IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE SPONSORS NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY NHFD TO TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (August 15, 2011) —The Izaak Walton League of America is supporting wildlife conservation by sponsoring National Hunting and Fishing Day. With the League’s sponsorship, NHF Day continues to grow and promote conservation throughout the nation.

The Izaak Walton League is one of the most respected conservation organizations in America. Founded in 1922, the Izaak Walton League takes a common-sense approach toward protecting our country’s natural heritage and improving outdoor recreation opportunities for all Americans.

NHF Day promotes conservation efforts by sportsmen and takes place each year on the fourth Saturday in September. This year the event is set for September 24, 2011. The Izaak Walton League’s sponsorship supports the Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

“The Izaak Walton League has long supported National Hunting and Fishing Day; we co-chaired the planning committee for the first event almost four decades ago,” says David Hoskins, Executive Director of the Izaak Walton League. “Since the beginning, the message of this event has been clear: Hunting and fishing are vital conservation tools, important economic engines, and enjoyable outdoor recreation activities.  This annual event provides opportunities for people across the country to learn more about outdoor skills and conservation, frequently through demonstrations and hands-on activities related to hunting, shooting sports, fishing and archery.”

“The Izaak Walton League is truly a world class organization,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs for Wonders of Wildlife. “Their support of NHF Day helps both organizations further the public’s knowledge of how sportsmen contribute to conservation efforts. We are very excited to have them on as sponsors of such a great cause.”

NHF Day has had many honorary chairpersons who have helped promote the message of conservation. This year, noted businessman, outdoorsman and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens serves as the honorary chair for NHF Day. Widely known as one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen, Pickens remains a strong advocate for conserving a heritage that was instilled in him at a very young age. Pickens also is a prominent philanthropist whose contributions to charitable causes exceed $700 million.

Sponsorship of NHF Day 2011 continues to grow and includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Izaak Walton League of America and Pope and Young Club.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org and check out our Facebook page.

GUNBROKER.COM IS SPONSOR FOR NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY

NHFD to Take Place September 24, 2011

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (July 27, 2011) — Each year sponsors line up to support one of the great days in conservation history – National Hunting and Fishing Day. Gunbroker.com has vowed its sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is slated to take place September 24, 2011.

This day marks the official federal commemoration of hunters, anglers and conservation, and is always on the fourth Saturday in September. Each year NHF Day asks a renowned outdoorsman to serve as honorary chair, and this year businessman T. Boone Pickens will be serving that role.

During his time as honorary chair, Boone Pickens delivers the message of conservation throughout the hunting and fishing communities. Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen in history. He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum.

Pickens is often quoted in the media and has testified many times before Congress. He is the author of “The First Billion is the Hardest” and “Boone Pickens: The Luckiest Guy in the World.”

The sponsorship support of Gunbroker.com supports Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

“GunBroker.com has nearly two million registered users and most of them are hunters, shooters or anglers,” said Steve Urvan, founder and CEO. “We join them in supporting NHF Day because it is a great way to educate and help promote the many benefits of these outdoor pursuits, and to ultimately help continue the traditions and create new ones for participants of all ages.”

“National Hunting and Fishing Day is thrilled to have Gunbroker.com as a sponsor,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs, Wonders of Wildlife. “They have proven themselves as strong advocates for conservationist around the globe, and the support they have shown NHF Day reflects those beliefs.”

Formalized by Congress in 1972, NHF Day is set to remind the public that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers. Every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama has issued official proclamations of support for the annual commemoration, now recognized as one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

Sponsors for NHF Day 2011 continues to grow, and includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Pope and Young Club.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org and check out our Facebook page.

BASS PRO SHOPS AND NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY NHFD TO TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (July 19, 2011) — Bass Pro Shops has renewed its sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day that is set to take place September 24, 2011.

 

Each year NHF Day asks a renowned outdoorsman to serve as honorary chair, and this year businessman T. Boone Pickens will be serving that role.

 

In this role, Boone Pickens helps deliver the message of conservation throughout the hunting and fishing communities, which always takes place on the fourth Saturday in September.

 

Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen in history. He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum.

 

Pickens is the author of “The First Billion is the Hardest” and “Boone Pickens: The Luckiest Guy in the World.” Pickens also is a noted philanthropist with gifts to charitable causes exceeding $700 million.

 

The sponsorship support of Bass Pro Shops helps support Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

 

The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

 

“Johnny Morris and all of us here at Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine are really proud and honored to be a part of this effort to make more people aware of our time-honored traditions of hunting and fishing,” said, Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Marine Communications Manager Larry Whiteley. “We hope that through NHF Day as well as the free outdoor skills classes we hold in our stores across America and Canada, more people will discover the grand sports of hunting and fishing.”

 

“National Hunting and Fishing Day and Bass Pro Shops teaming together to promote wildlife conservation simply makes sense,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs, Wonders of Wildlife. “We are excited to have them as sponsors to NHF Day. Their support is a testament to their continued support of outdoorsman around the country.”

 

Congress formalized NHF Day in 1972 to remind the public that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers. Every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama has issued official proclamations of support for the annual commemoration, now recognized as one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

 

Sponsors for NHF Day 2011 continues to grow, and includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Izaak Walton League of America and Pope and Young Club.

 

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org and check out our Facebook page.

CABELA’S SIGNS ON AS SPONSOR FOR NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY

NHFD to Take Place September 24, 2011

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (June 13, 2011) — Cabela’s once again renewed its sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day that is set to take place September 24, 2011. This day marks the official federal commemoration of hunters, anglers and conservation, and is always on the fourth Saturday in September.

 

Each year NHFD asks a renowned outdoorsman to serve as honorary chair, and this year businessman T. Boone Pickens will be serving that role. In this role, Boone Pickens helps deliver the message of conservation throughout the hunting and fishing communities.

Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen in history. He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum. He is often quoted in the media and has testified many times before Congress. He is the author of “The First Billion is the Hardest” and “Boone Pickens: The Luckiest Guy in the World.” Pickens also is a noted philanthropist with gifts to charitable causes exceeding $700 million. 

The continued sponsorship of Cabela’s supports Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

 

“Cabela’s supports National Hunting and Fishing Day because of the important role it serves in educating people on the importance of our outdoor heritage,” said Tim Joseph, Cabela’s Director of Brand Management and Creative Services. “By encouraging participation in and understanding of hunting and fishing, NHFD helps assure a future for these important traditions.” 

 

“National Hunting and Fishing Day is excited to have Cabela’s as a sponsor,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs, Wonders of Wildlife. “Their support allows NHFDay to continue to spread the message of conservation of our natural resources that hunters and fisherman take part in every day.

 

Congress formalized NHF Day in 1972 to remind the public that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers. Every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama has issued official proclamations of support for the annual commemoration, now recognized as one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

 

Sponsors for NHF Day 2011 continues to grow, and includes, in addition to Cabela’s, Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors, Izaak Walton League of America and Pope and Young Club.

 

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org and check out our Facebook page.

 

SPORTSMAN CHANNEL AND NHF DAY RENEW PARTNERSHIP

Sponsorship to Benefit Hunting and Fishing Participants

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (May 24, 2011) — Adding to a growing list of sponsors, Sportsman Channel and National Hunting and Fishing Day will continue to partner throughout the 2011 year.  NHF Day takes place on the fourth Saturday in September, which is Sept. 24, 2011.

Each year NHF Day is honored to have an honorary chair that participates actively in promoting the historic day. T. Boone Pickens is serving as the honorary chair to deliver the message of NHF Day during the 2011 year. Noted philanthropist and avid outdoorsman, Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen.

When he is not behind a set of pointers chasing quail, he is a leading authority on world energy issues. Pickens is also president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum.

A strong advocate for alternative energy in the U.S., his renowned “Pickens Plan” is designed to decrease dependency on foreign oil while harnessing domestic energy alternatives such as wind power.

The continued support of the Sportsman Channel’s sponsorship supports Wonders of Wildlife museum, which is the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

“We are honored to continue our tradition of supporting National Hunting and Fishing Day. While every day is a chance for us to show our viewers the benefits of the Great Outdoors, NHF Day provides us a unique platform to reach those who may not be familiar with our world, and hopefully they decide to stay,” said Michelle Scheuermann Director of Communications for Sportsman Channel.

“National Hunting and Fishing Day represents more than a single day set aside for hunters and fishermen,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Wonders of Wildlife. “It is a call to our outdoorsman to get others involved. With the help of Sportsman Channel we will deliver the message that our heritage continues to grow and support conservation efforts that help preserve the valuable resources we all enjoy – the outdoors.”

In 1972, Congress formalized NHF Day to remind the public that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers. Every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama has issued official proclamations of support for the annual commemoration, now recognized as one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

The list of sponsors continues to grow for NHF Day 2011, which includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Cabela’s, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, and Pope and Young Club.

If you would like more information about NHF Day visit http://www.nhfday.org. Also, visit our Facebook page for more fun facts about National Hunting and Fishing Day.

SMITH & WESSON SPONSORS NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY

NHFD to Take Place September 24, 2011

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (May 12, 2011) —Legendary firearms maker Smith & Wesson renewed its major sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day. With the renewed sponsorship NHF Day continues to grow and promote conservation throughout the nation.

 

NHF Day promotes conservation efforts by outdoorsman, and each year takes place on the fourth Saturday in September, that is set for Sept. 24, 2011.

 

Smith & Wesson’s sponsorship supports Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

 

NHF Day has had many honorary chairs that have helped promote the message of conservation. This year noted businessman, outdoorsman and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens serves as the honorary chair for NHF Day. Widely known as one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen in history, Pickens remains a strong advocate for conserving a heritage that was instilled in him at a very young age.

His renowned “Pickens Plan” is designed to decrease dependency on foreign oil while harnessing domestic energy alternatives such as wind power. Pickens also is a prominent philanthropist with contributions to charitable causes exceeding $700 million.

 

“National Hunting and Fishing Day brings focus to the beauty, joy and resources that the great outdoors can provide to those that are passionate about it and to the many that have not yet experienced it,” said Paul Pluff, director of marketing for Smith & Wesson. This is a huge opportunity for outdoorsman to promote conservation efforts others may not recognize.

 

“National Hunting and Fishing Day represents more than conserving our natural resources,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs, Wonders of Wildlife. “It is an opportunity to educate others about the many valuable contributions that hunters and fisherman make to preserve the dwindling resources that we as outdoorsman face. With the continued sponsorship of Smith & Wesson, NHF Day continues to grow the strong legacy that began in 1972.”

 

The growing list of sponsors for NHF Day 2011 includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Academy Sports + Outdoors and Pope and Young Club.

 

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org.

REALTREE, NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY RENEW PARTNERSHIP

NHFD to Take Place September 24, 2011

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 6, 2011) —Once again renewing their sponsorship, Realtree will support the National Hunting and Fishing Day. This year, NHFD will take place on September 24, 2011.

The sponsorship by Realtree helps support the Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

“Our goal is helping all Americans better understand and appreciate traditional outdoor sports,” said Misty Mitchell of Wonders of Wildlife. “People tend to forget that these activities pay the bills for conserving the wildlife resources that we all cherish. We’re better positioned to educate them because of devoted sponsors such as Realtree.”

Each year NHFD grows with added sponsors and participants. This year marks the first year that T. Boone Pickens will serve as the NHFD Honorary Chair.

T. Boone Pickens is serving as the honorary chair to deliver the message of NHF Day. Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen in history.

He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum. He is often quoted in the media and has testified many times before Congress.

A strong advocate for alternative energy in the U.S., his renowned “Pickens Plan” is designed to decrease dependency on foreign oil while harnessing domestic energy alternatives such as wind power. He is the author of “The First Billion is the Hardest” and “Boone Pickens: The Luckiest Guy in the World.” Pickens also is a noted philanthropist with gifts to charitable causes exceeding $700 million.

“The mission of NHF Day is key to preserving our hunting and fishing heritage, ” said Realtree Designer and President Bill Jordan. “The more people we encourage to enjoy and understand the outdoors, the better – not only for hunting and fishing but for our wildlife and ecosystems too. Realtree is happy to support this effort.”

“Realtree has been a great partner for years and we’re very happy to welcome them back for 2011,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Wonders of Wildlife. “With the help of Realtree and our other sponsors, we’re reaching out to America with a message that healthy fish, wildlife and habitat depend on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers.”

In 1972, Congress formalized NHF Day to remind the public that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers. Every U.S. President from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama has issued official proclamations of support for the annual commemoration, now recognized as one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

The growing list of sponsors for NHF Day 2011 includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, and Pope and Young Club.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org.

 

NSSF TO SPONSOR NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY

NHFD to Take Place September 24, 2011

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (March 30, 2011) —The National Shooting Sports Foundation will once again renew its major sponsorship of National Hunting and Fishing Day, the official federal commemoration of hunters, anglers and conservation. NSSF is celebrating its 50^th anniversary and has been involved with National Hunting and Fishing Day for 40 years.

NHF Day continues to grow and reach new outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen each year with the continued support of generous sponsors. Through licenses, permits and special taxes, hunters and anglers generate $100,000 every 30 minutes—totaling more than $1.75 billion per year—for fish, wildlife and habitat. No one contributes more for conservation.

NHF Day is set to take place Sept. 24, 2011.

The sponsorship by NSSF supports the Wonders of Wildlife museum—the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The Springfield, Mo., facility oversees educational initiatives to help the American public understand the indelible relationship between hunting, angling, healthy habitat, and wildlife and fisheries conservation.

Each year National Hunting and Fishing Day chooses an honorary chairperson, and this year T. Boone Pickens is serving in that capacity and will deliver the message of NHF Day.

Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businesspersons. He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum. He is quoted often in the media and has testified many times before Congress.

A strong advocate for alternative energy in the United States, his renowned “Pickens Plan” is designed to decrease dependency on foreign oil while harnessing domestic energy alternatives such as wind power. He is the author of “The First Billion is the Hardest” and “Boone Pickens: The Luckiest Guy in the World.” Pickens also is a noted philanthropist, his gifts to charitable causes exceeding $700 million.

“Sportsmen do the most for wildlife conservation. That message is at the heart of National Hunting and Fishing Day as much today as it was forty years ago,” said Steve Sanetti, president and CEO of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade association for the firearms, ammunition, hunting and shooting sports industry. “We must constantly remind all sportsmen and the public of this extraordinary support, a task NHF Day accomplishes each year better than any other single program.”

“The National Shooting Sports Foundation is a great partner,” said Misty Mitchell, director of Wonders of Wildlife. “It is through NSSF’s sponsorship that National Hunting and Fishing day will continue to grow and reach the future generations of hunters and fishermen.”

In 1972, Congress formalized NHF Day to remind the public that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters and anglers. Every president from Richard Nixon through Barack Obama has issued official proclamations of support for the annual commemoration, now recognized as one of the most effective grassroots campaigns ever undertaken to promote traditional outdoor sports.

The growing list of sponsors for NHF Day 2011 includes Wonders of Wildlife, NSSF, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman’s Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, and Pope and Young Club.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org.

 

FOR PICKENS, CONSERVATION IS THE MEANS TO RECREATIONAL ENDS

Equally comfortable leading a corporate boardroom or following a brace of pointers through quail country, T. Boone Pickens brings a new kind of perspective—and audience—to his role as honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day 2011.

 

The annual commemoration is set for Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011.

 

Pickens joins a long list of mostly entertainers and athletes, including Hank Williams Jr., Terry Bradshaw, Jeff Foxworthy, Arnold Palmer and many others, who over the years have lent their name and fame to help build public appreciation for traditional sporting pursuits. Founded by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congress formalized NHF Day in 1971 to officially recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation.

 

Since then, NHF Day honorary chairs have annually espoused the recreational enjoyment of hunting and angling—along with the ancillary, yet all important, benefits of those family activities to the general health of fish, wildlife and habitat. After all, America’s 34 million hunters and anglers fund nearly 75 percent of the budgets for all 50 state fish and wildlife agencies. Through license fees and special excise taxes on sporting equipment, hunters and anglers contribute $1.7 billion per year for conservation. Nobody does more for America’s great outdoors!

 

But Pickens is a bit different from many NHF Day honorary chairs in that, for him personally, conservation isn’t a supplemental benefit of hunting and fishing recreation. Rather, conservation is the means to those recreational ends.

 

Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen. He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum. Pickens also is a noted philanthropist with gifts to charitable causes exceeding $800 million. But when he isn’t making or giving away money, the Dallas resident can be found mapping out the next conservation efforts to improve habitat for quail and other wildlife on his 68,000-acre ranch.

 

His passion for good land management—and the improved hunting and fishing quality that follows—was borne early on while hunting with his father on farms near his hometown of Holdenville, Okla.

 

“My father and I didn’t talk about conservation. It was just considered routine that you harvest only the legal limits, and only take what you plan to use. There were plenty of times I can remember going on hunting trips with friends where we only ate what we could trap, catch or shoot. There were some pretty hungry nights, but I learned what it meant to enjoy the outdoors,” said Pickens. “Over the years, I came to understand that game animals and fish alike rely heavily on us to take care of their surroundings so I make an effort to observe and manage the habitat on my property very closely.”

 

Pickens’ ranch is considered one of the best quail hunting properties in the nation due to his continuous efforts to rotate livestock enough to keep grass and other vegetation from overgrowing, while not allowing overgrazing.

 

Pickens hopes to use his NHF Day position to help generate increased awareness of diminishing quail habitat due to inadequate land management.

 

“Quail populations are dwindling in many areas. They just aren’t where they used to be, and I don’t think it can be attributed to overhunting. I think it’s a loss of habitat that we are noticing, and habitat can be improved through practical conservation efforts such as managed cattle grazing,” said Pickens.

 

A just-right balance of grazing and other land management techniques, he says, can still pay handsome dividends on Saturday afternoons with good buddies and good dogs.

 

“I love the time that I get to spending hunting birds with friends, or even sitting on a pond bank with a fishing pole. I’m thankful that I have those activities as an escape from my business life,” said Pickens.

 

He added, “Hunting and fishing have been such a great part of my life. That’s why it’s truly a privilege to be selected as an honorary chairman for NHF Day. It’s a simple way that I can give back to something that I have loved, and I hope future outdoorsman can learn to appreciate everything that I was able to enjoy growing up as a kid.”

 

Wonders of Wildlife is the official home of NHF Day. The Springfield, Mo., museum coordinates public education and awareness campaigns to promote traditional outdoor sports. A newly constructed Conservation Education Center in late 2011. The museum itself is undergoing extensive renovations and will reopen in 2012.

 

The growing list of sponsors for NHF day 2011 includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman Channel, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Cabela’s, Smith & Wesson and Yamaha.

 

For more information, visit www.nhfday.org.

 

 

T. Boone Pickens to Chair National Hunting and Fishing Day

SPRINGFIELD, MO. (March 9, 2011) — As a leading philanthropist and successful businessman, T. Boone Pickens has added a new role to his illustrious career – honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day 2011.

The annual celebration is set for Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011.

Pickens is one of America’s most prominent and influential businessmen. He is a top authority on world energy issues, president and CEO of the investment firm BP Capital Management and founder of Mesa Petroleum. He is often quoted in the media and has testified many times before Congress.

A strong advocate for alternative energy in the U.S., his renowned “Pickens Plan” is designed to decrease dependency on OPEC oil while harnessing domestic energy alternatives such as wind power. He is the author of “The First Billion is the Hardest” and “Boone,” both New York Times best-sellers.  Pickens also is a noted philanthropist with gifts to charitable causes exceeding $800 million.

The Dallas resident spent his early years hunting and fishing with his father on farms near his hometown Holdenville, Okla. Pickens learned early on that conservation is an understood necessity that provides better hunting and fishing for the future.

“My father and I didn’t talk about conservation,” said Pickens. “It was just considered routine that you harvest only the legal limits, and only take what you plan to use. There were plenty of times I can remember going on hunting trips with friends where we only ate what we could trap, catch or shoot. There were some pretty hungry nights, but I learned what it meant to enjoy the outdoors.”

Today, Pickens applies what he learned at an early age to his 68,000-acre ranch, managing what used to be a declining quail population. Pickens’ ranch can now be considered one of the best quail hunting properties in the nation due to his continuous efforts to manage overgrazing of cattle and habitat for quail.

Congress established National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. Since launching in 1971, the day has been formally proclaimed by every U.S. President and countless governors and mayors. Pickens joins an elite fraternity of entertainment and sports figures that have served as honorary chairs, including Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd and Jeff Foxworthy.

Other National Hunting and Fishing Day honorary chairs have included Wade Boggs, Jay Novacek, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Tom Seaver, George Brett, John Havlicek, Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw, Luke Bryan, the USA Olympic Shooting Team and many others.

“We are excited to have Mr. Pickens as honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day. It’s good to have the voice and perspective of one of America’s most respected businessmen and philanthropists. His volunteerism shows that hunting, fishing and conservation remain important in all walks of American life today,” said Misty Mitchell, Director of Conservation Programs for Wonders of Wildlife. The museum, in Springfield, Mo., is the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Wonders of Wildlife coordinates public education and awareness campaigns to promote traditional outdoor sports. The museum will open the newly constructed Conservation Education Center in late 2011. The museum itself has also undergone extensive renovations and will open in 2012.

Pickens is one of America’s 34 million hunters and anglers. Together, their licenses, permits and special taxes contribute more than $4.7 million each day for fish, wildlife and habitat programs. No one contributes more for conservation.

“Hunting and fishing have been such a great part of my life,” said Pickens. “It truly is a privilege to be selected. I hope through National Hunting and Fishing Day future outdoorsman can learn to appreciate everything that I was able to enjoy growing up as a kid. I hope to continue hunting and fishing for many years to come.”

The growing list of sponsors for National Hunting and Fishing Day 2011 includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Sportsman Channel, Realtree, GunBroker.com, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Cabela’s, Smith & Wesson and Yamaha.

For more information, visit www.nhfday.org.