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National Hunting and Fishing Day next weekend

NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY is next weekend, Sept. 26. The fourth Saturday of September was designated for this purpose when then President Richard Nixon signed the first proclamation on May 2, 1072. He said “I urge all citizens to join outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.”

By late summer of 1972, all 50 governors and more than 600 mayors had joined in proclaiming state and local versions of National Hunting and Fishing Day. The result was a large series of “open houses” by national, state, and local organizations. The activities were varied and filled the entire spectrum of outdoor activities. Some held shooting range demonstrations, others held fishing contests where everybody won, or offered nature hikes around urban frog ponds, held camping demonstrations, and outdoor stores offered discounts and special seminars for patrons.

How did this type of event get going and stay strong? Well, let us take a walk back in time to explore a bit those things that lead up to today. More than 100 years ago, hunters and fishermen were the driving force, the most vocal supporters of conservation and scientific wildlife management. They were the first to recognize that rapid development and unregulated uses of wildlife were threatening the future of many species.

Led by President Theodore Roosevelt, these early conservationists called for the first laws restricting commercial taking of fish and game. They urged sustainable uses for fish and game, created licenses for the lawful taking of wildlife under rules of fair chase, during seasons and only to appropriate limits that did not impinge upon breeding populations. They also lobbied for taxes on sporting equipment to be used for support of state fish and game departments. This was the beginning of the North American wildlife conservation model, a science based, user-pay system. It worked and is still working.

During the decades since Roosevelt championed these causes, scientific fish and game research and applied management have done a lot of good. In the 1960s, hunters and anglers embraced the era of heightened environmental awareness. This was the feeling of Ira Joffe, owner of Joffe’s Gun Shop in Upper Darby, Pa. So he took it upon himself to encourage outdoor hunting and fishing promotion in a much bigger way. He was also able to persuade Pennsylvania Gov. Raymond Shafer to adopt the idea for a “Outdoor Sportsman’s Day” in his state.

National leaders took note. In 1971 Congress took action to adopt a similar promotion. That is how the proclamation finally found its way to Nixon’s desk where he signed it. Recognition has stayed strong. Honorary chairs for National Hunting and Fishing Day read like a who’s who of national leaders and/or celebrities in sports or entertainment. The 2015 chairs for this day are Jim and Eva Shockey.

Today in America, there are 34 million anglers and hunters. By their purchases of hunting and fishing gear, special Pittman-Robertson excise taxes of 11 percent are paid. Nationally this amounts to about $100,000 every 30 minutes. And when the math is done, approximately $1.75 billion annually from all 50 states pays for the majority of conservation work by fish and game agencies. These funds go to hunted and non-hunted species, terrestrial or aquatic. On average, hunters spend $1,638 every year on their sport. Congratulations to all the anglers and hunters. Next Saturday, the 26th, is a time to participate and acknowledge their contributions.

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At this busy time of year, with Oktemberfest, Prairie Heritage Day and all the activities these events provide, hunting and fishing is also a celebration for sportsmen. Take time to note how natural resources are important to us. In fact, natural resources used wisely and prudently, can and will sustain us, provide food for our tables, grow crops and allow wildlife of all kinds to prosper in sustainable ways.

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Reminder: PRAIRIE HERITAGE DAY will be held on the afternoon of Sept. 26 at the Grimes Farm located at 2359 233rd Street The time is in the afternoon from 2-5 p.m. Activities will showcase pioneer life with activities for the whole family. Included will be candle dipping, butter making, rope making, cross-cut sawing, blacksmithing, antique power, cider pressing, 7th Calvary, pioneer camp, quill pen writing, barn building techniques and wood carving. New this year will be archery. Wagon rides to the observation tower will be given. Have fun at Prairie Heritage Day.

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Wildlife is taking note of September. Cooler days, even cooler nights, and shorter day lengths are signals they cannot resist. The fall Season is fast approaching. In fact the first day of fall is Sept. 23. Prepare yourself for this change of seasons. Enjoy cooler air, tree leaves turning brilliant colors of brown, gold and yellow. Flocks of birds are beginning to build. Canada geese flying about the evening skies attest to their restlessness to migrate. Some species of ducks are winging their way south. It is a great time of the year.

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PHEASANT numbers are up in Iowa, still making a comeback from very low levels of several years ago. Iowa birds are up 37 percent according to roadside survey data. Even in our neighbor state of South Dakota, pheasants are up 42 percent. Kansas wildlife officials see a 51 percent increase and Minnesota numbers have risen 33 percent. Nebraska tallies their birds as up 55 percent.

What is one major ingredient for this increase? Weather … specifically mild weather over last winter and favorable spring weather. There are of course other factors that help pheasants. And there are the normal pressures working against these birds as grasslands under conservation reserve programs dwindle. But for now, lets be pleased with the increases we are getting in upland game birds. Good habitat in conjunction with favorable weather confirm the resiliency of pheasants. If they are given the right conditions, they will stage a comeback.

Iowa wildlife biologists can almost predict increases of decreases in pheasants by the type of winters we endure. For example, if five straight winters in a row have over 30 inches of snow, that is bad news for pheasants. Several winters of way less than 30 inches of the white stuff followed by relatively warm and dry Spring weather are good factors for upland birds. Obviously nature is not as simple as these indicators may imply, but they are important factors for sure.

Iowa pheasant season opens on Oct. 31 and runs through Jan. 10, 2016. A daily limit to hunters is three. Possession limit is 12.

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The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1993 stated: “Of Autumn’s wine, now drink your fill; the frost is on the pumpkin, and snow’s on the hill.”

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Garry Brandenburg is a graduate of Iowa State University with BS degree in Fish & Wildlife Biology. He is the retired director of the Marshall County Conservation Board. Contact him at P.O. Box 96, Albion, Iowa 50005

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