The fourth Saturday in September each year is National Hunting & Fishing Day. This year, that date falls on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. As we look forward to the weekend, I encourage everyone to celebrate and reflect on the long-standing, cultural traditions of hunting and fishing—some of the oldest traditions in the history of humankind.

National Hunting & Fishing Day was established in 1972. The holiday was proclaimed by former President Richard Nixon on May 2, 1972, and the first observance of the holiday took place on Saturday, Sept. 23, 1972. Back then, more than 50 years ago, the purpose of National Hunting & Fishing Day was to celebrate hunters and anglers throughout the U.S., inspire future generations to participate in hunting and fishing and, above all, raise awareness of the vital role hunting and fishing play in environmental conservation.

Now, in 2025, National Hunting & Fishing Day continues to recognize the contributions of generations of hunters and anglers to the conservation of our nation’s incredibly unique wildlife, precious natural resources and rich sporting heritage.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about hunting and fishing, or even taking part in these incredibly important outdoor activities, there are many resources available and upcoming opportunities statewide to explore this fall!

Regular and bowhunting deer seasons for 2025-26 will be starting soon, and many New York hunters are gearing up for an exciting hunting season. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on hunting seasons, hunting laws and regulations and hunter safety and ethics, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s website is a great place to learn more: https://dec.ny.gov/. Looking to become a licensed hunter in New York state? The NYS DEC also provides its own hunter education program courses and certifications for prospective hunters: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunter-education/courses-certifications. It is recommended new hunters do not wait until just before hunting season to begin these courses—begin earlier in the year to leave plenty of time for course curriculum, firearm handling practice and information review before entering the woods.

For any prospective anglers, our state also offers “Free Fishing Days” on select dates throughout the year. The next one just so happens to fall on National Hunting & Fishing Day this Saturday! Additionally, many local, state and national sporting clubs and organizations host yearly events to raise awareness on hunting and fishing, whether through demonstrations, workshops, target shooting, fishing activities or public recruitment events. Visit the National Hunting & Fishing Day website for more information: https://nhfday.org/.

I’d like to thank each and every hunter and angler in our state for participating in these incredibly important traditions. Responsible, ethical and properly regulated hunting and fishing practices help maintain healthy wildlife populations, protect habitats and preserve fragile ecosystems throughout our state and country. I hope everyone has a wonderful National Hunting & Fishing Day—be sure to get outside and explore!