South Carolinians should celebrate our state’s rich fishing and hunting traditions
America’s hunters and anglers are our nation’s original conservationists, and it’s a title that we wear proudly.
On Saturday, Sept. 26 South Carolina will join the nation in celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day — a day set aside to recognize and celebrate the historical and ongoing contributions of sportsmen and women both in America and across the Palmetto State.
As co-chair of the South Carolina Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and a member of the 49-state National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, I am proud to celebrate the time-honored traditions of hunting and angling.
And I encourage all South Carolinians to use National Hunting and Fishing Day to take advantage of the inherently socially distant activities of hunting and fishing that are available to us.
A foundation of conservation
Hunters and anglers provide the foundation of conservation funding through the purchase of licenses, tags and stamps — and by also paying self-imposed excise taxes on the equipment that we use.
In all hunters and anglers have generated $29.21 million to fund the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources through the “user-pays, public-benefits” American System of Conservation Funding. In addition to the overall economic contributions of hunters, this funding provides benefits for all South Carolinians.
Equally as important hunting and angling provide South Carolinians with an opportunity to explore the natural world around them while taking advantage of the many well-documented physical and mental health benefits associated with spending time outdoors.
Through hunting and angling one can truly appreciate the importance of conservation.
This is why sportsmen and women dedicate much of their time and resources to improve conditions for fish and wildlife, which has ripple effects throughout the ecosystem and benefits all species and the people that enjoy them.
Similarly sportsmen and women are among the strongest supporters of legislation to increase public access opportunities for all Americans, and to provide additional funding for wildlife management.
Historic legislation
There is perhaps no better example of this than the recent passage of the Great American Outdoors Act. This historic piece of legislation fully and permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund and appropriates $9.5 billion to take neglected infrastructure projects off the back burner, including $3 billion to support hunting, fishing and recreational shooting activities on federally owned public lands and waters.
Thanks to a bipartisan effort in Congress and the support of sportsmen and women, the Great American Outdoors Act will ensure we are leaving our country in a better place for the next generation.
No better time
I hope that you will use National Hunting and Fishing Day to celebrate our time-honored traditions and perhaps introduce someone new to our outdoor pursuits so that they, too, can enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of hunting and fishing.
Given the renewed desire for safe outdoor recreational opportunities that have been brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — as well as a growing desire among the populace for a self-sufficient lifestyle that includes food security — there is perhaps no better time to introduce beginners to the outdoors.
Along the way they will learn more about the natural world around them, procure organic, locally-sourced food for the entire family and carry forward the proud conservation legacy of South Carolina’s original conservationists.
State Sen. Stephen Goldfinch represents District 34, which includes Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties.
This story was originally published September 24, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "South Carolinians should celebrate our state’s rich fishing and hunting traditions."