2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp

According to the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the 2012-2013 Federal Duck Stamp will go on sale in late June. The service produces the Federal Duck Stamp, which sells for $15 and raises about $25 million each year to provide funds for conserving wetlands. Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Duck Stamp. Ninety-eight percent of the proceeds from the $15 Duck Stamp goes to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund which has purchased nearly six million acres of wildlife habitat for the National Wildlife Refuge System since 1934.

I am particularly fond of this year’s selection which is an acrylic painting of a single wood duck. Since my first duck hunting experiences as a boy were in the hills of Lauderdale County, the sight of a colorful wood duck still gets my blood pumping.

This year’s winning artist is Joe Hautman of Plymouth, Minn. According to his web site, Hautman earned a Ph. D in physics from the University of Michigan and embarked on an active research career prior to his current professional art career. As an amateur artist, Hautman began to enter the Federal Stamp contest as a way to enjoy his hobby of drawing and painting. He won the contest in 1991 and this makes his fourth win with his art previously appearing on the 1992-1993, 2002-2003 and 2008-2009 Federal Duck Stamps. In the spirit of sportsmanship, the contest has ignited a brotherly rivalry. 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.

As funds for wildlife conservation efforts are curtailed under the current Farm Bill, hunter supported efforts at habitat conservation such as Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and the Federal Duck Stamp program become even more vital. With historic numbers of ducks, let’s stick to the course in pursuing our lifetime commitment to hunting and preserving wintering waterfowl in the Mississippi Delta. Join me in purchasing a stamp or two this summer. The wood ducks are already here!