TED NUGENT: Celebrate America's 36th Annual National Hunting And Fishing Day

Ted Nugent — fiercely independent rock legend and one of the most prominent and revered figures in outdoor culture — has written the article below regarding National Hunting and Fishing Day (Saturday, September 27). It first ran in the Waco Tribune (September 21, 2008),where Ted writes a weekly column.

"Celebrate America's 36th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day Saturday, September 27"

By Ted Nugent

Can you feel it? I can taste it in the air like the life-giving power that it is. Nature heals, and during this explosive natural phenomenon of the natural fall season of harvest, the Nugent family is moved deep in our souls to celebrate Thanksgiving every step of the way. Hallelujah and pass the sacred backstraps baby! Tis the hunting season and I am in.

Like trapping, hunting and fishing are an integral part of America's history and culture as well as our essential conservation responsibility. Once necessary to survive, hunting and fishing are now two very popular forms of recreation, while keeping millions of American families connected to the land and its precious creatures. Today, roughly 20 million hunters and more than 50 million fishermen enjoy the outdoors and generate roughly $70 billion in revenue each year. Like all my friends, we hunt simply because we are hunters. It is perfect.

Thanks to hunters' dollars generated through licensing fees, habitat stamp fees and direct involvement, America's wildlife and overall conservation programs have never been more vibrant, healthy and strong. Our wildlife management system is envied around the world by all real conservationists.

The mega-dollars that hunters provide for state wildlife coffers provide roughly 75% of all funds for state wildlife agencies. Considering that hunters constitute only twelve percent of the population, it is abundantly clear that we hunters carry the vast majority of the financial burden to ensure America's wildlife, and its air, soil and water cleansing habitat, is healthy and thriving. How about a big, hearty and genuine THANK YOU America!

In addition to game animals, hunters' dollars also provide habitat and research benefiting non-game species. Wildlife photographers, artists, hikers, campers, bike riders, bird watchers, and all outdoor enthusiasts ride on the financial coat tails of American hunters and fishermen. We are happy to do so.

There are more turkey, geese, elk, black bear, cougars and whitetail deer than at any time in our nation's history. This phenomenal success story, intentionally ignored by the dominant media, is because hunters and fishermen care deeply and remain spiritually connected to our resource stewardship duties. The obvious sustain/yield science that we demand keeps wildlife and wild ground in the asset column where it belongs.

American hunting and fishing families spend hundreds of millions of accident free hours in the great outdoors. Hunting is one of the safest recreational activities in the world, and of course wild game meat is the healthiest food in the world. Did I mention "perfect?"

Whitetail deer are everywhere. In fact, in most parts of the country, there are way too many of them. While many state wildlife departments have begun to correct this problem by increasing opportunities and by providing hunters more tags to kill does, we must do more. Hunting seasons should be expanded and other common sense hunting opportunities must be immediately implemented based solely on science, never allowing selfish emotion turn an asset into a liability as they have done with cougars in California and bears in New Jersey. Can you believe that in 11 states and some Canadian provinces Sunday hunting is illegal? There are other laws just as stupid, and we must all fight to eliminate these self-imposed obstacles to the joys of the outdoors and proven basic management responsibilities ASAP.

America's outdoorsmen and private landowners have created the most successful wildlife management system the world has ever known. For that, they should be recognized and applauded on this important occasion just as they were 36 years ago when President Nixon created this most auspicious National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Happy hunting season 2008 America! Good hunting and good luck! Celebrate the mighty Spirit of the Wild.