53rd Annual National Hunting & Fishing Day Brings Nationwide Events and Pledge to Inspire Future Generations of Conservationists

Hunters, Anglers, and Outdoor Enthusiasts Unite Sept. 27 to Celebrate America’s Conservation Legacy 

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Sept. 27, 2025 – For the 53rd consecutive year, National Hunting & Fishing Day (NHF Day) will unite outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and families nationwide to celebrate America’s rich traditions of hunting, fishing, shooting sports, and conservation stewardship.

Taking place annually on the fourth Saturday in September, NHF Day serves as a nationwide reminder of the critical role hunters and anglers play in funding wildlife conservation and protecting public lands and waters for future generations.

This year’s celebration is made possible thanks to the support of national partners, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Safari Club International, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Izaak Walton League of America, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

Founded in 1972 by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), NHF Day has grown into a powerful grassroots movement, with events held in communities across all 50 states. From youth fishing derbies and hunter education workshops to shooting sports demonstrations and conservation service projects, these gatherings are designed to introduce new audiences to the outdoors while celebrating the vital contributions hunters and anglers make to conservation.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find NHF Day events near them by visiting nhfday.org. The site also provides educational resources and the opportunity to take the NHF Day pledge to introduce someone new to hunting, fishing, or target shooting. Those who take the pledge will be entered to win a $500 gift card to Bass Pro Shops.

“National Hunting & Fishing Day is more than a celebration — it’s a call to action,” said Misty Mitchell, director of conservation and education programs at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium and the official NHF Day coordinator. “By mentoring someone new and passing along these traditions, we ensure that the conservation legacy built by hunters and anglers continues for generations to come.”

Hunters and anglers remain among the leading contributors to wildlife conservation in the United States, thanks to the Pittman-Robertson Act and Dingell-Johnson Act, which direct excise taxes on hunting, shooting, and fishing equipment toward wildlife management, habitat restoration, and outdoor recreation access. Together, they generate more than $74,800 every 30 seconds for these critical efforts.

As the official home of NHF Day, Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield, Missouri, will host a free two-day festival on Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28. The event will feature educational activities, interactive exhibits, and family-friendly fun. Wonders of Wildlife is partnering with the American Indian Center of Springfield to honor Native American cultures as the original stewards of the land and water through storytelling, music, dance, and hands-on demonstrations.

For more information, to take the pledge, or to find an NHF Day event near you, visit nhfday.org.

About National Hunting and Fishing Day
Celebrated on the fourth Saturday of every September, National Hunting & Fishing (NHF) Day is the largest, most effective grassroots movement ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation. Enacted by Congress in 1972, the federally recognized holiday brings together sportsmen and women from across America to celebrate the rich tradition of hunting, target shooting, and fishing through organized local, state, and national events aimed at introducing new audiences to the outdoors. NHF Day’s official home is at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. For more information, visit www.nhfday.org. 

About Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium 

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium consists of a 1.5-million-gallon Aquarium Adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds, along with immersive Wildlife Galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled. Created by noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, the 350,000-square-foot experience celebrates those who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water.  

Located next to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters in Springfield, Missouri, the campus serves as a centerpiece of America’s Conservation Capital in Missouri’s Ozark Mountains. Wonders of Wildlife was voted “America’s Best New Attraction” in 2017 and has since been named “America’s Best Aquarium” a record-breaking seven times by the readers of USA TODAY. In 2025, it was voted “Best Aquarium” by Newsweek readers, and in 2022, it earned its prestigious AZA accreditation. For more information, visit www.wondersofwildlife.org.