From the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife:

The Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife will host its seventh annual Wildlife Heritage Festival at the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center in Oxford on Saturday September 27 and Sunday September 28.

The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. It will be held rain or shine.

The Wildlife Heritage Festival is designed to highlight the historical and present uses of wildlife, as well as the importance of wildlife to our culture. It is held to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day, which falls this year on September 27.

The festival raises awareness of the great contribution hunters and anglers make to wildlife conservation. They were the first to recognize that rapid development and unregulated use of wildlife was a serious threat to the future of many species more than 100 years ago, and continue to be the primary driving force in wildlife conservation today.

This year's event will feature wildlife artists, taxidermists, a "kiddie fishing tank" and exhibits by conservation organizations. Kids between the ages of 8 and 16 will be able to learn how to fish and have the opportunity to cast a line in the Fishing Education Pond (equipment supplied.)

Visitors can watch history come alive at an encampment of historical reenactors, and join in a talk on traditional earth skills. Or just watch as reenactors go about their daily lives, from making clothes and cooking to setting up a military camp.

Aspiring hunters will have the chance to get a head start on their Hunter Education Course by participating in the walk through field session part of the course at the festival. Those who pass will not have to repeat this part of the course when they take their final test.

Beginner archery and shotgun ranges will be available each day for participants to try their hand at target shooting under the supervision of trained Hunter Education instructors. A free 3-D archery range will also be set up in the woods and fields of the Pequest Wildlife Management Area, but participants must bring their own equipment.

Visitors will have the opportunity to watch Division of Fish and Wildlife hatchery personnel in action at the festival, as there are fish feeding demonstrations and fish spawning demonstrations scheduled. This is a great opportunity to see how the trout stocked for anglers throughout New Jersey are raised

Lecture programs will be held at the festival too, as "Wolf Visions" and "Rizzo's Reptile Show" are scheduled to appear. In addition, festival goers can learn about New Jersey's black bears as Michelle Ruggiero of the Division of Fish and Wildlife will present a "Know The Bear Facts" program.

The Sportsman's Flea Market will return this year with vendors selling fishing and hunting related items. Food vendors will also be on site.

For more information about the festival and to see the entire schedule of events visit the Fish and Wildlife Web site at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/festival08.htm. For information on National Hunting and Fishing Day visit http://www.nhfday.org/.

The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center is located on Route 46 approximately nine miles west of Hackettstown in scenic Warren County.

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