National Hunting and Fishing Day is this Saturday, September 28, and NSSF, as a major sponsor, encourages all sportsmen and sportswomen to participate.
Celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day!
On the fourth Saturday of every September, NHF Day recognizes generations of sportsmen and women for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and natural resources. One of the main goals of National Hunting and Fishing Day is to recruit new hunters and anglers by encouraging participation and increasing public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation. Through self-imposed fees and excise taxes, sportsmen and women have raised more than $57 billion–that’s more than $100,000 every 30 minutes being raised for conservation. Now on its 51st year, NHF Day is the largest, most effective grassroots movement ever undertaken to promote outdoor sports and conservation.
Launched by Congress in 1971 and heavily promoted by NSSF for decades, NHF Day is now administered by Wonders of Wildlife Museum and has consistently recognized hunters and anglers for their leadership in wildlife and conservation.
Find national, state, regional and local organizations hosting related events.
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Hunting, Fishing, and Shooting Sports are not just great American pastimes – they are the very foundation that supports the model of wildlife conservation created more than a century ago in this country. By introducing new audiences to these activities, we ensure that wildlife and wild places will be protected for generations to come.
Hunting is a useful and beneficial wildlife management tool that ensures and maintains the health and abundance of game species and the balance of our natural resources. There are a number of species, from upland birds to big game animals to hunt. Learn more about these species from game bird and game animal organizations.
Take the Pledge
Take the pledge and submit a photo of you engaging in outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, or shooting to enter our exclusive NHF Day giveaway featuring a custom hat, stickers, and a Bass Pro Shops gift card!
Share Your Images
Upload an image of you hunting, fishing or target shooting and tag @NHFday on social media using the hashtag #GuideToOutside or Upload an image to be featured here!
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How Pittman-Robertson Funding Helps Keep America’s Elk Herds Thriving
For hunters across the country, elk represent one of North America’s most majestic and sought-after big game species. Whether it’s the crisp mountain air of the Rockies or the dense forests of the East, the opportunity to hunt elk is a privilege made possible by decades of dedicated conservation efforts—funded largely by hunters and the firearms industry through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.
https://youtu.be/yjGRitBCQAI?si=jPEw93wq-j_V3AfU
A new video in the Partner with a Payer® series highlights how Pittman-Robertson funds have contributed to the restoration and management of Pennsylvania’s elk herd, an effort that mirrors similar success stories across the country. Thanks to the excise taxes paid by firearms, ammunition and archery manufacturers—matched with the dollars spent on hunting licenses—state wildlife agencies have been able to restore elk populations, improve habitat and ensure that future generations will continue to have opportunities to experience these incredible animals.
Pennsylvania’s Elk Success Story
Elk were once abundant in Pennsylvania, but overhunting and habitat loss in the 1800s nearly wiped them out. Thanks to conservation funding, including Pittman-Robertson dollars, the state successfully reintroduced elk in the early 1900s. Today, Pennsylvania boasts a thriving herd of 1,400 to 1,500 elk, attracting hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
“With any wildlife species and especially our precious elk here in Pennsylvania, it's the primary economic driver of this whole area,” said David Gustafson, Director, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission. “The visitation, the tourism from elk helps engage the greater public with wildlife and our mission as an agency.”
Each year, Pennsylvania hunters eagerly apply for a coveted elk tag, helping to manage the herd responsibly while also funding future conservation efforts. But the impact of Pittman-Robertson funding isn’t just limited to Pennsylvania—this funding model has helped restore elk herds across the country, from the Appalachian Mountains to the Western Plains.
How Hunters and Manufacturers Keep Conservation Thriving
Through the Pittman-Robertson Act, a 10-11% excise tax is placed on the sale of firearms, ammunition and archery equipment, with those funds being directed to state wildlife agencies for conservation projects, habitat restoration, hunter education and shooting range development.
Companies like Beretta USA, a long-time supporter of conservation efforts, recently sent a team to Pennsylvania to see firsthand how their contributions are being used to sustain the elk population.
“Because of the Pittman-Robertson Act, they were able to fund the habitat for the reintroduction of elk. Now they actually have a huntable population,” said Joe Cunniffe, Brand Marketing Manager, Hunting, Beretta USA.
“We cannot have places to go and spend time in the outdoors without the conservation efforts from the excise tax dollars,” added David Armistead, Manufacturing Manager, Beretta USA.
The work doesn’t stop with elk—Pittman-Robertson funds support conservation for deer, waterfowl, upland birds and countless other game species. Whether you hunt elk in the mountains, whitetails in the Midwest or turkeys in the South, the dollars you spend on firearms, ammunition and licenses help sustain the future of hunting and wildlife conservation.
Why This Matters for Every Hunter
The next time you step into the field, remember that the very landscapes and wildlife populations we enjoy today exist because of a conservation funding model that hunters and industry have supported for decades. Pittman-Robertson funding is proof that hunters are the original conservationists and our continued support of this system ensures that elk and other wildlife will thrive for generations to come.
You may also be interested in
https://www.letsgohunting.org/resources/articles/explore-hunting/understanding-the-crucial-relationship-between-firearm-manufacturers-and-wildlife-conservation/
https://www.letsgohunting.org/resources/articles/hunter-education/archery-fuels-conservation-through-excise-taxes/
Year after year, the knife industry continues to evolve. And 2025 is going to be no exception. One of the biggest changes seen while browsing the knife booths at SHOT this year was subtle, but possibly profound. Everyday carry knives continue to be among the most prominent products in most knife companies’ offering, but the style of those EDCs is slowly turning away from the utilitarian to one that is distinctly more tactical. While these EDC knives can still pull everyday duties, more and more they’re also complementing consumers’ personal protection gear. This new trend doesn’t mean, however, there is a shortage of hunting, fishing, and traditional EDC knives that you’ve come to expect from these prominent knife manufacturers. So, make sure you make your way to each of their booths, and you can be sure you’ll find a wide selection of the knives your customers have been asking for.
5.11
5.11 will be featuring its Pryme Double Duty DP folder in 2025. Featuring a 3.25-inch blade made from 420J stainless steel, the Pryme Double Duty has a rugged, sturdy construction, which allows it to tackle nearly any job thrown its way. Adding to its versatility, the Double Duty has a built-in pry bar extension of the tang. Designed as an alternative to a multi-tool on law enforcement officers’ belts, the Double Duty has a robust G10 handle and a deep, reversible pocket clip. SRP: $80.
The Bear OPS model MC-1000-ALBK-B has a 3.25-inch blade made from 14C28N steel with a black carbide finish and quick-release thumb stud. The drop-point blade is housed in a black aluminum handle with a slide-lock release mechanism. The U.S.-made knife weighs in at 3.1 ounces. SRP: $90.
Benchmade continues its commitment to quality with several new knives set to release in 2025. Among them is an upgrade to Benchmade’s popular Bugout knife. The new Bugout has a chassis built with premium blade steel and a bolstered/onlay design. As part of its new Blue Class offering, the Bugout has a 3.24-inch CPM-S90V stainless-steel blade and an Ash Gray aluminum handle with Redstone Richlite Onlay. (SRP: $400).
Benchmade is also expanding its Water Class collections with the Adira (SRP: $260) and Mini Adira (SRP: $240). Both knives feature MagnaCut steel blades housed in Benchmade’s Grivory handles, which offer a sure grip even with wet hands. The Adira has a 3.9-inch blade while the Mini Adira has a 3.2-inch blade. Both have the saltwater blue finish that has come to define Benchmade’s Water Class Collection.
Buck is expanding its EDC offering in a big way for 2025 with several new knives covering a wide range of price points. At the top of the list is the 791 Range Elite (SRP: $220) with a 3.4-inch MagnaCut drop-point blade. For those looking for a slightly smaller option, Buck is also releasing the Mini Range Elite with a 2.6-inch MagnaCut blade (SRP: $210). Both knives have anodized aluminum handles and are available in gray, olive green, or black. Adding to the prestige of the Mini Range, these are the first knives in Buck’s offering to feature a Cross Bar Lock mechanism.
Buck is also releasing the Range Pro (SRP: $125) and Mini Range Pro ($115). Both of these knives also feature the Cross Bar Lock and are available in the same colors as the Range Elite knives. To meet a lower price point, the blades on the Range Pro knives are made from 154CM steel instead of the MagnaCut and feature glass-filled nylon handles. The Range Pro has a 3.4-inch blade while the Mini has a 2.6-inch blade.
The new Founder’s Series of knives pay tribute to Coast founder Henry W. Brands, who was always a proponent of knives that are as functional as they are stylish. And the Founder’s series certainly checks both those boxes. All of the knives in the line feature a slim design not much wider than a fountain pen to make it easy to carry unnoticed in anything from work jeans to a three-piece suit. The line includes two different knives and five different styles and price points. Both styles of the Founder’s Series Select feature 3-inch tanto-style blades that deploy with a flip tab. While the standard Select ($50) has a micarta handle, the Select Titanium ($90) features a titanium handle. The Origin and the Origin Damascus both have a 3.35-inch stiletto-style blade made from 9Cr18Mov steel. The Origin ($50) has a stainless-steel handle with a flat finish while the Damascus ($100) has a stainless-steel handle with a Damascus-style finish. Rounding out the offering is the Origin Tanto that features the same design as the other two Origin knives but features a tanto-style blade ($50).
Cold Steel is adding to its EDC selection with the new Frenzy II folder. The Frenzy II features a 3.5-inch sheepfoot blade made from 3V steel with a solid black PVD finish. The G-10 handle has finger indentions all along its length providing for a much surer grip on the knife. Designed to be suitable for a wide range of everyday uses, as well as an ideal outdoor or survival knife, the Frenzy features Cold Steel’s popular Tri-Ad locking mechanism. SRP: $170.
Columbia River Knife & Tool is launching its first OTF knife. Designed by innovative knifemaker Brian Tighe and made in the U.S. in collaboration with Hogue Knives, the CRKT Twist Tighe Compact is a formidable knife with the stylish looks to match. The Twist Tighe Compact features a 2.65-inch MagnaCut steel spear-point blade that is released with the simple slide of the double-action lever, which also retracts the blade. The blade is housed in a carbon-fiber handle with a stylish Twist camo pattern that’s as distinctive as the knife itself. Available in three models, the Twist Tighe Compact weighs a mere 1.6 ounces (SRP: $300).
CRKT is also launching a new version of one of its most popular EDC knives. The M16-03XK is based on the body and blade shape of other members of this iconic collection, but this latest version features the Cross Bar locking mechanism with the IKBS ball-bearing pivot deployment system for even smoother and easier one-handed opening. The spear-point blade is made from D2 steel and the handle is made from Grivory—an aircraft-grade thermoplastic that provides a sure grip in any condition. SRP: $110.
The Razor APX takes advantage of Outdoor Edge’s popular RazorSafe platform and incorporates it into a fixed-blade hunting knife. Available with either a 3- or a 2.5-inch blade, the Razor APX features removable silicone scales on the handle that allow hunters to store up to five interchangeable blades to make it easy to have replacement blades readily at hand. The 2.5-inch model ($60) comes with five black oxide-coated drop-point blades. The 3-inch version ($80) includes three black oxide-coated drop-point blades, two caping blades, and one stainless-steel blade as well as a 3-inch bone saw blade. The skeleton handle is made from titanium-coated stainless steel with anodized aluminum honeycomb webbing.
SOG is adding to its impressive repertoire of tactical knives with the new Gambit XL fixed-blade knife. Forged as a single solid piece, the Gambit is made from Cryo AUS10A steel with a black stonewash finish. The Karambit talon-shaped blade is 4 inches long, and the handle is wrapped in survival paracord. The Gambit features a large finger hole at the butt of the handle and pronounced finger choils on the spine. SRP: $130.
Case is launching its new Baby Doc collection in 2025. The collection includes 13 different styles with various handle materials. These limited-edition knives feature a 2.2-inch blade and a 2.25-inch blunt-ended spatula. The Baby Doc knives are a smaller version of the knives that doctors once carried as a tool to do everything from cutting bandages and sutures to crushing pills and mixing medicine. The blades are from Tru-Sharp surgical steel. SRP: $64-$115, depending on the handle material.
Case is also releasing its new Crossroads Series Sod Buster Jr. knife this year. Reminiscent of the folding knives carried by early settlers, the Sod Buster Jr. is outfitted with the latest in handle materials to give a practical application to a timeless design. The 2.8-inch blade is made from S35VN steel with a stonewash finish. Available with either wood laminate or G-10 handles. SRP: $85. caseknives.com
Giving Back: How Hunters Can Make a Difference This Holiday Season
Hunters are some of the most passionate conservationists and stewards of the land, deeply connected to the natural world and committed to preserving it for future generations. The holiday season is the perfect time for hunters to extend their values of stewardship and responsibility beyond the woods and fields by giving back to their communities meaningfully.
Whether through time, resources or a helping hand, hunters can showcase their positive impact, embodying the spirit of generosity and the values behind initiatives like NSSF’s #GunOwnersCare. Here are a few ways to give back this holiday season.
Donate Wild Game to Those in Need
One of the most direct ways hunters can make a difference is by donating harvested game to food banks and programs that provide meals for families in need. Organizations like Hunters for the HungryandFarmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry make it easy to donate processed venison and other game, ensuring that your efforts in the field help feed those who might otherwise go without.
If there’s no formal donation program in your area, consider reaching out to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, local food banks or community organizations to explore ways your harvest can help others.
Support Conservation Programs
Hunters are at the forefront of conservation, with their contributions funding wildlife management, habitat restoration and public land access. This Giving Tuesday, consider supporting conservation organizations that align with your values. Groups focused on preserving wild spaces, protecting wildlife or mentoring new hunters can amplify the positive impact of your giving.
Beyond the field, hunters can lend their time to causes that support their communities. From helping at a local food bank to assisting with youth outdoor programs, your time and skills can make a lasting impact.
Mentor a New Hunter
Sharing your knowledge and passion for hunting is one of the most rewarding ways to give back. Consider mentoring a new hunter—especially someone who might not otherwise have access to the outdoors. Learn more about getting started mentoring through NSSF's +ONE® resources.
Support Firearm Safety
A cornerstone of responsible firearm ownership is ensuring safety at all times and one way to give back this holiday season is by supporting Project ChildSafe®. This initiative provides free firearm safety kits, including gun locks, and promotes secure storage to help prevent accidents and unauthorized access. By donating to or raising awareness for Project ChildSafe, hunters can play a vital role in fostering safer homes and communities while demonstrating their commitment to responsible firearm ownership. Learn more and get involved at projectchildsafe.org.
Celebrate the Spirit of #GunOwnersCare
As hunters, you’re already contributing to conservation through license fees, equipment purchases and excise taxes that fund wildlife management. Take the extra step this holiday season to show how much hunters care. Share your stories of giving back using #GunOwnersCare to inspire others in the hunting community to follow your lead.
NSSF celebrates the generosity and impact of hunters across the country. Together, let’s showcase how hunters care not just for wildlife and wild places but for our neighbors and communities, too.
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