USFWS Announces Winner of 2018 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

by
posted on April 23, 2018
2018jrduckstamp_lead.jpg

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced the winner of the National Junior Duck Stamp Contest: 18-year-old Rayen Kang of Johns Creek, Ga.

A panel of five judges chose the winning entry, which features an emperor goose and is painted in acrylic, from among best-of-show entries from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The selection will serve as the 26th Junior Duck Stamp.

“Connecting kids to the outdoors and getting them involved early in hunting, fishing and conservation is incredibly important,” said Secretary Zinke. “Programs like the Junior Duck Stamp help create future conservationists, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts–and maybe even the next Teddy Roosevelt.”

The Junior Duck Stamp program began in 1989 as an extension of the Migratory Bird Conservation and Hunting Stamp, commonly known as the Federal Duck Stamp, and officially launched as the national Junior Duck Stamp art contest in 1993. It encourages students to explore their natural world, participate in outdoor recreation activities, and learn wildlife management principles.

Daniel Billings, 17, of Gallatin, Mo., claimed second place in the annual competition with his oil painting of a redhead.

Additionally, USFWS announced that 16-year-old Abigail McIntyre of Manhattan, Kan., won the 2018 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation Message Contest. Her slogan, “Conserving our wetlands is as important as conserving our art. It is our history, our inspiration, our life and our future," was selected from a bevy of entries.

“I am constantly amazed at the talent of all of our Junior Duck Stamp Program participants, and this year is no exception,” said Assistant Director for Migratory Birds Jerome Ford. “These young people express their appreciation for nature eloquently through their art and their conservation messages.”

The Junior Duck Stamp Contest winner receives $1,000. The second place winner receives $500, the third-place winner receives $200 and the Conservation Message winner receives $200.

Complete contest results can be found here. A gallery of all state Best of Show entries can be found here.

For more information, go to fws.gov.

Latest

Draper Shooting S20 Hunter
Draper Shooting S20 Hunter

#SundayGunday: Sako S20 Hunter

Get a closer look at the Sako S20 Hunter, the latest addition to our #SundayGunday series.

Local Legends: Why Butch and Harold Still Prowl the Big Woods

The experience of two Vermont hunters shows it’s never too late to find a new hunting partner.

Non-Toxic Shot Roundup

Contributor Mike Roux discusses the ins and outs of non-toxic shot with his audience.

First Look: Garmin GPSMAP 67 and eTrex SE Handheld GPS Units

Whether you want a high-tech hunting device that’s loaded with sophisticated features or simply need an easy-to-use GPS to avoid getting lost in the woods, Garmin’s new handhelds have you covered.

Henry Repeating Arms Donates $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Henry Repeating Arms has announced a donation of $25,000 to Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever as part of its $1 million silver anniversary pledge and the company’s commitment to safeguarding America’s outdoors and hunting traditions.

Hardware: CVA Cascade XT

The new XT (X-Treme) is CVA’s precision-oriented rifle in the company’s popular Cascade rifle series, and boasts several features that make it an ideal multipurpose hunting rifle. 

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.