What started out as a small, simple way of thanking the sportsmen of Pennsylvania has now turned into one of our country’s most effective grassroots efforts to promote outdoor sports and conservation.

Today, American sportsmen celebrate the 36th National Hunting and Fishing Day.

It all started when the owner of a gun shop in Upper Darby, Pa., named Ira Joffe, suggested his state have an official day to thank its sportsmen. The Pennsylvania governor at the time agreed and created “Outdoor Sportsmen’s Day.”

With the help of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) along with countless other conservation organizations, the concept soon grew and Joint Resolution 117 was put before Congress. The resolution authorized the fourth Saturday of every September to be known as “National Hunting and Fishing Day.”

The bills passed quickly and unanimously through Congress and on May 2, 1972, President Nixon signed the first proclamation of National Hunting and Fishing Day. But just why would a government take time to honor its outdoorsmen?

If it wasn’t for America’s hunters and anglers, no one would have the opportunities to enjoy the amazing resources our country offers. For decades, it has been sportsmen who have led the way when it comes to conservation and wildlife programs.

In the last 100 years alone, sportsmen have been the driving force behind habitat and wildlife restoration programs, setting up state and federal wildlife agencies and composing a framework of laws that promote conservation. Through the efforts of sportsmen, populations of whitetail deer, turkeys, elk and antelope (to name just a few) have rebounded to amazing levels.

Contributions of sportsmen stretch far beyond the realm of conservation. Hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports are vital to our state and national economy. According to a report called “Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy,” Missouri’s 1 million hunters and anglers are among the most prominent and influential of all demographic groups, spending more than $2.4 billion a year on their sport.

Spending by hunters and anglers in Missouri alone directly supports 45,600 jobs, which puts $1.2 billion worth of paychecks into pockets of working residents around the state.

This also benefits our government agencies, as spending by sportsmen in pursuit of these outdoor activities generates $268 million in state and local taxes.

To give you a better idea of each hunter or angler’s contribution, the average hunter spends around $1,900 each year on their sport. This is about 5.5 percent of the typical hunter’s annual income. Anglers spend a little less but still average over $1,200 annually. Not too many sports can boast of these kinds of numbers.

Finally, why shouldn’t we celebrate hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports? The great outdoors opens it arms to all of us, no matter if we’re young or old, rich or poor, Democrat or Republican, Northsider or Southsider (or somewhere out east).

Just like baseball and apple pie, hunting and fishing are key ingredients in the recipe that makes America such a great country. Get outside this weekend and take a few moments to relax and experience all the outdoors has to offer.