NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2023
Gov. Katie Hobbs signs proclamation
PHOENIX — National Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes generations of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts who collectively represent the backbone of wildlife conservation.
Gov. Katie Hobbs recently signed a proclamation celebrating the special-interest holiday — which, this year, falls on Saturday, Sept. 23 — as well as underscoring the state’s hunting and angling community as an important economic driver.
A record $1.5 billion was distributed to state wildlife agencies for wildlife and habitat conservation, and outdoor recreation initiatives in 2022 through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) program. WSFR funds are excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes back to Arizona for habitat improvements, research, surveys, hunter education, boating access facilities, construction and maintenance of shooting ranges, and more.
Who benefits? The general public gets better stewardship of natural resources. Hunters and anglers get more and better places to hunt and fish. State and federal agencies receive more funds to meet their conservation needs.
Interested in learning about hunting, but don’t know where to start? Many sportsmen’s/conservation organizations partner with the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) to conduct hunting and outdoor skills camps for skill levels ranging from total beginner to experienced. Visit https://register-ed.com/programs/arizona/170-outdoor-skills-network for a schedule of upcoming camps and activities or to register.
Interested in learning more about fishing? View AZGFD’s “Learn to Fish” video series. The department and its partner organizations also offer fishing clinics and other fishing events throughout the year through the FishAZ Network. Visit https://register-ed.com/programs/arizona/239-fishaz-network.