40th Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day on Long Island

The NYS Department ofEnvironmental Conservation (DEC) will be collaborating with sportsmen and women throughout the state in celebrating the fun and challenging sports of hunting and fishing.  Suffolk Alliance of Sportsmen, with support from DEC Region One, will hold its annual celebration at the DEC Hunter Check Station in Ridge.

New, children-focused activities are premiering this year and include a free kids' fishing derby with prizes, free pony rides, pumpkins, balloons, popcorn, face painting and archery lessons.

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 happens rain or shine, and will include a host of exhibits and demonstrations.

Educational exhibits and demonstrations for the whole family will be returning and include: Rough Riders Cavalry Troop re-enactment; archery demonstrations and lessons for children; black powder demos; bait and fly casting demos; decoy displays; falconry exercises; horse show; hunting and retrieving dog demos; taxidermy display; trapping display and many more.

Representatives from the Central pine Barrens Commission, Suffolk County Parks Dept., Suffolk County Police and Sheriff's Depts., national, state and county federations, as well as numerous clubs and exhibitors will be in attendance.