What motivates BHA members? Conservation, Ethics, Tradition, Health

Annual BHA Membership Survey Highlights Membership Youth, Political Diversity, Identifies Shared Values ​​of Public Land Hunters and Anglers

MISSOULA, Mont. – Backcountry Hunters & Anglers today released the results of its 2022 Membership Survey, showing a membership that tends to be young, politically diverse, and motivated by a set of core values: conservation ethics, tradition, and health.

The BHA survey provides a profile of today’s public lands hunter and fisherman: characterized by an affinity for wild foods, a desire to spend as much time as possible on public lands and waters, and a commitment to public service.

“Since its founding around a campfire nearly 20 years ago, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has remained committed to the values ​​of the hunter and fisherman on public lands, the seeker of solitude and solace in the backcountry, the adventurer seeking experiences only found in our wildest lands and waters,” said BHA President and CEO Land Tawney. “We are proud to uphold the rural traditions that our North American landscapes provide, and to serve as a force to unite those who cherish and are willing to fight to uphold these traditions.

“The BHA membership is driven to serve these shared values,” continued Tawney. “BHA members serve in the military at a rate nearly three times the U.S. average, and we are committed to ensuring that access to our public lands and waters is freely available to all of us.”

Highlights from the 2022 BHA Membership Survey are as follows:

  • 63% of BHA members are age 45 or younger; more than a quarter (28%) are between 25 and 34 years old
  • 30% of BHA members identify as Independents; 20% Republican, 20% Democrat, 6% Libertarian, and 1% Green (21% do not identify as any of these or prefer not to answer)
  • 20% of BHA members are active duty military or veterans (US average is 7%).
  • 54% of BHA members feed along with hunting and fishing
  • 88% of BHA members spend at least half of their time recreating on public lands and waters

Read more about the 2022 BHA Membership Survey.

The BHA has established chapters in 48 US states, two Canadian provinces, one Canadian territory, and Washington, DC BHA members live throughout the world. The response rate for the 2022 survey is 36 percent.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice
for our wild public lands, waters and wildlife.

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http://www.backcountryhunters.org/