The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced that Robert Hautman of Delano, Minnesota, has won the 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with an acrylic painting of a Long-tailed Duck pair. This is Hautman’s fourth time winning the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest. The winning artwork was selected from 331 entries during the two-day competition, which was hosted by Ducks Unlimited (DU) at its national headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee.
The winning artwork will appear on the 2027-2028 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp. Since its inception in 1934, the Federal Duck Stamp has become one of the nation’s most successful conservation programs, generating more than $1.3 billion to conserve over 6 million acres of wetlands, benefiting migratory birds and countless other wildlife species.
The annual Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest is the only federally sponsored wildlife art competition in the United States. Each year, artists from across the country compete for the opportunity to have their work featured on one of the nation’s most recognized conservation symbols.
The Federal Duck Stamp is required for waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older. Still, it is also purchased by birdwatchers, stamp collectors, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to support wildlife habitat conservation. Remarkably, 98 cents of every dollar generated by Duck Stamp sales goes directly toward the purchase of critical wetland habitat within the National Wildlife Refuge System. These areas provide additional access to the public to some of the most spectacular places available for hunting, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
For Ducks Unlimited and its supporters, the Duck Stamp's impact extends well beyond public lands. Revenue from Duck Stamp sales helps conserve the wetlands and grasslands that sustain migratory birds, including the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR), often referred to as the continent's "Duck Factory." These funds purchase voluntary wetland and grassland easements in partnership with willing landowners. Spanning portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, this landscape produces the majority of North America's breeding ducks.
"Ducks Unlimited was honored to host the 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest at our national headquarters in Memphis," said DU Chief Operating Officer Dr. Karen Waldrop. "Congratulations to the Federal Duck Stamp winning artist. His/her artistic talent helps showcase the investment duck hunters make in stewarding our most critical waterfowl habitat while inspiring people of all ages to support wetlands conservation across America."
The Federal Duck Stamp is available for purchase at many U.S. Post Offices, national wildlife refuges, sporting goods retailers, and online through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Proceeds support habitat conservation benefiting waterfowl and hundreds of other wildlife species. Additionally, a current Federal Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge.
About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov.
Media Contact
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing wetlands, grasslands and other waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has restored or protected more than 20 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science, DU’s projects benefit waterfowl, wildlife and people in all 50 states. Learn more at www.ducks.org.
