Georgia Celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day with Free Events

Fun events, plenty of activities and celebrating the passion for the outdoors is just what you will find at one of the many FREE celebrations that will be held in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

“If you participate in outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife watching or if you have an interest in these activities, but don’t know how to get started, you will want to attend one of these events,” said Dan Forster, director of the Wildlife Resources Division.  “There will be a variety of things to do, and you will have knowledgeable staff and volunteers who simply want to help you have the best time possible and encourage you to take the activity beyond this one day.”

What is National Hunting and Fishing Day? The U.S. Congress and President Richard Nixon established this day in 1973 to recognize generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money they donate to wildlife conservation programs.

Events that will be offered in Georgia include five kids’ fishing events and four Outdoor Adventure Days (activities will differ at each event – but some highlights include archery and air rifle shooting, trout fishing, snake shows, wildlife programs, exhibits and more).  These events are spread out across the whole state – meaning that one is probably near you!

In addition to these events, a FREE fishing day is offered to all Georgia residents on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013.  On this day, residents do NOT need a fishing license or a trout license to fish on any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas (PFA).  In addition, residents do not need to obtain a wildlife management area (WMA) license to fish on a PFA, WMA or on Waters Creek on this day.

For more information on NHF Day in Georgia, including a complete listing of all events in the state, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/get-involved/nhfday .

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is comprised of six divisions which carryout DNR’s mission to sustain, enhance, protect and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources. As one of six divisions within DNR, the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting Georgia’s wildlife resources, including game and nongame animals, fish and protected plants. WRD is comprised of four sections – Game Management, Fisheries Management, Law Enforcement and Nongame Conservation, which regulate hunting, fishing and boat operation, protect nongame and endangered wildlife, provide conservation education and enforce laws for the protection and use of Georgia’s natural resources.