Young hunters ages 12 to 16 from throughout Pennsylvania are reminded all entries for the Game Commission's Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest must be postmarked no later than October 31.

The theme for this year's contest is: "How Can the Game Commission and I Work Together for Wildlife?"

The prize list features the grand-prize winner receiving a scholarship to the Safari Club International's Apprentice Hunter Program at the Indianhead Ranch in Del Rio, Texas, during the summer of 2009. The scholarship is provided by the Pennsylvania chapters of Safari Club International (SCI).

The grand-prize winning essay also will be published in the agency's Pennsylvania Game News magazine. Previous grand-prize winners will not be eligible for this year's grand prize.

The first-prize winner will receive a $500 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card; second prize will receive a $300 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card; and the third-prize winner will receive a $200 Dick's Sporting Goods gift card. The fourth-prize winner will receive a Sightron Model S2 10x50 binocular. All entries receive a Game Commission "Working Together for Wildlife" embroidered patch.

Entrants must be Pennsylvania residents, have successfully completed an accredited hunter-trapper education course and possess a current hunting or furtaker license.

Entries must include: full name; mailing address with zip code; telephone number and area code; year, state and county where hunter-trapper education course was successfully completed; current hunting or furtaker license number; and age and date of birth.

Essays must be printed or typed, double-spaced and contain no more than 300 words. Mail entries directly to: Game Commission, Hunter Education Youth Essay Contest, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

10/17/2008