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.

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March 2026

Colorado: Wildlife Commission Meeting on Fur Ban Petition this Week. Take Action

A citizen petition before the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission would prohibit the lawful sale, barter, and trade of wildlife fur, despite acknowledging a lack of comprehensive data showing population decline or unsustainable harvest. Colorado BHA supports science-based wildlife management under the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and opposes values-based bans that bypass established regulatory processes. BHA staff have actively participated in the state’s Furbearer Working Group, engaging alongside agency staff and stakeholders to ensure management decisions are grounded in data and professional expertise. Regulated trapping and lawful fur sales have long been recognized as sustainable uses, and any conservation concerns should be addressed through established, science-driven regulatory frameworks. The issue extends beyond trappers, impacting fly fishing, small outdoor businesses, and the full utilization of renewable wildlife resources. Colorado BHA is encouraging members to engage in the public process and help defend science-based management. The proposal will be considered at the Commission’s March 4–5 meeting in Denver. 

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Massachusetts: Proposed Deer Hunting Regulations. News

The Massachusetts State Leadership of the New England Chapter recently testified in support of several proposed deer hunting regulation changes. Their support covers two key proposals: first, to make temporary emergency rules in Wildlife Management Zones 13 and 14 (the islands) permanent, including extended seasons and streamlined tagging, to combat deer overpopulation. Second, they endorsed statewide changes, such as adding a new winter season in specific zones, expanding the Youth Hunt to two days, banning natural deer lures to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease introduction and spread, and modernizing tagging to support the venison donation program. Overall, these measures aim to enhance conservation, expand hunting opportunities, and prioritize disease prevention.

 

Indiana: Fighting to Preserve Public Input and Natural Resource Management. Take Action

 

A troubling bill that the Indiana Chapter has been fighting is inching closer to becoming law. Indiana House Bill 1003, which passed in the House and has moved onto the Senate, includes provisions that will exclude hunters and anglers from the management of our wildlife and wild places. The bill includes a provision that will eliminate the Natural Resource Commission (NRC). This Commission includes 6 citizen members, including 2 who must have a background in conservation, and the Commission also provides a forum for public feedback from everyday outdoors people. Without the NRC, Hoosier hunters and anglers could lose their ability to voice their objections, concerns, or support for natural resources management decisions. This Commission protects Indiana’s wildlife and wild places from shifting political winds and allows Hoosiers to have a say in how natural resources are managed.

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Washington: Chapter Rallies for Habitat Connectivity Bill. Take Action

ESSB 5203, bipartisan legislation advancing Washington’s Habitat Connectivity Action Plan, is one step away from final passage. The bill prioritizes wildlife crossings that reduce dangerous wildlife–vehicle collisions while maintaining critical migration corridors for deer, elk, and other species. Crossings on I-90 and U.S. 97 have already reduced mule deer collisions by up to 90%, improving driver safety and reducing wildlife loss. Deer and elk collisions cost Washington residents more than $74 million annually in vehicle damage, medical bills, and emergency response.

The bill has passed the Senate and cleared the House Transportation Committee and now awaits scheduling for a House floor vote. Washington BHA testified in person before the Senate in support of the legislation and is urging Representatives to bring ESSB 5203 to the floor and vote yes. This common-sense measure strengthens public safety, supports healthy wildlife populations, and represents one of the most significant wildlife connectivity efforts in years.

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Utah: BHA Opposes H.B. 546 – Expanded State Authority Over Federal Lands. Take Action

H.B. 546 asserts that Utah retains legislative jurisdiction over federally managed public lands and claims expanded state authority over those lands’ natural resources, zoning, planning, and enforcement. In effect, the bill attempts to redefine the balance of authority between the federal government and the state by declaring state control over lands that have long been managed under federal law for the benefit of all Americans. Utah was never granted legislative jurisdiction over federal public lands. Federal lands in Utah are governed by the U.S. Constitution’s Property Clause and managed under federal statutes that require multiple-use management, public involvement, and safeguards for access, habitat, and recreation. H.B. 546 challenges that framework and represents another step toward transferring authority from federal agencies to the state.

For hunters and anglers, this matters. Federal public lands provide some of Utah’s best access for hunting, fishing, and backcountry recreation. Shifting management authority away from the federal system risks weakening public participation requirements, reducing habitat protections, and opening the door to land disposal or privatization pressures. It could also create inconsistent rules and enforcement that complicate public access and undermine longstanding conservation systems funded and supported by sportsmen and women. BHA strongly opposes efforts to transfer management or authority of public lands to states or to reduce public access to shared resources. H.B. 546 moves Utah in that direction and should be rejected.

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Virginia: Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund. News

The Virginia team from the Mid Atlantic chapter has been working to support HB 597, which proposes to create a Wildlife Corridor Grant Fund in Virginia. This fund would finance wildlife crossing projects like overpasses and culverts to reduce dangerous vehicle collisions and reconnect fragmented habitats. The fund requires no state budget dollars, instead relying on voluntary public donations and positioning Virginia to compete for significant federal grants. The bill is fiscally responsible, common-sense measure to improve road safety, conservation, and community resilience.