Idaho Examiner: Hunting Heritage Trust to Sponsor National Hunting and Fishing Day "My Idaho...My Planet Rocks!"

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — An organization formed to help hunters and shooters “give back” to their traditional passions, the Hunting Heritage Trust is also the newest sponsor of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

This special day, tabbed for Sept. 27, annually celebrates the conservation leadership of hunters and anglers.

“When Congress formalized National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1971, it did so at the urging of Mr. Robert Delfay, who at the time worked for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). Today he is the president of the Hunting Heritage Trust and it’s wonderful to see him back involved with the celebration he helped create,” said Denise Wagner, national coordinator for Wonders of Wildlife museum.

Through its sponsorship, the Hunting Heritage Trust is supporting Wonders of Wildlife, the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The museum is developing communications campaigns, event-planning tips, promotional items and free online (www.nhfday.org) tools to show the public that conservation succeeds in America only because of hunters, anglers and shooters. In fact, through licenses and excise taxes, these enthusiasts generate $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife and habitat programs.

The Hunting Heritage Trust also is organizing a special fundraiser — an online auction of a commemorative firearm and rod-and-reel combo on GunBroker.com — to provide additional support for the celebration. Details to be announced later this year.

“National Hunting and Fishing Day is truly one of the hallmark events in the outdoor industry and the Hunting Heritage Trust is genuinely excited to play a part in bringing the day’s important message to millions of Americans,” said Delfay.

NSSF remains the charter sponsor for National Hunting and Fishing Day. Other sponsors for 2008 include Wonders of Wildlife, Bass Pro Shops, The Sportsman Channel, National Wild Turkey Federation, Realtree, Cabela’s, Woolrich, GunBroker.com, Outdoor Channel, Safari Club International and Hunting Heritage Trust.

Presidents from Richard M. Nixon through George W. Bush have officially proclaimed their support of National Hunting and Fishing Day, making it one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

Outdoor television personality Michael Waddell is serving as honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day 2008.

For more information, visit www.nhfday.org.