Each Federal Duck Stamp pairs one of America's most effective conservation programs with the work of a wildlife artist. The annual art competition has built a visual record of waterfowl, wetlands, hunting traditions and the landscapes the stamp helps protect.
The 2026-2027 Federal Duck Stamp features buffleheads painted by James Hautman. The artwork was selected from over 250 eligible entries during the annual Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest.
Jay Norwood 'Ding' Darling created the artwork used for the first Federal Duck Stamp in 1934. For the first 15 years of the program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service commissioned an artist to design each stamp. As interest grew, artists began submitting their work for consideration.
In 1949, the first Federal Duck Stamp Art Competition was held at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. A panel of judges selected Walter Weber's painting of two trumpeter swans from 88 entries. The artwork appeared on the 1950-1951 stamp.
The competition is now an annual tradition. Wildlife artists from across the nation compete for the honor of creating the next Federal Duck Stamp. Winning can raise an artist's national profile, increase interest in their work and allow them to produce products featuring the stamp image under applicable rules.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. Eligible artists submit original artwork that follows the species, composition, size and presentation requirements established for that year's competition.
A panel of judges evaluates the entries using the official contest criteria. The winning artwork becomes the design for the following year's Federal Duck Stamp. Rules, eligible species, entry dates, judging details and public viewing information can change, so artists should use the current USFWS contest materials before preparing an entry.
Duck Stamp art connects the practical work of conservation with the wildlife and wild places that inspire it. The images preserve moments in waterfowling history, celebrate native species and remind people what habitat protection makes possible.
In the program's long history, only a select group of artists have earned the distinction of creating a Federal Duck Stamp, and an even smaller group have won more than once. Their work forms one of the country's most recognizable collections of wildlife art.
Darling was one of the most influential artists and conservationists in American history. A two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist, he repeatedly used his work to call attention to soil, water, timber and wildlife conservation.
When the new Duck Stamp program needed its first design on a tight schedule, Darling produced a series of preliminary sketches. One became the basis for the 1934-1935 stamp. His mallards launched a tradition that continues to unite wildlife art and conservation funding each year.
Darling's legacy also lives across the National Wildlife Refuge System and in the millions of acres protected through the program he helped establish.
Collectors value Federal Duck Stamps for their artwork, history and connection to American conservation. Some collect individual years or artists. Others build complete sets, seek signed editions or collect related prints and products.
Condition, signatures, cancellations, plate numbers and format can affect collector interest and value. Anyone purchasing for collection should review current seller details and handling recommendations before signing or mounting the stamp.
The Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program uses art and science to teach students about wetlands, waterfowl and wildlife conservation. Students from kindergarten through high school study their natural environment and turn what they learn into original artwork.
State-level competitions lead to a national contest. The national winning artwork becomes the design for the annual Junior Duck Stamp. Sales of the stamp support recognition and environmental education for participating students.
Eligibility is set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and may change. Review the official rules for citizenship or residency requirements, age requirements, entry procedures and deadlines.
Federal Duck Stamp Contest winners do not receive monetary compensation. They receive a pane of stamps featuring their design signed by the Secretary of the Interior. Winning artists may also sell prints of their artwork, which are popular among hunters, conservationists, and art and stamp collectors.
A panel of judges scores eligible entries according to official USFWS criteria. The competition and judging are separate from Ducks Unlimited.
Public viewing options depend on the year's event format. Check the current USFWS contest page for in-person or online viewing information.
No. The Junior Duck Stamp program is an education and art competition for students. It has its own entry process, state contests and national selection.
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