As the fall hunting season continues, sportsmen now have extra incentive 
to celebrate backcountry conservation: the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the 2001 national roadless rule governing 49 million acres of public lands backcountry across the country. The decision resolves uncertainty about federal management of these prized public lands and benefits hunters and anglers.
The “roadless rule” is a multiple-use national forest management regulation that conserves the values of backcountry while allowing reasonable management exceptions such as habitat projects. The rule determines the management of all national forest roadless areas outside of Idaho and has been a key area of focus for the TRCP since it was founded in 2002.
Whether you hunt the West Big Hole of Montana, the northern Blue Range of New Mexico or backcountry lands in Vermont’s White Mountains, sportsmen across the nation will benefit from the court’s ruling. Sound roadless conservation policies safeguard big-game habitat security, productive trout and salmon fisheries and our sporting traditions.
Share photos from your backcountry hunting or fishing trip on the TRCP Facebook page!
Get involved today to help conserve public-lands by signing up as a TRCP Western Sportsman Advocate.
