Hunting and angling have been essential parts of West Virginia’s culture for generations.  As the dynamics of access, wildlife population, and legislation change, a few West Virginians saw the need to unite sportsmen and women to support policy that protects and enhances this intrinsic part of our culture.

Folks decided reach out to one of the largest organizations working with sportspersons in the nation, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA). BHA has chapters across the United States, providing resources and support to promote access and ecosystem-wide conservation in wild places.

West Virginia was one of the three remaining states not to have an official BHA Chapter, and with the Mountain State containing vast areas of wild places, it seemed essential to create a chapter.

The West Virginia Chapter held its kick-off event at Bridge Brewworks in Fayetteville, WV on July 12. The event was a casual evening filled with engaging conversation around the preservation of access to public lands, particularly in the New River Gorge corridor.

WV Rivers’ public lands coordinator, Rhea Mitchell, attended the kick-off and fielded questions around the proposed park designation change for the New River Gorge.  She encouraged attendees to take WV Rivers’ brief survey on the proposal change. Learn more and take the survey here.

The Backcountry Hunters and Anglers Chapter of West Virginia is looking for your support! Learn more about BHA on their website and join chapter organizers at their next pint night, August 8, 6pm at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. The team will be set up all weekend during the International Bowhunters World Championships held at Snowshoe.