ISSUE: National Hunting and Fishing Day

OUR VIEW: Observance puts emphasis on outdoors paradise

In few places in America are hunting and fishing more popular than Orangeburg County and around The T&D Region.

If guest speakers in our community aren't talking about trips here to hunt dove or quail, the state Department of Natural Resources annually reports our region at or near the top again in scoring for deer racks. We're a leading hunting place in a leading hunting state.

Fishing is much the same. One has only to mention the Santee Cooper lakes to know how big the sport is.

Hunting and fishing are understood here. While there are opponents of both sports and abusers of both in our community, we don't need a poll to tell us people understand that the most avid of hunters and fishermen are among our leading environmentalists and conservationists.

And as much as any day might be called hunting or fishing day here, today during the nation's longest deer-hunting season is a special one. It's National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual observance designed to emphasize the importance of outdoors sports. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy is this year's national chairman.

It is an opportunity for generations of hunters and anglers to share in the recognition of a day that publicly thanks them for the time and billions of dollars they have donated to wildlife conservation programs.

Since its inception in 1971, the day has been about sharing. Sharing the outdoor experience of hunting and fishing with someone who is new to the sport. Sharing and educating the public about the commitment to wildlife conservation by America's sportsmen.

And sportswomen, too.

In fact, in South Carolina, it's becoming increasingly likely that the hunter in the deer stand or the person fishing on Lake Marion will be a female.

Celebrated on the fourth Saturday in September, National Hunting and Fishing Day still embodies the spirit of its originator, Ira Joffe. Joffe was a sportsman from Upper Darby, Pa., who wanted a nationwide commemoration of outdoor sports.

The national potential was recognized in Washington, where in the spring of 1971 Sen. Thomas J. Mclntyre introduced a bill proclaiming National Hunting and Fishing Day to be celebrated on the fourth Saturday of each September. Rep. Bob Sikes of Florida introduced a joint resolution, and on March 2, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed the official proclamation.

The reaction from hunters, anglers and conservationists was overwhelming as national, regional, state and local organizations made plans for events across the country. The special day gained the support and assistance of more than 40 other national conservation and sportsmen's organizations, including the National Wildlife Federation, the Izaak Walton League and The Wildlife Society. By late summer, all 50 governors and more than 600 mayors had joined in by proclaiming state and town "Hunting and Fishing Days."

The blessings that make our region such a hunting and fishing paradise are worthy of note on this day. And for those with no direct interest, we urge that credit be given to the majority of hunters and fishermen who understand and live by the Sportsman's Code.

You must be logged in to comment.