Masterpiece!

By Lia Dangelico, Editorial Assistant, E-Media

The results of the NRA's 23rd Annual George Montgomery/Youth Wildlife Art Contest are in—and you won't believe your eyes.

As much as we'd like to, we can't spend all of our time outside. School, chores, friends, family and much more keep us from the woods and fields that we love. But students all across the country have found a way to keep their love of wildlife alive even when they can't make it out to hunt or hike—through art.

That passion is celebrated with the NRA's 23rd Annual George Montgomery/NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest. The contest accepts artwork depicting game birds or animals that can be legally hunted or trapped in North America from student artists in grades 1 through 12.

This year's entries aren't just your average backyard deer or bird, either: buffalo, armadillo, elk, bears and boars leap from the pages in all different shapes, sizes and colors. A wood duck, painstakingly executed entirely from duct tape, could have just settled into your decoy setup. A quick glance at a regal gray wolf drawn in pencil transports you to a snowy field as a pack of them prance and play in the early morning. Many of these animals are so lifelike, you'll feel like you are spending a day in the woods, even if you are really just cleaning your room.

Entries are placed into one of four categories, based on the school grade of the artist, and are judged on effort, creativity, anatomical accuracy and composition. The winners in each category receive $750 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third. This year, a $1,000 Best in Show prize was also awarded to one lucky contestant.

Due to a dynamic partnership with the George Montgomery Foundation, this year the contest was able to expand and reach more students than ever before. Almost 1,200 entries were submitted, breaking all previous contest records.

For more information on the contest, visit www.nrahq.org/youth/wildlife.asp. Questions may be directed to (703) 267-1588 or artcontest@nrahq.org.