PRINTER'S NO. 3652
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 539
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY ARMANINI, CONKLIN, STENDER, COOK, PICKETT, CAUSER,
HAMM, SCHMITT, GUENST, OBERLANDER, PASHINSKI, SMITH,
GALLAGHER, MENTZER, STEELE, DALEY, MERSKI, OLSOMMER AND LABS,
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GAME AND FISHERIES, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing September 28, 2024, as "National Hunting and Fishing
2 Day" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, The first "National Hunting and Fishing Day"
4 proclamation was issued by Congress in 1972 and urged "all
5 citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our
6 natural resources and in ensuring their proper management for
7 the benefit of future generations"; and
8 WHEREAS, This federally recognized day brings together
9 sportsmen and sportswomen from across America to acknowledge the
10 rich traditions of hunting, fishing and sport shooting through
11 organized National, State and local events aimed at introducing
12 new audiences to safely enjoy the outdoors; and
13 WHEREAS, "National Hunting and Fishing Day" is celebrated the
14 fourth Saturday of September to recognize hunters and anglers
15 for their contributions to fish and wildlife management; and
16 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has a long history and culture of
17 hunting and angling, as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
 1 Commission was established in 1866 and the Pennsylvania Game
2 Commission in 1895 to manage, protect and conserve aquatic and
3 wildlife species, as well as provide fishing and hunting
4 opportunities; and
5 WHEREAS, Pennsylvania lands and streams provide outdoor
6 recreational opportunities across this Commonwealth for local
7 sportsmen and sportswomen to enjoy as hunting and fishing play a
8 large role in conservation efforts and economic prosperity in
9 this Commonwealth; and
10 WHEREAS, In 2023, more than 850,000 general hunting licenses
11 were sold in Pennsylvania, with revenue for general licenses and
12 permits totaling nearly $18 million; and
13 WHEREAS, In 2023, more than 790,000 fishing licenses were
14 sold in Pennsylvania, generating more than $29 million in
15 revenue; and
16 WHEREAS, An estimated 2.1 million Pennsylvania hunters and
17 anglers contribute more than $16.8 billion to outdoor recreation
18 and the overall economy; and
19 WHEREAS, To this day, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
20 Commission and the Pennsylvania Game Commission are funded
21 largely in part by sportsmen and sportswomen through the
22 American System of Conservation Funding, a "user pays public
23 benefits" approach that is widely recognized as the most
24 successful model for funding fish and wildlife management; and
25 WHEREAS, Last year alone, Pennsylvania's sportsmen and
26 sportswomen generated $116 million through the American System
27 of Conservation Funding to support the conservation efforts of
28 the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Pennsylvania
29 Game Commission; and
30 WHEREAS, The economic impact of hunting and fishing in
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1 Pennsylvania is significant, creating tens of thousands of jobs
2 and preserving national resources; therefore be it
3 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
4 September 28, 2024, as "National Hunting and Fishing Day" in
5 Pennsylvania.
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