The skwalas are out and we're just 11 days from turkey and black bear opener; spring is definitely in the air!

As we wrap up the first quarter or 2022, here's a quick recap of what the Montana Chapter of BHA has been up to, what's on deck and how you can get involved!

Q1 Recap

Image courtesy of MT BHA board member Dane Rider

One of the best projects we've seen in decades is being considered by FWP right now. The proposed Big Snowy Mountains Wildlife Management Area acquisition is out for public comment; here are our thoughts and why we're so excited about this!

After a six-month season-setting process and a ton of advocating on behalf of equitable opportunities and science-based wildlife management, here's where the big changes in regs landed and our responses.

The BLM Dillon Field Office is revising their Resource Management Plan. We submitted comments encouraging careful considerations for wildlife migrations, habitat protections and responsible energy development.

Changes to how mountain lion hunting opportunities are allocated have been proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Here are our comments explaining our opposition.

One Anaconda business played a pivotal role in repairing the Hebgen Dam; here's how we thanked them.

A number of conservation easements and land acquisitions have been considered the last few months; our issues page links to our comments on these and more.

The work on elk management continues, with the 454 program in the crosshairs. We have an opportunity to fix the 454s and the first step in that process was at the EQC meeting; more ways to engage on this are listed below.

We had our day in federal court sticking up for public access in the Crazies. The recommended findings from Judge Cavan were disappointing, as was Judge Watters' subsequent ruling. However, our efforts to restore legal public access in this range and preserve public access across the country have only begun.

FWP and the legislature continue to push the expensive and ill-advised strategy of stocking pen-raised pheasants; we opposed this, and here's why.

Sticking up for clean water, we've opposed narrative water quality standards as well as the adoption of lower selenium standards for Lake Koocanusa.

Montana Chapter's own Thomas Baumeister was selected as Backcountry Hunters & Anglers North American member of the month!

Upcoming Member Events

CMR National Wildlife Refuge Fence Pull - April 23, 7:00am - noon; CMR Refuge, James Kipp Campground

POSTPONED - Hands On Workday: Wire Roll Project with Pheasants Forever - April 23, 9:00am - 5pm; Yellowstone WMA

Logan Shooting Area Clean Up - May 1, 8:30am - 12:30pm; Logan DNRC lands near Logan Landfill

MeatEater Pint Night - May 3, 4:00pm - 7pm - Billings, MT

Bighorn River Fence Pull - May 6, 9:00am - 1pm; Bighorn River, Three Mile Access, St. Xavier, MT

Rendezvous 2022 - May 12-14 - Missoula, MT

Backcountry Brewfest - May 13 - Missoula, MT

Lewis Knob Fence Pull & Habitat Restoration - May 28, 10:00am - 3:00pm; near Seeley Lake, MT

Webb Lake Weeds Trip - June 20 - 23; Scapegoat Wilderness, near Lincoln, MT

Carpp Lake Trails Work - August 12 - 14; Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, near Philipsburg, MT

Got another event idea? We encourage you to suggest an event or help us plan a stewardship project.

Ways to Engage

If you care about elk, the 454 agreements and other wildlife management issues in Montana, there are a upcoming hearings and meetings to put on your radar: the first is April 19th's Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting, and the second is the PLPW meeting in Lewistown, May 18/19.

Federal legislation that will have significant impacts here in Montana are on the move; it's important that public land owners take a few moments to express their support for things like the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act which could get a markup soon, the MAPLand Act  which just passed the House, Recovering America's Wildlife Act which has never been closer to becoming a reality and the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act which would protect some 385 miles of our most treasured waterways.

A ton of great conversations are happening on our Instagram page, our Facebook Group and on Twitter. We encourage you to join us! 

Join us! If you didn't receive a copy of the Spring 2022 Backcountry Journal last week, that's a good indication that your membership has lapsed or there's an issue with your mailing address; you can check on both at your member portal.

Recipe from the Backcountry

Venison Gyros! "While you can make this with lamb or lean beef, venison is my favorite." Learn how to make this Greek favorite at home  from Montana BHA's chapter organizer Veronica Corbett.

Thank you for your continued support!

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