By Karl FindlingThe idea of hunting the backcountry is increasingly appealing to many folks. Today, it seems everyone has a GPS unit and can travel for days over diverse country. But, what occurs when the GPS is inoperable or the batteries die? Do you know how to navigate without your GPS in country you’ve never been in or seen in daylight? How about when fog or snow sets in? How competent are you with a map and compass? * The 12 Essentials Navigation (map and compass) Sun protection ...

The following is a compilation of reports and stories from hunters, anglers and public land users about how illegal OHV use has impacted habitat and hunting and fishing opportunities.  If you have a story to share, please send it by email.   Jerry Woodard, Utah:Jerry explains a time when:Some hunters on ATVs insisted they would haul his elk out for him if they could get their machines to the site. Even though Jerry declined their offer, the persistent ATV riders spent much of the day trying ...

Wildlife needs wild habitat. Americans need energy. And sportsmen overwhelming understand that we need both.As gas prices creep-up, people are understandably concerned.  While this concern warrants further discussion among candidates, well-balanced energy development on our public lands must be central to any discussion – sportsmen expect that.   The public access and quality fish and wildlife habitat that public lands provide are of too great for it to go any other way. And sportsmen ...

The following is backcountry hunting story by Alaska BHA Member, Mike Rogers.  The original version can be found on Mike's blog."Daddy, isn't that a moose?" queried my young son from our perch he had nicknamed "Castle Rocks". The Rocks were a series of abrupt rocky spires and scree jutting from the ridge face about halfway to the 3500' summit. The spires and their connecting cliffs and scree fields made a roughly continuous wall, some 1/2 mile long and 300 feet above the more gently angled ...

By Idaho Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Member, Brad Brooks. Brad lives in Boise Idaho and waterfowl hunts the Snake River Basin when he is not hunting big game.For a masochist like me there is something strangely appealing about waterfowl hunting in cold weather. To me, hunting is about getting away from the crowds and enjoying the peace and solitude of the hunt, which often requires enduring pain and discomfort that others are often unwilling to subject themselves to, for good reason.The ...