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The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is offering several prizes to Oklahoma students ages 11-17 and to Oklahoma educators in two different creative writing contests sponsored by Oklahoma Station Chapter-Safari Club International and the ODWC.

The contest is divided into two categories; ages 11-14 and ages 15-17. Each category will have a male and female winner. Students must be enrolled in school or home-schooled, and must have completed the Oklahoma Hunter Education course by November 13.

An essay or short story may be submitted. The writer may choose either of two themes: “Hunting: Sharing the Heritage” or “Archery: What I Like About Archery in the Schools and Bow-hunting.” Each entry must be submitted with an entry form.

In the ages 11-14 category, the winners will get a hunting trip at the Chain Ranch and receive a scholarship to the Outdoor Texas Camp for hunting during summer 2018. Oklahoma Station Chapter-Safari Club International will reimburse the winners travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per winner.

In the ages 15-17 category, the winners will go on a guided antelope hunt in the Texas Panhandle in the 2018 hunting season. Oklahoma Station-Safari Club International will reimburse travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per winner. This trip is subject to change based on Texas hunting rules.

The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March 2018. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. The four state winners’ entries will be printed in the Oklahoma Station Chapter-Safari Club International newsletter “Safari Trails” in December. Printing makes the essays eligible for consideration in the Outdoor Writers Association of America Youth Writing Contest. Essays may also be printed in Outdoor Oklahoma, the official magazine of the Wildlife Department.

Two educators will be awarded a scholarship as well, to an eight-day conservation education school at Safari Club International’s American Wilderness Leadership School at Granite Ranch near Jackson, Wyoming. Lodging, meals and training materials will be provided by Oklahoma Station Chapter-Safari Club International. Transportation to Wyoming will be covered by the Oklahoma Wildlife Department.

Educators must fill out an entry form and write an essay of 500-1,000 words on “Why Wildlife Conservation is Important.” Other judged criteria include training received in conservation education or environmental education programs, current programs the educator is conducting in the school and community, and past programs. Teachers of state winners in the youth essay contest will receive priority consideration.

All entries are due by November 13.

For full rules and entry form for educators, click here.

For full rules and entry form for students, click here.