Not only is Saturday, Sept. 25, National Hunting and Fishing Day, it’s also the birthday of Delta Waterfowl.

You might not realize that Delta Waterfowl is one of the oldest and most storied conservation organizations in North America. Delta’s mission is to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting.

Delta Waterfowl traces its lineage back to Sept. 25, 1911, when a bold new entity backed by U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt and several shooting industry partners was officially incorporated and established an office in New York City. Known then as the American Game Protective and Propagation Association, it was the first iteration of what has become today’s Delta Waterfowl.

Led by president John Bird Burnham, the AGPPA championed efforts to pass the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which still governs regulations today. The AGPPA was also instrumental in the creation of laws that established public hunting grounds, and played a major role in establishing the Federal Duck Stamp Program.

In 1938, another visionary conservation leader, James Ford Bell, merged his efforts with those of the AGPPA when he established a research station at the Delta Marsh in Manitoba. Now, 110 years later, Delta Waterfowl still stands strong, working more diligently than ever on behalf of North America’s ducks and duck hunters.

We hope you’re enjoying the outdoors today in honor of National Hunting and Fishing Day and Delta Waterfowl.

Thanks for your support, and Happy Birthday to us!