On Sept. 26, kids and their families can learn about fishing, hunting and wildlife conservation in North Carolina by attending any of the free events supported by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The events, held in conjunction with National Hunting and Fishing Day, provide participants with opportunities to connect with nature, test their outdoor skills and learn about the important roles that hunting and fishing play in wildlife conservation through exhibits and demonstrations, many of which are interactive and hands on.

Each of the agency’s four education centers will host an event; times and activities vary for each event. During National Hunting and Fishing Day at the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, which runs from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., participants can hone their shooting skills with a computerized laser-shot hunting simulator, learn proper casting techniques and view one of the state’s largest collections of duck decoys, many dating back to the late 1800s. For more information, contact Sharon Meade, (252) 453-0221, ext. 8.

At Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education in Raleigh, the National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration will feature more than 15 exhibits and demonstrations, including an archery range, pellet rifle range, laser-shot hunting simulation, outdoor cooking, outdoor survival skills, falconry and fishing at Lake Raleigh. The event will run from noon until 5 p.m. For additional information, contact Beth Gunn, (919) 707-0205.

National Hunting and Fishing Day, formalized by Congress in 1971, was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. From shopping center exhibits to statewide expos, millions of citizens learned to appreciate America’s sportsman-based system of conservation funding. That system now generates more than $1.7 billion per year, benefiting all who appreciate wildlife and wild places. For more information, visit www.nhfd.org.

For more information on each event supported by the Commission, visit www.ncwildlife.org/NHFD.