National Hunting and Fishing Day 2022

This year's National Hunting and Fishing (NHF) Day will be celebrated on September 24, 2022. On NHF Day, sports enthusiasts commemorate the tradition of hunting, target shooting, and fishing with national, state, regional and local organizations hosting related events.

Recognized on the fourth Saturday of every September, National Hunting and Fishing Day serves as a reminder to the American public that wildlife and wild places exist today thanks to the ongoing leadership and funding from hunters, anglers, and shooters.

Hunting and fishing play a large role in funding conservation efforts that also fuel economic prosperity, with more than 50 million Americans hunting and fishing every year, creating over $200 billion in economic activity and supporting over 1.5 million jobs. 

National Hunting and Fishing Day was formalized by Congress in 1971 to convey the message that conservation in America succeeds because of hunters and anglers.

In 1972, Richard Nixon signed the first ever Presidential proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day, writing, "I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.".

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium serves as the officially recognized home of National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Located in Springfield, Missouri, within a day’s drive of more than half of all Americans, the not-for-profit institution celebrates those who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water.

American outdoorsmen and women support conservation projects through a conservation system funded by outdoor sports-related fees and excise taxes.

National Hunting and Fishing Day is made possible through the sponsorship and generous support of the conservation organizations Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Izaak Walton League, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Wonders of Wildlife.

For additional information about this year’s festivities or to get involved, visit www.NHFDay.org.

North Dakota Mule Deer Survey 2022

Mule Deer

In May 2022, the North Dakota Game and Fish  Department (NDGFD) completed its annual spring mule deer survey.

Results of the survey indicate western North Dakota’s mule deer population is 13% higher than last year and 34% above the long-term average.

Biologists counted 2,923 mule deer in 298.8 square miles during this year’s survey. The overall mule deer density in the badlands was 9.8 deer per square mile.

According to big game management supervisor Bruce Stillings, the 2022 spring survey was the longest on record due to two April blizzards. The blizzards produced approximately 40 inches of snow with high winds and low temperatures.

The spring mule deer survey is used to assess mule deer abundance in the badlands. It is conducted after the snow has melted and before trees begin to leaf out, providing the best conditions for aerial observation of deer. Biologists have completed aerial surveys of the same 24 study areas since the 1950s.

Mule Deer Facts

Mule average about 39 inches at the shoulder.

Bucks weigh from 125 to 330 pounds.

Does weigh 110 to 210 pounds.

Mule deer are reddish-brown in summer and blue-gray in winter, with white throat, belly and rump patch. Their tails are slender and white, with a black tip.

Mule deer bucks have antlers. Main beams divide into nearly equal branches, and may divide again to form four or more tines on each side.

Mule deer tracks are slightly larger in front with a walking stride of 15 to 25 inches.

Preferred habitats include brush plains, shortgrass prairie; they are often associated with buttes, badlands, and rough terrain.

Mule deer feed on a variety of trees, shrubs, and forbs including green ash, aspen, sweetclover, and sagebrush. When available, they also eat grass species, alfalfa, and other agricultural crops.

Their primarily range includes the badlands adjacent to the Little Missouri River. Secondary range extending north and east to the breaks along the Missouri River.

Breeding peaks in mid-November, with bucks tending one doe at a time. No permanent pair bonds.

The gestation period of mule deer is around 204 days.

One to three fawns are born late May to late June and weigh about 8 pounds. Fawns have a reddish-brown coat with white spots on back.

Mule deer are most active at dawn and dusk. Does often socialize in small groups with related females from several generations. Outside of the breeding season, bucks usually alone or in small bachelor groups.

When alarmed, mule deer often flee with a bouncing gait called “stotting.” 

Mule deer got their name because of their large ears.

source: North Dakota Game and Fish Department

Waterfowl Hunting Gifts

Wild Ducks Resting

This article provides gift ideas for waterfowl hunting enthusiasts. Discussed in this segment are products related to duck hunting, goose hunting, and similar activities.

Waterfowl hunting theme gift ideas include such items as decoys, carvings, sculptures, photos, posters, duck stamp prints, field guides, calendars, stickers, coffee mugs, dvds, t shirts,sweatshirts, hats, and other apparel.

Buying hunting gifts online is fast and easy. Most online shops that offer hunting accessories can ship items directly to the recipient.

Waterfowl related gifts are popular for Christmas, Father's Day, birthdays, and other special occasions.

Waterfowl shirts are popular among hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts. Waterfowl hunters often choose apparel featuring their favorite species of duck, goose, or other waterfowl. Other shirts for hunters depict outdoor scenery, hunting dogs, or other images.

Redhead Duck Drake T-Shirt

Custom t shirts, sweatshirts and other gifts suitable for duck hunters are offered at North America online store. This online shop offers a wide range of waterfowl art. Shoppers can choose to add a custom slogan, title or caption or purchase items without captioning.

Canvasback Duck Wrapping Paper
by north_america

The online store also offers a variety of outdoors theme wrapping paper. Waterfowl pattern wrapping paper works well for holidays, birthdays, or other occasions

Canvasback Duck Drake

Waterfowl cards are another option to consider. Suitable for holiday correspondence or everyday use, cards are available with stunning photos of ducks, geese, and other waterfowl.

South Carolina White-tailed Deer Antler Records

white-tailed deer | credit: USFWS

In October, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) announced that the complete listing of South Carolina’s antler records is now available to the public online.

The South Carolina white-tailed deer Antler Records Program was initiated in the spring of 1974 and since that time, 7,469 sets of antlers (7,167 typical and 302 non-typical) have been officially entered into the list, according to Charles Ruth, Big Game Program Coordinator for SCDNR.

Initially, measuring sessions were only conducted a few times each spring but, since 1987 antler scoring sessions have been scheduled throughout the state with approximately 12 sessions occurring annually.

Each year, SCDNR wildlife biologists, wildlife technicians, and volunteers measure approximately 500 sets of antlers. Generally, only about 25% of the antlers that are measured make the Antler Records List.

The first Records of South Carolina White-tailed Deer was published in 1998. Since that time, updates included only the new entries for the current year and the top 100 typical and top 50 nontypical entries from the All-time List.

The new online publication represents the complete listing of all typical and nontypical entries on file through Spring 2019. It is only available on SCDNR’s website because the size of the document makes printed copies cost prohibitive.

The purpose of the Antler Records Program is twofold. First, because of the increased interest in deer hunting exhibited by sportsmen, it is a means of recognizing outstanding white-tailed deer taken in South Carolina.

Secondly, it provides management information that allows SCDNR wildlife biologists to identify areas that produce quality deer. When particular areas stand out it is important to attempt to recognize the underlying characteristics that produce outstanding animals.

Mr. Ruth explained, “Records are based on the Boone and Crockett Club scoring system, which measures the mass and symmetry of deer antlers in two categories—typical and non-typical. The scoring system is based primarily on antler size and symmetry and includes measurements of the main beams, greatest inside spread of the beams, circumference measurements at certain designated locations, and the number and length of the points. To be counted as a point, a projection must be at least one inch long and it must be longer than it is wide at its base.”

Deductions are made for points that arise abnormally from the main beams or from other points and for symmetrical differences between corresponding measurements on the right and left antlers.

For non-typical antlers, abnormal points are added to the score rather than being deducted as in the typical category.

A set of antlers is classified as typical or non-typical based on its general conformation, the number of abnormal points, and a determination as to whether it will rank higher in the typical or non-typical category.

Current minimum scores for the South Carolina Antler Records List are 125 typical points and 145 non-typical points.

All antlers must undergo a minimum 60-day drying period before they can be officially measured and a fair-chase statement must be signed for all hunter killed deer.

If a set of antlers meets the minimum score the record is added to the list and a certificate is issued recognizing the outstanding white-tailed deer taken in South Carolina.

source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Vermont Deer Processing Videos: Field Dressing, Skinning, and Butchering

white tailed deer

In Vermont, deer hunting is a way to harvest a sustainable, natural food source.

Making the most of the meals provided by deer taken in hunting seasons starts with processing them quickly and correctly.

To guide hunters, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) has three online videos demonstrating how to process deer.

Finding the videos is easy on the Fish and Wildlife website (www.vtfishandwildlife.com). Click on “Hunt” and then “From Field to Freezer.”

The educational videos are titled Field Dressing Your Deer, Skinning a Deer and Butchering a Deer.

“Correctly processing game can make a big difference in the taste of the meat,” said Nicole Meier, an information and education specialist with the department. “Taking the time to do it correctly assures that you and your family will have many enjoyable meals ahead.”

source: Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department