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 ...

News for Immediate ReleaseNov. 16, 2016Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org BHA Statement on Cancellation of Badger-Two Medicine Leases MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today commended the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that 15 of the remaining oil and gas drilling leases in the Badger-Two Medicine area of the Lewis & Clark National Forest will be cancelled. BHA National Board Chairman Ryan Busse, a Kalispell resident, issued ...

News for Immediate ReleaseNov. 15, 2016Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org House Natural Resources subcommittee met today to consider the legislation;BHA urges sportsmen to unite, House to abandon unpopular effort WASHINGTON – Following a House of Representatives hearing on legislation that would transfer ownership of U.S. public lands, waters and resources away from the American people, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers condemned ongoing efforts by members of ...

News for Immediate ReleaseNov. 9, 2016Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Backcountry Hunters & Anglers’ Statement on the U.S. Presidential Election Results MISSOULA, Mont. – In the wake of a presidential election characterized by unprecedented conflict and vitriol, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers urged sportsmen to look forward: uniting in support of shared values, sound natural resources management and American public lands. BHA President and CEO Land Tawney ...