As promised, John Leshy is back on the Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Podcast & Blast to discuss his recently published and definitive book, Our Common Ground: A History of America’s Public Lands. Our Common Ground is the most comprehensive and incisive history, both legal and political, ever written about the American public lands. It is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves our national forests, parks, grasslands or BLM lands, especially right now, when the entire institution of ...

Recognizing Caja del Rio as an Ancestral Homeland The Caja del Rio holds profound significance as an ancestral homeland for Indigenous communities, including the Pueblo people who have lived, hunted, and stewarded these lands for generations. Its rich tapestry of petroglyphs, cultural sites, and ancient trails is a testament to millennia of human connection to the land. These sacred sites not only provide a window into the deep history of the region but also remain integral to the cultural ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Jan. 16, 2025    Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org    Proposed Legislation Targets Century-Old Presidential Authority to Protect Public Lands    Washington, D.C. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), the leading voice for North America’s public lands, waters, and wildlife, today condemned a newly-introduced bill that threatens critical conservation efforts under the guise of restoring authority ...

The meeting gathered at Las Cruses. Five Commissioners were present in the room at the beginning of the meeting (Chair Stump, Vice Chair Sharon Salazar Hickey, Dr. Sabrina Pack, Tirzio Lopez, Fernando Clemente Jr.), while Commissioner Gregg Fulfir joined virtually. I attended this meeting virtually due to travel issues and a COVID diagnosis. As usual, the meeting began with a Call to Order, Roll Call, Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Guests, Approval of the Agenda, and Approval of ther ...

Elk Hoof Disease 101 – What You Need to Know About the Disease Afflicting Elk in the Pacific Northwest and Beyond Finding an elk herd in the thick, fog-laced forests of Southwest Washington can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Rolling hills create countless pockets of concealment, often limiting visibility beyond 100 yards to clear-cuts and the sparse pasture or agricultural field. When a herd is found, it's not hard to get caught up in the excitement – we become absorbed in taking ...