Connecticut DEEP to Host Day of Hunting, Fishing

From Connecticut DEEP:

Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is continuing its celebration of the 150th anniversary of its Bureau of Natural Resources by hosting Connecticut Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 4 at the Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area and Education Center in Burlington. This free event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature many outdoor-related activities and demonstrations with a live birds of prey program and a raptor meet-and-greet by Master Class Falconer Lorrie Schumacher from Talons! A Birds of Prey Experience, field dog demonstrations, target shooting (.22 rifles, BB guns, trap shooting), archery, casting pools, cowboy action shooting demonstrations by the Congress of Rough Riders, children’s crafts and activities and a fish casting game; kids who catch a tagged fish will be entered into a drawing to win one of 45 fishing poles donated by Cabela's.

Attendees also will have the opportunity to speak firsthand with DEEP biologists about wildlife and fisheries topics as well as with representatives from a variety of conservation, hunting and fishing organizations. Children can participate in several fun activities and crafts, such as track making, fish prints, wildlife tattoos and a scavenger hunt.

In a proclamation marking the day, Gov.M alloy declared Sept. 24 as Hunting and Fishing Day in the state of Connecticut and “encourages all of our citizens to join with sportsmen and conservationists in their efforts to ensure the wise and proper management of our natural resources to benefit future generations.”

September 24 also is designated as National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize the outstanding contributions by America’s hunters and anglers to conservation, recreation and the economy. Since the turn of the 20th century, hunters and anglers have been leaders in nearly all major conservation programs.

Since the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program, or Pittman-Robertson Act, became law in 1937 and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration, or Dingell-Johnson Act, became law in 1950, monies collected through sportsmen’s fees and taxes have provided over $23 billion nationally for conservation. These funds were used to build DEEP’s Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area and Education Center in Burlington.

Sportsmen-financed programs have led to the dramatic comeback of many fish and wildlife species and have also been instrumental in the protection and management of wildlife habitat. In Connecticut, approximately 8,000 acres of land have been acquired using Pittman-Robertson funds. Those funds also support staff and operations to manage the 106 Wildlife Management Areas comprising approximately 32,000 acres scattered throughout the state. These areas, which range in size between one acre and 2,000 acres, provide opportunities for citizens to hunt, fish, view wildlife and hike.

Free shuttle bus parking will be in Burlington at Lewis S. Mills High School, 26 Lyons Rd., off of Route 4 and in Bristol at Depot Square across from Bristol City Hall, 111 N. Main St. This parking lot is a CTfastrak stop for service that operates between downtown Hartford and Bristol, stopping at all CTfastrak stations. Attendees can take CTfastrak to this parking lot and ride the free shuttle bus to Sessions Woods. Only handicapped parking will be available at Sessions Woods.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase during the event, or you can bring your own picnic lunch. The event will be held rain or shine. More detailed information about Connecticut Hunting and Fishing Day at Sessions Woods can be found on the DEEP website or by calling the Wildlife Division at (860) 424-3011 (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Sessions Woods is located on Route 69 (341 Milford St.) in Burlington.

Connecticut Hunting and Fishing Day is made possible due to generous donations from the following: the Friends of Sessions Woods, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and the Weatherby Foundation International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, High Rock Shooting Association, Safari Club International Central CT Chapter, Cabela’s, Dynamic Outdoor Concepts, Newbury Archery and the Connecticut Waterfowl Association.

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