ARKANSAS, USA — In this week’s edition of 5OUTDOORS Skot talked with representatives from the local chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, a nationwide nonprofit that focuses on preserving access to public lands while ensuring they remain wild and healthy for future generations.
“Our mission is to be the voice for public lands, public water, and wildlife,” said Kip Kruger. “That means everything form being boots on the ground at the Capitol to boots on the ground doing work on public land.”
While the Arkansas chapter may be relatively new, they have hit the ground running.
Among one of their early successes was purchasing an acre of land that opened access to Cedar Creek Wildlife Management Area south of Fort Smith.
The group fundraised, purchased the private piece of land, and immediately turned it over to the Arkansas Game and Fish to ensure public access for all.
The group has organized several clean-up efforts. While picking up trash may be dirty, the group takes great pride in it.
When asked how people can get involved, the BHA members encouraged everyone—from seasoned hunters to those simply interested in outdoor recreation—to become a part of the movement. They highlighted several ways to engage with the organization, including participating in local chapter events, attending conservation-focused workshops, and joining volunteer initiatives such as clean-up efforts on public lands.
For those interested in learning more or joining BHA, the organization’s website is an excellent resource. They also encouraged following BHA’s social media platforms, which frequently share information about local events, conservation issues, and ways to take action.
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and include detail which story you're referring to.