Photo Contest Information and Entry Form

This page includes the Official Rules and an online Entry and Release Form for the annual DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife fishing and hunting photography contests that help celebrate Delaware’s traditions of fishing, hunting and outdoor recreation.

Official Rules

Deadlines for Entry

Contest Themes and Deadlines

Fishing: Fish With a Buddy
Open May 28 through Sept. 30, 2021

Hunting: Hunt With a Buddy
Open Sept. 1, 2021 through Jan. 31, 2022

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (“DNREC”) shall not accept late or incomplete entries, or entries that have not followed these Official Rules.

DNREC reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control. DNREC will take reasonable steps to notify of any adjustments made to deadlines.

Content

Photo submissions must not contain inappropriate, indecent, or obscene content. DNREC has sole discretion in determining whether any photo submission contains inappropriate, indecent, or obscene content. Photo submissions determined by DNREC to contain inappropriate, indecent, or obscene content shall be rejected by DNREC.

Photo submissions must be original, previously unpublished, and created solely by the submitting entrant(s), and not violate the intellectual property rights, copyright, or right of property of any third party. DNREC will reject photo submissions that it determines, in its sole discretion, contain copyrighted materials. Photo submissions that have been entered into other contests, or have been published elsewhere (newspapers, magazines, online, etc.) are not eligible.

Photo submissions should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared.

Photos may not include other discernable people, names, signatures, logos or other identifying marks.

Photographs must have been taken within the State of Delaware.

One entry form per photograph. A maximum of three (3) entries per person will be accepted.

Images should be no less than 2MB but may not exceed 8MB. Digital images must be submitted in .jpeg or .tiff format. DNREC may ask for a larger version of winning photos for use in print publications.

Entries that are screen shots or photos of photographs are not accepted.

Normal processing of image files and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable, as is minimal cropping. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as all manipulation is disclosed upon entry.

Advanced editing and/or photoshopping is prohibited.

Photographs depicting persons must show them involved in legal hunting or fishing activities.

Photographs depicting catches or harvests should be tasteful.

The names of persons in the photograph must be given. If not available, photograph will be ineligible.

Images that portray the unlawful harm of fish or wildlife species or damage to the environment are ineligible.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife reserves the right to reject any submission at our discretion for any reason.

Photographers are encouraged to use digital cameras or high-quality smartphone cameras.

Portrait orientation is preferred. Landscape photos may be cropped by DNREC.

Eligibility

This contest is open to all legal residents of the State of Delaware. The contest is not open to DNREC employees or contractors.

Judging and Selection of Winning Entries

Entries will be judged for composition and theme. Preference will be given to clear, good quality photographs that will best work as a magazine cover image that will also include text and other graphics.

Judging will be done by the Director of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, a division fisheries biologist and a staff or non-staff member knowledgeable in photography.

DNREC has sole discretion over the selection of winning entries for each category. By entering this contest, entrants waive any right they have to dispute or otherwise challenge DNREC’s selection of the winning entries.

Prizes for Winning Entries

Winning photos will be featured in the Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide and the Delaware Fishing Guide. They may also appear as cover photos.

Each winner will receive a DNREC prize pack.

Entries may be used by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and/or Division of Fish and Wildlife for websites, advertisements and publications.

Contest winners will be announced publicly via email, news release(s) and social media.

Entry and Release Form

Information about the Photographer

First, we need information about you. Please tell us your name, your phone number, your email, and your mailing address.

Name
Phone Number
Email Address

Send a copy to me

Address

Information about the Photograph

Next, we need you to upload your photograph (use the upload button below) and tell us about it. What’s the title? Where was it taken? Who’s in it? Has it been manipulated? Note: The file size should be less than 8MB.

Photo Title

Choose Photo

Where was this photo taken?

Who are the people in the photo?

Was your photo manipulated in any way?

If yes, please explain

Contest Rules Agreement:
By checking the box below, and sending in this form, you certify that you have read and agree to all of the terms listed above.
I understand and agree

Photo Release Agreement

My online submission grants permission to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and its employees to interview me and/or to use my likeness in photograph(s)/video(s) in any and all of its digital or print publications, whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by the state of Delaware, in perpetuity, and for other use by the state. I will make no monetary or other claim against the state for the use of the interview and/or the photograph(s)/video(s). I acknowledge that I am over the age of 18 and/or, if applicable, I am the legal guardian of the individual(s) pictured in the in photograph(s)/video(s) and do agree to his/her release as provided above.

Names/Ages of Minors in Photograph

Your name as parent or guardian of these minors

I understand and agree