A smartphone snapping a photo of a bright yellow flower in a grassy field

Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Necedah offers two year-round photo blinds, one on Boghaunter Trail and one on Lupine Loop to take photos from. Look up and down while hiking, photography opportunities in nature are all around you!

2023 Taken On the Refuge Photo Contest

Has your breath ever been taken away at Necedah National Wildlife Refuge? Snap a photo of that moment! Show us what you think is breathtaking, amazing, inspiring, joyful, calming, and serene about the refuge.

Categories 
Fall trees illuminated by sunlight
Image Details
  • Wildlife
  • Landscapes
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Plants/Plant-like Organisms
  • Special Assignment: Butterflies, Damselflies or Dragonflies
  • Special Assignment: Water or Underwater

How to Enter Photo Contest

  1. Choose up to 12 (for 2023) high resolution photos that were taken at the refuge. Maximum three photos per category. 
  2. Email entries in to necedah@fws.gov. Subject line should read “Photo Contest". One photo per email sends the best. Please title each photo and note its category.
  3. Send in entries anytime before September 1st.
  4. You will receive a follow up email with contest information and a photo release form to complete and return for each submission.
Butterfly on purple flowers
Image Details

Rules & Regulations

  1. Photos must be taken On the Refuge
  2. Contest is open to all Amateur Photographers of all ages. A professional photographer is considered to be one who has clients, depends on photography for their income, markets their services and/or writes off their expenses as a business owner. 
  3. Submissions can be emailed or printed 5x7 photos can be mailed.
  4. Up to 12 entries (total) per person may be submitted – no more than three per category.
  5. Send photos in highest resolution possible. It may be best to send one photo at a time. You will receive a confirmation email if your submission has been received.
  6.  Photos are allowed to be enhanced (brightness, sharpness, vibrancy, filter, black and white etc.) but may not photo shop elements that were not originally captured.
  7. All entries will be retained by the refuge and may be used for a variety of reasons including but not limited to publications, webpages, and presentations.
  8. Anyone whose photo has been disqualified will be notified before voting begins.
  9. Submissions must be emailed to Necedah@fws.gov. Prints can be mailed to Necedah NWR, Attn: Photo Contest, N11385 Headquarters Road, Necedah, WI 54646
  10. All entries must be sent by September 1.