Stay away from Backcountry Hunters and Anglers!

[Hogpatrol]

@COSA At the rate sales are going, in 50 years, hunting will be a sport reserved for the wealthy. Youth are not picking up enough slack to fund game commissions/departments. Link is to license sales in the state of Pennsylvania, once a bastion of the hunting tradition.

https://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/LicensesandPermits/Pages/HuntingLicenseSalesReport.aspx

 

[Laniarius]

Although I'm from Montana and an advocate of public lands/access, I'm not a supporter of BHA because of their liberal leadership and agenda. However, I don't think they are the "Trojan Horse" that some of these websites make them out to be. If us "experienced" hunters alienate new/younger hunters with different political viewpoints, hunting as we know it will be gone in 50 years....

Thanks. Feedback like this and the above comments and web pages is enough to make me not want to support them, but like you said they're perhaps not a Trojan Horse, or Soros-Clinton Op. Just greenie fudds with expensive backpacks and boots.

 

[CEO]

I am an extremely reluctant member of BHA. By reluctant I mean brought up the membership page, downed 10 beers to remove my inhibitions, and signed up.

Other members I know are all suspect of the national leadership and there are no doubt some stomach churning coalitions with other groups and donors. As a mostly conservative guy I'm not the person to defend those alliances. I do think public land is an important issue and that issue lends itself to the left side of the aisle. The concern I have is these groups will turn on hunters at the drop of a hat when given the chance.

 

[gizmo]

Thanks for the heads up, I have never heard of them (not that that says much) but I'll make sure I don't donate to anything they are involved in.

 

[Laniarius]

I'm still leery of BHA based on what's been share here, but to be fair, their BC chair at least spoke out against the BC grizzly hunt ban, see link below. This doesn't prove anything, but I think it's a relatively good sign. I.e., opposition to managed large predator hunting is a good indicator of someone being in commie la-la land, and going on the record in opposition to the BC ban is a plus.

https://www.thedrivefm.ca/2017/08/1...up-disappointed-with-grizzly-trophy-hunt-ban/

 

[gizmo]

I'm still leery of BHA based on what's been share here, but to be fair, their BC chair at least spoke out against the BC grizzly hunt ban, see link below. This doesn't prove anything, but I think it's a relatively good sign. I.e., opposition to managed large predator hunting is a good indicator of someone being in commie la-la land, and going on the record in opposition to the BC ban is a plus.

https://www.thedrivefm.ca/2017/08/1...up-disappointed-with-grizzly-trophy-hunt-ban/

Is it a Canadian organization or did they just speak out on that particular issue?

 

[sestoppelman]

"Hey.....my eyes are up here"

Yeah, well I am checking out the headlights!

 

[Laniarius]

Is it a Canadian organization or did they just speak out on that particular issue?

BHA is based in Montana and was initially focused on the western US but I think they're spreading into the eastern US and also have Canadian chapters.

 

[MT_Fin]

So you are supporting these socialists? Maybe I missed something between the lines. They have people working for them that used to work for HSUS. That all I need to know.

It actually says that one of the organizations that have given money to BHA has someone who used to work for HSUS as an executive director.
"Wilburforce’s executive director, Tim Greyhavens, previously worked for the Humane Society of the United States, "

Coolaid has been drunk here folks! Keep reading and get informed.
Philip

So you dismiss my personal first hand experience, which I base my opinion on, due to reading articles on the internet........ and Im the one who drank the "coolaid"?

I am all for having a discussion, and have no problem with differing opinions, but throwing out petty jabs is pretty disappointing honestly.

 

[YancyW]

It actually says that one of the organizations that have given money to BHA has someone who used to work for HSUS as an executive director.
"Wilburforce’s executive director, Tim Greyhavens, previously worked for the Humane Society of the United States, "


So you dismiss my personal first hand experience, which I base my opinion on, due to reading articles on the internet........ and Im the one who drank the "coolaid"?

I am all for having a discussion, and have no problem with differing opinions, but throwing out petty jabs is pretty disappointing honestly.

If you knew they were funded by both Soros and Wyss, would it change your opinion at all?

I spent years tracking Open Society and Wyss Foundation political spending, so I am happy to talk about them from personal, first hand experience, not just "internet articles".

For those that don't know, Wyss is Hansjorg Wyss.

 

[Newboomer]

They talk a good show but it's actions that define them. I get the sense that they will say anything that gets them a few bucks and then stab the giver in the back if he doesn't go along with their propaganda. Pro hunting talk, yes. Pro hunting action, not so much. And to attach Teddy Roosevelt's name to such a socialist mob is unforgivable.

 

[Scott CWO]

It actually says that one of the organizations that have given money to BHA has someone who used to work for HSUS as an executive director.
"Wilburforce’s executive director, Tim Greyhavens, previously worked for the Humane Society of the United States, "


So you dismiss my personal first hand experience, which I base my opinion on, due to reading articles on the internet........ and Im the one who drank the "coolaid"?

I am all for having a discussion, and have no problem with differing opinions, but throwing out petty jabs is pretty disappointing honestly.

MT Fin - There are better groups to support such as WSF, B&C, etc...

 

[Philip Glass]

It actually says that one of the organizations that have given money to BHA has someone who used to work for HSUS as an executive director.
"Wilburforce’s executive director, Tim Greyhavens, previously worked for the Humane Society of the United States, "


So you dismiss my personal first hand experience, which I base my opinion on, due to reading articles on the internet........ and Im the one who drank the "coolaid"?

I am all for having a discussion, and have no problem with differing opinions, but throwing out petty jabs is pretty disappointing honestly.

I understand you have met some of these folks and seem to like them. From the first I heard of them I personally researched them and found them to be leftists focused on federal land and environmental causes. If you will read the entirety of this thread you will find that they have been called out by many many people including SCI. They are very busy fundraising from questionable sources. You see as hunters we are the real environmentalists and these leftists are all frauds. Socialists to the core.
Here is my challenge: why not just support SCI, DSC, and other real conservation first hunting organizations? Why mess around with what can easily be called a fringe group with a narrow focus?
Regards,
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

BHA is based in Montana and was initially focused on the western US but I think they're spreading into the eastern US and also have Canadian chapters.

Based in Montana and denounced by SCI Montana chapter. That says a lot as far as I’m concerned.
Also did everyone read that they are skirting IRS rules so as not to reveal their funding sources? Wow!
Philip

 

[Fastrig]

Based in Montana and denounced by SCI Montana chapter. That says a lot as far as I’m concerned.
Also did everyone read that they are skirting IRS rules so as not to reveal their funding sources? Wow!
Philip

If that's the case, RED FLAG!! Personally believe non-profits need to be done away with completely as that whole industry has become a bastion for hiding big money payoff schemes and sheltering big money from taxes in for-profit ventures.

 

[Firebird]

As a taxidermist I am often approached by the usual conservation/hunting groups about donations for fundraising banquets etc. it gets old about the fifth ducks unlimited chapter that comes with open palms. So one time I asked if there in my basement could he please show me where the money they raise actually goes-how much to local stuff, federal stuff, paid reps etc. To my great pleasure he was able to show me from the binder in his briefcase almost to the penny-truly I had lost interest and bored out by the time he was done.
Then another group and another guy-same question only at a booth at the big local expo. has a freak out in front of an auditorium and chews my keester for “not caring about hunting and fishing” in my state, tells me it’s none of my business how much they get paid and calls me some names. He apologized later, after one of the mule deer federation guys from another booth had a chat with him.
Point is, ALL organizations deserve some hard scrutiny before WE fund them, not just questions asked of the lowly volunteers doing the legwork or the internet babble but more in depth research;and, thanks to someone for already mentioning this but-by their works you will know them, or something along those lines.
Guess which group I still support and which I do not despite their common interests and goodwill. . .

 

[Deleted member 43267]

BHA is perhaps the one group of hunters and anglers who actually recognize that habitat is a prerequisite for having populations of game animals and are trying to do something about it.

 

[lockingblock]

Bump. BHA is still anti gun, anti hunting, and run by elitists that want you off their public land.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Another bump, scary outfit.

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers | Activist FactsActivist Facts

One of the latest fronts in Big Green’s spider web At a Glance Environmentalist activism is the name of the game at BHA, and hunters and anglers are just the camouflage. BHA has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from environmentalist groups, and BHA executive director Land Tawney has a...

www.activistfacts.com

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I had not seen this thread previously. My office (USFWS) receives a copy of their publication and has for several years. I do not know how we wound up on their list. I have never asked. It's a nice looking publication... but... each time I look at a copy or read a few stories, I have always come away with a feeling that it's not where I want my money going. I realize that is wholly a big fat nothing other than a gut feeling, but listening to my inner instincts has served me well through the years. To read here that many have done more research and choose to say no to financial support is somewhat comforting.

I agree too about being judged by the company you keep. Also, one of my mantras back when I was a HS basketball coach was that I'd rather lose with dignity than win without it. This feels a bit like that to me. I'd prefer to support those who are wholly on the side of right, in as much as I see something as right.