National Hunting and Fishing Day

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Alabama. Whereas, hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state, Alabama’s sportsmen and women generated $75.3 million through the American System of Conservation Funding and support the state’s economy while engaged in their pursuits.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation observing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Florida. Hunting and fishing continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state. Florida’s 3.7 million hunters and anglers generated $92.3 million of conservation funding to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 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 1.8 million hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through additional spending, contributing to the $13 billion spent on outdoor activities in the state last year. Hunting and angling remain 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.

Idaho Gov. Brad Little* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of Idaho’s sportsmen and women. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is funded largely by sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding – a “user pays — public benefits” approach widely recognized as the most successful model for funding fish and wildlife management in the world. In 2022, Idaho’s sportsmen and women generated more than $96 million through this system to support the conservation efforts of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. 865,525 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $2.7 billion spent on outdoor activities in Idaho last year.

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of Indiana’s sportsmen and women. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is funded largely by sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding – a “user pays — public benefits” approach widely recognized as the most successful model for funding fish and wildlife management in the world. In 2022, Idaho’s sportsmen and women generated close to $46 million through this system to support the conservation efforts of the Department of Natural Resources.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 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. Last year alone, Iowa’s sportsmen and women generated more than $57M through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 594,955 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $4.37 billion spent on outdoor activities in Iowa last year.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the Sunflower State. Hunting and angling continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state. Last year alone, Kansas’ hunters and anglers generated $59.5 million to support the conservation efforts of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. 573,775 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $3.56 billion spent on outdoor activities in Kansas last year.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards* who serves as co-chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 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 more than 1.2 million hunters and anglers generated $53.8 million through this System to support conservation efforts in the state.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Maine. Maine has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and fishing that dates back further than the state itself. Last year alone, Maine’s 607,382 hunters and anglers generated $20 million to support the conservation efforts of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and, through their spending, contributed to the $2.7 billion spent on outdoor activities in Michigan last year.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 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 helped fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources. Last year alone, Maryland’s 438,592 hunters and anglers generated $31.2 million through this System to support conservation efforts in the state.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day and urged all citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance. To this day, the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game is funded, in part, by sportsmen and women, through the American System of Conservation Funding. In 2022, Massachusetts’ sportsmen and women generated more than $23 million to support the Department’s conservation efforts. More than 540,000 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending more than $600 million while engaged in their pursuits.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Michigan. Michigan has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and fishing that dates back further than the state itself. Last year alone, Michigan’s hunters and anglers generated $95.8 million to support the conservation efforts of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. More than 1.4 million hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $9.5 million spent on outdoor activities in Michigan last year.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Mississippi. To this day, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is funded, in part, by sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding. Last year alone, Mississippi’s sportsmen and women generated $42.4 million through this System to support the conservation efforts of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. The state’s more than 600,000 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $3 billion spent on outdoor activities in Mississippi last year.

New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu who serves as co-chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as New Hampshire Hunting and Fishing Day. Among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, New Hampshire’s sportsmen and women generated in 2022 $24.5 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Department. Additionally, the state’s 251,663 hunters and anglers supported the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $2.7 billion spent on outdoor activities in the Granite State.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in North Carolina and commend its observance to all citizens. North Carolina’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission which is largely funded through the American System of Conservation Funding. Last year, North Carolina’s sportsmen and women generated $88.6 million through this funding system to support the conservation efforts of the state.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 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 266,662 hunters and anglers generated $38.9 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.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine* and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of the immense contributions of Ohio’s 1.2 million hunters and anglers. Through the participation in their outdoor pursuits, Ohio’s sportsmen and women generated $47 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt* signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 as Oklahoma Hunting and Fishing Day. Oklahoma has a rich and storied tradition of hunting and angling and Oklahoma’s sportsmen and women supported the establishment of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Through license fees and self-imposed excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, fishing tackle, and motorboat fuels, sportsmen and women fund the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s efforts through the American System of Conservation Funding. Last year alone, Oklahoma’s 1.2 million hunters and anglers contributed to the state’s $4.3 billion spent on outdoor activities through their spending.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in celebration of Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and women and to recognize the many and varied social, cultural, economic, and ecological benefits of our time-honored traditions of hunting and angling. To this day, the Game Commission and the Fish and Boat Commission are funded primarily by sportsmen and women through the American System of Conservation Funding. Pennsylvania’s more than 2.1 million hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $13 billion spent on outdoor activities.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 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 more than $39 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The more than 700,000 hunters and anglers in the state contribute to the $7.1 billion spent on outdoor activities in South Carolina last year.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem* who serves as vice-chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 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 453,000 hunters and anglers generated over $53 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the state’s conservation efforts to ensure future generations may enjoy the same resources enjoyed today.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 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 2022, Tennessee’s sportsmen and women generated more than $96 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Additionally, more than 1.3 million of the state’s hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through their spending, contributing to the $9 billion spent on outdoor activities in Tennessee.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Texas. In Texas alone. there arc more than three million sportsmen who know firsthand the incredible impact that hunting and fishing can make in people’s lives. These time-honored pursuits afford unparalleled opportunities to commune with nature, to connect with loved ones. and to escape the worries of modern life. For generations, untold millions of Texans have made happy memories reeling in fish, sitting watchfully in a deer blind, or pursuing wild game. The men and women who take part in this proud heritage generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue, which ripples throughout our economy and supports thousands of quality jobs. Additionally, hunting and fishing produce a sustainable source of food, and our hunters and fishers continually set an example of generosity by donating meat to those in need.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in Vermont to celebrate and recognize the state’s hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation. Vermont’s 189,241 hunters and anglers generated over $20 million through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the state’s conservation efforts to ensure future generations may enjoy the same resources enjoyed today.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin* signed a proclamation recognizing September 23, 2023 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia to celebrate the hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation, and to society. Virginia’s sportsmen and women strengthen the Commonwealth’s wildlife conservation and outdoor experience opportunities and ensure future generations have the benefit of outdoor recrecreation. Last year, the state’s sportsmen and women generated more than $77 million to directly support the conservation efforts of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice* signed a proclamation recognizing September 9-10, 2023 as National Hunting and Fishing Days in the Mountain State. Home to 544,922 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 $31.7 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.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a proclamation recognizing Saturday, September 23, 2023 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.