Friday, August 29, 2014

NWTF to Sponsor National Hunting & Fishing Day Sept. 27

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is a prominent figure in the conservation efforts across the country. Through their multiple outdoor programs, NWTF displays its continued support of conservation. National Wild Turkey Federation is once again sponsoring National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state. The NWTF - a national nonprofit organization - is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. The NWTF is dedicated to the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is set-aside for sportsmen to celebrate those conservation efforts. Each year, NHF Day is set to take place on the fourth Saturday in September. This year NHF Day falls on September 27.

This year, American country music star, award-winning TV host and former soldier Craig Morgan is stepping forward to help promote NHF Day with partners like National Wild Turkey Federation. He has been slated to serve as the honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Morgan is well known as an avid outdoorsman and also takes pride in serving others. He has made eleven overseas tours to entertain our troops and received the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of our U.S. soldiers and their families.

The first to suggest an official day of thanks to sportsmen was Ira Joffe, owner of Joffe's Gun Shop in Upper Darby, Pa. In 1970, Pennsylvania Gov. Raymond Shafer adopted Joffe's idea and created "Outdoor Sportsman's Day" in the state.

With determined prompting from the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the concept soon emerged on the floor of the U.S. Senate. In June 1971, Sen. Thomas McIntyre, N.H., introduced Joint Resolution 117 authorizing National Hunting and Fishing Day on the fourth Saturday of every September. Rep. Bob Sikes, Fla., introduced an identical measure in the House. In early 1972, Congress unanimously passed both bills.

"National Wild Turkey Federation has always been a great supporter of conservation," said Misty Mitchell, director of Conservation for Wonders of Wildlife. "If not for conservation, sportsmen would not get an opportunity to enjoy the outdoor sports. Their continued support of NHF Day goes beyond what is expected. National Wild Turkey Federation is always seeking to become the leader in the conservation community."

"The NWTF holds this country's hunting heritage in high regard and we aim to secure this tradition for future generations," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "The sponsorship of NHFD fits with our Save the Habitat Save the Hunt initiative to conserve 4 million acres of habitat, create 1.5 million new hunters and open access to 500,000 acres."

The list of sponsors for National Hunting and Fishing Day 2014 includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Realtree, Yamaha, GunBroker.com, Izaak Walton League, Ducks Unlimited, Limit Out Production, National Rifle Association, Scout, National Wild Turkey Federation, Smith & Wesson and Outdoor Channel.

For more information, visit http://www.nhfday.org.

Contact: Kevin Jarnagin
Blue Heron Communications
(800) 654-3766
Kevin@blueheroncomm.com