Gov. Mary Fallin signs a proclamation declaring Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Oklahoma. Standing behind from left are Game Warden Daniel Perkins; state Sen. Mark Allen; Col. Bill Hale, ODWC Chief of Law Enforcement; Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Bill Brewster; Corey Jager, ODWC legislative liaison; Barry Bolton, ODWC Chief of Fisheries; Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Leigh Gaddis; Nels Rodefeld, ODWC Chief of Information and Education; ODWC Assistant Director Wade Free; Alan Peoples, ODWC Chief of Wildlife; ODWC Director J.D. Strong; Nathan Johnson, Ducks Unlimited; Laura McIver, Quail Forever; Richard Godfrey, Ducks Unlimited; Janet Guiles, National Wild Turkey Federation; James Dietsch, Quail Forever; O.D. Curry, National Wild Turkey Federation. (ODWC / wildlifedepartment.com)

Gov. Mary Fallin has proclaimed Saturday, Sept, 22, 2018, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Oklahoma.

The governor signed the proclamation in the Blue Room of the State Capitol on Tuesday afternoon, flanked by two Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners, officials from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, a state senator from the Oklahoma Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus, and representatives from conservation partner organizations National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Forever and Ducks Unlimited.

Since 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day has been observed nationally on the fourth Saturday of September to celebrate the fact that hunters and anglers are the driving forces behind conservation. Those who enjoy the many activities found in the great outdoors are the ones who primarily foot the bill for the conservation of fish, wildlife and other natural resources.

Oklahomans have always been staunch supporters of America’s longtime traditions of fishing and hunting. Harvesting fish and game was how many settlers survived before Oklahoma became a territory and later a state.

In modern times, survival doesn’t depend on fishing and hunting. But in many ways, conservation of our natural resources does depend on fishing and hunting. Many wild species would suffer without hunters and anglers, because they are the main source of funding for conservation.

The Oklahoma proclamation states:

• Last year alone, Oklahoma’s sportsmen and women generated close to $42 million … to support the conservation efforts of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.
• Oklahoma’s 780,000 hunters and anglers support the state’s economy through spending more than $1.5 billion annually while engaged in their pursuits.
• This spending supports over 23,500 jobs in Oklahoma and generates $143 million in state and local taxes.

A great way to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day this Saturday would be a family visit to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s annual Wildlife Expo, which will be in full swing at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie. It is the state’s largest free event devoted to wildlife conservation and outdoor sporting opportunities.

Among the many people who are active in the great outdoors, nobody does more for conservation than hunters and anglers. There are 34 million hunters and anglers in the United States. Hunters, anglers and recreational shooters generate about $100,000 every 30 minutes for wildlife conservation through their purchase of hunting and fishing licenses, firearms and ammunition, bows and arrows, and rods and reels.

The annual total of $1.75 billion pays for the vast majority of the conservation work done by fish and wildlife agencies in every state. These public agencies serve the citizens by overseeing all fish and wildlife, including hunted and non-hunted species, as well as all aquatic and terrestrial habitats. In this way, hunters and anglers benefit all Americans who love wildlife and wild places.