Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS & ANGLERS SEEKS TO ENSURE NORTH AMERICA'S OUTDOOR HERITAGE OF HUNTING AND FISHING IN A NATURAL SETTING, THROUGH EDUCATION AND WORK ON BEHALF OF WILD PUBLIC LANDS AND WATERS.
- Income
- $5.1 million
- Spending
- $4.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 38
- Volunteers
- 700
- Highest pay
- $183,053, executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 19% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.1 million spent. ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITYBHA IS COMMITTED TO ADVANCING LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE EFFORTS TO SECURE PUBLIC ACCESS TO QUALITY FAIR CHASE HUNTING AND FISHING OPPORTUNITIES. BY AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF OUR CHAPTERS TO INFLUENCE POLICIES THAT NOT ONLY ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL ISSUE OF ACCESS BUT ALSO PRIORITIZE CONSERVATION OF KEY LANDS AND WATERS, WE CAN PROTECT VALUABLE HABITAT AND IMPLEMENT RESPONSIBLE LAND MANAGEMENT POLICIES THAT SUPPORT ROBUST POPULATIONS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE.
- $1.4 million spent. HABITAT RESTORATION AND STEWARDSHIPBHA IS WORKING AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO ESTABLISH A NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR WILD PUBLIC LANDS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. HEALTHY POPULATIONS OF FISH AND WILDLIFE ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE HEALTH OF THEIR HABITATS. HUNTERS AND ANGLERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH PRIVATE LAND OWNERS AND STATE AND FEDERAL MANAGEMENT AGENCIES TO FACILITATE CONSISTENT LAND-USE POLICIES, PROTECT WILDLIFE CORRIDORS, AND RESTORE DEGRADED HABITATS.
- $1.8 million spent. CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND OUTREACHTHE NORTH AMERICAN MODEL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND THE PUBLIC TRUST DOCTRINE DEFINE FISH AND WILDLIFE RESOURCES AS THE PROPERTY OF THE PEOPLE AND MANAGED BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ENTRUSTED WITH THEIR CARE. THIS MODEL IS THE FOUNDATION OF SCIENCE-BASED FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND OUR DUTY AS AN ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO HUNTERS AND ANGLERS IS TO ADVANCE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT OUR WILD PUBLIC LANDS, WATERS, AND WILDLIFE WHILE PROMOTING CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT BY OUR MEMBERS, CHAPTERS, AND CONSERVATION PARTNERS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.