Joe Uecker
By Joe Uecker

This Saturday, September 27th marks the 42nd observation of National Hunting and Fishing Day. In 1972, President Nixon signed the first proclamation of this day, writing, “I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and ensuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.”

As Co-Chairman of the Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and member of the larger National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses network, I am proud to join my fellow legislators across the nation in celebrating this day. We recognize the time-honored traditions of hunting and fishing as well as the historical and current contributions of the original conservationists – hunters and anglers – by supporting sound, science-based wildlife management.

Throughout the last century, legislation like the Pittman-Robertson Act, the Dingell-Johnson Act, and later, the Wallop-Breaux Amendments, provides funds from excise tax revenue to Ohio’s Division of Wildlife. Purchases of licenses, duck stamps, guns, ammunition, fishing tackle, motorboat fuel and other items used by sportsmen and women fund conservation practices across our state and country. These funding sources create the American System of Conservation Funding, a unique “user-pays, public-benefits” model. Because of this model, nearly $19 million was contributed to conservation and education efforts in Ohio last year, and hunting and fishing licenses contributed an additional $26 million. All Ohioans benefit from these monies with improved access to public lands, public shooting facilities, improved water quality, habitat restoration and numerous other department projects funded through this system.

Ohio’s fish and wildlife resources would not be nearly as abundant without our outdoor sports enthusiasts, nor would our economy be as vibrant. Whether you are a sportsman or sportswoman or not, we all can appreciate the many benefits hunting and angling provide for Ohio.

This Saturday, the Ohio Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus recognizes these contributions to conservation and the economy, and we thank the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife for their tireless efforts promoting the outdoor recreational pursuits in our great state.

Enjoy this special occasion and the vast opportunities to hunt and fish in Ohio. We will continue to work hard to ensure our outdoor sporting traditions are preserved for future generations. For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day activities in Ohio, visit www.nhfday.org or www.wildlife.ohiodnr.gov.

Joe Uecker (R-Miami Township) is the state senator serving the 14th District.