Sierra Sportsmen Network is holding a fishing and hunting photo contest in celebration of the launch of its new website, www.sierrasportsmen.org. Winners will receive a $500 gift certificate to Patagonia or Bass Pro Shops. The contest will be judged by prominent representatives of Boone & Club, Field & Stream Magazine, National Geographic, Sierra Club, the Orion Institute, the National Wildlife Federation, Save our Wild Salmon, and the Federation of Fly Fishers.

Sierra Club is trying to reach out to more anglers and hunters. Sportsmen have been involved in conservation efforts since the Club was founded more than one hundred years ago. With 20% of Sierra Club members fishing and hunting, they realize that conservation has a big role to play in terms of maintaining wildlife populations and habitat. Sierra Sportsmen’s hope is that the new site will serve as a hub for hunters and anglers, allowing them to reach across state lines, transcend geographical barriers and connect with each other, find out about conservation issues that affect them, help pass on outdoor traditions to the next generation, restore local streams, protect game habitat, and fight global warming.

The site includes interviews with prominent figures in the outdoor movement such as President Lowell Baier of the Boone & Crockett Club, as well as conservation updates, and opportunities for sportsmen to take action on issues that affect us all. Members of the Sierra Sportsmen Network can stay updated on the latest in outdoor news through Schwedler’s “Greenneck” blog. So sign up and enjoy all the benefits Sierra Sportsmen has to offer.

PHOTOGRAPHY RULES

Got a great fishing or hunting photo? Time to cash it in for a $500 gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops or Patagonia! We’re looking for photos that capture your passion and respect for the people, places, and critters we love to share our outdoor experiences with!

Here are the categories:

1. Best Kid’s Fishing ($500 Bass Pro Shop prize)
2. Best Kid’s Hunting ($500 Patagonia prize)
3. Best Adult’s Fishing ($500 Bass Pro Shop prize)
4. Best Adult’s Hunting ($500 Patagonia prize)

HOW TO ENTER: To submit a photo for the contest, go to www.flickr.com, upload your photo, and tag it with “sierrasportsmencontest”. Your photo will then be placed into a gallery of other submitted photos. Final day to submit photos is May 31, 2008.

Contest winners will be determined in a two-step process:

1. A group of prominent sportsmen will judge your photo, and pass their 12 favorites along to the finalists category.
2. Members of the Sierra Sportsmen Network will vote for the winners among 12 finalists June 9th-13th, 2008.

Photo contest winners will be announced online and through email June 16, 2008.

HOW TO VOTE: To sign-up to vote, join the Sierra Sportsmen Network. Only members of the Sierra Sportsmen Network will be able to vote for a contest winner (you may vote for yourself!)– so make sure you sign-up!