Update – Endowment Lands, and the formation of United Payette Ever since real estate developer Trident Holdings, LLC submitted a proposal to the Idaho Department of Lands in 2019 to acquire state endowment lands around Payette Lake near McCall, Idaho (see a previous blog post, linked here, for background) the Idaho BHA chapter has been collaborating with other stakeholder groups on developing a solution to conserve these lands and prevent the habitat degradation and loss off public ...

In early 2020, the U.S. Forest Service and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers began to work together to identify projects east of the Mississippi that would be ideal for BHA volunteers to complete. During these discussions the USFS identified a project that would remove four miles of barbwire fencing in the Huron-Manistee National Forest near Glennie, Michigan. The Michigan chapter was more than happy to help on such an important project.   “We were really excited to help on this project, and it ...

July 22, 2021 FWP CommissionWildlife DivisionPO Box 200701Helena, MT 59620-0701 RE: MT-BHA Muzzleloader Season Public Comment Dear Commissioners, The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers represents some 3,000 dues-paying Montana members who care deeply about public fish and wildlife habitat, public access and fair chase hunting and fishing practices. We are concerned about the implementation of the upcoming muzzleloader season without any basis in an evidence and science-based ...

Public land hunters in New Mexico got a boost in mid-July when the Sabinoso Wilderness Area expanded by nearly 10,000 acres. Located on the Canadian River drainage east of Las Vegas, NM, the Sabinoso is now almost 30,000 acres – a huge change from its designation in 2009, when it was not even accessible to the public. For many years the Sabinoso was hunted by local residents but largely unknown outside northeastern New Mexico. It was a substantial chunk – some 16,000 acres -- of BLM land ...

Greg Kvale and his son Pete of the Minnesota chapter took home top honors during BHA’s Wild Game Cookoff at the 10th Annual North American Rendezvous this year in Missoula, Montana. Every year the Wild Game Cookoff draws professional and amateur wild-game chefs from across the country who source regional ingredients to create dishes that celebrate the breadth of our wild public lands, waters and wildlife. This year, Greg and Pete prepared pan-seared mallard breast with wild rice pilaf and ...