National Hunting and Fishing Day is this Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025!

With the weekend fast approaching, I encourage every New Yorker to take a moment to appreciate the history and tradition of hunting and fishing in our state and country and also celebrate the efforts of licensed hunters and anglers whose contributions to environmental conservation are unparalleled.

National Hunting and Fishing Day was established more than 50 years ago in 1972 for the purpose of inspiring and recruiting prospective hunters and anglers while also highlighting the significant role both traditions play in keeping our wildlife populations healthy. As a lifelong hunter myself and a continued advocate for sportsmen and women in Albany, I understand the numerous ways in which hunting specifically benefits the environment around us and also brings communities together here in Upstate New York.

I was very proud to join local and state leaders, veterans support groups, county offices for the aging, sheriff’s offices, volunteer fire departments, other agencies and caring members of the community at the 17th Annual Venison for Veterans & Seniors of Fulton and Montgomery Counties back in April of 2025. Year after year, I partner with these many organizations and volunteers to help package and deliver venison to veterans and seniors in need. This past April, we delivered 400 meals across 20 counties in Upstate New York, and it is thanks to our local hunters who contributed the harvested venison that this incredible program is even possible.

I was also very happy to have voted “yes” on Assembly Bill A.8330-A earlier this year and to see it pass in the New York State Assembly. This proposal would change the provisions in our state to expand the use of crossbows during the regular hunting season. Crossbows often serve as a safer, more efficient alternative to other hunting instruments for hunters who may have physical limitations or disabilities. This proposal would make hunting more accessible and contribute to the recruitment and retention of new hunters during bow season.

For any current or prospective hunters, there are upcoming pheasant hunts happening in Upstate New York this year; see the list of dates and locations below. These hunts are free to attend, and individuals can register through the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation using the link here: https://www.register-ed.com/programs/new_york/260-huntfishny.

• Two veterans’ pheasant hunts will be taking place the weekend of Oct. 11, 2025, one at the Shults Farm in Canajoharie on Saturday, Oct. 11, and one at the Dykeman Farm in Fultonville on Sunday, Oct. 12;
• Two women’s pheasant hunts will be taking place the weekend of Oct. 18, 2025, one at the Shults Farm in Canajoharie on Saturday, Oct. 18, and one at the same location on Sunday, Oct. 19; and
• Two novice pheasant hunts will be taking place the weekend of Oct. 25, 2025, one at the Shults Farm in Canajoharie on Saturday, Oct. 25, and one at the same location on Sunday, Oct. 26.

For updated information on hunting seasons, hunting laws and regulations and hunter safety and ethics, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s official website: https://dec.ny.gov/. For hunter education program courses to become a licensed New York hunter, visit: https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunter-education/courses-certifications.

For any current or prospective anglers, this Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, is a designated free fishing day. The next free fishing day, which will also be the last one of the year, is taking place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025.

For more information about National Hunting & Fishing Day in general, visit the official National Hunting and Fishing Day website here: https://nhfday.org/.

More than 75% of Americans say they support legal, regulated hunting—not hunting for trophy or for sport, but hunting to put food on the table and support conservation efforts. The truth is, responsible, ethical hunting supports our wildlife, ecosystems and communities. This National Hunting and Fishing Day, get outside if you can and participate in hunting and/or fishing, two cherished American traditions that are some of the oldest in human history.