Honorary Chair: Johnny Morris

National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHF Day) has named leading national conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris to serve as the honorary chair for NHF Day 2016: Saturday, Sept. 24.

A lifelong sportsman with a passion for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation, Morris is one of the country's foremost leaders working to ensure natural habitats, wildlife and the outdoors remain healthy for future generations to protect and enjoy.

"America's sportsmen and women are among our nation's most active conservationists and it's important we recognize and celebrate everything they do to protect outdoor habitat and ensure thriving populations of wildlife," said Morris. "I'm proud to lend my support and raise awareness for hunters and anglers, America's conservation heroes through National Hunting and Fishing Day."

New National Museum

The event is just one of the ways Morris is honoring the unsung heroes of conservation. Later this year, Morris will unveil the new Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Mo., a 315,000-square foot conservation destination envisioned as a tribute to America's hunters and anglers.

Through immersive habitats and interactive displays, the experience will inspire future generations to enjoy, love and conserve the great outdoors. "NHF Day is continually looking for folks that have a true passion for the outdoors and is very involved with conservation," said Misty Mitchell, national coordinator, National Hunting and Fishing Day.

"Johnny Morris is leading the charge in all facets of conservation. We couldn't be happier to have him serve as our National Chair."

NHF Day Recognizes Their Leadership

Congress established National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation. This annual event features activities taking place across the country.

Morris joins a distinguished group that has included Jim Shockey, Eva Shockey, Craig Morgan, Bill Dance, T. Boone Pickens, Louise Mandrell, Hank Williams Jr., Jeff Foxworthy, Wade Boggs, Arnold Palmer, the USA Olympic Shooting Team, Tony Stewart and others.

For more information, visit http://www.nhfday.org.

Fishing Facts (from nhfday.org)

• More than 44 million Americans six years of age and older enjoy fishing every year.

• An average angler spends $1,046 every year on the sport.

• Americans fish 557 million days per year.

• More than 38 million Americans hunt and fish.

• Over one quarter of all anglers are female.

• Hunters and anglers support more jobs nationwide than the number of people employed by Wal-Mart.

• Through license sales and excise taxes on equipment, hunters and anglers pay for most fish and wildlife conservation programs.

• Anglers and boaters have paid $3.6 billion in excise taxes since 1952.

• Recreational anglers spend a staggering $41.5 billion a year to fish. This has tremendous economic impacts.

• Anglers spend almost $300 million a year just on ice.

• Anglers spend more than $1 billion a year on bait alone

Hunting Facts (from nhfday.org)

The contributions, in the form excise taxes paid on sporting firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, benefit every state and have generated approximately $5.6 billion for wildlife conservation since 1939. The contribution for 2009 is a record - nearly $336 million, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which recently announced the Wildlife Restoration apportionment.

• An average hunter spends $1,638 every year on the sport.

• Teenage girls are the fastest growing market in sport shooting.

• According to research, 72 percent more women are hunting with firearms today than just five years ago. And 50 percent more women are now target shooting.

• Americans hunt 228 million days per year.

• More than 38 million Americans hunt and fish.

• Hunters and anglers support more jobs nationwide than the number of people employed by Wal-Mart.

• Through license sales and excise taxes on equipment, hunters and anglers pay for most fish and wildlife conservation programs.

• Hunters and shooters have paid more than $5 billion in excise taxes since 1939.

• More Americans hunt and shoot than play golf.

• Firearms are involved in less than 1 percent of all accidental fatalities. More Americans are killed in accidents involving vending machines than guns.

• Hunting gear sales are growing faster than all other sporting goods categories.

• Americans annually buy 1.1 billion shotshells.

• Non-resident hunting license, tag, stamp and permit sales have risen 41.2 percent since 1993.

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• Top-selling sporting goods: 1.) exercise equipment, 2.) golf gear, 3.) hunting gear.

Sources

US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation; National Shooting Sports Foundation.