Look Near Before You Look Far One of the lessons I have learned over and over while elk hunting is ‘look near before you look far.’ In other words, make sure there are no animals right in front of you before you step out into the open to glass the faraway ridges and slopes. I have found both looking near and far are both effective and important strategies in elk hunting. This past month I had the opportunity to ‘work both far and near’ in my role on the ID BHA boards. First, I was invited to ...

It was a very successful day at the Maine Skowhegan Fence Removal Project last Sunday April 28th.  A small but feisty crew removed +1500’ of fence that was wrapped in invasive plants!  The Maine Bureau of Public Land and Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife helped us get this project off the ground and now that the metal fencing has been removed, the biologists can work on getting some heavy equipment in to the area to knock back the invasive plants.  Lots more opportunities for future ...

As Backcountry Hunters and Anglers members and Forest Service personnel gathered on Friday evening, newcomers were treated to the wide open vistas of the high plains, vast unbroken skylines and unfortunately, Eastern New Mexico spring winds. With gusts of up to 60 mph and sustained winds of 40 mph or so, volunteers buttoned up and scooted close to propane campfires as they got to know each other and planned out the work for the 4th Annual Kiowa National Grassland project.   Neither night ...

The Vermont team of the New England Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers held a Maintenance Day at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area  on April 13th, removing brush and trees on the West Branch dam helping to maintain the dam's structural integrity. The dam creates an 80-acre pond that is well known for its waterfowl hunting and fishing. Special thanks to all that showed up and Amy Alfieri of the VT Fish & Game for helping us set this up.          Want to join in on real, boots on the ...

The Kansas Chapter of BHA teamed up with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Bishop Miege Fishing Club, a local Boy Scout Troop, and other individuals February 22, 2024 to build new habitat structure for Lake Olathe near Kansas City.  In total 16 people attended to build these PVC & concrete structures that will be used to turn a lake without much structure into one that has more habitat available for its fishy residents.  The first step of the project was to cut underground ...