The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced the rules and time frame for the 2017 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp, or Louisiana Duck Stamp, competition. 

“Green-winged teal will be the featured species in this year’s competition,” said Larry Reynolds, LDWF waterfowl study leader. “Greenwings are the smallest of the dabbling ducks wintering in Louisiana and can be found in all of our wetland habitats from the reservoirs, grain fields and forested wetlands of north Louisiana to the coastal marshes, mudflats and flooded agricultural lands across the south. 

“Among the top three species in number harvested each season, green-winged teal are an important component of Louisiana duck hunters’ waterfowling experience.  Greenwings are appreciated not only for the complex beauty of late-season drakes, sporty flight, abundance and willingness to decoy, but they are considered among the finest table fare of all waterfowl.’’ 

The 2016 contest was restricted to designs featuring gadwall and John Nelson Harris’ striking painting of a trio in flight in leaden skies continued a long tradition of excellent stamp designs.  The Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp bearing that design went on sale June 1. 

The 2017 contest will be restricted to designs with green-winged teal as the focal species. Artists are also reminded of the requirement for associated habitat. 

“The primary objective of this program is to provide revenue to create, enhance and maintain habitat for waterfowl and associated wetland wildlife,” said Reynolds, “so a habitat component is required in each entry and is one of the five judging criteria.” 

To enter, an artist must submit an original, unpublished work of art, along with a signed and notarized artist's agreement and a $50 entry fee.  

Entries should be addressed to:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Attn: Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Program
2000 Quail Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808 

Entries will be accepted from Oct. 10-Oct. 18, 2016, with the contest to be held in the Louisiana Room at the LDWF Headquarters building starting at 10 a.m. on Oct. 19, 2016.  The public is invited. 

Please visit the 2017 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp website page at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/2017-louisiana-duck-stamp-contest to see the 2017 artist’s agreement and contest rules. 

The Louisiana Legislature authorized the Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp program in 1988. The program was created to generate revenues for conservation and enhancement of waterfowl populations and habitats in Louisiana. 

During the last 25 years, more than $12 million has been generated for wetland conservation with approximately $5 million spent on land acquisition. In addition, revenues have supported wetland development projects on Wildlife Management Areas and the Louisiana Waterfowl Project, a cooperative endeavor between LDWF, Ducks Unlimited, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide habitat for waterfowl and other wetland birds on private lands. 

Judging for the art competition will be based on the following criteria:
1.         Accuracy of form, size, proportion, color and posture.
2.         Level and accuracy of detail in all aspects of the waterfowl.
3.         Appropriateness, accuracy and detail in depiction of the habitat.
4.         Attractiveness and creativity in composition, subject, background and lighting.
5.         Suitability for reproduction as stamps and prints. 

A panel of judges with experience in waterfowl biology and/or artistic method will select the winning design. The competition is open to all artists 18 years of age and older. Employees of LDWF and members of their immediate families are not eligible. 

For more information, contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-0456 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov.