LDWF Announces 2014 Duck Stamp Contest
May 23, 2013 — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has announced the rules and time frame for the 2014 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp, or Louisiana Duck Stamp competition.
“Since our competition returned to a featured waterfowl species selected by the artist for the 2010 stamp, the quality of the entries and eventual winner has been outstanding,” said Larry Reynolds, LDWF Waterfowl Study leader. “The pair of mallards that will grace the 2013 Louisiana Duck Stamp is another excellent example.”
Because of the high quality of the artwork submitted during the past four contests, LDWF is once again allowing artists to choose the species for this year’s entries, except Northern pintails, Wood ducks, American wigeon, or Mallard. This will be the final year of open contests. Any species of waterfowl known to winter in Louisiana, EXCEPT Northern pintail, Wood duck, American wigeon or Mallard may be submitted to this year’s contest for the 2014 stamp. Artists are 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,” said Reynolds.
To enter, an artist must submit an original, unpublished work of art, along with a signed and notarized artist’s agreement and a entry fee.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 Monday, October 14 through Tuesday, October 22, 2013 with the contest to be held in the Louisiana Room at the LDWF Headquarters building starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2013. The public is invited to attend.
Please visit this link to obtain the 2014 Louisiana Waterfowl Conservation Stamp competition artist agreement and see the full list of rules: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/2014-louisiana-duck-stamp-contest
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 24 years, over $11 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 and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation 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 ineligible.
For more information, contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-0456 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov.
