Hawai‘i will hold its annual celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day this weekend, Sept. 17 and 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Koko Head Shooting Complex on O‘ahu, 8102 Kalanianaole Highway.

For every can of food or dollar that participants donate to the Hawaii Food Bank, they will receive one activity coupon to participate in a fun and educational activity during hunting and fishing day. These include: trap shooting, .22 rifle and handgun, high power rifles, cowboy and single-action shooting, muzzleloading, archery and fish casting contests.

There will also be additional free displays and demonstrations at this year’s event.

Hunters and anglers contribute over $1 billion each year in the US toward sport fish and wildlife restoration programs through taxes on their sport-related purchases. For 80 years the Pittman-Robertson Act has imposed a 10.5% to 11% federal excise tax on the sale of firearms, handguns, ammunition, archery equipment and accessories. And for 67 years, the Dingell-Johnson Act has imposed a 10% federal excise tax on fishing tackle. Together, that’s resulted in contributions of more than $25 billion dollars toward wildlife restoration projects.

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National Hunting and Fishing Day began in 1972 as a way for states to recognize the contributions of sportsmen and women in wildlife and sport fish conservation and restoration, hunter education and to the shooting sports.

“This is a great family friendly activity that recognizes the many contributions of hunters and anglers to protecting wildlife and aquatic resources across our island chain,” said Andrew Choy, the coordinator for the Hawaii Hunter Education Program in the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. “All you have to bring is canned food or a couple of bucks (not deer) to contribute to the Hawaii Food Bank and the fun begins.”

“In Hawai‘i, our version of National Hunting and Fishing Day is unique, in that it demonstrates that hunters and fishers also care about people,” said DLNR Chair Suzanne Case. “Our hunter education program, sister agencies within DLNR, and more than a dozen shooting and fishing clubs partner with the Hawaii Food Bank on National Hunting and Fishing Day, to help combat hunger in the islands, especially in a time when homelessness is so prevalent.”

Firearms are supplied by participating shooting clubs. No personal firearms are allowed at National Hunting and Fishing Day sponsored activities.