The 43rd annual National Hunting & Fishing Day

Annual hunting/fishing event offers taste of Ozarks outdoors

Annual hunting/fishing event offers taste of Ozarks outdoors

The 43rd annual National Hunting & Fishing Day was celebrated last Saturday in recognition of the millions of Americans who hunt, fish, photograph or simply enjoy the country’s rich wildlife and natural resources.

One of the largest events was at the Bois D’ Arc Conservation Area, west of Springfield. Events included shooting sports with rifle, shotgun and pellet guns. There also was archery, Dutch oven cooking, a self-guided tree identification trail, a kids activity area, fishing, canoeing, backpacking, camping, fly tying and a Bear Aware demonstration.

The event enabled area residents to learn what is great about the outdoors in the Ozarks. There were activities for everyone in the family on a near-perfect day.

Across the country, wildlife clubs, state wildlife agencies and other interested groups organized exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences that should entice old-timers and novices alike.

The national Hunting & Fishing Day was declared so people would not forget a few things. First, organizers wanted people to remember that fish and wildlife were not always as abundant as they are today. Second, is that fish and wildlife can be restored with proper habitat management. Third is that hunters and anglers were the first to take the challenge and began wildlife restoration efforts in the country, and they have paid a disproportionate share of the cost. Fourth, without hunting and fishing, the country’s fish and wildlife likely would revert to the bad old days.

By the early 1970s, when the anti-hunting movement grew more active, conservation leaders began to realize that most people didn’t know the invaluable financial contribution of sportsmen to wildlife restoration.

Many sportsmen also were unaware of that fact that sportsmen were leaders in enacting needed legislation at the state and federal levels to conserve fish and wildlife as well as restore habitats. So, National Hunting & Fishing Day was conceived by organizations that endorse hunting and fishing.

Governors of all 50 states have endorsed NHF Day by proclamation, and today thousands of groups participate. Activities, like the ones in the Ozarks, promote the better understanding of, and more participation in the hunting and fishing sports.