Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a proclamation dedicating Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020 as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Louisiana (NHFD).
NHFD is a national event celebrated in all 50 states on the fourth Saturday in September. It was created in 1972 when Congress passed two bills establishing a specific day to celebrate the conservation contributions of our nation’s hunters and anglers.
“Hunting and fishing have special places in my family’s history and are an essential part of Louisiana’s culture,” Gov. Edwards said. “I encourage everyone to mark this day in their own way by exploring Louisiana’s beauty with family and friends while keeping in mind that we are still facing a public health crisis with COVID-19 and it is also essential that we wear our masks when in public and practice social distancing. We may have to do things differently this year, but we can still celebrate the day while also being safe.”
LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet added, “Though our special events have been cancelled out of an abundance of caution due to the pandemic, I implore our Louisiana residents to mark the day by having fun and staying safe on our waterways and exploring our wildlife management areas.”
NHFD celebrates the contributions of sportsmen and women, America’s true conservationists, through recognizing the American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). The ASCF is a “user pays – public benefits” program, which directs excise taxes on sporting equipment, including firearms, ammunition, and motorboat fuel as well as revenue from hunting and fishing licenses, toward fish and wildlife conservation efforts.