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How A Good Idea Became A
Great Tradition
Over 100 years ago, hunters
and anglers were the earliest and most vocal supporters
of conservation and scientific wildlife management. They
were the first to recognize that rapid development and
unregulated uses of wildlife were threatening the future
of many species.
Led by fellow sportsman
President Theodore Roosevelt, these early conservationists
called for the first laws restricting the commercial slaughter
of wildlife. They urged sustainable use of fish and game,
created hunting and fishing licenses, and lobbied for
taxes on sporting equipment to provide funds for state
conservation agencies. These actions were the foundation
of the North American wildlife conservation model, a science-based,
user-pay system that would foster the most dramatic conservation
successes of all time.
Populations of white-tailed
deer, elk, antelope, wild turkey, wood ducks and many
other species began to recover from decades of unregulated
exploitation.
During the next half-century,
in addition to the funds they contributed for conservation
and their diligent watch over the returning health of
America's outdoors, sportsmen worked countless hours to
protect and improve millions of acres of vital habitat-lands
and waters for the use and enjoyment of everyone.
In the 1960s, hunters and
anglers embraced the era's heightened environmental awareness
but were discouraged that many people didn't understand
the crucial role that sportsmen had played in the conservation
movement.
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.
On May 2, 1972, President
Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting
and Fishing Day, writing, "I urge all citizens to
join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural
resources and in insuring their proper management for
the benefit of future generations."
By late summer, all 50 governors
and over 600 mayors had joined in by proclaiming state
and local versions of National Hunting and Fishing Day.
The response was dramatic.
National, regional,
state and local organizations staged some 3,000 "open
house" hunting- and fishing-related events everywhere
from shooting ranges to suburban frog ponds, providing
an estimated four million Americans with a chance to experience,
understand and appreciate traditional outdoor sports.
Over the years, National
Hunting and Fishing Day boasted many more public relations
successes, assisted by celebrities who volunteered to
help spotlight the conservation accomplishments of sportsmen
and women. Honorary chairs have included George Bush,
Tom Seaver, Hank Williams Jr., Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw,
George Brett, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Louise Mandrell,
Travis Tritt and many other sports and entertainment figures.
National Hunting and
Fishing Day, celebrated the fourth Saturday of every September,
remains the most effective grassroots effort ever undertaken
to promote outdoor sports and conservation. |
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