National Hunting & Fishing Day Saturday

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The 37th Anniversary of National Hunting & Fishing Day is Saturday, Sept. 27.

This year, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is encouraging Montanan’s to celebrate by helping a youngster take advantage of the special youth waterfowl and pheasant hunting seasons set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28. Legally licensed hunters age 12 through 15 will be able to hunt ducks, mergansers, geese, coots and ring-necked pheasants statewide on these two days.

"Join FWP in celebrating the original outdoor challenge — National Hunting and Fishing Day," said FWP’s Ron Aasheim in Helena. "Montana special youth waterfowl and pheasant seasons are family-oriented offerings and great way to introduce youth to a lifelong outdoor sport while teaching them about the important role that hunting and fishing plays in Montana."

Youth hunting opportunities have long been a priority of the FWP Commission. The youth waterfowl-hunting weekend is a proven success with young hunters and their mentors.

A nonhunting adult at least 18 years of age must accompany young hunters in the field during these special seasons. The bag limit, shooting hours, hunter safety requirements and all other regulations of the regular pheasant and waterfowl seasons apply.

The Canyon Ferry WMA is an exception to the youth waterfowl season in that shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise to noon Sept. 27-28.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, formalized by Congress in 1971, was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. From shopping center exhibits to statewide expos, millions of citizens learned to appreciate America’s sportsman-based system of conservation funding. That system now generates more than $1.7 billion per year, benefiting all who appreciate wildlife and wild places.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is observed on the fourth Saturday of every September.