For Immediate Release                                                                           Contact: Christopher Borek
 Friday, September 24, 2021                                                                845.291.3276, 845.238.4245c

District Attorney David Hoovler Announces the First Orange 

County District Attorney’s Office Youth Big Game Contest

“Enjoy the Great Outdoors, Not Drugs”

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced on the Friday before September 25, 2021, which is National Hunting and Fishing Day, the launch of the first District Attorney’s Office Youth Big Game Contest. The contest is free and will run from October 1, 2021, through December 12, 2021, and is open to children who are properly licensed hunters between the ages of twelve and seventeen years old who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents. Valid entries to the contest can be made during any big game season in either the Northern or Southern zone open during this period. All entries must be received by December 12, 2021, at 7PM.

Hunting teaches many life lessons, such as patience and how to deal with success and failure. Several U.S. presidents most notably Theodore Roosevelt were accomplished hunters and used hunting to relax from the stress and responsibilities of their office. Participants will also learn to enjoy and respect nature and, by spending more time with family and friends, will alleviate some of the boredom and anxiety caused by the COVID-19 crisis. It is that boredom and anxiety that has led so many of our young people to turn to drug use or gang activity. Sports and other worthwhile activities can help deter young people from those bad choices. This contest will encourage our young people to go hunting and enjoy the outdoors and nature when so many other sports might be curtailed due to COVID-19. 

The Youth Big Game Contest is part of District Attorney Hoovler’s community outreach program for Orange County.  Any animal entered in the contest, big or small, has an equal chance to win a prize. 

CONTEST RULES: Entry into the Youth Big Game Contest is free. All bear and deer entered into the contest must be legally taken in New York State. Contestants must adhere to all current New York State hunting regulations. To enter, email a photo of the contestant with the bear or deer, and the child’s first name and an adult contact phone number to dabiggamecontest@gmail.com. Each hunter contestant can enter one bear, one buck deer and one doe deer during the contest, to have multiple chances to win. Winners will be drawn at random from all entries received during the contest dates. Three prizes will be awarded. One for a bear, one for a buck and one for a doe. All photos entered in the Youth Big Game Contest become the property of the contest.

PRIZE PACKAGE: A fifty-dollar gift card will be given to each winner by the District Attorneys office at the end of the contest. 

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler reminds all hunters to always hunt with safety in mind every time you are in the field.  “Always positively identify your target and what is beyond it before you shoot,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “Obey the game laws and wear hunter orange so you are not mistaken for game.  Never hunt under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  On this National Hunting and Fishing Day, I wish you a safe and successful hunting season and hope that you enjoy our great outdoors with your family and friends in a way that will make cherished memories that will last for years to come.”