Zinke Proclaims October National Hunting and Fishing Month

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke officially announced October as National Hunting and Fishing Month. Zinke has made a point to focus on expanding public access on federal public lands, especially for hunting and angling activities. “I am proud to designate the month of October as National Hunting and Fishing Month,” Zinke said while visiting the Wonders of Wildlife Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. “American hunters and anglers are the backbone of conservation efforts, generating over a billion dollars each year for conservation.” Through the American System of Conservation Funding, sportsmen and women contribute to the majority of funding for state fish and wildlife agencies. They’ve contributed over $62.1 billion—since 1939—from excise taxes on hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and boating-related purchases as well as hunting and angling licenses. Dedicating the month of October to hunting and fishing traditions recognizes the great contributions that sportsmen and women make to fish and wildlife conservation. —courtesy Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation