Gov. Brian Kemp recently signed a proclamation officially recognizing Sat. Sept. 26, 2026, as National Hunting and Fishing Day in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is hosting 12 special events to celebrate, so select an event and plan to join us!
“Georgia has a rich tradition of hunting and angling that dates back further than the state itself. These traditions continue to be an integral component of the cultural fabric of communities throughout the state, and over recent years have offered a growing number of participants an opportunity to connect with nature on a personal level while simultaneously providing food security, a sense of self-sufficiency, and both mental and physical health benefits,” states the proclamation signed by Gov. Brian Kemp. “Georgia’s sportsmen and women were among the first conservationists to support the establishment of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to conserve fish, wildlife and their habitat, and through their license fees helped fund state efforts to provide for healthy and sustainable natural resources.” See the full proclamation at GeorgiaWildlife.com/get-involved/nhfday.
Events scheduled for NHF Day in Georgia include family/kid fishing events and exciting Outdoor Adventure Days which offer multiple activities like archery, fishing, shooting and more. Events are spread out across the whole state – meaning that one is taking place near you!
“Be sure to put Sept. 26 on your calendar and pick an event to help you and your family get outside and try something new,” said Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division Director Chris Harper. “The planned events celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day are meant to salute the rich tradition of fishing, hunting and sport shooting and introduce new audiences to some of these outdoor activities and help make them more aware of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation. We welcome everyone to the great outdoors!”
In addition to these 12 exciting events, a FREE fishing day is offered to all Georgia residents on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. On this day, Georgia residents do NOT need a fishing license or a trout license to fish on any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas.
The U.S. Congress and President Richard Nixon first established NHF Day in 1972 to recognize the efforts made by hunters and anglers. Through self-imposed fees and excise taxes, U.S. sportsmen and women have raised more than $57 billion–that’s more than $100,000 every 30 minutes being raised for conservation.
For more information on NHF Day in Georgia, including a complete listing and description of all offered events, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/get-involved/nhfday.
September 26, 2026, is National Hunting and Fishing Day.
To celebrate, the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division have planned some exciting events just for YOU.
What is National Hunting and Fishing Day?
Each day, millions of Americans work to conserve and improve our natural resources—they are America’s hunters and anglers. The U.S. Congress and President Nixon established National Hunting and Fishing Day in 1972 to recognize these generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money, more than a billion dollars each year, they donate to wildlife conservation programs. More on the history of this event.
Conserving the states natural and wildlife resources is one of the most important responsibilities for this and future generations and the conservation programs supported and financed by Georgia hunters and anglers have benefited hundreds of wildlife species, including deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles and songbirds for all Georgians to enjoy. View the NHF Day slide presentation!
One of the best ways all of us can create a better public understanding of hunting and fishing is to create a better public awareness of the important role that hunters and anglers have played in conservation and improving our natural resources. Together with hunting and fishing license fees, federal aid programs have funded game animals and sport fish conservation, habitat acquisition and outdoor recreation opportunities both in Georgia and throughout the country.
In celebration of this special day, be sure to take someone (especially young people) outside and introduce them to a whole new world of enjoyment through hunting, hiking, birdwatching, fishing or another outdoor activity.
FREE Fishing Days: Each year, Georgia offers 3 Free Fishing Days. These days are offered during National Fishing and Boating Week (2026 Dates are June 6, June 13) and National Hunting and Fishing Day (2026 Date is Sept. 26). On these days, residents do NOT need a fishing license or a trout license to fish on any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas.
