Federal Duck Stamp Entries

Duck Stamps

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Duck Stamp Program

View all entries of the 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
(To be the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp)

Minnesota Artist Joseph Hautman Wins 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

Joseph Hautman, an artist from Plymouth, Minn., is the winner of the 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The announcement was made Oct. 29, 2011 by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, W. Va., during the annual art competition.

1st place, number 103 (single wood duck)
Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota

This is Hautman’s fourth Federal Duck Stamp Contest win. His art previously appeared on the 1992-1993, 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamps. Hautman’s acrylic painting of a single wood duck will be made into the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2012. The Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to provide critical funds for conserving wetlands for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.

Of 190 entries in this year’s two-day competition, 32 entries made it through to the final round of judging. Adam Grimm of Burbank, S.D., placed second with his oil painting of a single gadwall. Grimm is also a previous Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner. His art appeared on the 2000-2001 Federal Duck Stamp.

2nd place, number 117 (single gadwall)
Adam Grimm, Burbank, South Dakota

3rd place, number 60 (pair of mallards)
Richard Clifton of Milford, Delaware

Richard Clifton of Milford, Del., took third place with an acrylic painting of a pair of mallards. Clifton won the 2006 Federal Duck Stamp Contest and his winning art appeared on the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp. "I wasn’t too nervous to begin with," said Hautman. “But as soon as my brother- Bob’s painting went out, I started wanting to win.”

Hautman’s brother Bob has won the Federal Duck Stamp twice previously, in 1996 and 2000. Their brother Jim is the current Federal Duck Stamp artist, having won the 2010 contest and three previous contests. Among them, the three brothers have won the contest 10 times.

"My sincerest congratulations to Joe Hautman on his win, and to all of the artists who entered this year,” said Dan Ashe, the Service’s Director. “The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is a time-honored tradition, and the dedication of wildlife artists to the contest and the stamp’s conservation mission spans generations. This year we saw the oldest contest entrant – a veteran wildlife artist -- as well as the youngest entrant, a young woman of just 19 years old.

“The stamp itself is widely known as one of this nation’s most successful and effective conservation programs,” said Assistant Director Jerome Ford of the Service’s Migratory Bird Program. “This connection of generations through the traditions of wildlife art and conservation is what makes the Federal Duck Stamp Program so successful.”

This year's five-judge panel included Ira Cotton, a stamp collector (philatelist) and philatelic journalist; H. Dale Hall, a former Service Director and current CEO of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; Gary Kramer, an award-winning freelance outdoor writer and photographer; John Neal Mullican, a sculptor whose works have been displayed in the United States and abroad; and Lynn Scarlett, former Deputy Interior Secretary and a visiting scholar and co-director at the Center for the Management of Ecological Wealth at Resources for the Future. The alternate judge was Christine Thomas, dean and professor of resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources.

Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp. Conservationists, stamp collectors and others must also purchase the stamp in support of habitat conservation.

Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports the purchase of acres of wetlands for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have helped to purchase nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the Refuge System. To date, Duck Stamp funds have been used to acquire habitat at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state. There are 555 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Duck Stamp may also be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge open to the public. Refuges offer unparalleled recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.

Eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were the blue-winged teal, cinnamon teal, gadwall, mallard and wood duck.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov .

James Hautman Wins 2010 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

Minnesota brothers take 1st, 2nd

James Hautman,an artist from Chaska, Minnesota, has been named the winner of the 2010 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The announcement was made today at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, Calif., during the annual competition hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hautman has previously won the Duck Stamp three times, in 1989, 1994 and 1998.

Hautman’s acrylic painting of a pair of white-fronted geese will be made into the 2011-2012 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2011. The Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to provide critical funds for conserving wetlands for the benefit of wildlife and the enjoyment of people.

Of 235 entries in this year’s two-day competition, 11 entries made it through to the final round of judging. Robert Hautman, from Delano, Minnesota, placed second with his acrylic painting of white-fronted goose. Robert Hautman, a two-time previous Duck Stamp Contest winner, is the brother of James Hautman.

Kip Richmond of Apex, North Carolina, took third place with an acrylic painting of a pair of brant.

In the final round of judging, James and Robert Hautman’s paintings were tied for first place. A tie-breaker vote was held to determine the winner.

"I’ll tell you what, it just leaves you speechless," said James Hautman, who was in the auditorium as the judges voted his art the winner. “Even though I’ve won it before, it’s tough to breathe sitting out there.”

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious federal wildlife art competition in America. The Service is grateful to all the artists and other participants for their efforts to help support our nation’s great outdoors.

“Once again, our panel of judges has chosen a beautiful work of art to grace our next Federal Duck Stamp,” said Dan Ashe, Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "My sincerest congratulations to James on his astounding fourth contest win and to all of the artists who entered this year. By entering the Duck Stamp Contest you are all playing a role in supporting one of the world’s most successful and effective conservation programs.”

This year's five-judge panel included former California Secretary of Natural Resources Mike Chrisman; waterfowl biologist and professor John Eadie; wildlife artist Joe Garcia; retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Jerry Serie; and wildlife biologist and duck stamp expert Carlo Vecchiarelli. The alternate judge was Gary Kramer, an outdoor writer and photographer.

Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp when they are hunting. Conservationists, stamp collectors and others must also purchase the stamp in support of habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund which supports the purchase of acres of wetlands for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The cost of land acquisition continues to rise, resulting in reduced buying power for funds collected from stamp sales. The Service is proposing to increase the sale price of the Federal Duck Stamp from $15 to $25 beginning in Fiscal Year 2011 – the first price increase for the stamp since 1991. Increasing the price of a Federal Duck Stamp would bring an estimated $18 million to $23 million over revenues generated by the current $15 price, which would allow acquisition of approximately 7,000 additional waterfowl habitat areas in fee and approximately 10,000 additional conservation easement acres in 2011.

Since 1934, sales of Federal Duck Stamps have helped to purchase nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the Refuge System. To date, Duck Stamp funds have been used to acquire habitat at hundreds of refuges in nearly every state. There are 550 National Wildlife Refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Duck Stamp may also be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge open to the public. Refuges offer unparalleled wildlife oriented recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.

Eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were the brant, Canada goose, greater white-fronted goose, northern shoveler and ruddy duck.

Robert Bealle Wins 2009 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, Minnesota artist takes second

Robert Bealle an artist from Waldorf, Maryland, took top honors Saturday, October 17 at the 2009 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. Bealle’s painting of an American wigeon will be made into the 2010-2011 Federal Duck Stamp, which will go on sale in late June 2010. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to fund wetland habitat acquisition for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Of the 224 entries in this year's contest, eight entries made it through to the final round of judging in the two-day art contest, the oldest and most prestigious wildlife art competition in America. Scot Storm of Freeport, Minn., placed second with his acrylic painting of a pair of wood ducks, and Jeffrey Mobley, of Tulsa, Okla., took third place with an acrylic painting of a gadwall.

“The magnitude of this moment has not escaped me,” said Bealle, who has previously entered the Duck Stamp Contest numerous times. “I’m so humbled and appreciative of this. I just don’t know what to say.”

The Federal Duck Stamp Contest was held this year at the Patuxent Research Refuge in Laurel, Md. Service Director Sam Hamilton announced the contest winner and congratulated Bealle – who was present at the contest judging -- on his achievement.

"We recognize Robert Bealle and personally thank our distinguished panel of judges for their hard work on behalf of waterfowl conservation and the Federal Duck Stamp,” said Sam Hamilton, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "This year’s contest is particularly special for me because it is my first opportunity to take part in the contest as Fish and Wildlife Service Director, and I am honored to step into the shoes of the many past directors and play a role in this landmark program.”

This year's five-judge panel included former Congressman Wayne Gilchrest, an active conservationist; Jeff Hedtke, a conservation in his personal and professional life as well as collection of duck stamps and decoys, Marshall Jones, retired deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Peter Martin, a writer, editor and duck stamp expert; and Judith Warfield Price, a waterfowl art expert and Executive Director of the Waterfowl Festival in Easton, Maryland. The alternate judge was Evan Hirsche, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp – commonly known as the Duck Stamp – but conservationists, stamp collectors and others also purchase the stamp in support of habitat conservation. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which supports the purchase of acres of wetlands for inclusion into the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Since 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp program has raised more than $750 million to purchase nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the Refuge System.

To date, Duck Stamp funds have been used to acquire habitat at hundreds of refuges, in nearly every state in our nation. There are 550 national wildlife refuges spread across all 50 states and U.S. territories. A current Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge open to the public. And in 2008, more than 41 million visited a unit of the refuge system. Refuges offer unparalleled recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, bird watching and photography.

Joshua Spies wins 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
(2009-2010 Federal Duck Stamp)

October 18, 2008
Joshua Spies wins 2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the winning artwork for the 2009-2010 Federal Duck Stamp. Joshua Spies, an artist from Watertown, South Dakota, won the contest with his acrylic painting of a long-tailed duck. Service Director H. Dale Hall announced the winner around 11:45 a.m. at the Bloomington Art Center in Bloomington, Minn, where the two-day contest was held. There were 270 entries in this year’s contest and only five entries made it through to the final round of judging on Saturday. Jim Hautman, native of Plymouth, Minn., placed second with his acrylic painting of Canada geese, and Gerald Mobley of Claremore, Okla., took third place with an acrylic painting of northern shovelers.

“I purposefully didn’t dress up today because I didn’t want to jinx myself,” said Spies, who has previously entered the Duck Stamp Contest. Thirty pieces of artwork made it through the first round of judging on Friday. The judges hand-selected another 13 pieces of artwork that did not get enough votes in the first round to be entered into the second round of judging for a total of 43 entries made it through.

“The Duck Stamp is a significant funding mechanism for the Service to acquire land for the National Wildlife Refuge System. These lands provide critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife. The lands are also open to the American public, and provide hunting, fishing, and environmental education opportunities. The contest to select the artwork involves the arts community, birders, nature enthusiasts, hunters, and stamp collectors,” said Jim Leach, a refuge supervisor for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and chairperson for the Federal Duck Stamp planning committee.

This year’s five-judge panel included Richard Slaughter, former owner of the Washington Capitals sports team and publisher of the conservation magazine, Attraction; Steven Williams, former director of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Don Soderlund, Jr., Minnesotan waterfowl expert and artist; Donald Luce, author, scientific illustrator, and curator of exhibits at Bell Museum; and Wes Miller, vice president of the National Duck Stamp Collector’s Society. The alternate judges was Jeff Hedke, a wetland restoration technician with the Minnesota DNR.

This is the first year the Federal Duck Stamp contest was held in Minnesota. Since 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp program has raised more than $750 million to purchase nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov

Minnesota Artist Joseph Hautman Wins 2011 Federal Duck Stamp Contest

1st place, number 103 (single wood duck) Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota

1st place, number 103 (single wood duck)
Joseph Hautman of Plymouth, Minnesota