The Vermont Big Game Trophy Club and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reminds youth hunters they are still seeking submissions for the second annual Youth Hunting Memories Contest.

Vermont is encouraging young hunters to submit a short essay and photo, if available, that describes their experience this year. Criteria that will be judged include: ethics, landowner relations, appreciation of wildlife, respect for our hunting heritage, and family values. The top entry from each county will win a special prize from the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.

Agency Secretary Jonathan Wood and Commissioner Wayne Laroche will assist members of the Vermont Big Game Trophy Club, University of Vermont 4-H Shooting Sports and Fish & Wildlife staff with selecting the winners. Winners will be announced at the Yankee Sportsman Classic on January 17, 2009 in Essex.

In addition, the top five entries will compete for an "Archery Only" hunt for two, parent and child (or mentor and child), at Antelope Outfitters in Torrington,Wyoming. The runner-up winner will receive a two-day hare hunt at Pine Grove Lodge in Pleasant Ridge, Maine. Hunt winners will be responsible for travel expenses and license and tag fees. Hunt winners must have successfully passed a hunter education course, and the archery winner must be able to draw a 35lb bow. Antelope Outfitters will select the archery hunt winners.

The hunt winners will be announced at the Vermont Big Game Trophy Club Awards Banquet on April 4, 2009. The Vermont Big Game Trophy Club is committed to the conservation of Vermont's Big Game and the preservation of our hunting heritage. This is being accomplished through partnerships with various conservation groups and by providing scholarships to Vermont youths who wish to attend the Green Mountain Conservation Camp administered by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. For more information, visit: http://vermontbiggametrophyclub.com.

Submissions cannot be returned. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and Vermont Big Game Trophy Club reserve the right to publish photos and essays, and omit submissions that might be offensive due to excessive amounts of blood or damage to the animal being photographed. Submissions must include the hunter's first and last names, address, age, telephone number, and location of hunt.

The contest is open to Vermont hunters aged 16 and younger. Submissions must be received by December 19, 2008 by 4:30 pm.

Email submissions to Ann.Shangraw@state.vt.us or mail to:

2008 Youth Hunting Memories Contest
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department
103 South Main St., Bldg 10 South
Waterbury, VT 05671-0501.

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Predator Hunting on the Manitoba Prairie
As a young lad growing up in any rural area can tell you, predators are a part of life, whether you like it or not. I was introduced to a form of predator control at an early age, my father always used to run a small trap line, nothing special, just a bunch of snares and a few foot traps set out on only the most popularly used predator trails. My old man was always on the lookout for a new spot to set up traps and was usually right on the money when he returned to see if his hunch was correct. His personal best was 8 coyotes and one red fox, which he managed to collect during a 2 - day period about 20 years ago, it seems the tradition is bred into our heritage. This is the story of how my brothers and I tied my dad's personal best.