Canada
United StatesBritish Columbia BHA Chapter Board
Steve Nikirk - Chair
Steve was born and raised on Vancouver Island. The oldest of four boys, very close in age, he often found himself outside with the door locked behind him. This ensured that he and his brothers could enjoy some fresh air while their poor mother could find a moment of respite! Hence, from a very young age, he was always outdoors. There wasn’t a body of water, whether it be a raging river or a meandering creek, that was left unexplored in search of the elusive cutthroat or rainbow trout.
At the age of nine, Steve put on his first uniform as a member of the Navy League Cadet Corps Admiral Yanow. Ten years later, he aged out as the Coxswain of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp Esquimalt. He then went on to serve as a Reserve Officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, obtaining the rank of Lieutenant. This journey, which would span twenty-one years, included survival training both on and off water, countless leadership opportunities, marksmanship, citizenship, drill, first aid, physical fitness, sailing, seamanship, navigation, summer camps, exchange programs, and naval deployments. Steve’s time with the cadet organization and the Canadian Forces helped to shape an experienced instructor of Canada’s youth, providing him with a skillset that he hopes will help contribute to getting the next generation involved with BHA and wildlife conservation.
Steve is also an experienced carpenter and has been swinging a hammer for the past twenty years. He finds carpentry very rewarding, not only because you have the power to create, but because it also keeps your problem-solving skills sharp each and every day. He currently enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and sharing his love of the outdoors with his wife and three young children. Steve spearheaded a very successful effort to create a BHA table within region one to provide a permanent voice for wildlife and wild places. The BC BHA organization has been a perfect fit, and Steve has subsequently found a way to combine his passion for the outdoors with being able to set a positive example for the next generation.
Adam Crompton - Treasurer
Originally from the lower mainland, Adam grew up focused on rugby and soccer until a string of knee surgeries forced him to look for other hobbies. Fly-fishing and backcountry hiking were Adam’s first real outdoor passions, but he often found himself overlapping with members of the hunting community who spoke of their hunting adventures. After a few years of hearing stories, curiosity got the better of Adam, and he jumped in headfirst into backcountry hunting. After getting hooked while exploring BC’s hunting opportunities, he realized that he was participating in a system without working to leave it better than he found it. Cue joining BHA. Adam currently resides in the Okanagan and is excited to put his financial background to good use as the Chapter's treasurer.
Stuart Masterman - Secretary
Stuart has been exploring wild places since childhood, and has called British Columbia home for over 20 years. Growing up in the UK, he often camped, hiked, climbed or biked in National Parks and other areas, but only truly understood the meaning of wilderness when he found himself 5 days deep into the mountains of north-western BC face to face with a group of mountain goats.
Work and play have taken him to the 4 corners of BC and beyond, and these days he lives in Campbell River on Vancouver Island with his family. He hunts, fishes, skis, and hikes throughout the year and lives for the opportunity to venture into remote places in search of adventure. His primary focus is backcountry mountain mule deer hunting, which continues to be a soul-nourishing, humbling endeavor each fall. Cooking, preserving, and sharing wild fish and game with his family and friends is one of his favourite parts of an outdoor lifestyle.
Through BHA, he hopes to contribute to preserving access to wild places, conserving wildlife, and passing on the torch of conservation to future generations.
Dylan Unrau - AFI Chair
Sgt.Dylan Unrau serves as the Canadian Lead for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Armed Forces Initiative (AFI), where he is dedicated to connecting serving military members and veterans with the traditions of hunting, angling, conservation, and the outdoors.
Raised in the interior of British Columbia, he developed an early appreciation for the outdoors and shooting sports, despite not coming from a hunting background. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantry Soldier, where he completed specialty training in reconnaissance and long-range shooting, and later deployed on a combat tour to Afghanistan.
After transferring to the Royal Canadian Air Force, he found himself missing many of the elements that had defined his military experience, including time spent outdoors, marksmanship, self-reliance, and the camaraderie that comes from shared challenges. Hunting became a natural way to reconnect with those values, allowing him to apply many of the skills he had developed throughout his military career.
Like many military members posted far from home, he faced a steep learning curve entering the hunting community without family traditions or local mentors to guide him. In 2018, he discovered Backcountry Hunters & Anglers' Armed Forces Initiative and quickly embraced its mission of breaking down the unique barriers that often prevent military members and veterans from participating in outdoor pursuits. Recognizing the impact the program could have on the military community, he took on the challenge of establishing Canada's first active-duty AFI installation at 19 Wing Comox.
Nathan England - Region 1 Co-Chair
Born in Abbotsford BC, Nate has grown up in the outdoors and fishing, catching his first fish at 6 months old. He is a relatively new hunter (5 years) and is still working on getting his first big game animal. Having moved over to Vancouver Island with his fiancée in 2020, he quickly teamed up with the awesome Region 1 BHA team. Wanting to step up for conservation and BHA values, Nate joined the table in February 2022 and hasn’t looked back since. Nate works for the School District of Nanaimo as a maintenance helper on both the construction and grounds sides, helping with any projects that are needed. When he’s not out at a BHA event (or planning one), he can be found chasing elusive blacktail deer and any freshwater fish he can entice to bite. Nate can also be found pulling uncle duty with his niece and nephew or doing hobby leatherwork.
Dylan Ewen - Region 1 Co-Chair
Dylan grew up in Northern British Columbia, where he developed a profound love for the outdoors. Inspired by his father's tales of outdoor adventures, Dylan's passion for various outdoor pursuits blossomed. Being raised in the north provided endless opportunities for fishing, hunting, hiking, and riding recreational vehicles.
Later, Dylan relocated to Vancouver Island for school, discovering a new place to call home. This move challenged him to embrace independence and reignited his childhood passion for the outdoors. On the Island, Dylan has immersed himself in fly fishing, foraging, waterfowl hunting, salmon fishing, and pursuing the elusive blacktail deer.
In recent years, Dylan's enthusiasm for conservation has flourished. He is dedicated to preserving public lands for future generations. The BHA community has been a supportive environment where Dylan connects with fellow hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts who share his commitment to conservation.
n/a- Region 2 Chair
This position is open. Are you the next Region 2 chair? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
Geoff Giesbrecht - Region 3 Chair
Born in Kamloops and raised in Clearwater, I have been hunting, fishing and working outdoors my whole life. My 29 year career with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC and a passion for our environment has allowed me to travel and enjoy much of what our province has to offer. My kids are now grown and avid outdoors people in their own rights. We continue to spend time in the mountains pursuing archery elk in the south, Stones Sheep in the north or deer and moose in the interior. I have been more fortunate than I could ever imagine and I only hope I can leave this place better than I found it.
Bernie Pitura - Region 4 (East) Chair
Bernie’s love for the outdoors started to develop early in life when his Father introduced him to hunting and fishing at the age of six years old. Together, he and his lovely wife raised two beautiful Daughters. His love for water sports, hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and anything to do with the great outdoors was transferred to his daughters. They have now taken firm hold of the torch and are nurturing his three grandchildren in a similar manner.
After graduating from Langley Secondary School, he worked closely with his father in a large drywall construction company. Realizing that he wanted more security and balance in his life, Bernie chose a law enforcement career with the then Canada Customs. He spent the next 30 years rising through the ranks with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), retiring in 2017, working as Chief of Operations in the lower mainland area.
In early 2022, Bernie and his family moved to the Cranbrook area, where he continues to develop relationships and connections with the wonderful people in the east Kootenay. Being an avid outdoorsman and helping introduce family and close friends to hunting and fishing, and the outdoors seemed like the perfect segway to become an active member of the BC BHA community. The Values and Mission of the BHA align with those of he and his family.
His ability to work with and collaborate with government and private sector stakeholders was seen as an asset and valuable competency during his career. With the help of the BHA community, he is hopeful to make a positive impact and lasting impression on the Region 4 (East) Kootenay team and BC Chapter.
Austin Anderson - Region 4 (West) Chair
Austin Anderson is an angler, hunter & trapper located in the West Kootenays. Working predominantly in Forestry and also Wildlife Management. Volunteering as board member of the Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society Austin represents the angling population of that Salmo River Watershed. An advocate for Individual based Crown Land uses such as Independent Angling guides, Smallscale Timber Salvage, Trapline Tenures, Woodlot Tenures and more. When not working in forestry or habitat and wildlife projects Austin can be found enjoying all aspects of the great outdoors berry picking, fishing, hunting , trapping and running around with a couple of hound dogs.
Kim Neufeld - Region 5 Chair
Born and raised in the Cariboo, Kim grew up in the rural lifestyle, spending her early years hunting, fishing, and camping. Driven by a strong work ethic, she followed her fathers footsteps and built a successful 20-year career as a licensed electrician. After a vacation injury led to an early retirement from the tools at the age of 40, she channeled her resilience and creativity into a new venture crafting custom designed apparel that reflects her lifelong love for the outdoors. When she isn’t in her workshop, you can find her back in her element- hunting, fishing, trapping, or exploring new backcountry trails all year round.
Looking to find like-minded conservationists she joined the BHA family. Though region 5 of the BC Chapter is a little quieter than other regions, she is determined to get the local region up, active, and thriving with people who share her passion for the outdoors focusing on protecting and enjoying our backcountry.
Ryan Mountain - Region 6 Chair
Growing up as a farm kid in New Zealand Ryan found his roots on the land. Spending as much time as possible in the bush or out fishing it was pretty apparent that Ryan belonged in the outdoors.
Skip ahead to the age of 12, Ryan moved to Vancouver Island and found himself being introduced to the spectacle that was the fall salmon run. The banks of the Little Qualicum River was the boundary of the family property and it began a deep dive of passion into the world of salmon fishing and conservation. By the age of 18 Ryan had studied Adventure Tourism and become certified to run boats on the coast. With those skills in hand he started working at fishing lodges. Within a couple years Ryan had built a solid career in the guide world and began to develop that into a direct route to the conservation world. At the same time it opened up Ryan’s eyes to hunting on the island. Skip ahead the last decade and Ryan has been a part of catch and release mortality rate studies, stock assessment programs, marine and interior cleanup work and dabbled as a hunting guide.
Ryan is now looking forward to bringing his experiences in the outdoor industry into working with BHA and is fired up for the future of BHA in BC!
Brian Boyes - Region 7A Chair
Bryan grew up in the outdoors of the West Kootenays, hunting, fishin,g and hiking. Early lessons in conservation of species and landscapes took hold and guided him to Prince Geroge for university. Lessons and life experiences further reinforced the importance of science and conservation for the preservation of opportunities on the landscape. Through the application of these lessons and utilizing the use of British Columbia’s vast crown lands, their protection also began to take on important significance.
When not spending time on horseback with his wife and dogs, Bryan can be found enjoying all the outdoor opportunities, hunting, fishing, and exploring mostly in the central BC area, but also throughout the whole province. These travels have highlighted the unique threats to British Columbia’s wildlife and the lands they call home and have brought to the forefront, if not us, who will step forth to conserve what we have.
n/a - Region 7B Chair
This position is open. Are you the next Region 7B chair? Get in touch with us at [email protected]
Justina LeeStolz - Region 8 Co-Chair
Justina is a nature enthusiast who grew up camping, hiking, and foraging as a kid with her dad (albeit she’d “forage” just about anything, including flowers and grass). She ventured into the world of gun ownership in 2017 with her CORE and PAL licenses, but didn’t wholeheartedly step into hunting until 2021, when she dove headfirst into a season of solo hunts. Not coming from a family of hunters presented some steep learning curves, but she loves the challenge of figuring it all out and connecting with others who share her passion for wild things and places.
Jordan Dubyna - Reg 8 Co-Chair
Jordan was born in the Okanagan as the first of 5 children. He was raised on a couple of hundred acres of land, so being outdoors was a given. From as early as he can remember, Jordan spent his time riding horses, hunting, trapping, and fishing with his grandfather, dad, and uncle.
Jordan’s passion for hunting increased when he got married and had two children, as he wanted to make sure his family was raised on wild game.
Jordan’s desire to have a voice in conservation also grew as he wanted to make sure his children and their children could experience the same things he loves. This is what drove him to join BHA: make a difference, be the difference.
Taylor Lindquist – Reg 8 Co-Chair
Taylor is a lifelong hunter and conservation advocate from British Columbia with a passion for protecting wildlife, wild places, and our hunting heritage. Professionally, she manages an independent autobody shop, where she has built a career in leadership, problem-solving, and community relationships. Outside of work, Taylor spends much of her time in the backcountry pursuing elk, deer, and black bear, and believes ethical hunters play a vital role in wildlife conservation. As a chair member with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, she is committed to ensuring future generations have access to healthy wildlife populations and the public lands that make our outdoor traditions possible.
Alan Duffy - Conservation Director
Alan lives in the East Kootenay area of the province. He and his wonderful wife raised two daughters and tried to expose them to the many outdoor pursuits available in the area. Alan started hunting a little later in life, but became immersed right away and loves to spend time on mountain hunting adventures. The mountains are a huge draw and Alan is always looking forward to the next adventure, whether it be hunting, fishing, hiking, backcountry skiing, or horseback.
Alan became a member of BHA when the BC Chapter was founded and has become more and more involved over the years. He has taken on various roles over that time frame, including serving as the chair of the BC Chapter for the past 6 years. The chapter has grown tremendously in membership and recognition over this timeframe, and has provided opportunities for involvement in many advisory bodies. Alan will continue this involvement as Conservation Director, serving on various committees.
We are very fortunate in our area of the world to still have big wild landscapes that we can adventure in. With this privilege comes the responsibility to protect what is remaining. Alan is happy to be working hard for positive change to wildlife and habitat management in British Columbia and for the protection and sustainability of our backcountry. BHA provides the venue to magnify individual voices and fight for what we believe in.
