Welcome to your first glimpse of BHA's Western Policy Spotter - a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting wild public lands, waters and wildlife across the West. Much like wading through the marsh wearing heavy waders and a bag overloaded with decoys, BHA’s chapter leaders are trudging through a few bills this legislative session that will require careful footwork and dogged persistence. While there are many mission critical bills currently in front of BHA's chapters, one ...

Yesterday reminded me once again why I love being a member of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Every year, we hold our annual chapter board meeting for the Mid-Atlantic Chapter, bringing everyone together in person. Given that our chapter encompasses Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Delaware, it’s not always easy for us to gather for in-person events. This meeting is always a special occasion because it allows us to connect face-to-face. This gathering allows us to sit down and ...

In January Rhode Island’s General Assembly convened to begin their 2025 legislative session. BHA’s Rhode Island team has moved the needle on our top policy priorities in recent years – we worked to enact legislation protecting shoreline access in 2023 and prohibiting captive hunting & wildlife importation in 2024 - and we have consistently advocated for Rhode Island’s public lands, waters and wildlife in RI’s legislative and regulatory arenas. Below you will find the Rhode Island team’s top ...

The North Country Icebreaker: A Gathering for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Public Lands Supporters A rendezvous is traditionally a meeting between two or more people at a pre-arranged location. The BHA North American Rendezvous draws people from across North America for an unforgettable weekend filled with seminars, food, drinks, and passionate support for public lands. Three years ago, the Minnesota Chapter of BHA set out to create something similar—an event that would unite the northern ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Feb. 3, 2025    Contact:  Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations, mcarthur@backcountryhunters.org    Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Responds to Confirmation of Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary    BHA pledges to work with the new Secretary to safeguard America’s public lands and waters    Washington, D.C. – Following a strong bipartisan vote of 79-18 on the Senate floor last week, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum has been confirmed as Secretary of ...