The U.S. House of Representatives is meeting this week to consider a massive defense spending package. Tucked inside the bill is a rider, H.R. 4739, the misleadingly named Greater Sage Grouse Protection and Recovery Act of 2016, which would block implementation of conservation measures that helped avert an Endangered Species Act listing of the greater sage grouse in the fall. Last September, following an unprecedented collaborative effort among federal, state and local governments and a wide ...

On Feb. 5, the bill HB 115 (better known as The Alaska Sovereignty Act) advanced to the Judiciary Committee. Sportsmen and other Alaskans who care about our outdoors must unite in opposing it. The fact this legislation is still trundling along is surprising for a few reasons. The first and most compelling is its fundamental illegality, since the state divested itself of interest in those lands at statehood. In effect, we’d be declaring our state constitution unconstitutional. Even Rep. Mike ...

Utah BHA welcomes Josh Lenart to the chapter. Josh is actively involved in numerous chapter initiatives and has begun the distribution of a monthly chapter newsletter. To subscribe contact Chris Crockett at bhacrockett@gmail.com. Utah BHA has recently partnered with Train to Hunt to host a qualifying event June 11-12 and the national championships on August 13-14. Our efforts continue to provide long-term protection for big game habitat along the Wasatch Front through the Mountain Accord ...

Deer hunting regulations can unite or divide hunters in New York State. For several years, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation has been considering regulation changes. After a multi-year study of hunter attitudes, the DEC elected to retain the existing regulations. This decision means that new mandatory antler restrictions and reduced season lengths are off the table for the foreseeable future. No matter which side you’re on, it’s heartening to see the DEC considering the ...

On Feb. 22, BHA members joined in a pro-public lands rally in Reno in response to presidential candidates’ cries to seize public lands and transfer them to state control. BHA members were among nearly 100 people to cry, “Keep public lands in public hands!”  We spearheaded discussions within county and state wildlife commissions to consider legislative prohibitions on drones and computerized trigger mechanisms for hunting purposes. We also took a stance limiting, if not banning, the use of ...