Grand Prize winner “Forest Stage,” awarded to Zack McQueen in the 2025 NWTF Photo Contest
EDGEFIELD, S.C. — Outdoor photography offers hunters and conservationists a way to stay connected to the field long after hunting seasons close. The NWTF celebrates that passion through the annual NWTF Photo Contest, which, for the 2025 contest, saw an overwhelming response to its exciting, multi-category format. More than 250 photographers submitted more than 2,000 photos for consideration. Entries captured everything from strutting toms and rutting deer to soaring eagles, snow-capped peaks, hardwood bottoms and open prairies — all showcasing the excitement and life-changing power of the outdoors.
The Grand Prize, titled “Forest Stage,” was awarded to Zack McQueen, for his exceptional entry that captures an Eastern wild turkey strutting in the leaf litter of the forest as the sun peers through the hardwoods. As a part of the Grand Prize, McQueen will receive a $1,000 cash prize, publication in a special multi-spread feature in an issue of Turkey Call magazine, be showcased at the 2026 NWTF Convention and Sport Show Waterin’ Hole and be highlighted in the NWTF’s online winners’ gallery.
“Being the grand prize winner for the NWTF Photo Contest has been a dream since I picked up a camera five years ago and saw the amazing images on the cover of Turkey Call magazine,” McQueen said. “Every drained battery, every full SD card, every missed opportunity felt like I was working towards something bigger than getting 'The' image to submit to the contest. As I posted my images on social media, I kept getting the same messages: ‘I had no idea turkeys were this beautiful,’ or ‘I always thought of them as an ugly bird.’ So, my goal shifted. I was enjoying giving these birds a personality through videos and images, while giving people a reason to enjoy turkeys. I think photographers are silent conservationists photographing the things we see and giving people a window into a world they don't see, and that creates an interest they hadn't had. So, what does it mean to me to have the Grand Prize winning photo? It means my images are making people happy, interested and curious. It means that Zack five years ago would be so proud of Zack today. I spent a lot of time in snow, rain and the occasional sun last spring just to photograph the wild turkey, and Grand Prize winner or not, I can't wait to do it again this spring.”
Additional winners in each category will also receive a cash prize, be featured in a special photo contest section in Turkey Call magazine and have their work showcased in the NWTF's online winners' gallery.
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