Winners of the Maryland Hunter Contest Announced
Federalsburg Hunter Wins Grand Prize

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ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Services (WHS) announced today the grand prize winner of a $500 gift certificate and the winners of the free hunting license contest.

Shawna Whitby of Federalsburg was the grand prize winner and the recipient of a $500 gift certificate. Ms. Whitby entered the contest at East Coast Taxidermy in Hurlock and will be using her gift certificate at that location. An additional 36 hunters won a free hunting license for the 2008-2009 hunting season.

Wendy Donahoo president of the Maryland Sportsman’s Association (MSA) drew the name of the grand prize winner at DNR headquarters. Donahoo also announced that her organization will be providing Ms. Whitby a complimentary one year membership to the statewide sportsman’s group. Contacted yesterday by WHS Director Paul Peditto, Whitby and store-owners Jackie and Anthony Truitt were pleased to learn of the local success story.

“Ms. Whitby was absolutely tickled to hear of her good fortune,” said Peditto. “It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person,” added Mr. Truitt of East Coast Taxidermy.

The 2007-2008 Maryland Hunter Contest is a new program co-sponsored by DNR and Quail Unlimited and is designed to encourage hunters to visit local businesses who have served as long-standing hunting and wildlife management partners with DNR. The contest accomplished the multiple objectives of thanking outdoor retailers and hunters for their long-standing support of wildlife management programs in Maryland and reinvigorating some of the camaraderie of the former check-station model.

Junior hunters are reminded to continue to visit one of the participating agents through spring turkey season to receive a personalized junior hunter certificate and to get their picture posted on the WHS website.

For more information about the junior hunter certificate program or to access a complete list of winners, visit www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/winners_md_hunting_license_contest.html

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December 20, 2006

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov