From a NC Wildlife Resources Press Release-

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will hold the eighth annual Wildlife in North Carolina photo competition, with entries accepted from June 1 until Sept. 1, 2012.

This year, rules require entrants to be either a current magazine subscriber or younger than 18.

“Last year, nearly 1,000 photographers entered more than 4,000 outdoor images,” said Jim Wilson, editor of Wildlife in North Carolina. “To have the budget to hold such a large-scale photo competition necessitated implementing the new entry policy. Considering a one-year subscription is only $12, entering the competition is still quite reasonable.”

Photos will be judged in 10 categories:

* Birds
* Mammals
* Reptiles and Amphibians
* Invertebrates
* Wild Landscapes
* Youth Photographer, 12 and younger
* Youth Photographer, 13-17
* Wild Plants
* Outdoor Recreation
* Animal Behavior

Entries will be judged by a panel composed of staff from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, Museum of Natural Sciences and N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. All winners will be published in the January/February 2013 issue, with the grand prize image appearing on the cover. Winning photographs will be exhibited at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh and at other science museums and wildlife education centers across the state.

The grand prize winner also receives $200. Other prizes include:

* First place, all categories, $100.
* Second place, all categories, $75.
* Third place, all categories, $50.

JW Photo Labs of Raleigh is sponsoring the statewide exhibits of winning photographs. Competition partners are UNC-TV and the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation. Corporate co-sponsor is the Great Outdoor Provision Co.

All photos must be entered electronically; no slides, negatives or prints will be accepted by mail.

Readers of Wildlife in North Carolina magazine enjoy exceptional color photography and great articles on hunting, fishing, natural areas, conservation and wildlife in every issue. Subscribers also receive special spring and fall outdoor guides, with the latest hunting, fishing and outdoors information. One-year subscriptions are $12 and three-year subscriptions are $30, which makes it a bargain and great gift idea. Subscription information can be found on the Commission’s website at http://www.ncwildstore.com/magazine.html.