WDFW invites youth to participate in firearm safety bookmark design contest

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Master Hunter Advisory Group invites youth to participate in a bookmark design contest that focuses on firearm safety rules.

Youth under age 18 are encouraged to create a bookmark that illustrates one or more of the following key firearm safety rules:

· Treat every firearm as if it's loaded.

· Always point the firearm in a safe direction.

· Be sure of your target and what is behind it.

· Keep your finger outside the trigger guard and off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

"Exposing youth to these four key safety rules will help increase awareness that all firearm incidents can be prevented," said WDFW Hunter Education Division Manager, David Whipple.

The contest has three age groups: age 9 and under, ages 10-14 and ages 15-17.

The official entry template can be found online at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/. Participants should mail their entries to WDFW Volunteer Program Manager, P.O. Box 43139, Olympia, WA 98504. All entries must be postmarked no later than July 8, 2016.

Winners will be announced on National Hunting and Fishing Day, September 24, 2016, and posted to the Hunter Education web page, http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/huntered/. Prizes will be awarded for the first, second and third place bookmark in each age group.