Attention all hunters! We're pleased to announce the return of our ‘Project Hunt’ contest, which offers hunters across the United States the chance to have their next hunt filmed by a professional and shared across Leupold’s digital media platforms.

You plan the hunt; you call the shots–our videographer/photographer will be with you the whole way to capture the story. In addition to having your hunt filmed, the grand prize winner will also receive a complete Leupold optics kit and an annual GOHUNT Insider membership. The 2023 entry period runs from May 18 through June 18.

To ensure you have everything you need to make your application stand out from the crowd, we've put together a list of five essential tips for submitting a worthy Project Hunt entry.

The first step in submitting a successful application is providing accurate contact information. Double-check that your full name, email address, phone number, and mailing address are all correct. We want to make sure we can reach you if your application is selected. 

A well-thought-out hunting plan is crucial to a winning application. We need to know as many details as possible. When describing your plan, consider the following: 

• The tag you drew, the species it's for, and the weapon you will use
• The area you’ll be hunting, and any unit/private land boundaries (we need to know this for film permit purposes)
• Your lodging, camp, or backcountry setup
• Any local and state regulations 

To aid in your planning efforts, GOHUNT created a brand new tool for Insiders called Hunt Planner. This tool will help you be more efficient at planning and keep you organized. Check it out here.

One of the key aspects of your application is the written text. This is what we read first, so it needs to be gripping, precise, and to the point. To make your submission as strong as possible: 

• Be specific: Clearly describe yourself and the details of your hunt. This will help us understand the context of your adventure.
• Share your passion: Tell us why you're passionate about this particular hunt and what makes it special to you.
• Highlight unique elements: Emphasize any unique aspects of your story, such as overcoming challenges, a family tradition, or a personal connection to the hunting grounds.

A two-minute video submission is required as a part of your application. Use it to showcase your personality and convince us that you're the perfect choice for Project Hunt. To create a compelling video:

• Be natural: Speak in a conversational tone, as if you're explaining your story to a friend. 
• Be engaging: Maintain eye contact with the camera and use body language to express your enthusiasm. 
• Be concise: Stick to the most important points of your story and avoid rambling.

ADDITIONAL TIP:  Since you cannot upload your video directly into the application, you will need to host it somewhere else and send us the link to watch it. Uploading your video to Youtube, Vimeo, Facebook, Instagram or even Google Drive/Dropbox are all great options. Just ensure that the link to the video is public (or unlisted), not private. If we aren't able to view your video submission, your application is void.

Before you hit "apply" take some time to review your entire application. Check for any errors, and ensure your written narrative and video align. A polished, well-presented application not only looks professional but also shows us that you're serious about being a part of Project Hunt.

With these five tips in mind, you're well on your way to crafting an outstanding application. Remember, we're looking for US residents and US hunts only, and all applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Applications must be submitted online at Leupold.com/ProjectHunt and will be judged based on hunt plans, story, and on-camera personality. We can't wait to hear your unique hunting story and potentially feature you in this year’s Project Hunt. Good luck!