Wild and FREE
The 6th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day
September 24, 2005

Want to learn more about fly tying, bass fishing, archery, or hunting safety? Wouldn’t it be great if you could learn about all these things in the same day, and in the same place--for free? Well all of this, and much more, is possible at the Sixth Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day, planned for Saturday, September 24, 2005 at the Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery in Columbia.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is a day for Americans to celebrate their outdoor heritage and participate in wildlife-related outdoor activities. DNR and SCWF always plan this educational event that offers ‘hands-on’ outdoor learning opportunities for every age group, outdoor-oriented people and urbanites alike. From the novice to the experienced angler or outdoor enthusiast, NH&F day will offer activities that the whole family will enjoy.

The event will feature archery, crossbow and air rifle shooting, a children’s casting contest, muzzleloader demonstrations, a wild animal exhibit, shotgun and .22-caliber rifle range shooting, tree stand hunting safety and boating safety demonstrations, fly tying and much more. And back by popular demand is the climbing wall.

An added bonus to this year’s celebration, exhibitor Frank Addington, Jr. will join the festivities. With 19 years plus of exhibit shooting with a bow and arrow, Addington practices what he calls “bow and arra' razzle dazzle.” With an eyesight of 20/8, his specialty is shooting at baby aspirins in mid-air from behind his back. To see a photo capture this 'razzle dazzle', click HERE.

Thanks to the sponsorship of Weatherby Foundation International and the Lowcountry Chapter of Safari Club International, South Carolina’s National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration is free of charge and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DNR’s Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery located at 1528 Fish Hatchery Road in West Columbia. Similar events are planned in other states on Sept. 24.

In 1972, Congress and President Richard M. Nixon established National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money they have donated to wildlife conservation programs. Since 1972, many millions of Americans have been introduced to wildlife-related activities through National Hunting and Fishing Day special events, held the fourth Saturday of each year, that highlight hunting and fishing’s vital role in conservation.

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day contact DNR at (803) 734-3886 or the South Carolina Wildlife Federation office at (803) 256-0670. Details are also available at www.dnr.state.sc.us.