(05/12/25) Congressional Representatives are trying to sell more than 500,000 acres of our public lands! As a member of the BHA community, you’re on the front lines. Here’s what you need to know – and how you can help Public Land Owners fight back! 

What’s Happening 

• On May 6, the House Natural Resources Committee advanced a last-minute amendment to the budget reconciliation bill authorizing the sale of public lands in Utah and Nevada. 

• What started as reports of 11,000 acres has since ballooned to more than 500,000 acres, with some parcels including important habitat for big game, upland birds, and critical public access. 

• This happened with zero public input, zero conservation planning, and zero plans for reinvestment into habitat or access. 

Why It Matters 

• The amendment bypasses the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act (FLTFA) – a bipartisan law BHA helped make permanent. FLTFA requires public land sales to be reinvested into acquiring new public access, wildlife habitat, and recreational lands, and not be used as short-term budget “fixes.” 

• This sale violates that promise and sets a dangerous precedent that could very easily be repeated in our remaining 48 states. 

• Public lands in Utah and Nevada belong to all of us. If Utah and Nevada fall, other states will NOT be far behind. 

BHA’s Position 

“We’ll work with anyone, anywhere, to find real solutions. But if you’re looking to carve up America’s public lands behind closed doors, you won’t find compromise like FLTFA – you’ll find a bunch of pissed off Americans who love public lands.” 

– Ryan “Cal” Callaghan, BHA North American Board Chair 

Your Role 

Here’s how you can help defend public lands and shut this down: 

Call Your Representative 

This is the single most effective thing you can do. Dial the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121, ask to be connected to your House Representative, and say: 

“My name is [your name], and I’m a public land hunter and angler. I’m calling to urge you to oppose any public land sales in the budget reconciliation bill. These lands belong to all Americans. This process has been rushed, and the public deserves better. Keep public lands in public hands.” 

Visit BHA’s Action Center

1. Visit: backcountryhunters.org/take_action#/487 
2. Enter your street address and ZIP (Based on your locale, you’ll be matched with your Representative) 
3. Send a direct message to and/or call your Representative 

Rally Your Community

As a member of the BHA community, your voice carries weight! Here’s how to amplify it: 

• Post on social media (use #KeepItPublic and #PublicLandOwner and tag @backcountryhunters) 

• Talk to your chapter, friends, and local leaders 

• Forward this Action Brief to anyone who hunts, fishes, or values wild public lands 

• Write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper 

• Attend any town halls or district meetings—and raise this issue 

• Attend local rallies, marches or any public event that supports our wild public lands! Not one in your area? Consider hosting one, with BHA’s support! 

 Key Message for Any Setting 

“I’m a public land hunter and angler, and I strongly oppose the sale of public lands in the House budget bill. This isn’t about politics – it’s about principle. Public lands are not bargaining chips. They are not surplus. They are not for sale.” 

Visual Messaging

These graphics can be used along with the preceding messages to share your support for public lands and waters. Click HERE to download the graphics folder. There are solid background images as well as those with transparent backgrounds to overlay on top of your favorite public lands scene. Additionally, here are graphics customized to use for Instagram stories and provide the audience more information.

Thanks for joining BHA Public Land Owners in the fight!