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To report technical problems or to ask questions about submitting entries, please email [email protected]. Phone calls will not be returned.
 
Eligibility

This contest is for images of Arizona wildlife. All photos must depict wildlife native to and found in Arizona, and all photos must have been taken in Arizona settings.

  • As defined in Arizona statute, the term “wildlife” does NOT include insects, including dragonflies, butterflies, scorpions or arachnids.
  • Photos of pets, livestock, horses or burros are NOT eligible.
  • Photos that include people or recognizably man-made objects including roads, power lines, fence posts, bird feeders, artificial water supplies and bird bands are NOT eligible.
  • Foliage, plants, and/or habitat should be native to Arizona.

Images of captive animals photographed in game farms or roadside zoos, or animals from these facilities photographed elsewhere with a handler’s control, will be disqualified. Captive animals photographed in major zoos, wildlife research facilities, or rehabilitation centers are permitted if the location is identified. The other elements of the photo must not be identifiably manmade.

In order not to encourage behavior that may disturb wildlife, photos of baby birds in a nest, or of baby elk, deer, or pronghorn bedded down will not be accepted. Photos of federally listed species will not be accepted unless it is clear that the animal wasn't manipulated to get the shot.
 

Submissions and Format

All images must be submitted through Arizona Highways’ digital platform.

Format: Images must be in RGB color format, horizontal, 300 dots per inch, 8 bit, and at least 9x12 inches when printed at 300 dpi. The pixel width should be 3600 and pixel height should be 2700. Images that do not meet these requirements may be disqualified. Please note that these dimensions will be used to prepare final winning images for publication, and some cropping may be done at the sponsor’s discretion.

To capture the required high-resolution image, set your camera at the highest level of quality possible; on some cameras, this setting is called “super fine.” Read the owner’s manual for instructions. This setting will create big files (meaning fewer pictures will fit on each memory card).

Images in which content has been altered will not be accepted, nor will photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization. Do not add signatures or watermarks to photos.

Note about smartphones: Even at actual size, photos from a typical smartphone are 10.8x8.1 inches at 300 dpi, which is too small to qualify for this contest.
 

Entry Procedure

1. Each contestant may submit a maximum of three (3) entries.
2. Each submission must contain the following:

  • Name of photographer (how you would like your name published)
  • Mailing address (good through December 2023)
  • Email address
  • Telephone number (good through December 2023)
  • Species/location for every photo
  • Technical metadata for each image
     
Prizes

Eleven first-place awards will be given, plus one “Best in Show” for the cover photo. There is a limit of one winning photo per photographer. All winners receive cash prizes and complimentary copies of the calendar issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine. No prize transfer, assignment, or substitution by winners is permitted. Winners will be notified via email. Winners are required to register with the Arizona Procurement Portal in order to receive a cash prize. Any winner who fails to register in a timely manner will not receive a cash prize, but the photo will still be published with credit.

Honorable mention will also be given to photos of particular merit. All honorable mention photographers receive complimentary copies of the calendar issue of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine.

The names of winning photographers and those selected for honorable mention will be posted on www.azgfd.gov/photocontest and provided to the media.
 

Judging

Entries are judged separately and anonymously — there is no personal information included with them during the judging process. Decisions of the judges are final and binding.

Entries are judged on the basis of:

  • creativity
  • photographic quality
  • composition
  • effectiveness in conveying the unique character of the subject

Entries subject to disqualification:

  • photos too small (follow format above)
  • photos of insects, livestock, wildlife not native to Arizona
  • photos depicting: fences, hummingbird feeders, people
  • wildlife not clear or close enough
  • photos that have been digitally altered beyond standard optimization or have a watermark/signature
     
Deadline and Proof of Submission

The deadline for receipt of entries is 5 p.m. (MST) Aug. 11 2023. Entries received after this deadline will be disqualified.
 

Winners

Winners’ names will be posted online at www.azgfd.gov/photocontest and arizonahighways.com/photography/photo-contest after Nov. 1, 2023.
 

Rights and Permissions

Photographers retain copyright to their submitted photographs. By submitting one or more entries, contestants agree that, if selected as a winner or for honorable mention, the photo can be published with photographer credit in the calendar issue of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s magazine, Arizona Wildlife Views. Winning and honorable mention photos also may be used in promotions of Arizona Wildlife Views magazine and the calendar photo contest, including, but not limited to on the department’s website; in Arizona Game and Fish newsletters; on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts; or publication in the form of slides on television or in videos. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will not use any submitted photos in any other way or for any other purpose without permission and agreed-upon compensation. Winning and honorable mention photos may also be used in future issues of Arizona Highways magazine, as well as in promotions for Arizona Highways magazine, including but not limited to on the Arizona Highways magazine website; on cover wraps; and on Arizona Highways’ social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, with complete credit given to the photographer. Arizona Highways also will not use any submitted photos in any other way or for any other purpose without permission and agreed-upon compensation.

The Sponsor reserves the right to verify the validity and originality of any entry and/or entrant (including an entrant's identity and address) and to disqualify any entrant who submits an entry that is not in accordance with these Official Rules or who tampers with the entry process.