It’s that time of year again. Hunters all across the country are cleaning their guns, training their dogs, and getting loaded up on hunting gear.

This Saturday, September 26, marks the annual National Hunting and Fishing Day for the 2009 season. This tradition, established by Congress in 1971, honors the outstanding contribution hunters and anglers have made to national fish and wildlife conservation.

America’s 34 million hunters and anglers have contribute over $1.75 billion each year towards preserving our nation’s habitat. Their concern for wildlife and habitat ensures that Americans will be able to enjoy hunting and fishing for generations to come.

Each year the National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) organization chooses a celebrity to sponsor the event. This year’s sponsor is Luke Bryan, a country music star. In an interview with NHFD, Bryan said, “I feel very proud to be a part of this. I’m looking forward to the coming year. I hope to help grow awareness of what hunters and anglers do for conservation, and just promote hunting and fishing overall.”

Bryan recognizes the importance of passing on the love for hunting and fishing to the next generation. He looks forward to sharing this passion with his own son. About the impact these outdoor sports have made on his own life, he says, “I couldn’t imagine my life and career without the time that I’ve spent hunting and fishing.”

Take time to celebrate America’s hunting and fishing heritage this weekend. Take a kid hunting or fishing and pass on your love for traditional outdoor sports to the next generation.

See Luke Bryan’s promotional video for National Hunting and Fishing Day below: