National Hunting & Fishing Day

Gov. Kay Ivey* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Alabama. As hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state, Alabama’s sportsmen and women generated over $71 million last year through the American System of Conservation Funding and supported the state’s economy while engaged in their pursuits.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Alaska. The heritage of big game hunting and sport fishing are essential to the State’s economic and social well-being and are deeply rooted in the spirit and history of the people who live there and Alaska is renowned worldwide for setting high standards in the stewardship of fish and wildlife management.

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Arizona. Last year alone, Arizona’s 732,271 hunters and anglers generated over $66 million through the American System of Conservation Funding and supported the state’s economy while engaged in their pursuits.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Arkansas. As hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state.

No Proclamation

Governor Jared Polis signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Colorado, as hunting and fishing reflect enduring Colorado values as outdoor traditions, a tool of wildlife management, and expressions of the shared commitment to conserving the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which people and nature depend.

Governor Ned Lamont issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Connecticut.

Gov. Matt Meyer* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Delawareto celebrate the immense contributions of the state’s sportsmen and women to fish and wildlife conservation. Delawares 97,483 hunters and anglers generated $12.3 million for conservation through the American System of Conservation Funding in the state last year.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Florida to celebrate the immense contributions of The Sunshine State’s sportsmen and women to fish and wildlife conservation. The importance of these activities was supported through a constitutional amendment in 2024 that enshrined the right to hunt and fish as a public right in Florida.

Gov. Brian P. Kemp* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Georgia to celebrate the immense contributions of The Peach State’s hunters and anglers to fish and wildlife conservation. More than 1.9 million hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $5.2 billion spent on hunting and fishing activities in Georgia last year. Georgia has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling, that dates back further than the state itself and carries forward to this day.

Gov. Josh Green signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Hawaii to celebrate the immense contributions of the state’s hunters and anglers to fish and wildlife conservation. More than 20,000 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the millions spent on hunting and fishing activities in Hawaii last year. Hawaii has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling that continues to be an integral component of communities.

Governor Brad Little issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Idaho.

Gov. JB Pritzker signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Illinois. Last year alone, Illinois’ 867,485 hunters and anglers generated over $67 million through the American System of Conservation Funding and supported the state’s economy while engaged in their pursuits.

Gov. Mike Braun* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of Indiana’s sportsmen and women. In 2025, Indiana’s sportsmen and women generated over $46 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Department of Natural Resources.

Gov. Kim Reynolds* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Iowa which has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling that dates back further than the state itself.

Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Kansas. Last year alone, Kansas’ sportsmen and women generated over $52 million through this system to support the conservation efforts of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. The state’s 565,157 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $5.1billion spent on outdoor activities in Kansas last year.

Gov. Andy Beshear signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Kentucky to celebrate and recognize hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation in the Bluegrass State. Last year alone, Kentucky’s sportsmen and women generated more than $55 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.  844,156 hunters and anglers contributed to the $6.3 billion spent on outdoor activities in Kentucky last year.

Gov. Jeff Landry* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Louisiana. To this day, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is funded primarily by sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding. Last year alone, Louisiana’s 1.1 million hunters and anglers generated over $52 million through this System to support conservation efforts in the state.

Gov. Janet T. Mills* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Maine. Maine has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling that dates back further than the state itself and carries forward to this day; and hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state. Last year alone, Maine’s sportsmen and women generated $32 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Gov. Wes Moore signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Maryland. Maryland’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitat, and through their license fees help fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources.

Gov. Maura Healey signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Massachusetts. Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitat, and through their license fees help fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Michigan. Michigan has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and fishing that dates back before Michigan’s statehood and carries forward to this day. Last year alone, Michigan’s hunters and anglers generated more than $102 million to support the conservation efforts of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and contributed to the $15 billion spent on outdoor activities.

Governor Mike Kehoe issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Missouri.

Gov. Tate Reeves* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Mississippi. Hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout Mississippi. Last year alone, Mississippi’s sportsmen and women generated almost $40 million to support the conservation efforts of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and over 585,000 hunters and anglers supported the State’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $4 billion spent on outdoor activities in Mississippi in 2025.

No Proclamation

Gov. Greg Gianforte* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Montana. Hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout Montana. Last year alone, Montana’s sportsmen and women generated over $96 million to support the conservation efforts of the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Governor Jim Pillen* issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Nebraska.

Gov. Joe Lombardo* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Nevada. Hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout Nevada. Last year alone, Nevada’s sportsmen and women generated over $36 million to support the conservation efforts of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in New Hampshire and encouraging all citizens to honor the traditions that connect us to the land, protect our wild places, reflect on our belief in liberty, responsibility, and the great outdoors that define the New Hampshire way of life.

The New Jersey Senate and General Assembly issued a citation  of commendation and praise extended to New Jersey’s sportsmen and women on National Hunting and Fishing Day, September 26, 2026.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in New Mexico, recognizing the rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling that predates New Mexico’s statehood. New Mexico’s hunters and anglers generated $55.1 million through the American System of Conservation Funding in 2025 alone.

Senator Joseph Griffo took leadership in recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of New York through Senate Resolution No. 2230, celebrating that the state’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitat, and through their license fees help fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources. New York’s sportsmen and women generated $76 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Gov. Josh Stein* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in North Carolina and commending its observance to all citizens. Last year alone, North Carolina’s sportsmen and women generated $88.7 million to support conservation efforts of the state. In North Carolina, 2 million hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $17.7 billion spent on outdoor activities in the State last year.

Gov. Kelly Armstrong* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of North Dakota. To this day, North Dakota Game and Fish is funded in part by hunters and anglers through the American System of Conservation Funding. Last year, North Dakota’s hunters and anglers generated $33.7 million to support the conservation efforts of the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Hunting and angling are an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state and offer participants an opportunity to connect with nature on a personal level while providing food security.

Gov. Mike DeWine* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of the immense contributions of Ohio’s 1.1 million hunters and anglers. Through the participation in their outdoor pursuits, Ohio’s sportsmen and women generated $71 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Gov. Kevin Stitt* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of the immense contributions of Oklahoma’s 952,725 hunters and anglers. Through the participation in their outdoor pursuits, Oklahoma’s sportsmen and women generated $52 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Gov. Tina Kotek signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of Oregon’s sportsmen and women and to recognize their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation and to society.  Over 605,000 anglers and 330,000 hunters recreate annually in the state and their participation provides over half of the biennial budget of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Gov. Josh Shapiro* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women and to recognize their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation and to society.  Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitat, and through their license fees help fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources.

Governor Daniel McKee signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day recognizing that Rhode Island has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling that dates back
further than the state itself and carries forward to this day; that in 2025 Rhode Island’s sportsmen and women generated $11.1 million to support conservation efforts of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and supported the state’s economy with over $2 billion spent on outdoor activities.

Gov. Henry McMaster* signed a proclamationrecognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day throughout the state and encouraged all South Carolinians to recognize the many and varied social, cultural, economic, and ecological benefits of our time-honored traditions of hunting and angling. Last year alone, South Carolina’s sportsmen and women generated $34 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 728,623 hunters and anglers in the state contributed to the $10.1 billion spent on outdoor activities in South Carolina last year.

Gov. Larry Rhoden* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in South Dakota to celebrate the state’s sportsmen and women and their contributions to conservation. South Dakota’s more than 430,000 hunters and anglers generated over $51 million through the American System of Conservation Funding last year to support the state’s conservation efforts to ensure future generations may enjoy the same resources enjoyed today.

Gov. Bill Lee* signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Tennessee and encouraged all citizens to participate in celebrating the many and varied social, cultural, economic, and ecological benefits of our time-honored traditions of hunting and angling. In 2025, Tennessee’s over 1.6 million sportsmen and women generated more than $91 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Additionally, the state’s hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $15.5 billion spent on outdoor activities in Tennessee.

Governor Greg Abbott issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Texas.

Governor Spencer Cox signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day recognizing Utah’s sportsmen and women play a vital role in conserving the state’s natural resources, and were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and sportsmen and women account for over 3% of Utah’s GDP.

Governor Phil Scott issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Vermont.

No Proclamation

Governor Bob Ferguson signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as Hunting and Fishing Day as hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state, and over recent years have offered a growing number of participants an opportunity to connect With nature on a personal level while Simultaneously providing food security, a sense of self-sufficiency, and both mental and physical health benefits.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a proclamation recognizing September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the Mountain State. Home to 598,00 hunters and anglers, West Virginia’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitat. Last year alone, West Virginia’s sportsmen and women generated more than $29 million through the American System of Conservation Funding, a “user pays — public benefits” program that is widely recognized as the most successful model for funding fish and wildlife management in the world.

Gov. Tony Evers signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 26, 2026 as National Hunting and Fishing Day throughout the state of Wisconsin in honor of the many social, cultural, economic, and ecological benefits our time-honored traditions bring to the Badger State. Through license fees and self-imposed taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing tackle, and motorboat fuels, Wisconsin’s hunters and anglers help fund the efforts of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) generating millions of dollars for the agency’s conservation efforts each year.

Governor Mark Gordon* issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, September 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Wyoming.