#06–234 September 4, 2006                           

Outdoor Family Adventure Day celebration Sept. 30 in Columbia

Want to learn more about fly tying, bass fishing, archery, or hunting safety? Wouldn’t it be great if you could learn about all these things in the same day, and in the same place—for free? All of this, and much more, is possible at the Seventh Annual Outdoor Family Adventure Day, planned for Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery in Columbia.

For more information on Outdoor Family Adventure Day contact the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at (803) 734-3886 in Columbia or the South Carolina Wildlife Federation office at (803) 256-0670, also in Columbia. Directions: From I-26 in Columbia, take US Highway 321 South and turn right on Fish Hatchery Road. Follow the signs to the event.

Some of the scheduled events and demonstrations include: rifle and shotgun shooting, crossbow and air rifle shooting, a wild animal exhibit, muzzleloader demo, fly-fishing, fly tying demo, trapping demo, boating safety demo, cleaning and cooking fish demo, bass-fishing demo, archery demo, hunter safety, camping, kayaking and a climbing wall. Back by popular demand, the group “Black Bottom Biscuits” will provide entertainment.

Outdoor Family Adventure will be teaming up with the town of Pine Ridge this year as they promote community spirit with the Pine Ridge Neighborhood Festival.  Taking place from September 29-30 at the Town Hall and the athletic complex across from the Fish Hatchery, this new festival will feature events such as a parade, dance, turkey shoot, golf tournament, petting zoo, “wet your Mayor” dunking booth, as well as many others.  Pine Ridge Mayor David Busby hopes to make the Festival an annual event.

Outdoor Family Adventure is free of charge and open to the public thanks to the sponsorship of Weatherby Foundation International and the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, DNR and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation. Formerly known as National Hunting and Fishing Day, the event’s name was changed this year to encourage more participation and to make sure that the public knows it’s about more than just hunting and fishing.  It is truly an Outdoor Family Adventure.

Congress established national Hunting and Fishing Day in 1972 to recognize the vital role that hunters and anglers play in wildlife conservation.  Through special license fees and excise taxes on their equipment, sportsmen contribute over $3 million each day - some $23 billion to date - to pay for land acquisition, habitat improvement and other wildlife programs.