WYOMING — Got a killer shot of a pika? How about a gorgeous still of an Indian paintbrush? The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) wants to see it.
Submissions are now open for WGFD’s annual Wyoming Wildlife Photo Contest. Photographers have until midnight on Nov. 11 to submit their best photos to the agency. Winners can receive cash prizes, vouchers for high-quality photo prints and/or placement on the WGFD website and social media.
Photos will be evaluated in four categories:
- Wildlife: wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and arthropods. Priority will be given to species managed by WGFD.
- Scenic: photos in which landmarks, scenery or inanimate objects are prominent.
- Recreation: people enjoying the outdoors through hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, etc. Priority will be given to those activities that contribute to the Game and Fish mission of “Conserving Wildlife, Serving People.”
- Flora: wildflowers, foliage, fruiting bodies or other parts of plants.
To qualify, photos must have been taken in the state of Wyoming. They also must adhere to the agency’s “ethical photography” guidelines: “This means keeping your distance, respecting animals and habitat, no trespassing and not stopping in areas where it is unsafe or illegal to do so.” WGFD employees are not eligible to compete. Photos that have been previously submitted or published are ineligible. The use of artificial intelligence is prohibited in this contest.
Note that WGFD and Wyoming Wildlife might use submitted photos for future promotional and marketing use.
The above photo was taken by Kirk Shepard, who won second place in the wildlife category of the Wyoming Wildlife 2022 annual photo contest with this photo of a long-tailed weasel taken in Albany County.
Winning entries will be announced in the February 2025 issue of Wyoming Wildlife. Submit photos and learn more on WGFD’s website.
