September 19, 2012
By Jeff Weakley
Saturday, September 22, is National Hunting and Fishing Day (never mind the fact that every day is a potential personal hunting and fishing day!).
One place to celebrate our sporting heritage is the Florida Sportsman Expo at the South Florida Fairgrounds in Tampa. The Expo has transitioned in recent years from a fishing-boating venue into a broader show which also features gear and seminars on Florida hunting. "On display at the Hunting Stage area will be two giant swamp buggies that are sure to keep the iPhones clicking," said Expo Director Doug Kelly. "Speakers Jonathan Swindle, Chaz Fenwright, Capt. Phil Walters, Charlie Parrish and Chuck Echenique will offer valuable tips to improve the odds of bagging trophy bucks, gobblers, hogs, ducks, and outline this fall's most productive WMAs and hunting camps."
Tickets are $8 and the show runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and again 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Kids 12 and under, with their parents, get in free. For a discount coupon, click here.
If you can't make it all the way to Tampa, the Okeechobee Shooting Sports facility in Okeechobee is running a $5 hunt, shoot, and fish event in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day, in coordination with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
For more details on National Hunting and Fishing Day, click here or read the press release copied below:
Only days away, National Hunting and Fishing Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the conservation efforts of outdoorsman across the nation. Outdoorsmen everywhere are encouraged to participate at their nearest event. To find the event closest to you visit http://www.nhfday.org.
Always the fourth Saturday in September, NHF Day 2012 is set to take place on September 22nd.
Help us celebrate this special annual “holiday” established by Congress (in 1972) to recognize hunters, anglers and recreational shooters for their leadership and contributions to conservation in America. Through dues and contributions to conservation organizations, hunters give an additional $280 million annually for wildlife and habitat.
Nobody does more for fish, wildlife and habitat than traditional sportsmen and women. Communicating this message is a daily goal for all of us at Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of NHF Day—in Springfield, Mo.
National Hunting and Fishing Day is one of the easiest ways to recognize the conservation efforts of hunters and fishermen across the nation. It is also a great way to get youth involved in our great heritage.
This year, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver/owner Tony Stewart is the honorary chair for National Hunting and Fishing Day. As the driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1 Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Stewart has won 12 driving championships, including three Sprint Cup Series titles, in a career spanning more than three decades.
Stewart is a champion off the racetrack as much as he is on, and has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts via his Tony Stewart Foundation, which raises funds for distribution to three specific groups – chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities, and organizations dedicated to the protection of various animal species.
Help continue the growing heritage of maintaining our conservation efforts with Tony Stewart and countless sportsmen and celebrate with us on September 22, 2012.
The growing list of sponsors for NHF Day 2012 includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, North American Media Group Inc., Sportsman's Channel, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Pope and Young Club, Ducks Unlimited and the Izaak Walton League of America.
For more information about NHF Day and events that are taking place near you, visit www.nhfday.org and check out our Facebook page.
