Western Oklahoma photography contest open; winner to be displayed at Wildlife Expo

            This year’s Oklahoma Wildlife Expo will include something for every kind of outdoorsman, including photographers hoping to showcase their work.
            The Oklahoma Wildlife and Prairie Heritage Alliance is currently accepting entries for the Great Plains Trail Photography Contest, and the winning photo will be displayed at the Wildlife Expo Sept. 25-27 at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Judging for the contest will take place at the Washita Battlefield National Historic Site in Cheyenne, which will be accepting entries through Aug. 10.
            Submissions should depict the unique attractions, landscapes, wildlife, and wildflowers found across portions of the Great Plains Trail of western Oklahoma.
            “The Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma is a road-based wildlife viewing trail that takes visitors into some of the most unique landscapes in Oklahoma,” said Melynda Hickman, wildlife diversity biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, a primary partner in the Great Plains Trail project. “Unique wildlife species such as the Texas horned lizard, American pronghorn, prairie dogs and American avocets are just a few of the many wildlife species that can be seen while driving the loops of the Trail.”
            The Great Plains Trail of Oklahoma explores a significant portion of the state located west of HWY 81. Full details on the Great Plains Trail, including different routes, maps and local amenities along the trail can be found by logging on greatplainstrail.com.
            To enter the contest, applicants must mail or deliver their submissions and an official entry form to Washita Battlefield Historic Site, Rt. 1 Box 55a Cheyenne, OK 73628. Contest entry forms and rules can be found online at owpha.org.
            The Oklahoma Wildlife Expo, hosted by the Wildlife Department, is Oklahoma’s largest outdoor recreation event, offering guests the chance to shoot shotguns and archery equipment, ride mountain bikes and ATVs, catch fish in a fully-stocked pond, experience kayaking, attend seminars and even sample wild game and camp cooking for free. The Wildlife Department partners with a wide range of other state agencies, private individuals and outdoor-related companies to host Expo. The event is designed to provide hands-on learning opportunities for all types of outdoor enthusiasts while promoting and instilling an appreciation for Oklahoma's wildlife and natural resources.
            Whether catching a fish for the first time or building a bird house to take home with them for free, visitors to the Expo get the chance to soak up a full weekend of free outdoor knowledge, skills and experiences as hundreds of volunteers and Wildlife Department employees work to keep the event exciting, educational and entertaining.
            “If you want to try over a hundred outdoor activities, then be at this year's wildlife Expo Sept. 25-27,” said country music star and outdoorsman Blake Shelton of Ada, who has made an appearance at the Expo in the past. “If you love to hunt and fish like I do, then take someone to this year’s Wildlife Expo.”
            The Wildlife Expo will be held at the Lazy E Arena, just north of Oklahoma City. Expo hours will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Sept. 25-27. Log on to wildlifedepartment.com regularly to stay up to date on this year’s Expo activities.
            This year’s Expo will again feature “School Day” Sept. 25, when busloads of school students from across the state will arrive and enjoy a day at the event. Educators interested in planning a trip to the Wildlife Expo with their students this year should call (918) 299-2334 for more information.