For the first time in the 82-year history of the contest, it will be held in Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources will host the competition on Sept. 15-16, 2017.
The contest was first held in 1934 to honor President Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (or Duck Stamp Act) to stop to destruction of wetlands, vital to the survival of migratory waterfowl. The act said all waterfowl hunters 16 years of age and older, must buy and carry a Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp – known today as the Federal Duck Stamp.
The Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Art Contest is open to U.S. Citizens. Five or fewer species of waterfowl are selected yearly, and entries are required to be the dominate feature in your entry. The species eligible for 2017 are: Mallard,
Gadwall, Cinnamon teal, Blue-winged teal, and Harlequin duck.
Artists may submit their artwork and entry fee beginning on June 1, 2017. All artwork must be postmarked no later than midnight Aug. 15, 2017.
Send entries to:
Federal Duck Stamp Contest
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Headquarters
5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: MB
Falls Church, VA 22041
In 2014, President Obama singed into law the first price increase for the Federal Duck Stamp in more than 20 years to $25.
For more information on this contest, visit the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.