3rd Annual Maryland Hunter Contest Begins November 29

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Annapolis, Md. — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages hunters to enter the 2008 Maryland Hunter Contest, where participants can win a complimentary 2009-2010 hunting license and the grand prize winner will receive a $500 gift certificate.

The 2008 Maryland Hunter Contest runs from Nov. 29, 2008 through Jan. 10, 2009. Contestants may visit participating stores to complete a contest entry card. After January 10, one winner will be randomly selected from each location to receive a complimentary Maryland hunting license for the 2009-2010 hunting season. Those winners will then be entered into the statewide grand prize drawing for the $500 gift certificate donated by the Maryland Sportsman’s Association. The statewide grand prize drawing will take place in late January.

“We encourage hunters to visit the many local businesses who have served as long-standing hunting and wildlife management partners with DNR,” said Bob Beyer, Associate Director for DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service. “The contest aims to thank outdoor retailers and hunters for their long-standing support of wildlife management programs in Maryland.”

Last year’s grand prize winner was Brian Harvey who entered the contest at S&S Market in Accident, Md. An additional 38 hunters won a free hunting license for the 2008-2009 hunting season.

For more information and a list of participating businesses, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/Junior_Hunter_Agents.pdf.

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November 17, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov.