Contact:
Dale Hajek, Public Information Officer
623-236-7215, dhajek@azgfd.gov

National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates rich traditions

PHOENIX — It has been a half-century since the U.S. Congress and President Nixon first established National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1972, recognizing generations of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and other outdoor enthusiasts who collectively represent the backbone of wildlife conservation.

Gov. Doug Ducey recently signed a proclamation celebrating the special-interest holiday — which, this year, falls on Saturday, Sept. 24 — as well as underscoring the state’s hunting and angling community as an important economic driver.

In 2018, almost $60 million was generated through the American System of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). The system is a “user pays-public benefits” approach that is recognized as the most successful model of fish and wildlife management in the world.

It’s important to understand how outdoor pursuits benefit wildlife conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, research, surveys, hunter education, construction and maintenance of shooting ranges, boating access facilities and more.

Who benefits? The general public gets better stewardship of natural resources. Hunters and anglers get more and better places to hunt and fish. State and federal agencies receive more funds to meet their conservation needs.

Interested in learning about hunting but don’t know where to start? Many sportsmen’s/conservation organizations partner with AZGFD to conduct hunting and outdoor skills camps for skill levels ranging from total beginner to experienced. Visit https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/mentoredcamps/ for a schedule of upcoming camps or to register.

Interested in learning more about fishing? Visit our “Learn to Fish” video series at https://fishaz.azgfd.com/learn-fish-video-series/. The department also offers periodic fishing clinics throughout the year. Visit https://www.azgfd.com/Education/Fishing/.