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

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.

Please be sure to read all of the rules carefully. Any entries that do not follow all rules will not be accepted and any photos under 2 MB will be rejected upon receipt.

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Photo submissions must be original, previously unpublished, and created solely by the submitting entrant(s), and not violate the intellectual property rights, copyright, or right of property of any third party.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.

General Provisions

Photo Release: By entering this Contest and submitting this completed Release Form, I, on behalf of myself and, if applicable, the Child identified on this Release Form, grant permission to the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and its employees a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, nonexclusive license to display, distribute, reproduce, and create derivative works of the Photo submission, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or subsequently developed, for any State of Delaware or DNREC purpose, including, but not limited to advertising and promotion of DNREC in print, its website, and its publications. By entering this Contest, I further agree that the Photo submission complies with to these Official Rules and I will make no monetary or other claim against DNREC or the State of Delaware for the use of any content provided DNREC in connection with My or My Child’s Participation in this Contest.

DNREC is an Agency of the State of Delaware subject to Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act (29 Del. C. 10001 et seq). Participants are advised that any information provided to DNREC in conjunction with this Contest may be deemed a public record under FOIA.

No Third Party Rights: This Release Form affects the rights, obligations, and duties of the Parties only. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, nothing in this Release Form is intended to, nor shall it be interpreted or construed in a manner which shall: (a) grant any third party the right to enforce any of the terms, rights, or obligations set forth herein; (b) confer any substantive or procedural rights or privileges to any third party in relation to or arising out of any collateral civil or criminal legal proceeding; or (c) waive or otherwise affect the sovereignty of the State of Delaware or the application of 10 Del. C. § 4001, et seq. to any civil proceeding involving any officer, employee, or agent of the State of Delaware.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware. Any legal action brought by either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall be brought in an appropriate Delaware State Court.

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