Saturday Is National Hunting & Fishing Day –Dave’s Diary

Sportsmen and sportswomen -Saturday is YOUR day!

On May 2, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day, writing, "I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations."42 years later National Hunting and Fishing Day continues to be celebrated the fourth Saturday of every September -this Saturday the 17^th- and remains the most effective grassroots efforts ever undertaken to promote the outdoor sports and conservation.

The financial contributions from hunting and fishing are impressive.

An average hunter spends $1,638 every year on the sport.

An average angler spends $1,046 every year on the sport.

According to research, 72 percent more women are hunting with firearms today than just five years ago. And 50 percent more women are now target shooting.

Hunters and anglers support more jobs nationwide than the number of people employed by Wal-Mart.

More Americans hunt and shoot than play golf.

Over one quarter of all anglers are female.

Recreational anglers spend a staggering $41.5 billion a year to fish.

Anglers spend almost $300 million a year just on ice.

Anglers spend more than $1 billion a year on bait alone.