Six photographs were awarded prizes by both a jury and the public during the Hunting Exhibition and Deer Gathering organized in April by the FDC 36 and ADCGG 36. The prestigious wildlife photography contest featured three distinct themes for 2025: "Life in the Forest Pond" (all life forms living in forest ponds), "Animal Fights" (all wild animals combined), and "In the Arms of Morpheus" (wild animals at rest).
The competition, which has become a cornerstone event of the annual exhibition, operates on a unique dual-award system. Two prizes are awarded each year for each theme - one selected by a professional jury and another chosen by public vote during the exhibition where the photographs are displayed. This democratic approach ensures both expert recognition and popular appeal are celebrated.
Dominique Crouzy claimed the jury's first prize for the "In the Arms of Morpheus" theme, capturing wild animals in peaceful repose. Meanwhile, Jack Hommet secured the public's first prize in the same category, demonstrating the diverse perspectives between professional judges and general audiences. In the "Animal Fights" category, Anibal received the public's first prize for his dynamic capture of wildlife combat, while Anthony Couture earned the jury's recognition for his compelling image in the same theme.
François Barniers achieved a remarkable double victory in the "Life in the Forest Pond" category, winning both the jury's first prize and the public's first prize for his exceptional photographs showcasing the diverse ecosystem of forest water bodies. His success highlights the technical skill and artistic vision required to excel in nature photography.
The contest welcomes participants from all backgrounds - amateurs, hunters, non-hunters, adults, and minors alike. For those interested in participating in the upcoming competition, submissions must be delivered to the Federation headquarters at 46, boulevard du Moulin-Neuf in Châteauroux. Each participant may submit a maximum of two photographs per theme in 20 x 30 format, mounted under glass with hanging hardware, before the April 7, 2026 deadline.
The photographs will be exhibited during the 16th edition of the Hunting Exhibition and the 24th Deer Gathering, scheduled for April 11-12, 2026, at the Belle-Île Exhibition Hall. The 2026 contest will feature two new themes: "Moments of Tenderness" (tender moments between mothers and young or between adults outside of rutting season) and "Animals in Numbers" (exclusively mammals, herds of deer or roe deer, groups of wild boars), with more than three animals required in each photograph. Each participant may submit two photographs per theme for the upcoming competition.
