Today is National Hunting and Fishing Day.

Established in 1972, National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates and recognizes hunters and anglers for their immense contributions to fish and wildlife conservation and to our society.

Michigan provides a unique opportunity for 675,000 hunters and 1.2 million anglers who annually enjoy an abundance of land and more than 11,000 inland lakes, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 3,300 miles of Great Lakes shoreline.

“The Michigan Department of Natural Resources would like to thank every single hunter and angler in our state,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “Together, our community of conservationists provides better habitat for a diversity of fish and wildlife species, better protections for our natural resources and improved opportunities for hunting and fishing recreation.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation to mark today as Hunting and Fishing Day in Michigan to recognize their importance and to bring awareness to conservation efforts driven by hunters and anglers.

Hunting and fishing benefit Michigan’s economy by annually generating $11.2 billion, and this spending supports more than 171,000 jobs in Michigan.

To celebrate, head out for a day of fun in the field or on the water. Just make sure you have a 2021 hunting or fishing license with you when you go. Licenses can be purchased at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses.

Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, avid angler or a beginner, review safety tips at Michigan.gov/DNR under the Education and Safety tab in addition to reviewing rules and regulations at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.