SOCIAL CIRCLE — Events and activities, including a free fishing day, are planned in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is Saturday, Sept. 22, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.
“If you participate in outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing, wildlife watching or if you have an interest in these activities, but don’t know how to get started, you will want to attend one of these events,” said Dan Forster, director of the Wildlife Resources Division.  “There will be a variety of things to do, and you will have knowledgeable staff and volunteers who simply want to help you have the best time possible and encourage you to take the activity beyond this one day.”
In 1973, Congress and President Richard Nixon established National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize generations of hunters and anglers for the time and money they donate to wildlife conservation programs.  
Events offered in Georgia include five kids’ fishing events and five Outdoor Adventure Days.
Activities will differ at each event, but some highlights include archery and air rifle shooting, trout fishing, hunting dog demonstrations, and wildlife programs and exhibits.
In addition to the events, a free fishing day will be Saturday, Sept. 22.  
On this day, residents do not need a fishing license or a trout license to fish any public waters in the state including lakes, streams, ponds and public fishing areas.  
In addition, residents do not need to obtain a wildlife management area license to fish on a PFA, WMA or on Waters Creek on this day.   
Also, as part of its partnership with National Hunting and Fishing Day, Yamaha Motor Corp. has donated a 2012 Yamaha Rhino 700 FI in a sweepstakes. To enter, go to nhfday.org.
For more information, including a complete listing of all events in the state, go to georgiawildlife.com.