LIKE FATHER, LIKE DAUGHTER -- Mike Wallace, avid outdoorsman and hunter, shares his love of archery hunting with his daughter Leisha. National Hunting and Fishing Day, which celebrates the value of both sports, is set for Saturday, Sept. 25.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—The official “holiday” for hunters and anglers, National Hunting and Fishing Day, is working to promote America’s first best conservationists with help from perennial sponsor Realtree. NHF Day is set for Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010.

Congress formalized the annual commemoration in 1972 as a public reminder that conservation depends on funding and leadership from hunters, shooters and anglers. Through licenses and special taxes, traditional sportsmen and women provide most of the funding for state conservation agencies today. In turn, results benefit all citizens who appreciate healthy fish, wildlife and habitat.

“Off the top of my head, I cannot tell you how long we have been supporting NHF Day, but I can tell you how long we will support it — as long as all of us are here!” said Realtree President and CEO Bill Jordan. “Preserving our hunting heritage is vital to our land, our wildlife and our way of life. I offer everyone who supports, works and volunteers for NHF Day my sincerest thanks.”

Realtree’s sponsorship supports Wonders of Wildlife museum in Springfield, Mo., the official home of NHF Day. The museum directs programs to build public understanding and appreciation for hunting, angling and conservation.

Event-planning tools, PSAs, promotional items, communications initiatives and more are part of its annual campaigns. Learn more at www.nhfday.org.

Denise Wagner of Wonders of Wildlife said, “Our goal is telling the NHF Day story all year long. Americans tend to forget who pays to conserve the wildlife resources that we all cherish. We’re better positioned for this important work because of dedicated sponsors such as Realtree.”

The entire USA Shooting Team is serving as honorary chair for NHF Day 2010. With 103 Olympic medals for rifle, pistol and shotgun marksmanship, the U.S. excels in few sports more than shooting.

Only track and field, swimming, diving, wrestling and boxing have been more prolific medal producers for Americans. In fact, shooting ranks ahead of gymnastics, figure skating, volleyball and more than 30 other Olympic sports.

Most members of the current USA Shooting Team are active hunters and anglers, blending a passion for the outdoors with winning on the world stage.

The growing list of sponsors for NHF Day 2010 includes Wonders of Wildlife, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Bass Pro Shops, Smith & Wesson, Sportsman Channel, Realtree, Cabela’s, GunBroker.com, Yamaha, Pope and Young Club and Izaak Walton League of America.

For more information about NHF Day, visit www.nhfday.org.