| Click on this picture to visit our local BCHC Unit |
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| BCHC Shasta-Trinity Unit |
HISTORY
Back
Country Horsemen’s cornerstone was laid on a firm foundation of research and planning. A small nucleus of back country
horse users developed and modified the original concept. The actual formation
of BCH took place in Montana’s Flathead Valley in January of 1973. Since then, our progress is a matter of record, a
record of which we are very proud. We have used our specialized knowledge of stock and the back country to bring about changes
and modifications of restrictive management. We have participated in many agency meetings and land use planning and regulations
and have become a strong voice for continued, responsible horse use. We have arrived at our position through extensive research
and discussion. This responsible approach has assured us of valid consideration regarding regulations and planning and has
given us the support of other conservation groups.
Growth of the Back Country Horsemen
organization continued with formation of additional clubs in Montana. In 1979, these clubs and one from Salmon, Idaho, formed
the Back Country Horsemen of America. Three more Montana clubs and one from Idaho were added in the next few years.
The Back Country Horsemen of Washington was incorporated in 1977 and developed an informal liaison with the
Montana and Idaho Back Country Horsemen. In 1981, a California organization was formed known as the High Sierra Stock Users.
After several years of discussion, the four groups decided to merge, using the Back Country Horsemen of America name. A constitution
was drafted in 1985 and adopted in 1986. It provided that the governing body of this new organization would be a board of
directors elected from each state. Montana, Idaho, California and Washington Back Country Horsemen units became the BCHA.
Since that time, there has been steady growth within the four founding state organizations. New Back Country Horsemen units
have formed in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma (1999), Oregon, Utah, Wyoming; and
there are, as well, affiliated units in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.
PLEASE VISIT: BCHA's Official Website
| Click on this picture to visit the BCHA website |
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ABOUT BCHA
Back Country Horsemen of America has been around
since 1973 working to perpetuate the historic use of recreational stock in the back country. service and education joined
a determination to protect our heritage of back country stock use as composites of the "purpose" printed above.
Our name was chosen because it signified an interest in much more than just wilderness. Back Country Horsemen are interested
in perpetuating recreational stock use on virtually all public lands. We try to limit our interests to the stated purpose.
Many worthwhile organizations already exist to provide action programs in other fields, so anyone interested in those has
adequate opportunities to become active. Click on the links to the left to find out more about BCHA's History and Philosophy.
Click on the link below to view more pics of the BCHC-Shasta Trinity
Unit's packing clinic held in March 2008.
BCHC-PackingClinicPICS.com
| Local members practicing their hitches |
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Our Local Unit of the BCHA, the SHASTA-TRINITY Unit, offers annual packing
clinics where you can learn how to properly pack a pack animal and what types of hitches to use for different kinds of packs.
| Jane waiting to empty fingerlings into a lake |
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The Shasta-Trinity Unit hosts an annual "Fish Plant" where we work
with CA Fish & Game, USFS and BCHC local members to pack fingerling trout into the Trinity Alps Wilderness area. The fingerlings
are transported in cooler boxes on the backs of mules and horses up into high alpine mountain lakes. This is an event that
everyone looks forward to. It is an important job salted with loads of fun and gorgeous scenery.
| BCHC in Weaverville 4th of July Parade |
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