To welcome the new year, the Montana BHA board elected a new leader, Jake Schwaller, after our previous Chair, John B. Sullivan III, completed his term. First and foremost, we are grateful for the years of exceptional dedication and leadership John gave to BHA and are happy to retain him on the board in the position of Immediate Past Chair. Jake certainly has big boots to fill, and we look forward to the great work he will do in his new role. To give members an idea of Jake’s background and his dedication to BHA, we sat down to ask him a few questions:

Congratulations on your new position as Board Chair of the Montana chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Jake! Tell us a little about your involvement with BHA and your time on the board thus far:

Jake: Thank you! I look forward to the challenge, and I'm excited to work with our very talented volunteer board in this role. I have been a member of BHA since 2015, and joined the board in 2020. I have mostly worked on policy, and have been involved in advocating through two legislative sessions, writing and delivering testimony, as well as engaging on various local issues with FWP and the commission. Through the Montana chapter, I have not only been part of this work, but I have also met some of my closest friends and best hunting partners.

How do you envision the future of Montana BHA? What are its primary challenges and opportunities, and how will you be involved moving forward?

Jake: I see Montana BHA continuing to be one of the strongest voices standing up for our public land, water, and wildlife. Our past leadership has done an excellent job, and I only see us growing stronger in the years ahead. Of course, one of our primary challenges going forward is simply to keep the momentum up. Montana's demographics have been changing rapidly in the last decade or so, and with those changes have come some losses in our traditions and values, especially those pertaining to public land and wildlife. But on the other hand, that also means we have an opportunity to continue to educate and advocate, and introduce folks to our robust hunting and fishing culture.

The Montana legislative session has just begun, and our chapter is already at the capitol working hard to protect public lands, water, and wildlife. Can you tell us about your history working in the session on behalf of BHA? What are the chapter's priorities in Helena this year? 

Jake: I've been through two sessions, and it is usually fast and furious. Every week we meet and review upcoming bills and decide as a board how we can stand up for our members and advocate for or against pending legislation. We have a dedicated team of volunteers that work with our lobbyist to stand up for the issues we care most about. Our priorities this year are the same as they have been in the past: work with our partners to stave off any inequitable legislation that attempts to turn Montana wildlife management into a system of haves and have-nots, doesn't follow the sound principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and stand up for great programs that keep public lands in public hands, like Habitat Montana and our Stream Access Law. We're also looking to advance legislation that can help create more access to public land and waters, and reduce pressure on our wildlife.

What's the best way for members of BHA to get involved? 

Jake: Read our emails! Of course, this is just the first step, but we try to make sure we update membership about the issues we are tackling in the legislative session, as well as commission meetings, upcoming events, and boots-on-the-ground volunteer opportunities. We are a grassroots, volunteer-led org, which means any time or talent that people are willing to share, we are happy to have along and there's a place for you. I'd be remiss not to mention that we have a couple of board positions open right now, so if anyone would like to join the board and be part of this team, check out our page and apply.

In the landscape of conservation organizations throughout the West, how is BHA unique? Do you have any words of encouragement for those on the fence about becoming members of BHA or getting more involved as volunteers?

Jake: There are so many great conservation orgs to choose from, and I've given time and money to others, but I haven't served on their boards so take my words with a grain of salt. But for me, what has made BHA unique is just how committed we are to serving the grassroots interests of our membership. As mostly volunteers, we aren't beholden to big donors. This ultimately means we don't shy away from engaging in big issues. We also have one of the biggest, most welcoming tents I've ever seen. As an org, we span accross all kinds of political divides; the work of conservation supercedes all of it. To anyone on the fence about joining, I would ask that you take a look at the work we do and have done, and if it is work you support, then please sign up.

Now for the real tricky questions: What's your favorite big game animal to pursue, and why?

Jake: This one is a no brainer for me, if not a little cliche: but it's chasing elk in the mountains. I come from three generations of Montana elk hunters and my family just celebrated our 31st year at the same Elk Camp this year. I love the hard work of it: some of my early experiences elk hunting with my dad have been the most difficult, and also rewarding, in my life. These experiences have really shaped who I am. There's always something to see over the next ridge.

Favorite recipe?

Jake: I was lucky enough to grow up with some family in Indonesia, and every summer when they'd visit we'd always have Indonesian to mix it up. I tweaked a famous Indonesian dish for elk, here https://www.backcountryhunters.org/elk_roast_rendang

Fly rod or spin gear?

Jake: Fly Rod. Few things beat a big cutthrout sipping dries. My grades my first semester of law school in Missoula suffered due to my proximity to Rock Creek, and I have no regrets!

Thanks for dedicating your time and expertise as a member of the Montana BHA board, Jake! We'll look forward to seeing the great work you'll continue to do in support of the BHA mission in your home state.