Backcountry Hunters & Anglers - Montana Chapter

Welcome to BHA’s new website! This digital campfire is still being built—thanks for bearing with us as we get it burning bright.

Press Releases

BHA Launches Video Campaign Highlighting "Corner Crossings" Issue, Advocate for Public Land Access

Montana BHA
For Immediate Release Date: July, 18 2024 Contact: Thomas Plank, 303-720-0111, plank@backcountryhunters.org  Missoula, MT – The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is proud to release a new video series featuring renowned influencer Hank Patterson. These humorous and engaging videos shed light on the "Corner Crossing" issue, emphasizing the critical importance of public land access. “Public land access is a cornerstone of our outdoor heritage, providing access and ...
Media Press Releases Montana Chapter press releases

Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act Advances in U.S. Senate

Katie McKalip
News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 21, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org Made-in-Montana bill would protect important headwaters, facilitate timber harvests in appropriate areas and designate close to 80,000 acres of wilderness WASHINGTON – Early this morning, the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, a multifaceted land management bill incorporating diverse regional interests and values, advanced out of a U.S. Senate committee for the first time. The ...
Media Press Releases the campfire Montana Chapter press releases

Montana BHA and Partners Celebrate Bill that Defends Legal Public Access

Katie McKalip
News for Immediate ReleaseMay 19, 2023Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  Montana’s House Bill 486 increases the fine 10X for illegally blocking public roads Missoula, Mont. – More than 3 million acres of public lands in Montana are inaccessible. House Bill 486 - which increases the fines for illegally blocking public roads from $10 per day to $100 per day and is now law - seeks to stop that number from growing any higher. The previous fine for illegally ...
Media Press Releases State Issues policy blog the campfire Montana Chapter press releases public lands

Montanans Rebuke Legislation to Limit Access and Habitat Funding

Kevin Farron
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 2/9/2023 Contact: Jim Klug, Business for Montana Outdoors: 406-581-6434 Frank Szollosi, Montana Wildlife Federation: 406-417-9909 Whitney Tawney, Montana Conservation Voters Ed Fund: 202-412-4793 Noah Marion, Wild Montana: 406-624-9622 Kevin Farron, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers: 406-540-3956   Montanans Rebuke Legislation to Limit Access and Habitat Funding Bill excludes voter-approved Habitat Montana funding authorized by previous Legislature     A new bill being ...
Media Press Releases State Issues policy blog Montana Chapter press releases public lands habitat

Montana Hunting and Conservation Groups Solidify Court Standing in Legal Defense of Elk Management

Katie McKalip
News for Immediate ReleaseSept. 1, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, BHA, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org               Sonya Smith, MWF, 406-417-9909, sonya@mtwf.org  District court judge grants coalition’s motion to intervene by demonstrating a ‘direct, substantial, legally protectable interest’ in suit brought by United Property Owners of Montana MISSOULA, Mont. – A District Court judge has ruled that a coalition of Montana hunting and conservation groups can intervene in a lawsuit ...
Media Press Releases State Issues the campfire Montana Chapter press releases

Public Land Advocates Appeal Anti-Access Ruling in Crazy Mountains Lawsuit

Katie McKalip
News for Immediate ReleaseJuly 21, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  Coalition of sportsmen-conservationists maintains the Forest Service is abdicating its duty to uphold and defend public access to historical trails, asks the Ninth Circuit to help HELENA, Mont. – A coalition of conservation and sportsmen’s groups, including Friends of the Crazy Mountains, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Skyline Sportsmen, and Enhancing Montana’s ...
Media Press Releases policy blog Montana Chapter press releases

Montana BHA Cheers USFWS Establishment of Lost Trail Conservation Area

Arkansas BHA Chapter
News for Immediate Release  July 13, 2022  Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  Multi-use nature of Lost Trail property will conserve wildlife habitat and migration corridors, provide hunter and angler access, and continue sustainable timber harvest   MISSOULA, Mont. – The Montana chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers applauded an announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today that formally established the 38,000-plus acre Lost Trail ...
Media Press Releases State Issues policy blog the campfire Montana Chapter press releases

Montanans Intervene in Lawsuit Attacking State Management of Elk

Katie McKalip
News for Immediate ReleaseJune 1, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, BHA, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org                       Sonya Smith, MWF, 406-417-9909, sonya@mtwf.org   The coalition of state-based groups decries suit by property owners’ association as attempt to upend Montana’s game management, reduce public hunting opportunity HELENA, Mont. – A coalition of Montana hunting and conservation groups has taken formal action to oppose the lawsuit filed in April by the United ...
Media Press Releases the campfire Montana Chapter press releases

BHA Bestows Top Honors at North American Rendezvous

Katie McKalip
News for Immediate ReleaseMay 17, 2022Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers bestowed its top honors on a suite of deserving recipients at the 11th annual BHA North American Rendezvous, held in Missoula, Montana, May 12-14. BHA’s annual awards honor unequalled commitment, tireless effort and ongoing dedication to public lands and waters, fish and wildlife and hunting and fishing. BHA's Collegiate Club members ...
Media Chapter News Press Releases North Carolina Chapter the campfire AFI Comms Channel Montana Chapter press releases Wyoming Chapter Arkansas Chapter Collegiate Program Rhode Island BHA

U.S. Forest Service Drops Controversial Sections from Crazy Mountains Land Swap

Arkansas BHA Chapter
News for Immediate ReleaseDec. 11, 2020Contact: Katie McKalip, 406-240-9262, mckalip@backcountryhunters.org  USFS cited input from sportsmen and women as reason for change in course MISSOULA, Mont. – In a win for public access and public lands hunters and anglers, the U.S. Forest Service has removed sections of prime public lands elk habitat from a land swap in the Crazy Mountains in response to input provided by Backcountry Hunters & Anglers members and others.  The concerns raised by ...
Media Press Releases State Issues the campfire Montana Chapter press releases
12