Making a Big Splash! Grover Cleveland's impact on Sport Hunting, Fishing, and Conservation.

Many folks are familiar with Theodore Roosevelt and his massive impact on sport hunting and conservation, but how many of you are familiar with Grover Cleveland?

Grover Cleveland is an often-forgotten President of the United States, serving two non-consecutive terms in 1885-1889 and again in 1893-1897, making him the 22nd and 24th U.S. President. His concepts and ethics get him considered among the founding fathers of sport conservation principles and his fame as President gave conservationism a lot of spotlight during and after his presidency

Grover Cleveland (right) enjoying a fishing break.

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Cleveland, Like Roosevelt, was known for his sport hunting ethics. He famously said, "It is better to go home with nothing killed than the weight of e mean, unsportsmanlike act." In 1906, just two years before his death, he published a book called "Fishing and Shooting Sketches", which I just recently purchased and can't wait to get into. (Expect more on Grover Cleveland in the near future.)

Fishing and Shooting Sketches, by Grover Cleveland, 1906

While Cleveland, like Roosevelt, was an avid big game and small game hunter, his true passion was fishing. In 1897, a New York newspaper declared him "the most famous fisherman in the world". He clearly knew what he was about when it came to fishing. He was quoted in 1886, saying about fish, "No one has yet been wise enough to explain their ways or account for their conduct." I absolutely relate to this every time I go fishing. There's no rhyme or reason...

Cleveland took fishing trips during his Presidency the way modern Presidents take golf trips. It was definitely his favorite sport. However, in his later years, he spent a lot of time fowling, particularly going for ducks and quail.

Grover Cleveland, maybe not the best President, but a stellar conservationist, and the most famous fisherman in the world!

I hope you've enjoyed this introductory blog post, learned something about a cool conservationist, and while you're here, take a gander at our hunting and fishing gear in the store! Thanks for reading!

Reproduction Fishing gear from Logsdon & Co.

Grover Cleveland fishing hunting conservation