2021 Federal Duck Stamp Contest Results

This year’s Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest was held COVID-style, viewable on the web, with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hosts and judges at the FWS Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia.

Redheads by James Hautman, image courtesy of USFWS

This year’s winner was James Hautman of Chaska, Minnesota, with his acrylic painting of a pair of Redheads afloat in choppy water. He has now won a record-breaking six times — starting with his first win as a 25-year-old with his entry in 1989 that became the 1990-1991 Stamp. At that time, he was the youngest ever to win and he had entered 5 times before his win.  His painting will be made into the 2022-2023 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp,” which will go on sale in late June 2022.

Snow Geese by Robert Hautman, image courtesy of USFWS

Robert Hautman of Delano, Minnesota, placed second with his acrylic painting of Snow Geese.  

Redhead by Joshua Spies, image courtesy of USFWS

Joshua Spies of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, took third place with his acrylic painting of a flying drake Redhead.

The judges for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were: Paul Rhymer, artist; Dave Goyer, philatelist; Wayne Hubbard, conservation partner; Larry Richardson, artist; and Dixie Sommers, conservation partner.

The in-person gathering also celebrated Richard Clifton’s 2020 stamp and included a presentation of a pane of stamps in recognition for his win.

Since 1934, sales of the stamp have raised over $1.1 billion that has conserved over 6 million acres of wetland habitat for birds and other wildlife. The Stamp sells for $25 and raises approximately $40 million in sales each year.

Additional information about the 2021 Duck Stamp Art Contest, including a link to each day’s proceedings, as well as the gallery of the 137 entries, can be found here.

The 2022 contest rules will be posted no later than the end of January. Rules as far as size, media, orientation, acceptance dates and location, etc., will remain the same.  There will be no special theme next year so hunting accessories will be optional. Species will be:

  • Tundra Swan
  • Mottled Duck
  • Green-winged Teal
  • American Wigeon
  • Barrow’s Goldeneye

To be competitive, the North American races/subspecies of Tundra (Whistling) Swan and (American) Green-winged Teal should be depicted. Although Bewick’s (Whooper) Swans and Common/Eurasian Teal may be submitted, they will most likely not be chosen for the stamp.

Thank you to all entrants, judges, and the staff of FWS, especially Duck Stamp Program Director Suzanne Fellows, for the success and celebratory conclusion of the 2021 Art Contest.

Congratulations to the winners!

And remember to buy your Duck Stamp!