MDC celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day with MU Tigers in Columbia

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Published Date
09/23/2013
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — A crisp autumn day is always a good time to enjoy the outdoors and experience a football game. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, before the Missouri Tiger football team takes on Arkansas State. This special celebration will take place from 3 to 6:30 p.m. south of Memorial Stadium, across from the Hearnes Center on Mick Deaver Dr. Come and stay for the game, or just come for the National Hunting and Fishing activities, which are free and open to the public.

There will be a number of fishing, hunting and outdoors-related information for the whole family. Visitors can touch real animal furs and test their wildlife identification skills. There will be an aquarium featuring Missouri fishes, live reptiles, several exhibits about Missouri’s wildlife, and picture opportunities with Smokey the Bear. Plus, MDC staff will be on hand to answer questions about hunting and fishing opportunities in the Show-Me-State.

“Missourians’ have always had a strong tie to Conservation and our great outdoors,” said MDC Outdoor Skills Specialist Brian Flowers. “This celebration is an excellent way to recognize how important hunting and fishing is to our state and maybe even introduce the next generation to the wonders of nature.”

Additionally, in celebration of this national day, Missourians can register for one of three outdoor hunting activities: a guided youth duck hunt in Chariton County with Russ Chambers, a guided bass fishing trip at Lake of the Ozarks with professional angler Win Stevens of WinPro Fishing, and a two-night, three-day guided youth and adult spring turkey hunt – including food and lodging – in Putnam County with Xtreme Hunts Midwest.

To enter, fill out the form located at http://tinyurl.com/puejtle by midnight Sept. 29. Youth age 15 or under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if selected. All prize winners will be notified by Oct. 11.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is observed annually on the fourth Saturday in September. President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation for the event in 1972. It was created to celebrate traditional outdoor sports and their role in conservation of wildlife. Beyond the pure outdoor enjoyment that fishing and hunting provide, economists have shown that Missouri’s 1.3 million hunters and anglers generate $2.7 billion in economic benefits to our state. That includes about 29,000 jobs.

To learn more about Missouri’s great hunting and fishing opportunities, go to mdc.mo.gov.