Battle At Bellyache Ridge Fence Removal  By Briant Wiles   It was the end of May 2024, and the BHA stewardship team was riding high after victories at Meeker, Rabbit Mountain, Perins Peak, and the momentous Beer, Bands, and Barbwire Strands event. I might say that we were a little bit smug having battled everything from 4 strand wire in scrub oak to woven wire embedded in thick sage. Overconfident and foolhardy I plunged the Toyota off the pavement onto the dirt road leading up Bellyache ...

The Crazy Mountains in Montana have long been a battleground for public land access. As a cherished area for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation, the region represents a vital part of Montana’s heritage. However, ongoing issues with land access, controversial land swaps, and recent acquisitions by private wealth management firms threaten the future of public access in the Crazies. A recent article in New York Magazine sheds light on the complicated dynamics at play in this region. ...

  The Arizona Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is saddened to hear of the passing of founding member Kurt Bahti.  Kurt's dedication to protecting the earth’s most valuable resources and ecosystems was an inspiration to all of us. Through his work with AZGFD, BHA, and numerous other organizations, Kurt turned his passion into action, creating something larger than himself, something that will continue to echo for years to come. The work he started was a true reflection of who he was: ...

Minnesotans will see a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot as they head to the polls for the general election. It is called “Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund Renewal”. Currently, 40 percent of the Minnesota State Lottery profits go to the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF). This fund supports projects that protect the state’s natural resources, support local communities, improve ecosystems, and promote outdoor recreation.  Minnesota BHA supports the ...

Once I realized that western big game hunting was an opportunity to have an epic backpacking trip in the wilderness that potentially could yield a yearlong supply of the most organic, local, grass-fed protein there is, I committed myself to learning to hunt. I learned quickly that getting started as an adult-onset hunter is no easy task. First there are all the necessary and important regulatory hoops one must jump through first to make sure you can hunt safely and ethically. This often ...