Update from Chapter Chair

Happy August everyone. I hope you all are as excited as I am about the upcoming hunting season opening up next month. DEC has some big changes this year to how they will issue hunting licenses and tags, so be sure to read details below.  As I think most know, we had to cancel our Rally in the Valley gathering this year due to low attendance, but we do hope to have some more events around the state soon, so keep an eye out for future announcements. In the meantime, I hope everyone is practicing your archery, getting your rifles sighted in, and doing some final summer scouting!  Good luck out there this season! I again want to encourage you all to please tag and follow us on social media, join us at Pint Nights and conservation stewardship events, let your legislators hear from you about proposed bills impacting hunters and anglers, and make sure your BHA membership is current! Get out there and enjoy your NY public lands and waters!

Greg Whalin - NY BHA Chapter Chair 

Upcoming Events

NY Annual Saratoga Sand Plains Public Archery Range Shoot, August 29th @ 5pm

Join us again this year at the Saratoga Sand Plains Wildlife Management Area Public Archery Range to get those bows dusted off and chat all things bowhunting and BHA. The event at the range starts at 5:00 and we will shoot for a couple hours or so then venture down to the Parting Glass Pub after. In the event of inclement weather an email will be sent to those that have RSVP’d and we will just meet up at the Parting Glass Pub at 5. Important details and RSVP at the link below.

NY Annual Saratoga Sand Plains Public Archery Range Shoot - RSVP Here

NY Hunting Season Opener - September 1

New York’s hunting season will open September 1st across the state. For those that are unaware, DEC has moved to a new license system, where instead of having your license and tags mailed to you, you will instead need to either print them out or go to a license issuing agent to have them printed for you. They will not be mailing them to you this year (with some exceptions for lifetime license holders). In addition to this change, you will no longer need to wear a back tag going forward.  More details about this change can be found at this FAQ. This season’s hunting regs (with BHA board members on the cover at one of our mentor hunts last year!) you can read these on the DEC website

Common Roots Brewing Public Lands Celebration Pint Night, September 26th @ 6pm

Celebrate with us at the Common Roots Flagship!! September is Public Lands Month and we will be celebrating across the country and even here in South Glens Falls, NY. The Common Roots Brewing Company Flagship is hosting us to celebrate Public Lands Month and also a birthday, of sorts.  Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is 20 this year and although the NY Chapter isn't that old we did hold our first ever Pint Night at Common Roots back in 2017. Former chair, Todd Waldron will be on hand to talk about the early days of the NY Chapter among other topics.  We will also chat all things BHA, future events, Adirondacks, legislative topics, etc. There will be a chance to win some cool prizes. Come on out and join in the fun! 

Common Roots Brewing Public Lands Celebration Pint Night - RSVP Here

Conservation Cooperative Podcast

We, along with New England, have a podcast! The Conservation Cooperative, is short, engaging, and informative on conservation issues in the Northeast. Episode 3 - Road Ecology and Wildlife Crossings, is out now.  In this episode we look at how roads impact wildlife, the role that wildlife crossings can play on the landscape, and how the New York Wildlife Crossings Act, which is on the verge of becoming law, could make a big impact for both animals and people. 

Be sure to listen on your favorite podcast platform ON SPOTIFY HERE,  ON APPLE HERE

Legislative / Policy Update

Legislative Updates

The legislative session for 2024 has wrapped for the year.

DEC Updates

Unit/Recreation Management Plans and Proposals - DEC regularly seeks public input as they work to manage our public lands. While they will regularly receive input from other groups, often hunters and anglers are fairly silent. It directly benefits the hunting and angling communities for you to take a look at these plans and voice your feedback directly to DEC.   They do listen to your input and in the past, our voices have resulted in wins for hunters and anglers. Current plans open for feedback include:

Region 8

• Keuka Highlands UMP and Keuka Lowlands UMP - comments open until further notice
• Great Divide Unit Management Plan (formerly Erwin UMP and Great Divide UMP) - comments open until further notice

NY BHA Call for Volunteers

We need your help!  We are looking for volunteers to help with the following efforts.

• Regional Event Coordinators - Want to help us plan gatherings for your fellow NY BHA members?  We need help with local Pint Nights as well as other NY events. 
• Policy and Legislative work - Our Policy team and newly forming Legislative team needs passionate folks to jump in and help us do the important work to protect our public lands and access for hunters and anglers!
• Mentorship work - We want to build a list of folks in the state who are open to being mentors for new hunters and anglers. We have opportunities and need for folks who can give a little all the way up to folks who want to really invest a lot.  Everything from answering questions to being a one on one coach to participating on our larger weekend long hunt camps for new hunters.
• Conservation work - We are working with DEC to have more opportunities for events to do quality habitat work on our public lands. Want to roll your sleeves up and help, we would love to have you!

If you are interested in volunteering a bit of your time and talents, please let us know by filling out and submitting this form.

How to Connect with Us

Here are a few ways you can keep in touch with the New York BHA chapter:

Stay up to date with events and blogs from New York on our BHA web page at New York Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.  

Join our Facebook group at New York BHA on Facebook. 

Follow us on Instagram New York BHA (@newyorkbha).

Contact the Chapter Board by email: [email protected]

Thank our sponsors: New York BHA Corporate Sponsors

Join us at an upcoming event: NY BHA Events

Signup to be a volunteer: NY BHA Volunteer

Last but not least, make sure your BHA membership is current and give the gift of BHA to a friend or family member!