NEWS
The Australian Deer Association runs three competitions each year to recognise the photography, hunting and literary skills of its members. These competitions run from January to December.
NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
The National Photography Competition includes three sections (Trail Camera Print, Colour Print and Hunter with Trophy). Section winners receive a gift voucher for $150 and an inscribed wall/desk plaque to recognise their photographic skills.
Top quality photography entries featuring live deer may be used as covers of Australian Deer, while other entries are likely to feature in the content pages of the magazine or be used in submissions to government or in other ADA promotions. By supporting the National Photography Competition, members are also supporting the Association in its efforts to protect and promote recreational deer hunting in Australia. ( Note that all entries to the photography competition must now be digital as per the entry form published in each issue of Australian Deer ).
Once again, we received some great entries into the 2025 competition and as is always the case, it was difficult to choose a winner in each section. Thankyou to all those who entered. The winners of the three sections were:
NATIONAL LITERARY AWARD
The National Literary Award is presented for the best story printed in this magazine during the year by a member. The winner receives a gift voucher and an engraved plaque in recognition of their efforts.
Obviously this magazine relies for contributions from a wide range of members and non-members, and the Editorial Panel is grateful for them all. For 2025 the award goes to Ethan McMasters for his story on taking his first fallow buck, published in issue 2.
NATIONAL TROPHY COMPETITION
The National Trophy Competition presents awards to the skilled (or lucky) members who take the highest Douglas scoring trophy of the six deer species running wild in Australia. The top three entries in each trophy section receive an inscribed gold, silver or bronze medallion in recognition of their trophy. Winners of the sambar, fallow and hog deer competitions also receive the prestigious Arthur Bentley Award, the Fraser McLay Award and the Ron Mayze Award respectively.
All trophy photos and score cards are included in the ADA’s Trophy Register that includes thousands of records going back to the Association’s founding in the 1960s. In addition, entries will likely be published as ‘Feature Trophies’ in future editions of Australian Deer while possibly making into our ‘Top 50’ register.
| Name | Branch | Douglas Score |
| Sambar (Arthur Bentley Trophy) ( Two entries) | ||
| 1. Andre Postma | Tasmania | 213 3/8 |
| 2. Ryan Shane | Melbourne | 201 3/8 |
| Red Deer (Two entries) | ||
| 1. Aaron Blanch | New England | 437 1/4 |
| 2. Brett Meldrum | Central West | 333 1/4 |
| Fallow Deer (Frazer McLay Award) (Two entries) | ||
| 1. Matt Dodds | Murray Valley | 256 ½ |
| 2. Sid Wight | South East | 247 3/4 |
| Hog Deer ( Ron Mayze Award ) (One entry) | ||
| 1. Glenn Schofield | Hunter Valley | 99 7/8 |
| Chital (One entry) | ||
| 1. Andrew Saliba | Murray Valley | 199 1/8 |
| Rusa (One entry) | ||
| 1. Andrew Saliba | Murray Valley | 230 1/8 |
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