Literary Competition Overview
The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association is dedicated to promoting and preserving the hunting heritage of our great country. And one of the ways we do this is through our annual literary competitions.
Whether you're a seasoned writer or a beginner, we invite you to enter one or all of our national literary competition categories:
1. The Philip Holden Trophy for hunting stories or articles
2. The Tony Orman Trophy for cameos
3. The Halcyon Publishing Trophy for hunting-themed poetry.
Not only is this a great opportunity to showcase your writing talents, but you'll also have the chance to win prestigious trophies and a range of hunting gear to take with you on your next adventure.
So why not share your hunting experiences and observations with the hunting community? We want to hear your stories and poems that capture the spirit of the hunt and celebrate our shared passion for the great outdoors.
We look forward to reading your entries and celebrating the winners at our annual awards ceremony every year.
Best of luck to all entrants!
Enter and Be In To Win With Hunting and Wildlife
We have an annual subscription to our very own Hunting & Wildlife magazine up for grabs. Simply enter any or all of our literary categories, and you'll go in the draw.
There are 4 issues annually, aligned with the change of season. This New Zealand hunting magazine brings you some of the best hunting stories from our community, informative articles, and promotions from your favourite gear suppliers.
Most importantly, the magazine supports the critical work that the NZDA does on behalf of all hunters.
2024 Entry Forms
All entries must be received by 5pm, Friday 28th June 2024
You can find a copy of the Competition Rules here.
Download 2024 Entry Forms by clicking the links below:
Photographic & Film Entry Form
Young Deerstalker Entry Form (must be submitted by your committee)
All physical forms are to be emailed to office@deerstalkers.org.nz or posted to:
PO Box 12015, Thorndon Wellington 6144
ATTN: NZDA National Competitions
AHT heads are to be posted to the address provided on the AHT Entry Form above.
To see more about our other competitions, head to the competition overview page.
Competition Category Details
Want to know a bit more about the categories up for entry? Click through to learn more.
Philip Holden Trophy - Story
Are you a hunter with a story to tell? The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association invites you to enter the Philip Holden Trophy, a literary competition for the best hunting story or article of interest to stalkers. There is no restriction on the year or locality of your trip, so whether you have a recent tale to share or a classic story from your past, we want to hear it!
Your entry should be approximately 1500 words or more, and should showcase your skills as a storyteller and your passion for hunting. The winner will receive the prestigious Philip Holden Trophy, as well as a range of hunting gear to help them on their next hunting trip.
So why not dust off your keyboard and start writing? Share your experiences with the hunting community and be in the running for this prestigious award.
Tony Orman Trophy - Cameos
Have you ever had a wildlife encounter that left a lasting impression? Or a hunting trip that you'll never forget? The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association wants to hear your stories! Enter the Tony Orman Trophy, a literary competition for cameos of up to 1500 words.
Your entry could be an observation of wildlife behavior, a reflection on the hunting experience, or any other story that showcases your love of the outdoors. The winner will receive the Tony Orman Trophy, as well as a range of hunting gear to help them on their next adventure.
Don't let your stories go untold! Share them with the hunting community and be in the running for this prestigious award.
Halcyon Publishing Trophy - Poetry
Are you a poet with a love of the great outdoors? The New Zealand Deerstalkers Association invites you to enter the Halcyon Publishing Trophy, a literary competition for the best hunting-themed poem. There is no restriction on the length of your poem, so whether you prefer short and sweet or long and epic, we want to see your work!
Your poem should capture the spirit of the hunt and showcase your creativity and skill as a poet. The winner will receive the Halcyon Publishing Trophy, as well as a range of hunting gear to help them on their next hunting trip.
So why not put pen to paper and start crafting your masterpiece? Share your love of hunting and poetry with the world and be in the running for this prestigious award.
2025 Competition
To be announced in May 2025.