Why It Matters: On September 23, 2023, the sporting community celebrated National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) across the country. Thanks to the efforts of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation’s (CFS) regional and federal staff, 38 Governors and the President of the United States, issued proclamations commemorating the day. In New England alone, Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC) Co-Chair, Governor Chris Sununu (NH), GSC Members Governor Janet Mills (ME) and Governor Phil Scott (VT), and Governor Mura Healey (MA) all signed proclamations recognizing the contributions of the sporting community and how many of our wild spaces remain because of America’s sportsmen and women.
Highlights:
- New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu issued a NHFD proclamation recognizing the conservation and financial contributions of the Granite State’s sportsmen and women. In 2022 alone, $24.5 million was generated to support the NH Fish & Game Department, whereas 251,663 hunters and anglers supported the state’s economy through their spending of $2.7 billion spent on outdoor activities.
- Maine Governor Janet Mills issued a NHFD proclamation recognizing the conservation and financial contributions of Maine’s sportsmen and women. In 2022 alone, $20 million was generated to support the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, whereas 607,382 hunters and anglers supported the state’s economy through their spending of $2.7 billion spent on outdoor activities.
- Vermont Governor Phil Scott issued a NHFD proclamation recognizing the conservation and financial contributions of the Green Mountains state’s sportsmen and women. In 2022 alone, $20.3 million was generated to support the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, whereas 189,241 hunters and anglers supported the state’s economy through their spending of $1.5 billion spent on outdoor activities.
- Massachusetts Governor Mura Healey issued a NHFD proclamation recognizing the conservation and financial contributions of the Bay State’s sportsmen and women. In 2022 alone, more than $23 million was generated to support the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Additionally, more than 540,000 hunters and anglers supported the state’s economy through their spending more than $600 million spent on outdoor activities. This spending supports over 9,000 jobs and generates $70 million in state and local taxes.
Held on the fourth Saturday of every September since 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes the contributions of America’s sportsmen and women to conservation and the economic impacts of the sporting community. It was President Nixon who signed the first proclamation of NHFD in 1972 writing, “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.” NHFD, a federally recognized holiday, celebrates our traditions of hunting, angling, and the shooting sports at the local, state, and national level. Whether you are new to the sporting community or you have been a life-long sportsman or woman, all are encouraged to participate in increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, the shooting sports, and conservation. Through self-imposed fees and excise taxes, sportsmen and women have raised more than $57 billion! It is the unique American System of Conservation Funding – a “user pays – public benefits” approach that is widely recognized as the most successful model for funding fish and wildlife management in the world.
CSF thanks our National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucus leadership, our Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus Members, and the Office of the President of the United States of America for their leadership and recognition of this passionate constituency.
