- Joined
- Mar 11, 2001
- Messages
- 70,011
- Reaction score
- 1,003
With one voice
National Hunting and Fishing Day gives outdoorsmen a reason to unite
Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE Staff Writer
September 22, 2002
It won't be as elaborate as the celebration in Carterville, Ill., but organizers of San Diego's festival next Saturday to honor hunting and fishing have high hopes and great intentions.
An estimated 30,000 folks are expected to attend a two-day "Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days" next weekend at Carterville, Ill.
At Lake Murray next Saturday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., organizers of San Diego's first-ever event to honor National Hunting and Fishing Day will be happy with a crowd of 3,000.
"We had a late start, but we're gaining momentum," said Jim Brown, San Diego City Lakes manager. In recent years, Brown served as a committee member of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, where he consulted and offered insight about enhancing recreational access to public waters.
This festival was Brown's idea, and he combined fishing and hunting for a purpose.
"When I was a kid, there were rod and gun clubs in San Diego," Brown said. "My dad was a member of the Federal Employees Rod and Gun Club. But that was when the fishing and hunting communities were together, closer."
These days, Brown said, outdoor activities are more specialized. The San Diego County Wildlife Federation is devoted to shooting sports. The San Diego Council of Bass Clubs has 22 bass fishing clubs. The San Diego Fly Fishers has approximately 400 fly fishermen and women. The list goes on and on, all specialized, few operating together as one voice.
"I remember the day when clubs worked together on issues and projects," Brown said. "This event is perfectly tailored for the various fishing and hunting clubs and city, state and government agencies to join together."
Why is getting the word out about hunting and fishing so important these days? Because both activities are under constant attack. Look no further than the proposed marine closures off the coast by the Department of Fish and Game. Or try to hunt some of the new Fish and Game lands.
Is it a wonder the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation show that hunting and fishing are dying a slow death in the West?
Hunter numbers, for instance, declined by 7 percent nationally from 1996 to 2001, but in the Pacific states the numbers dropped 24 percent in the combined states of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
Not surprisingly, California's hunting numbers contributed greatly to the huge decline in the region.
In 1991, there were 446,000 Californians with state hunting licenses. That number went up to 505,000 in 1996, but dropped off drastically to 261,000 in 2001, a 48 percent drop in just five years.
The state's resident angler numbers are sliding, too, from 2.7 million in 1991 to 2.4 million in 2001.
Across the nation, hunting and fishing numbers remain steady, but that's not necessarily a good thing, considering the country's population growth.
"Holding our own isn't good anymore," said Brown. "We have to do better than that because as the population grows, the percentage of hunters and fishermen continues to drop."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's survey showed there were 34 million American anglers age 16 or older last year. The breakdown is 28 million Americans fished freshwater, compared to 9 million saltwater.
Meantime, 13 million Americans 16 and older hunted.
As for the so-called non-consumptive or passive users of fish and wildlife – birdwatchers, wildlife observers, photographers, etc. – they numbered more than 66 million adults – 31 percent of all Americans.
The message that needs to be delivered is that there won't be nearly as much fish and wildlife around if sport fishermen and hunters don't buy licenses and take trips to fish and hunt. They contribute billions of dollars to the cause of perpetuating fish and wildlife. They want it to be around, sustainable for future generations.
It's the tradition of hunting and fishing, on display next Saturday at Lake Murray.
Drop by. If you haven't hunted or fished and want to start, people there will gladly show you what you need to know. And if you've quit hunting and fishing, for whatever reason, stop by and reintroduce yourself. An old friend needs you.
Where: Lake Murray
When: Next Saturday
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: Free, including fishing from shore. No license or permit required.
There also will be a free door prize raffle and buy-in raffle.
Sponsors: California Department of Fish and Game, San Diego County Wildlife Federation and the San Diego City Lakes Program, along with a wide range of a gencies, clubs, organizations and individuals.
Best Bets: Various sporting dog clubs, with demonstrations of working hunting dogs; San Diego Fly Fishers, with fly-casting instruction and fly-tying demonstrations; San Diego Council of Bass Clubs, with modern bass boats and casting instruction; the DFG, with a laser shoting gallery, hunting and fishing licenses for sale; Pheasants Forever, with 200 free Ringneck memberships to the first 200 juniors; the U.S. Coast Guard will have a life jacket demonstration; carving demonstrations by the Pacific Southwest Wildfowl Arts Association and turkey calling demonstrations by members of the National Wild Turkey Federation
National Hunting and Fishing Day gives outdoorsmen a reason to unite
Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE Staff Writer
September 22, 2002
It won't be as elaborate as the celebration in Carterville, Ill., but organizers of San Diego's festival next Saturday to honor hunting and fishing have high hopes and great intentions.
An estimated 30,000 folks are expected to attend a two-day "Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days" next weekend at Carterville, Ill.
At Lake Murray next Saturday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., organizers of San Diego's first-ever event to honor National Hunting and Fishing Day will be happy with a crowd of 3,000.
"We had a late start, but we're gaining momentum," said Jim Brown, San Diego City Lakes manager. In recent years, Brown served as a committee member of the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, where he consulted and offered insight about enhancing recreational access to public waters.
This festival was Brown's idea, and he combined fishing and hunting for a purpose.
"When I was a kid, there were rod and gun clubs in San Diego," Brown said. "My dad was a member of the Federal Employees Rod and Gun Club. But that was when the fishing and hunting communities were together, closer."
These days, Brown said, outdoor activities are more specialized. The San Diego County Wildlife Federation is devoted to shooting sports. The San Diego Council of Bass Clubs has 22 bass fishing clubs. The San Diego Fly Fishers has approximately 400 fly fishermen and women. The list goes on and on, all specialized, few operating together as one voice.
"I remember the day when clubs worked together on issues and projects," Brown said. "This event is perfectly tailored for the various fishing and hunting clubs and city, state and government agencies to join together."
Why is getting the word out about hunting and fishing so important these days? Because both activities are under constant attack. Look no further than the proposed marine closures off the coast by the Department of Fish and Game. Or try to hunt some of the new Fish and Game lands.
Is it a wonder the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Associated Recreation show that hunting and fishing are dying a slow death in the West?
Hunter numbers, for instance, declined by 7 percent nationally from 1996 to 2001, but in the Pacific states the numbers dropped 24 percent in the combined states of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.
Not surprisingly, California's hunting numbers contributed greatly to the huge decline in the region.
In 1991, there were 446,000 Californians with state hunting licenses. That number went up to 505,000 in 1996, but dropped off drastically to 261,000 in 2001, a 48 percent drop in just five years.
The state's resident angler numbers are sliding, too, from 2.7 million in 1991 to 2.4 million in 2001.
Across the nation, hunting and fishing numbers remain steady, but that's not necessarily a good thing, considering the country's population growth.
"Holding our own isn't good anymore," said Brown. "We have to do better than that because as the population grows, the percentage of hunters and fishermen continues to drop."
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's survey showed there were 34 million American anglers age 16 or older last year. The breakdown is 28 million Americans fished freshwater, compared to 9 million saltwater.
Meantime, 13 million Americans 16 and older hunted.
As for the so-called non-consumptive or passive users of fish and wildlife – birdwatchers, wildlife observers, photographers, etc. – they numbered more than 66 million adults – 31 percent of all Americans.
The message that needs to be delivered is that there won't be nearly as much fish and wildlife around if sport fishermen and hunters don't buy licenses and take trips to fish and hunt. They contribute billions of dollars to the cause of perpetuating fish and wildlife. They want it to be around, sustainable for future generations.
It's the tradition of hunting and fishing, on display next Saturday at Lake Murray.
Drop by. If you haven't hunted or fished and want to start, people there will gladly show you what you need to know. And if you've quit hunting and fishing, for whatever reason, stop by and reintroduce yourself. An old friend needs you.
Where: Lake Murray
When: Next Saturday
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Admission: Free, including fishing from shore. No license or permit required.
There also will be a free door prize raffle and buy-in raffle.
Sponsors: California Department of Fish and Game, San Diego County Wildlife Federation and the San Diego City Lakes Program, along with a wide range of a gencies, clubs, organizations and individuals.
Best Bets: Various sporting dog clubs, with demonstrations of working hunting dogs; San Diego Fly Fishers, with fly-casting instruction and fly-tying demonstrations; San Diego Council of Bass Clubs, with modern bass boats and casting instruction; the DFG, with a laser shoting gallery, hunting and fishing licenses for sale; Pheasants Forever, with 200 free Ringneck memberships to the first 200 juniors; the U.S. Coast Guard will have a life jacket demonstration; carving demonstrations by the Pacific Southwest Wildfowl Arts Association and turkey calling demonstrations by members of the National Wild Turkey Federation
