Vermont Celebrates Nation`s First <br> "Hunter Appreciation Day"

NRA, Governor Douglas and the Vermont Legislature

pay tribute to hunters

(Montpelier, VT) – Today, Governor Jim Douglas, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Welch and other members of the Vermont Legislature joined the National Rifle Association (NRA) in honoring Vermont’s hunters and sportsmen in the nation’s first “Hunter Appreciation Day.”  To mark this inaugural observance, Governor Douglas, members of the Legislature and other special guests held a ceremony at the State House. 

“Hunting runs deep in Vermont’s history and heritage,” said NRA Chief Lobbyist Chris W. Cox. “We want to thank Governor Douglas and supporters in the Legislature for recognizing the importance and tradition of hunting by establishing ‘Hunter Appreciation Day.’

“Hunters and sportsmen are Vermont’s leaders in promoting wildlife management and conservation.  And they have long played a pivotal role in Vermont by bringing millions of dollars into the economy each year,” Cox added.  

Approximately 87,000 Vermont hunters spend nearly $71 million in the state, annually.

Senate President Pro Tem Welch, the lead sponsor of the legislation establishing the appreciation day, said, “Vermonters should be proud to hold the first `Hunter Appreciation Day`  in America.  Sport hunting provides a healthy form of outdoor recreational enjoyment for thousands of Vermonters and helps foster respect and appreciation for Vermont`s important natural resources. We look forward to continuing this rich tradition and encouraging sportsmen and women to enjoy Vermont`s outdoors for many years to come.”

In addition to State House ceremony, NRA and other sportsmen’s groups created “Hunter Appreciation Day” postcards as mementos of this inaugural observance.  All postcard profits will be donated to the Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation, an organization that sends terminally ill children on the hunt of their dreams.

The US Postal Service issued a Special Cancellation postmark featuring two wild turkeys and a whitetail buck, as well as exclusive Northeast Forest Wildlife stamps to commemorate “Hunter Appreciation Day”. 

For more information about the “Hunter Appreciation Day” Special Cancellation postmark, postcard and stamps, visit: http://www.vtfsc.org/ABOUT_US/HunterAppreciationDay.htm

-‑nra--