Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort hosts National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration Sept. 23, 2023

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2023) - The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources invites the public to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day at the Salato Wildlife Education Center on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.​​​​​​

​​​​​​The Salato Center will offer free admission throughout the day, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (ET), as well as a variety of hunting and fishing demonstrations and activities for everyone. The first 20 youths (ages 5-17) will get a free fishing pole, while supplies last, courtesy of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

​​​​​​“We are excited to offer this free opportunity for the public, whether they are outdoor sporting enthusiasts already or are interested in becoming more active outdoors,” said Jules Foster, manager of the Salato Center. “We have created an entertaining and educational day to help build knowledge and confidence in hunting and fishing activities.”

Fans of the Kentucky Afield TV show will get the opportunity to meet its host, Chad Miles, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Hands-on activities will include archery, casting a line, kayak fishing and life jacket safety. The schedule of activities is available on the department’s website on the Salato Center’s webpage.​​​​​​

A presentation about elk restoration will be delivered by Salato staff at the center’s elk enclosure at 2 p.m. Fisheries biologists and conservation officers will be on hand to answer questions about hunting and fishing opportunities and licenses will be available for purchase. Those who purchase a hunting or fishing license at the event will receive a free Fish and Wildlife sticker packet, while supplies last.​​​​​​

​​​​​​Those wishing to have a deer scored by an official Boone and Crockett Club measurer may pre-register by calling 1-800-858-1549. Those needing to complete their hunter education with a range day may pre-register online for available times at fw.ky.gov/Upcoming Education Events.

​​​​​​The Salato Center, located on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s headquarters campus in Frankfort, 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 be among the first to use the new archery range recently opened on the department’s Frankfort campus. Located across from the Administration Building, the new range features 11 shooting lanes with bag targets and an elevated shooting deck to mimic shot angles from a tree stand. The range also features three wheelchair-accessible lanes with a concrete path to the targets.​​​​​​

​​​​​​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-serve basis. An appropriate resident or out-of-state fishing license is required to fish the lakes, unless exempt, and is available in one-day, seven-day, or annual formats at fw.ky.gov/Licenses.

“The National Hunting and Fishing Day event at Salato serves to recognize the contributions to conservation made by the more than 700,000 Kentucky hunters and anglers,” said Foster. “Their license purchases help support 35,000 Kentucky jobs each year.”

National Hunting and Fishing Day recognizes generations of sporting enthusiasts for their contributions to the conservation of our nation’s rich sporting heritage and natural resources. The day also serves to encourage the participation of people new to hunting and fishing, and to increase public awareness of the connection between hunting, angling, and conservation.

The Salato Center is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 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 or call 502-564-7863. To learn more about National Hunting and Fishing Day, visit nhfday.org​.