National Hunting and Fishing Day, 2016

Proclamation 9500 of September 23, 2016

National Hunting and Fishing Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Hunting and fishing have endured as cherished
traditions for generations. Whether for sport,
sustenance, or both, these activities provide
opportunities for Americans to connect with those
around them--from tribal elders sharing sacred
practices to parents spending time outdoors with their
children. On this day, as we celebrate America's
hunters and fishers for the ways in which they have
strengthened our communities, we also honor their call
to serve as good stewards of our lands and waters.

Anglers and hunters were some of the earliest
conservation leaders, and they remain key partners in
safeguarding the important recreational opportunities
provided by our unparalleled natural spaces. Caring for
our environment is critical for supporting hunting and
fishing, and today we recognize the growing urgency of
conserving our Nation's lands, waters, and ecosystems
so that more Americans can enjoy all they have to
offer. That is why I continue to call on the Congress
to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation
Fund, which has helped create new opportunities for
hunting and fishing.

Outdoor areas across America are renowned for their
beauty and for the wealth of recreational activities
they support. To secure this legacy, my Administration
has protected more acres of public lands and waters
than any other in our Nation's history--and this past
summer, I established the Katahdin Woods and Waters
National Monument, which preserves access to hunting.
And at national wildlife refuges, in forests, and on
public and private lands throughout our country, we
have expanded opportunities for Americans to hunt,
fish, and reconnect with nature.

Hunting and fishing strengthen local economies, provide
sustenance, and help Americans experience the outdoors.
By enriching our communities and bringing people
together, hunters and anglers have carried forward
traditions dating back to long before our Nation's
founding. On National Hunting and Fishing Day, we
recognize the majestic landscapes that make these
activities possible for Americans around our country.
As we acknowledge the important cultural heritage
surrounding hunting and fishing, let us vow to protect
our Nation's remarkable outdoor spaces for generations
to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim September 24, 2016,
as National Hunting and Fishing Day. I invite all
Americans to observe this day with appropriate
activities in our great outdoors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-third day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.