By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
This Saturday, Sept. 27, marks the 53rd anniversary of National Hunting and Fishing Day, when those who actively participate in these time-honored traditions can take a bit of pride in the contributions outdoorsmen and women make to conservation and fish and game enhancement efforts.
As noted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Hunting and Fishing Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September. It was first proclaimed in 1972 by then-President Richard Nixon after Congress unanimously approved measures in the U.S. House and Senate.
When he signed the first proclamation on May 2 of that year, Nixon stated, “I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.”
As noted at the National Hunting and Fishing Day website, “Through self-imposed fees and excise taxes, sportsmen and women have raised more than $57 billion–that’s more than $100,000 every 30 minutes being raised for conservation. NHF Day is the largest, most effective grassroots movement ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation.”
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, more than $1.3 billion in apportionments to the states was announced this year, for fish and wildlife resource management.
“Since 1937, more than $29 billion has been distributed through annual apportionments to monitor and manage our nation’s fish and wildlife resources, support hunter and aquatic education, and improve access for outdoor activities like hunting, fishing and boating,” the USFWS said.
These funds are raised through special excise tax programs on firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, and boating revenues (Pittman-Robertson, Dingell-Johnson and Wallop-Breaux).
“Along with the more than $29 billion distributed through annual apportionments, partner fish and wildlife agencies have contributed over $9 billion in investments throughout the program’s history,” USFWS said. “Through these combined funds, agencies have supported monitoring and management of over 500 species of wild mammals and birds, annual stocking of over 1 billion fish, operations of fish and wildlife disease laboratories around the country, and provided hunter and aquatic education to millions of students. These funds have also supported operations and maintenance of over 800 target ranges and opening of over 36 million acres of land to hunting and angling.”
Across the U.S., many hunting seasons are already underway, especially for big game archery and muzzleloader hunters, and upland bird hunters. Major big game and waterfowl seasons are looming, and across the landscape, hunter orange will be visible, while waterfowlers, bowhunters and black powder hunters will likely be decked out in the latest camouflage.
Conservation and gun rights organizations remind hunters to be safe afield.
