SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — One of country music’s new stars to watch in 2009, Luke Bryan, has a hot debut album, a second album coming later this year, Top 10 hits in “All My Friends Say” and “Country Man,” and a new role as honorary chairman of National Hunting and Fishing Day.
The annual celebration is set for Sept. 26.
Congress established National Hunting and Fishing Day to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in 
fish and wildlife conservation. Since launching in 1972, the day has been formally proclaimed by every U.S. president and countless governors and mayors.
Bryan joins an elite fraternity of country stars who helped build National Hunting and Fishing Day, including Hank Williams Jr., Travis Tritt, Tracy Byrd and Jeff Foxworthy.
Other honorary chairs have included actors, entertainers and sports stars like Wade Boggs, Jay Novacek, Robert Urich, Ward Burton, Tom Seaver, George Brett, John Havlicek, Arnold Palmer, Terry Bradshaw and many others.
“I feel very proud to be a part of this,” said Bryan. “I’m looking forward to the coming year. I hope to help grow awareness of what hunters and anglers do for conservation, and just promote hunting and fishing overall. It’s so important for young people to get involved in the outdoors. I couldn’t imagine my life and career without the time that I’ve spent hunting and fishing.”
A native of Leesburg, Ga., Bryan grew up farming, hunting and fishing with his family.
He said, “I don’t remember learning how to hunt and fish — just like I don’t remember learning how to talk. It was just a natural thing in our family. Part of our lifestyle. I had a dad who wanted to take me hunting and fishing, and we went two or three times a week.”
