Welcome to BHA's State Policy Spotter – a high-level scan of state policy and legislation impacting our wild public lands, waters and wildlife across North America.
Note: The Policy Spotter is not a comprehensive list of legislation or issues that BHA chapters are working on, but rather a spotlight in the moment of what is moving. There are many more bills and issues BHA's chapters are grappling with, so be sure to check out individual chapter pages for more news and updates.
December 2025
Alaska: What the Latest Tongass National Forest Assessment Means for Alaska’s Hunters and Anglers. News
The Alaska Chapter is tracking the U.S. Forest Service’s newly released Tongass National Forest Assessment, the first major step toward revising the forest plan that will guide management of 16.7 million acres in Southeast Alaska. The assessment recognizes the region’s need for a shift from large-scale timber toward hunting, fishing, recreation and a diversified outdoor economy, and highlights the need to address aging logging roads that fragment habitat and affect salmon streams while maintaining access where it matters for backcountry users. It also underscores climate pressures and the importance of resilient habitat, intact old-growth, and sustainable wild-harvest opportunities. A “Need for Change” document is expected in early 2026, and the Alaska Chapter will stay closely engaged to ensure the coming plan reflects the values of hunters, anglers and rural communities that rely on the Tongass.
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Colorado: La Jara Basin LWCF Transfer Moves Ahead. News
Colorado BHA joined a broad coalition of hunting, angling, conservation, and local partners urging the State Land Board to approve the La Jara State Trust Land transfer to the USFS, BLM, and CPW. In its comments, BHA highlighted the significant risk that delaying or rejecting the deal would forfeit nearly $50 million in secured LWCF funding and potentially derail the largest LWCF-backed acquisition in Colorado’s history—a project years in the making.
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Ohio: Support for Potentially Significant ODNR Land Acquisition. News
The Ohio Chapter is working to support an opportunity the Ohio Division of Natural Resources (ODNR) has to acquire 22,000 acres from the Scioto Land Company for approximately $37 million, which would expand state forests and wildlife areas across six southern Ohio counties. The proposal, called the Ohio Forest Conservation Project, requires approval from the state legislature and governor. If approved, it would add 8,000 acres to state forests and 14,000 acres to wildlife management areas, enhancing public land access and conservation. Specific details remain pending as the deal is still under development. A critical step in this land acquisition becoming a reality will be the upcoming state budgeting process.
Washington: Chapter Supports WDFW Land Acquisition in Chelan and Douglas Counties. News
The Washington Chapter submitted a formal comment letter supporting WDFW’s proposed land acquisition in Chelan and Douglas counties under the Lands 20/20 program. The chapter emphasized the shrinking availability of intact shrub steppe habitat and highlighted the project’s value for mule deer, sharp tailed grouse, raptors, and other sagebrush dependent species. Washington BHA also underscored the importance of securing long term public access, particularly for upland bird, small game, and deer hunting, and elevated the unique opportunity at Downs Lake, where acquisition would improve equitable access for anglers and watercraft users. The chapter encouraged WDFW to advance the proposal as a high value investment in habitat, connectivity, and future outdoor recreation opportunities.
Washington D.C.: The Ohio River Restoration Program Act (HB5966) Fly-In. News
The bipartisan Ohio River Restoration Program Act (HB5966) proposes $350 million in annual funding to address severe pollution and habitat degradation in the Ohio River Basin. To advocate for its passage, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) recently joined a Washington D.C. Fly-In, organized by the National Wildlife Federation, where they met with elected officials from multiple states. BHA emphasized the bill’s critical importance to hunters and anglers, detailing how water quality issues directly impact outdoor recreation, wildlife habitats, and local economies. They also highlighted their readiness to lead grassroots stewardship efforts once the legislation is enacted, ensuring tangible, on-the-ground restoration throughout the basin. For a deeper dive into this issue, check out the our recent blog post on the subject.
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Wisconsin. Support for Sand Hill Crane Hunting Bill (SB 112). News
The Wisconsin BHA chapter testified in support of Senate Bill 112, which would establish a regulated hunting season for Sandhill Cranes. They emphasized that the state’s crane population has doubled in the last decade, now exceeding federal goals by nearly 100%, and is causing significant agricultural damage, over $1.9 million in crop claims in 2023 alone. The chapter argued that a managed hunt would provide a sustainable, science-based tool for population control, reduce wasteful depredation kills, and align with successful models in other states. They highlighted hunters’ role in funding conservation and stressed that regulated hunting would support both ecological balance and Wisconsin’s outdoor heritage.
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