    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATION 8567--SEPT. 24, 2010

    Proclamation 8567 of September 24, 2010
    National Hunting and Fishing Day, 2010
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    As Americans, the bond we have with our land is traceable to our
    earliest ancestors and etched into the character of our Nation. From the
    rocky shoals of New England to the rugged mountains of the West, the
    natural beauty and great diversity of our open spaces draw millions to
    the outdoors every year for sport, play, and relaxation. On National
    Hunting and Fishing Day, we recognize the Americans who engage in these
    timeless pursuits, and we reaffirm our commitment to conserving our
    native lands, waters, and wildlife for generations to come.
    Like President Theodore Roosevelt--an enthusiastic hunter and a great
    conservationist--hunters and anglers value stewardship, often leading
    efforts to ensure the protection of our Nation's wildlife, habitats, and
    waterways. President Roosevelt understood that conservation was
    essential to preserving our hunting and fishing heritage, and during his
    Presidency established the first units of the National Wildlife Refuge
    System to sustain the outdoor traditions many Americans enjoy today. We
    recognize, as President Roosevelt did over a century ago, that we must
    champion the conservation of our lands, and those who know

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    them well--the individuals who hunt and fish--must endeavor to be their
    consummate guardians.
    Conservation takes on even greater importance today as our lands,
    waters, and wildlife face threats from global climate change, loss of
    habitats, and environmental disasters. The abundance of our wilderness
    is not limitless and needs protection and restoration. To ensure
    America's wild spaces remain healthy and accessible for all to enjoy,
    outdoorsmen and women can continue to participate in innovative programs
    such as the Federal Duck Stamp Program to protect and restore our
    natural legacy. This includes rebuilding and safeguarding our fragile
    Gulf ecosystem, where the unique and beautiful bounty of waterfowl,
    fish, and other game confront exceptional hardships.
    Following in the footsteps of President Roosevelt and other
    conservationists, my Administration is dedicated to fostering a national
    conversation about 21st-century conservation that embraces a broad
    coalition of Americans, including hunters and anglers. Through my
    America's Great Outdoors Initiative, we have heard from sportsmen and
    women across our country about the value of hunting and fishing, the
    challenges to wildlife conservation, and how the Federal Government can
    be a better partner for conservation. My Administration established the
    Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council to enlist the efforts
    of the sporting community, wildlife conservation organizations, States,
    and Native American tribes to uphold our Nation's wildlife heritage and
    to meet the conservation challenges of our time. We added over 4 million
    acres to the Conservation Reserve Program this year to provide important
    wildlife habitats, and we have taken specific steps to benefit gamebirds
    in this program. In addition, we are providing millions of dollars to
    the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program, a new effort
    to encourage hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities on
    privately owned land.
    Our ability to enjoy our land and wildlife today is a tribute to the
    character of conservationists who have come before us. On National
    Hunting and Fishing Day, we celebrate the time-honored traditions of
    hunting and fishing, as well as the preservation of America's vast
    natural resources, as we seek to protect them for centuries to come.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 25, 2010, as
    National Hunting and Fishing Day. I call upon all Americans to observe
    this day with appropriate programs and activities.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day
    of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the
    Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
    fifth.
    BARACK OBAMA