For 45 years, Congress has recognized the fourth Saturday in September as National Hunting and Fishing Day—and that tradition will continue on Sept. 23, 2017. NRA Second Vice President and Honorary NHF Day Chair Richard Childress is encouraging outdoorsmen and women across the nation to join in on the festivities by pledging to take someone hunting, fishing or shooting between now and Saturday. Your motivation? To help honor American hunters and anglers for the millions of dollars they raise annually for our natural wildlife resources—and maybe introduce a friend or family matter to the passion we have for the great outdoors. Oh, and there are some prizes, too.
By pledging to introduce someone to hunting, fishing or shooting, participants will have the chance to win a Richard Childress VIP race weekend package or the Ultimate Outdoor Experience in America's Conservation Capital from Big Cedar Lodge and Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. That's not a bad deal, especially when considering that all you're being asked to do in return is something that you already love.
"Mentoring is critical to ensure our outdoor tradition lives on through future generations," Childress said in a press release earlier this year. "Make the commitment to take someone outdoors and show them why you value hunting, fishing and target shooting. Today fewer people are connecting with nature through hunting and fishing. Introducing someone to the joys of the outdoors not only enriches their life, it creates a future conservationist."
Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day in May 1972, and the event—meant to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation—has grown as the decades have passed. National Hunting and Fishing Day is supported by dedicated outdoorsmen and women, as well as companies from throughout the hunting, fishing and shooting industries.
Childress, an avid outdoorsman and NRA Patron Member, was named Honorary Chair for the 2017 proceedings last spring.
"This is an incredible honor to be asked to be the honorary chair of National Hunting and Fishing Day,” Childress told NRAHLF.org. “I am among great company with the former chairmen—conservationists and outdoorsmen who really care about the future of hunting and fishing."
For more information, go to NHFDay.com.
