It all started on May 2, 1972 when President Richard Nixon declared the fourth Saturday of September as the National Hunting and Fishing Day after the urging of the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Congress unanimously authorized the national event.

The movement started in the 60’s when thousands of men and women were fresh on the scene from both WWII and the Korea Conflict. Shooting sports were flourishing and hunting, fishing and the outdoors explorers were everywhere.

Camping, RV’s, boating and building camps was the national pastime. Pennsylvania itself boasted of over a million hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Even to this day, there is a national hunting and fishing day recognized in every state. It has expanded into many other areas as well.

In the 1960’s, hunters and anglers embraced the era’s heightened environmental awareness, but were discouraged that many people didn’t understand the role that sportsmen played and continue to play in the conservation movement.

America loves wildlife and wild places. The interest shown in outdoor pursuits with birdwatching, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking and photography among many other activities confirms this love for the outdoors. Hunters and anglers provide the lead in supporting the outdoors with cash and lots of it!

There are 34 million hunters and anglers in the U.S. and by purchasing licenses, paying special taxes on sporting goods and ammunition they generate $100,000 every 30 minutes.

The annual total of $1.75 billion, pays for the vast majority of the conservation work of fish and wildlife agencies in every state. These public agencies serve all states by overseeing all fish and wild life, both hunted species and non-hunted species like our song birds.

Funding from hunters helped America restore the whitetail deer population from 500,000 in 1900 to over 30 million by today’s count. The wild turkey was at 100,000 in 1900, but now has rebounded to over 7 million birds.

The story of wildlife protection and restoration goes on and on and in large part by the funds generated by hunting and fishing enthusiasts. Remember, it serves the best interest of wildlife and the environment to keep our sportsmen protecting all animals.

To learn more about the impact & history of National Hunting and Fishing Day log on to www.nhlday.org .

Archery season

Sept. 30 will start the archery season for whitetails in Pennsylvania and run through Nov. 11 for both antlered and antlerless deer.

Pennsylvania has a strong representation of archers in their rank of hunters. The use of recurve bows, long bows, crossbows and compound bows enables all types of hunters to go afield in search of the elusive whitetail deer.

Many hunters will use tree stands and blinds to keep them hidden from wary deer. As the season goes on, the deer will be wise to the tactics of the hunters and then will face the added pressures of the modern rifle and muzzleloader seasons.

Deer will find some secretive places by this time and give the hunters all the challenge they need.

Remember, safety first as many hunters will be in the trees and the chance of falling increase if you are not careful and using safety straps, ropes for pulling up your bows and securing your stands properly.

Many of the tree stands are up two stories in the trees and a fall can seriously injure or kill you. I don’t know about you guys, but I don’t bounce back up like I used to do.

If you build your stands with wood and nails,double check the integrity of your steps and boards. Every year the weather takes its toll on the outdoor structures and rotted wood isn’t good for your health.

Don’t forget to watch those razor sharp broad heads and let someone know your hunting location as well. You can’t shoot an arrow in the air to let someone know where you are laying.

Take a cell phone if you can get service for that extra security and connection to help if needed. Until we meet again, remember that dragging a deer is a young man’s work.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle