The State Department of Environmental Conservation  will hold a new statewide photo and essay contest for hunters and trappers to share stories about why they hunt or trap in New York State.

Photos and essays submitted will be used to support DEC’s ongoing efforts to introduce more New Yorkers to hunting and trapping.

Participating hunters and trappers may submit photos and essays in one of the following categories: youth (under 17, non-first year); first-year hunters (youth); first-year hunters (adult); and adults (non first-year).

Each contestant may submit up to two photos with their essay entry. DEC staff will select the best photo/essay in each category. Winners’ essays and photos will appear in the 2021-2022 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, which is read by more than half a million people each year.

Contest specifications:

Essays should be non-fiction, original material (not previously published), and told from a first-person perspective. Essays should be no less than 50 words and no more than 500 words. Limit of one entry per person. Maximum of two photos per entry. Photos must be taken in New York State.

Submissions should be made at https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/6014045/Why-I-Hunt-Why-I-Trap-photo-essay-contest . The deadline for contest entries is Jan. 31.

Visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/54055.html for helpful guidelines about how to take photographs that best capture the reasons why you hunt or trap.

For more information about the “Why I Hunt” and “Why I Trap” contest, call (518) 402-8963, e-mail hunter@dec.ny.gov, or write to: Hunter Education Program, 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4754.

Don’t Miss a Story!

Keep up with local government & schools, police & fire news, help wanted ads, upcoming events, obituaries, letters from viewers, news of your friends & neighbors, & much more!
Subscribe today for just $1.44 per week
 Thank you.