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Seeking Great Shots Of Young Delaware Hunters
DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announces photo contest. Entries to be accepted now through Dec. 16.

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- Have you taken a great photo of a young hunter in action?

If so, the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife invites you to enter the Delaware Hunting Photo Contest being held as part of the Division’s celebration of 100 years of fish and wildlife conservation in Delaware.

The winning photo will be featured on the cover or inside the 2012-2013 Delaware Hunting and Trapping Guide.

“We are hoping photographers from all over the state will come out for this contest and share some of their best images with us,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “As we move into a new century of fish and wildlife conservation in Delaware, we’d like to feature the faces of young hunters in our hunting guide – especially since young Delawareans will become leaders of the next generation of Delaware conservationists.”

The contest is open to Delaware residents of all ages, with a maximum of three entries per person. Entries will be accepted now through Friday, Dec. 16. To be eligible, photographs must depict youth participating in hunting activities and must have been taken in Delaware. A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff and professional photographers will be looking for photos that best portray “the promise of the future” as envisioned by the Division’s theme of “Celebrating 100 Years of Fish and Wildlife Conservation: Reflecting on the Past, Moving into the Future.” Judges also will be looking at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.

Entries may be mailed to the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, Attention: Amanda Belford, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Friday, Dec. 16, and must include a completed and signed entry form and photo release form. Information and forms are available on the Division’s website at www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/ , the Fish and Wildlife Facebook page (search Delaware Fish & Wildlife) or requested by calling Amanda Belford at 302-739-9911, or email amanda.belford@state.de.us.

Photos must be 8 x 10 paper prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to wildlife or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.

The Division’s Fishing Photo Contest is also still accepting entries through Nov. 16.

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Delaware Volunteers Collect More Than 350 Pounds Of Acorns To Restore Wildlife Habitat

Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife

Delaware --(Ammoland.com)- At DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Annual Acorn Collection Day, 163 volunteers joined with agency biologists to collect 231 pounds of acorns that will be scattered in reforestation areas to establish new wildlife habitat.

In addition, 122 pounds were collected by landowners on their properties and donated to the Division.

“Our collection totals were a little lower this year, but it is not uncommon to have ‘boom and bust’ years for acorn production. We are fortunate to continue to have such a great volunteer turn-out at this event each year and we are pleased with this year’s collection,” said Lynne Staub, Division of Fish and Wildlife coordinator for the event.

“With the assistance of collection day volunteers and donations from landowners, this year’s collection was a success, with a final count totaling 353 pounds of acorns. The acorns will be used in reforestation efforts at the Blackbird Reserve and Cedar Swamp Wildlife Areas. These areas provide valuable habitat – food and shelter – for many native wildlife species,” Staub added.

Volunteers collected acorns from areas at each site where seedlings would not generally be able to grow, including mowed areas along trail edges, open spaces and roadsides. The acorns will be scattered in reforestation areas.

This year marked the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s 7th annual event, with more than 3,713 pounds of acorns collected since Acorn Collection Day was introduced in 2005.

This year’s collection day was made possible by the support of volunteers from throughout the state and by assistance from DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation – Rockford Park and Trap Pond State Park, and DelDOT – Smyrna Rest Area, for the collection sites.

For more information on volunteer opportunities with the Division of Fish and Wildlife, visit www.fw.delaware.gov/volunteers or contact Lynne Staub, 302-735-3600 or Lynne.Staub@state.de.us

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