Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sunday, Sept. 23 at Middle Creek

Recent economic reports show that sportsmen and women spent more than $93.5 billion on gear, licenses, travel, clothing, gas and more for the purposes of hunting, target shooting and sportfishing activities in 2016, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  Through license and excise taxes, hunters and anglers help to generate more than $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife and habitat programs, according to National Hunting and Fishing Day coordinators.

Hunters are leaders in conserving America’s wildlife and wild places. Numbers like the ones above prove that fact and make it appropriate to set a day aside just to celebrate our hunters and anglers, while encouraging more men and women to adopt the hunting lifestyle and join us in the woods and fields.

National Hunting and Fishing Day has been recognized on the fourth Saturday of September since 1972. The day continues to serve as a national grassroots effort to promote the outdoor lifestyles of hunting and fishing so those who are unfamiliar can experience, understand and appreciate traditional outdoor sports.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is hosting its National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration on Sunday, Sept. 23, at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center, located at 100 Museum Road in Stevens, PA. This free public event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be held rain or shine.

Interactive stations will include live and simulated fire and archery shooting, muzzleloader building, fly tying, kids fishing, decoy carving, and falconry. Many wildlife organizations and sportsmen’s groups will be on site. Sporting dog and live wildlife demonstrations will run all day.

Our agency will feature trapping, turkey rocket netting, elk darting and tracking demonstrations. A live prescribed fire exhibition will be featured, dependent on the weather. Additionally, there will be a live cooking demonstration featuring venison and goose stir-fry.

Whether you are a hunter, trapper, someone who would like to learn more about becoming a hunter or just enjoy the outdoors, the whole family can experience something fun at National Hunting and Fishing Day.

We hope to see you there!