Salato Wildlife Education Center celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day

​FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2026) — To celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day, the Salato Wildlife Education Center will offer free admission Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In addition to the center’s native wildlife exhibits, visitors can enjoy hunting and fishing demonstrations, hands-on activities for the whole family and the grounds of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources headquarters campus.

“Hunters and anglers have long played a vital role in conserving Kentucky’s wildlife and natural resources,” said Jules Foster, program coordinator at the Salato Center. “This event is an opportunity to recognize that legacy while introducing a new generation to hunting and fishing and the many opportunities available in Kentucky.”

The first 50 children ages 5-17 will receive a free fish poster. Guests can enjoy a hunting dog demonstration and a wildlife calling presentation led by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff, featuring a variety of calls, including elk, turkey and waterfowl. A squirrel processing demonstration will also highlight one of Kentucky’s oldest small game traditions. Other activities will include kids’ crafts, activity sheets, casting games and inflatable archery.

Salato Center and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff will host a variety of educational “talks” and live-animal presentations about wildlife conservation for kids throughout the day. Highlights include a “Bear Enrichment” at 10 a.m., “Fish Fun Facts Talk” at noon, “Elk Feeding” at 2 p.m. and a “Hawk Talk” at 2:30 p.m. Biologists, Kentucky game wardens and Kentucky Afield Magazine staff will also be on hand to answer questions about hunting and fishing opportunities, and licenses will be available for purchase.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will sell official merchandise, and organizations such as the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Derby City Fly Fishers, Kentucky Hunters for the Hungry and the Kentucky Falconers Association will also have booths.

A full schedule of activities is available on the Salato Wildlife Education Center webpage on the department’s website (fw.ky.gov). The facility features native wildlife in naturalized enclosures, conservation exhibits and paved walking trails through a variety of habitats. Four miles of unpaved trails are also available to hikers and trail runners.

Archers attending National Hunting and Fishing Day will have the opportunity to use the archery range on the department’s campus. An instructor will be present with Genesis bows from noon until 3 p.m. Located across from the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Administration Building, the range features an elevated shooting deck to mimic shot angles from a tree stand. The range also features wheelchair-accessible lanes with a concrete path to the targets. Range permits are required for ages 16 and older. Youth 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit the department’s Kentucky Shooting Range Map webpage.

In addition, the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife grounds are home to two public fishing lakes, stocked annually by the department’s Fisheries Division. Loaner fishing poles are available to check out at the Salato Center on a first-come, first-served basis. A fishing license is required to fish the lakes, unless exempt, and is available in one-day, seven-day or annual formats at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Licenses webpage.

The Salato Center is open 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (Eastern) Tuesday to Saturday and is located at 1 Sportsman’s Lane, just off U.S. 60, approximately 1½ miles west of the intersection with U.S. 127. While the center maintains seasonal hours, the remainder of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters campus is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

For more information about the Salato Wildlife Education Center, visit fw.ky.gov. To learn more about National Hunting and Fishing Day, visit nhfday.org.​