardship staff joined Biologists and seasonal field staff to modify barbed wire fence along the Gas Hills Highway outside of Lander, Wyoming. This BLM boundary fence was installed over 70 years ago; as a result, it was not built with wildlife friendly practices in mind. This is a story that is consistent across the intermountain West. The impact of this project was three-fold considering it borders crucial winter range for pronghorn, sage-grouse core area and ...

On January 2nd, 2024 both chambers of the Rhode Island General Assembly convened to begin the 2024 legislative session. In the upcoming year BHA’s Rhode Island team plans to continue working on several ongoing policy initiatives, and to address new legislative and regulatory issues that arise affecting Rhode Island’s public lands, waters and wildlife. Below you will find the Rhode Island team’s top policy priorities for 2024.   Priority: Prohibiting Captive Hunting & Wildlife ...

Wyoming, a state renowned for its vast landscapes, pristine wilderness, and rich biodiversity, faces another critical threat – the proposed Columbus Peak Ranch Land Exchange. This controversial initiative, currently under consideration by the Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI), jeopardizes the very essence of our public lands. Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is rallying the community to oppose this exchange, and here's why you should join the cause. Outdated Appraisal Raises ...