Bill introduced today would permanently reauthorize popular, effective conservation program WASHINGTON – Bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this morning would permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the nation’s most popular and successful access program. Introduced by Patrick Meehan, a Republican from Pennsylvania, and Raul Grijalva, a Democrat from Arizona, the bill mirrors legislation from the 114th Congress that was widely ...

The newest issue of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers magazine is available today MISSOULA, Mont. – The winter issue of Backcountry Journal is arriving in BHA members’ mailboxes now. Here’s a taste of what you'll find inside: Is Wildlife Viewing the New Hunting?: In 1960, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service counted almost 14 million hunting license holders in the U.S. Despite there being 140 million more Americans today, hunter numbers haven’t changed. But wildlife watching is on the rise. Ed ...

Final lease retirements safeguard critical fish and wildlife habitat,  culminate decades-long effort by hunters, anglers, others   HELENA, Mont. – Montana hunters and anglers are celebrating following the secretary of Interior’s cancellation of the last remaining oil and gas leases in some of the finest big game habitat and native fisheries in North America: the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.  Following 35 years of legal and political battles over leases ...

Measure recalculates costs of public lands transfers, facilitating giveaways WASHINGTON — The 115th Congress capped its first day late Tuesday with a vote to give away America’s public lands and waters, recalculating the costs of public lands transfers and easing current restrictions for shifting their oversight to individual states or private interests. Passed largely along party lines by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of a rules package, the provision would designate any ...

Public land traditions, opportunities and access form the center point of a new alliance MISSOULA, Mont. — Weatherby and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today announce the launch of a corporate partnership that will elevate both Weatherby’s and BHA’s efforts to conserve, provide access to and enjoy North America’s wildest backcountry lands and waters. The history of Weatherby began in the mid-1940s when a young cartridge “wildcatter” named Roy Weatherby set out to change the world of firearm ...

Following state land board decision to postpone the Elliott’s sale, sportsmen speak up on behalf of Oregon’s oldest state forest KEIZER, Ore. – Oregon hunters and anglers are commending a decision by state officials to postpone the sale of the Elliott State Forest to a private-tribal partnership and to seek proposals to keep Oregon’s oldest state forest publicly accessible and under state ownership. At its meeting last week, the Oregon state land board encountered strong opposition by ...

Massive sulfide-ore copper mine would have jeopardized the region’s fish and wildlife, outdoor opportunities; leases were strongly opposed by sportsmen ELY, Minn. – Public lands sportsmen today applauded the denial of federal mineral leases in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness watershed, a decision that removes a grave threat to the nation’s most-visited wilderness, ensures the continuation of the region’s hunting and fishing traditions, and safeguards the fish and wildlife ...

MISSOULA, Mont. – In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Rep. Ryan Zinke as U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney issued the following statement: “Congressman Zinke understands the importance of public lands and balancing management of these important resources with energy development and other uses. As Montana’s lone representative in the House of Representatives, Mr. Zinke has showed himself to be receptive to the ...

MISSOULA, Mont. – In response to President-elect Donald Trump’s expected nomination of Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers as U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney issued the following statement: “Representative McMorris Rodgers’ track record in Congress should raise a red flag for Americans who care about the responsible management of our public lands and waters. President-elect Trump has pledged to keep public lands in public hands, and ...

News for Immediate ReleaseDec. 1, 2016Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org State land board unanimously votes to scuttle proposal, which would have eliminated public access to thousands of acres CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyoming sportsmen today commended a state government decision to reject a controversial land swap in the Laramie Range that would have resulted in the loss of public access to thousands of acres of state lands. The Wyoming State Land Board voted 5-0 ...