The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in late September that Robert Hautman of Delano, Minn., won the 2026 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest with an acrylic painting of a long-tailed duck pair (seen above at the official ceremony). 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, Tenn.
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 six 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 age 16 and older. It is also purchased by birdwatchers, stamp collectors, conservationists and outdoor enthusiasts eager 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.
“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 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.
Oklahoma Winner
The winner of this year’s Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Contest is Ryan Rickaby of Suamico, Wis. Rickaby’s acrylic painting of a white-fronted goose standing in shallow water will be featured on Oklahoma’s 2027-28 state waterfowl stamp. The artist receives a $1,200 purchase award.
This is the second consecutive year that a Wisconsin artist has become Oklahoma’s winner. Last year, a pair of canvasbacks by Caleb Metrich of Lake Tomahawk, Wis., took top honors.
The “state duck stamp,” although no longer a requirement while hunting, continues to be purchased by waterfowl hunters and collectors every year because its revenue helps fund the Wildlife Department’s wetland habitat conservation activities.
Oklahoma’s next duck stamp art contest kicks off April 1, 2027, when online registration opens for artists. The subject is the blue-winged teal.
Know a Young Artist?
Wildlife Forever has opened its 2026-27 Art of Conservation, Bird Art and Fish Art contests. With support from title sponsor Bass Pro Shops, the annual programs inspire youth around the world to creatively connect with nature through art, writing and science.
The Bird Art and Fish Art Contests engage thousands of young artists through global partnerships, state-hosted programs and school networks. Open to all K-12 students worldwide, the interdisciplinary programs equip teachers with STEAM learning resources and help curricula come alive through local wildlife. Outside the classroom, the contests serve as a model recruitment program for outdoor recreation.
“Conservation begins with connection,” said Mandy Nix, education and marketing manager at Wildlife Forever. “At a formative age for our youngest stewards, the Bird and Fish Art Contests inspire children to get outdoors in nearby nature, from their city parks to mountain cricks to backyard meadows. In the process, the programs spark a lifelong love of wildlife and the wild places we all call home.”
Both contests are free and accessible to K-12 students worldwide. Students illustrate ambassador wildlife with art mediums as diverse as the species themselves, with artwork spanning charcoal, watercolor, pastels, crayons and even digital art technologies. As entries pour in across the globe to showcase the wonder and importance of wild species, the contests also celebrate a vibrant generation of leaders.
“Art of Conservation empowers youth to create more than material artwork,” said Nix. “These talented young artists create positive change, harnessing their creativity for conservation around the world.”
Full details and deadlines are available at the above-linked webpages.
