Popular Children’s Fishing Derby Returns
 
(Long Island, NY) On Saturday, Sept. 22 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will celebrate the 41st Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day in collaboration with the Suffolk Alliance of Sportsmen at DEC’s Hunter Check Station in Ridge (Suffolk County), DEC Region One Director Peter A. Scully announced today.
 
Popular children-focused activities are returning to this year and include a free kids’ fishing derby with prizes, archery lessons, pumpkins, balloons, popcorn and face painting.
 
“Hunting and fishing are an important part of Long Island’s heritage, and we are very fortunate that our region offers a multitude of diverse and rewarding recreational opportunities,” Director Scully said. “DEC applauds our local sportsmen and women for their tireless work to protect our environment and natural resources. National Hunting and Fishing Day is the perfect time to recognize their achievements and efforts over the past 40 years.”
 
National Hunting and Fishing Day was launched in 1972 as an official day of thanks to sportsmen and women who have, and continue to, heighten environmental awareness and contribute to the conservation of lands and forests.
 
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, and will include a host of exhibits and demonstrations.
 
There will be educational exhibits and demonstrations for the whole family including Rough Riders Cavalry Troop re-enactment; archery demonstrations and lessons for children; black powder demos; bait and fly casting demos; decoy displays hunting and retrieving dog demos; taxidermy display; trapping display and much more.
 
Representatives from the Central Pine Barrens Commission, Suffolk County Parks Department, Suffolk County Police and Sheriff’s Depts., national, state and county federations, as well as numerous clubs and exhibitors will attend.     
 
For more information, visit the Suffolk Alliance of Sportsmen, Inc’s website at: http://www.SuffolkAlliance.org, or call (631) 744-1689.  More information about National Hunting and Fishing Day events throughout the state as well as the history of the day can be found at http://www.nhfday.org.