The Maine Sportsman is offering a great opportunity for kids to write their outdoor stories and I hope you’ll encourage kids to do this.

Here’s the announcement from Will Lund, TMS Editor.

“The February issue of The Maine Sportsman will include a notice announcing our first annual youth writing contest. I have narrowed the subject matter focus — emphasizing fishing and hunting — and limited submissions to nonfiction and essay pieces (no poetry or fiction), in an effort to keep it manageable.    Please help me publicize this event — tell your kids, your grandkids and your area schools and libraries.”

Here’s the details kids will need to know.

First Annual Maine Sportsman Youth Writing Contest

          The contest opens February 1, 2019, and closes May 15, 2019.

          The contest is open to boys and girls in New England, in grades 6 – 12.

          The written entries should be no longer than 500 words, and must relate to one of the following outdoor topics: fishing; hunting (including sporting dogs); sporting firearms; snowmobiling; ATVing; trapping; boating or canoeing; taxidermy; conservation; or archery.

          Submissions must consist of non-fiction narratives or essays – there is no poetry division in this contest, and no fiction division.

          Submissions must be original works, and must have been written within the past year.

          Submissions from students in grades 6 – 8 will be entered in the Junior Division; grades 9 – 12 will be entered in the Senior Division.

Winners will receive the following cash awards:

·        Junior Maine winner: $100

·        Senior Maine winner: $100

·        Junior New England winner: $100

·        Senior New England winner: $100

          Additional prizes or recognitions may be awarded.

          Winning submissions, and selected additional submissions, will be published in The Maine Sportsman magazine.

          Submit entries in an email or as an attachment to an email. Send entries to Will Lund, editor, The Maine Sportsman, at Will@MaineSportsman.com, and include the words “Youth Writing Contest” and the writer’s last name in the email caption.

  Include your contact information, age, your age and your grade in school, the name of your parent or guardian, and the name of your English or writing teacher. Submissions can also be made through your parents or schools.

          You will receive an acknowledgment that your submission has been received.

          Questions? Contact the editor at Will@MaineSportsman.com.

          Good luck to all contestants!