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Mark the calendar: National Hunting and Fishing Day lands on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
This year’s theme, “Legends of Conservation: Celebrating 250 Years of Stewardship,” is a fitting reminder that America’s outdoor heritage did not happen by accident. Hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, conservation groups, and everyday families have spent generations putting money, time, and sweat into protecting wildlife and the places it lives.
National Hunting and Fishing Day is more than a date on the calendar. It is a reason to get outside, bring somebody new along, and show them why this lifestyle matters.
Across the country, local groups, ranges, wildlife refuges, hatcheries, clubs, and outdoor organizations will host events designed to welcome people into hunting, fishing, shooting, and conservation. Some will be big public celebrations. Others may be as simple as taking a kid fishing, inviting a new hunter to the range, or bringing a friend along to scout a piece of public land.
That is the point.
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For longtime outdoorsmen and women, it is easy to forget how much we learned from someone else. Maybe it was a parent who put a fishing rod in our hands. Maybe it was a buddy who taught us gun safety. Or, maybe it was a grandfather who explained why a quiet morning in the woods is about far more than filling a tag.
National Hunting and Fishing Day is a chance to pass that along.
The observance began with an idea from Ira Joffe, owner of Joffe’s Gun Shop in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. In 1970, then-Pennsylvania Gov. Raymond Shafer created “Outdoor Sportsman’s Day” in the state. The idea gained national momentum with help from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
In 1971, Sen. Thomas McIntyre of New Hampshire introduced a resolution establishing National Hunting and Fishing Day for the fourth Saturday of every September. Congress passed the measure unanimously the following year. On May 2, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the first presidential proclamation.
His message still holds up: outdoor sportsmen should be recognized for the wise use and responsible management of America’s natural resources.
That connection is not just talk. Through license fees, permits, donations, and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing gear, and other outdoor equipment, hunters and anglers have raised billions for wildlife conservation. The National Hunting and Fishing Day organization says those self-imposed fees and taxes have generated more than $57 billion for conservation efforts.
So, make Sept. 26 count. Find a local event. Take the pledge to introduce somebody to the outdoors. Bring a new shooter to the range, a kid to a pond, or a friend into the deer woods.
The next generation of conservationists may be waiting on one invitation. Learn more HERE.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.