Safari Club International is encouraging all outdoor sportsmen and women to participate in National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. Congress launched National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1971 before Richard Nixon signed the first Presidential proclamation of the event in 1972 when he said, “I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in ensuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.” National Hunting and Fishing Day is now celebrated on the fourth Saturday of September each year.
Historically, the day has been used to recognize all that hunters and anglers have contributed to wildlife and conservation. Through license fees, proceeds from the Pittman-Robertson Act, and donations to conservation organizations, sportsmen and women have raised over $57 billion for conservation since 1937. National Hunting and Fishing Day now bring together hunters, anglers and target shooters to celebrate these deeply rooted traditions through events held across the nation.
But perhaps the best way to observe National Hunting and Fishing Day is to take someone hunting, fishing or shooting for the first time. With hunter participation numbers steadily declining in recent years, introducing new people to the outdoors is more important than ever in 2020. One of the greatest barriers to entry is a lack of mentorship. Still, hunters and anglers can help grow their ranks – and consequently conservation efforts – by pledging to bring new faces into the field on National Hunting and Fishing Day.
National Hunting and Fishing Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate our rich hunting heritage, something Safari Club International is fighting to protect daily. This year, SCI’s efforts to advance the Great American Outdoors Act helped pass the bill, which fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund, guaranteeing greater opportunities for hunters and anglers. SCI also advocates for public land access, proper land management, and wildlife conservation – all critical issues to outdoorsmen and women throughout the country without which National Hunting and Fishing Day might not exist.
Outdoorsmen and women can learn more about how to get involved on National Hunting and Fishing Day and take the pledge to participate at nhfday.org
