Throughout 2017, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has been leading another annual effort to encourage governors – including the members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) – to issue proclamations commemorating Saturday, September 23, as National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD).
NHFD was established via Congressional action in 1972 in order to recognize generations of sportsmen and women for contributing to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage.
This renewed push builds upon CSF’s successful effort in 2016 to urge governors to proclaim their support for NHFD. In 2016, 36 governors recognized NHFD, highlighting the critical conservation and economic benefits that hunters and anglers provide in their respective states. Thus far, governors in six states (Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee) have issued proclamations, with many more expected in the coming weeks. More information on and a listing of NHFD proclamations issued in 2017 can be found on CSF’s 2017 NHFD Resource Center webpage.
CSF has also been working with numerous sportsmen’s groups and outdoor industry partners in a concerted effort with the National Hunting and Fishing Day campaign to highlight the importance of NHFD, and to encourage individuals to take the NHFD Pledge to take someone hunting, fishing, or shooting prior to or on September 23, 2017. Leading the pledge is NHFD Honorary Chairman and CSF Honorary Board of Directors Members Richard Childress of Richard Childress Racing.
Among the other organizations, agencies, and companies leading this effort are: American Sportfishing Association, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Bass Pro Shops, Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports, Ducks Unlimited, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Hunting and Fishing Day, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, and Richard Childress Racing.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
