Sept. 20, 2018 - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will host National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) events on Saturday (Sept. 22) in four locations throughout the state, including Baton Rouge, Haughton, Woodworth and West Monroe.  
 
All four of the events are free and the number and types of exhibits vary depending on the location. All events will feature exhibits on LDWF management programs, Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club, Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana and supporting businesses from the local communities. Attendees will have a chance to try their skills at shooting, fishing and boating, as well as learn about wildlife with live animals.
 
Details for the four events are as follows:
 
Waddill Wildlife Refuge
4142 North Flannery Road
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70814
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
(225) 765-2927
 The department will stock adult-sized channel catfish in the lake prior to the event, and anglers are urged to bring their own rod, reel and ice chest to keep their catch (limits apply). Limited bait and cane poles for use will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Bodcau Wildlife Management Area Shooting Range
168 Ben Durden Rd.
Haughton, Louisiana 71037
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(318) 371-3050
 
Woodworth
Woodworth Shooting Range
661 Robinson Bridge Road
Woodworth, Louisiana 71485
8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
(318) 484-2276
 
Ouachita Parish Rifle Range
357 Sheriff Fewell Road
West Monroe, Louisiana 71292
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(318) 343-4044
 
NHFD is a national event celebrated in all 50 states on the fourth Saturday in September. It was created in 1972 when Congress passed two bills establishing a specific day to celebrate the conservation contributions of the nation’s hunters and anglers. Over forty years later, the events are still going strong.
 
LDWF introduced its first NHFD event in 1982 at the Monroe district office. In the following years, three more locations were added in Baton Rouge, Minden and Woodworth. Today, more than 10,000 people statewide attend the celebrations, making NHFD the biggest public event for the department.
 
The department would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, QDMA South Louisiana Branch, CCA Louisiana, Coca-Cola Baton Rouge, Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge, Bet-R Neighborhood Market, Louisiana Fish Fry, Armstrong's Cricket Farm, CenturyLink, Ryan Auto Group, ENTERGY, Hixson Ford of Alexandria, WoodmenLife, Doggett Equipment Services, Burger King, Sayes Office Supply, Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association and many other local business who made in-kind and monetary donations to help make these events a continued success.