The 2004 National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) is September 25 and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Week in New Jersey is September 26 – October 2. The two annual events are designed to recognize and commend the sporting community for their leadership and commitment to conserving fish and wildlife resources.

Hunters and anglers have long been the champions of conservation in the United States, and continue to be the strongest supporters of professional wildlife management programs. Beginning in the mid -1800’s, they recognized that wildlife populations that were once considered limitless, were in fact exhaustible. Habitat destruction and commercial exploitation were leading to local depletions of wildlife, and in some cases, national extinction.

In New Jersey, wild turkeys and whitetail deer were disappearing from the natural landscape; fish populations were plummeting; black bear were holding on only in the most remote and foreboding areas in the state, and egrets and other shorebirds were becoming scarce. Wildlife populations were suffering greatly.

Sportsmen all across the country were becoming extremely concerned over the loss of wildlife and also the potential loss of their treasured way of life and that of future generations. The loss of wild things and wild places was having a devastating impact not only on the natural landscape, but also on the human psyche. Recognizing this, and recognizing that it would take widescale conservation along with personal restraint to bring back and conserve wildlife for the future, hunters and anglers began their movement to bring to North America a new ethic. A conservation ethic. They began raising their voices across the continent and demanded that a unified approach regarding the taking of wildlife be used. The exploitation for sale of wildlife should be stopped, and wildlife harvested only in a measure for which one needed to use. This philosophy represented a new way of seeing wildlife, and although unknown then, was the infant stage of what would become the organized conservation movement and eventually the advent of professional wildlife management.

New Jersey has a long history of conservation and professional wildlife management as well as sportsmen involvement in these issues. In 1722, the first regulation protecting game was passed, establishing a season for the killing of deer. In 1850 a law to protect “small and harmless birds” was enacted. 1870 saw the Board of Fish Commissioners being created followed in 1876 with county Game Wardens being appointed.

In 1892, a commission form of wildlife administration, the predecessor of today’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, was created. Three commissioners were appointed and the first salaried fish and game protector was hired. The first license, a non-resident hunting license, was required in 1902 followed in 1909 by the first resident hunting license.

In 1922, license fees began going into the dedicated Hunters and Anglers Fund, ensuring funds derived from hunting and fishing go directly for conservation purposes. This fund has been the backbone of successful wildlife management programs in New Jersey. It also allows New Jersey to receive millions of dollars in matching Federal Aid for conservation.

The sporting community is directly responsible for the successes of wildlife management programs not only in New Jersey but also throughout the United States. More than 23 billion dollars has been provided through fees and donations to wildlife conservation programs by hunters and anglers along with countless hours of work on habitat improvement and other important projects.

As we move forward into the future, the task of managing wildlife becomes even more complex. Issues such as habitat loss and increasing human populations and development continue to impact wildlife, yet most wildlife populations in New Jersey continue to thrive. This brings people and wildlife closer together than ever before. The challenge of managing wildlife, especially in a state like New Jersey, is a complex one and one that necessitates cooperation between wildlife managers, residents and the sporting community. Working together, using proven scientific methods, we can ensure a healthy future for wildlife in the Garden State.

In 1972, Congress signed the proclamation making official the first National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize sportsmen and women for their contributions. The response was dramatic. National, regional, state and local organizations made plans for events across America and publicity for National Hunting and Fishing Day was extensive. By late summer of 1972, all 50 state governors and more than 600 mayors had joined in by proclaiming state and town hunting and fishing days.

To commemorate National Hunting and Fishing Day and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Week in New Jersey, the Division of Fish and Wildlife will sponsor several events statewide. These activities are designed to get individuals and families outdoors and acquaint them with the variety of wildlife that inhabits our state, and to help them understand the role of the sportsmen in conservation.

Following is a list of upcoming activities.