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Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

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Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is a non-profit sportsmen's organization that is based in Montana.[1][2] The group looks to preserve North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing through public education and advocacy.[3] Backcountry Hunters & Anglers works to prevent the development of wild land in North America[4] and follows the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation as a basis for its positions.

The organization was "born around an Oregon campfire in 2004"[5] and has chapters in 22 states and Canada.[6] The group claims close to 10,000 members nationwide.[7]

Land Tawney is the group's President/CEO.[8]

Issues

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers main issues are:[9]

  • Preventing excessive off-road vehicle traffic on wild land.
  • Educating the public on hunting and fishing
  • Preserving natural forests and public lands from development[10]

The group supports federal ownership of federal public lands and is opposed to legislation that would transfer ownership of these lands to states or private interests.[11] Executive Director Land Tawney has stated, "We see states trying to take over national forests and BLM areas as a threat to public lands that could lead to privatization and loss of habitat and access."[12]

The organization supports legislation to ban the use of drones while hunting, calling the technique unethical.[13][14]

The group hosts an annual "Rendezvous" event where members can come together in support of the BHA mission and objectives.[15]

In the early days of the Trump administration in 2017, BHA along with with the Outdoor Industry Alliance led vocal opposition to a congressional bill that would potentially transfer federal public lands to the states. As a result Utah Congressman Jason Chaffetz withdrew his bill, H.R. 621[16].

Criticism

According to the Billings Gazette, a watchdog group has alleged that Backcountry Hunters & Anglers incorporates itself within the sportsmen community in an effort to coneal its environmental agenda.[17]

The Environmental Policy Alliance, a nonprofit that says it is funded by individuals, foundations and corporations,[18] accused Backcountry Hunters & Anglers in 2014[19] of filing incorrect tax returns, and a formal complaint was filed with the IRS.[20] It was accused of failing to disclose major donations.[21] According to the Alliance, in 2012, 60% of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers revenue came from three prominent environmental groups- the Western Conservation Foundation, the Wilburforce Foundation, and the Hewlett Foundation,[22] but BHA allegedly did not disclose this.[23]

References

  1. ^ "BHA Information and Office". Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "Our Purpose". Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "BHA Information and Office". Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Xu, Daniel. "Leaders of Conservation: BHA Executive Director Land Tawney". Outdoor Hub. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Tawney to Direct Backcountry Hunters & Anglers". Traditional Bowhunter. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  6. ^ Landers, Rich (March 3, 2015). "Backcountry Hunters & Anglers rendezvous in Spokane". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  7. ^ Anderson, Taylor (April 30, 2013). "Missoula-bound Backcountry Hunters and Anglers gets new director". The Missoulian. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Tawney to Direct Backcountry Hunters & Anglers". Traditional Bowhunter. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Our Purpose". Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Our Purpose". Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. Archived from the original on 14 March 2015. Retrieved 10 March 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Bridge, Thom. "Rally in the rain: Hunters and anglers protest public land transfer". Helen Air. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  12. ^ Landers, Rich (March 3, 2015). "Backcountry Hunters & Anglers rendezvous in Spokane". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Wildlife Officials Take On Drone Hunting Controversy". CBS News. January 9, 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  14. ^ Anderson, Taylor. "Oregon bill would ban drones for hunting and fishing". Bend Bulletin. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  15. ^ Landers, Rich (March 3, 2015). "Backcountry Hunters & Anglers rendezvous in Spokane". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  16. ^ "Rep. Chaffetz withdrawal of federal land transfer bill marks victory for outdoor industry, conservationists, public lands advocates who vow to continue fight". Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  17. ^ Landers, Rich (March 3, 2015). "Backcountry Hunters & Anglers rendezvous in Spokane". Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Environmental Policy Alliance analyst". Newsok.com. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  19. ^ "IRS Complaint Targets Backcountry Hunters & Anglers". Ammoland. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  20. ^ "IRS Complaint Targets Backcountry Hunters & Anglers". Ammoland. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  21. ^ "IRS Complaint Targets Backcountry Hunters & Anglers". Ammoland. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  22. ^ Steward, Tom. "Sportsmen group targeted as 'green decoy' for environmentalists fires back". Watchdog.org. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
  23. ^ "IRS Complaint Targets Backcountry Hunters & Anglers". Ammoland. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
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