An acrylic painting of three Canada Geese by artist James Hautman, of Chaska, Minnesota, took top honors at the 2016 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, held September 9 and 10, 2016 at the Academy of Natural Sciences, in Philadelphia.

Hautman’s painting will be made into the 2017-18 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2017.

This is Hautman’s fifth Duck Stamp win, tying him with his brother Joseph, whose art appears on the 2016-17 stamp. James Hautman’s art previously appeared on the 1991-92, 1995-96, 1999-2000, and 2011-12 stamps.

Rebekah Knight, of Appleton City, Missouri, placed second with an acrylic painting of a single Brant. She had previously won the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest. Her Redhead appeared on the 2006-07 Junior stamp. Third place was taken by Robert Hautman, of Delano, Minnesota, the brother of James and Joseph. He painted a pair of Canada Geese. Robert Hartman had won the 1997-98 and 2001-02 contests.

2017 Duck Stamp

Of 152 entries in this year’s competition, eight made it to the final round of judging. Eligible species were Canada Goose, Brant, Northern Shoveler, Red-breasted Merganser, and Steller’s Eider.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, the nation’s oldest and most successful waterfowl- and bird-conservation effort. The stamp sells for $25 and raises about $25 million each year to conserve and protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from sale of the stamps go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports the purchase of migratory bird habitat for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System. Since 1934, stamp sales have generated more than $850 million to acquire and preserve more than 5.7 million acres of bird and wildlife habitat.

Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Duck Stamp when they hunt. Birders, conservationists, stamp collectors, and others may purchase the stamp in support of wildlife conservation. A current stamp can also be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.

You can buy a Duck Stamp at national wildlife refuges, sporting goods stores, and other retailers, through the U.S. Postal Service, or online.

Painting of Ross’s Geese wins 2016 Junior Duck Stamp competition (4/22/2016).

Swans fly onto Federal Duck Stamp after half-century absence (9/20/2015).

Read more about the Federal Duck Stamp.

 

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Originally Published September 12, 2016