Each September, as temperatures begin to drop and hunting seasons open, we’re given an opportunity to pause and reflect. National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day, observed this year on September 20, is more than a date on the calendar. It’s a chance to honour the deep-rooted traditions that have shaped our outdoor experiences and helped build the conservation ethic that defines us as stewards of Canada’s natural resources.
For centuries, hunting, fishing, and trapping have been more than pastimes. They’ve been ways of life for Indigenous peoples, and sources of food, culture, business, and recreation. These practices pre-date Confederation and continue to connect Canadians to the land, demanding both respect and responsibility.
When I think about this day, I’m reminded of those who first taught me what stewardship really means. Whether it was learning how to ethically harvest a deer or turkey, how to release a fish I wasn’t going to keep, or how to respect the land and the wildlife we care so deeply about. Those early lessons were foundational. They weren’t just about technique. They were about values.
That legacy continues through each of us. Every time we purchase a hunting or fishing licence, support habitat work, or mentor a new outdoorsperson, we’re investing in something bigger than ourselves. We’re supporting the future of fish and wildlife in Ontario, and the next generation of conservationists.
But we can’t ignore the challenges. Fewer young people are growing up with outdoor experiences. Urbanization, digital distractions, a lack of mentors, and a growing disconnect from nature mean we must be intentional about passing our heritage on.
That’s why our focus must go beyond participation to inspiration. It’s not enough to get kids outside, we also need to teach them why it matters. Conservation isn’t just about policy or government programs. It lives in everyday choices — how we hunt, fish, trap, and interact with the natural world.
At the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, we are committed to ensuring this heritage doesn’t fade. Through initiatives like the Community Projects Fund or the Community Conservation Fund, youth events, education and outreach, and strong advocacy, we are working to preserve not just the right to participate — but the responsibility to protect.
So, this Heritage Day, take time to reflect on where we’ve come from, and whom we can bring along. Share your knowledge. Take someone new outdoors. Because our greatest legacy isn’t what we’ve harvested, it’s those we’ve inspired to carry it forward.
Originally published in the Ontario Out of Doors 2025-2026 Hunting Annual
