Why It Matters: On the fourth Saturday of every September, National Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and natural resources. One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation and increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation. 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. Now on its 50th year, National Hunting and Fishing Day is the largest, most effective grassroots movement ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation.
Highlights:
- On Friday, September 23, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted the second annual Clay Buster Bonanza at Caldwell Gun Club in recognition of National Hunting and Fishing Day.
- With approximately 60 people in attendance, the event included participation from state legislators, Idaho Department of Game and Fish, Advisory Council members, in-state and national partners, industry partners, members of Governor Little’s Office, and representation from all four Congressional Offices.
- During the event, approximately 6,000 shotgun rounds discharged down range. Participants were proud to be playing an active role in the American System of Conservation Funding with every trigger pull, regardless of how many clays they busted at the end of the day.
On Friday, September 23, the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus hosted the second annual Clay Buster Bonanza at Caldwell Gun Club in recognition of National Hunting and Fishing Day. Just days before, Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Brad Little signed a proclamation, designating September 24 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Idaho.
Approximately 60 people, including state legislators, the Idaho Department of Game and Fish, Advisory Council members, in-state and national partners, industry partners, members of Governor Little’s Office, and representation from all four Congressional Offices, gathered in celebration and recognition of the vast contributions of Idaho’s outdoor sporting community to conservation.
Through the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF) 61.6% of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s budget is provided by sportsmen and women. Last year alone, Idaho’s outdoor sporting community generated $86,009,953 to support the critical conservation efforts of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Throughout the Second Annual Clay Buster Bonanza, approximately 6,000 shotgun rounds were discharged down range. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) would like to thank the event participants for supporting the ASCF with every trigger pull and every clay bird thrown.
CSF would also like to thank all the sponsors of the Second Annual Clay Buster Bonanza. Without their support, the event would not have been possible:
- American Suppressor Association
- Benn Brocksome and Associates
- Caldwell Gun Club
- CCI SPEER
- Eastern Idaho Hound Association
- Hurricane Butterfly Law Enforcement
- Idaho Houndsmen Association
- Idaho Mining Association
- Idaho Rod and Reel
- Idaho Sportsmen (Advisory Council to the Idaho Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus)
- Idaho Trappers Association
- Idaho Wildlife Federation
- Kryptek
- Perpetua Resources
- Treasure Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever
