HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania will mark National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 26, recognizing more than 2 million hunters and anglers whose licenses and other contributions have generated more than $125 million for conservation efforts across the state.
Pennsylvania has more than 850,000 licensed hunters and 1.1 million anglers, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The two agencies annually observe the national event to recognize hunters’ and anglers’ role in financing wildlife and habitat management.
Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a proclamation recognizing National Hunting and Fishing Day in Pennsylvania. The governor is also the Democratic co-chair of the bipartisan Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus.
The Game Commission manages more than 300 state game lands covering more than 1.5 million acres in 66 counties. The agency manages 480 species of wild birds and mammals and their habitats.
Pennsylvania also enters this year’s observance after the state repealed its longstanding ban on Sunday hunting. Act 36, signed into law in 2025, gave the Game Commission authority to expand Sunday hunting opportunities.
Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith stated that Pennsylvania continues to rank second nationally in total hunting licenses behind Texas. The state ranked first in deer harvest density in 2024 and second in overall deer harvest, according to the agency.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated in 2022 that hunters take about 6.4 million hunting trips annually in Pennsylvania. About 2.1 million occur on public land, including roughly 700,000 or more on state game lands.
Fishing also represents a substantial segment of Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy. The American Sportfishing Association estimates recreational fishing generates a $5.7 billion total economic impact in the state, supports 32,280 jobs and contributes $304 million in state and local taxes.
“Pennsylvanians are passionate about their long-standing fishing traditions, and this commemoration serves to motivate us even more to protect, conserve, and enhance our aquatic resources every day of the year,” Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer stated.
The Pennsylvania House has also recognized the observance through House Resolution 610, sponsored by Rep. Mike Armanini.
The Game Commission will hold a free public event Sunday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, 100 Museum Road, Stevens. Activities will include pellet-gun shooting, archery instruction, fishing, Touch a Truck, hunting-dog demonstrations and deer-processing demonstrations.
More information about the Middle Creek event is available at pa.gov/pgc or by calling 717-733-1512.
The Fish and Boat Commission is also offering boating, fishing and fly-fishing programs around the state during the Sept. 25-27 weekend. Registration and additional information are available at Fishandboat.com.
National Hunting and Fishing Day was established in 1972. In addition to state license revenue, federal excise taxes collected on hunting, fishing and shooting equipment are distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies for conservation, habitat and outdoor recreation programs.
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