Angell, an avid outdoorsman and high school biology teacher, is no stranger to the contest winner's circle. He has had seven of his photographs in 17 years selected for the poster.

"When you look at his wonderful images of wildlife in our state, it's no wonder," said Jeb Williams, department outreach biologist.

The Watchable Wildlife poster is distributed to advertise the Watchable Wildlife tax checkoff on the state tax form. The checkoff provides additional funding for the program.

Several other place-winners in various contest categories were also recognized. A willet submitted by David Walsh, Minot, and a brown thrasher, also photographed by Angell, placed in the nongame category.

A wild turkey, submitted by Kelly Krabbenhoft, Fargo, and a mule deer by Mike LaLonde, Bismarck, were tapped as the game category winners. Mandan's Sue Bartholowmew's gumbo rose won the plant category, while a katydid, photographed by Lyndon Anderson, Bismarck, won the insect category.

"It's fun, but challenging to pick contest winners each year," Williams said. "Contestants share a slice of outdoor life that helps make North Dakota what it is. We thank them for that."

The winning photographs can be viewed on the department's website, discovernd.com/gnf/, under the North Dakota OUTDOORS magazine January issue. To order a copy of the magazine, send $2 to North Dakota OUTDOORS, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.