USFWS Announces Winner of 2019 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest

by
posted on September 30, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
federalduckstamp2020-2021_lead.jpg
courtesy of USFWS
The 2019 Federal Duck Stamp Contest winner has been announced by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson, as Alabama artist Eddie LeRoy.

Hailing from Eufala, Ala., LeRoy's acrylic painting featuring a pair of black-bellied whistling ducks will be made into the 2020-2021 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, or “Duck Stamp," slated to go on sale in late-June 2020. The Duck Stamp, which sells for $25, raises some $40 million in sales each year, which goes to support critical conservation to protect wetland habitats in the National Wildlife Refuge System. In the 85 years since its establishment, sales of the Duck Stamp have raised more that $1 billion for the conservation of over 6 million acres of wildlife habitat, further contributing to increased opportunities for hunting and recreation on public land. 

Waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older are required to purchase and carry the current Federal Duck Stamp. Many non-hunters, including birdwatchers, conservationists, stamp collectors and others also purchase the stamp in support of habitat conservation. Additionally, a current Federal Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.

This year's runner up was Cory McLaughlin of Wells, Texas, who submitted a similarly-themed work in oil of a black-bellied whistling-duck pair. Frank Mittelstadt of Beaver Dam, Wis., meanwhile, took third with a bufflehead pair in acrylic. To check out all 190 entries in this year's competition, including the 13 finalists, please visit the contest's flickr page

"These artists are extremely talented, and the quality of the art is matched by the incredible conservation work funded by Duck Stamp sales," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. USFWS Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson echoed his praise for the program and the conservation efforts it allows, remarking, "I’m proud to be part of an event with the rich tradition of the Duck Stamp Contest. The first one took place in 1949, and 70 years later, the contest—and the wetland conservation work it supports—is going stronger than ever.”

To purchase a Federal Duck Stamp online, click here. For more information on the Duck Stamp Contest itself, check out their page; and to learn more about the great work of the USFWS, visit their website at fws.gov.

Additional Reading:
• USFWS Announces Winner of 2018 National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest
• 2019-20 Federal Duck Stamp Theme Celebrates Waterfowl Hunting Heritage
• USFWS Announces Winner of National Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest

Latest

Ledeboone And Crockett Club Launches
Ledeboone And Crockett Club Launches

Fueled by AI: Boone and Crockett Club Launches Big Game Records Live 2.0

The Boone and Crockett Club recently launched Big Game Records Live 2.0, a major evolution of its digital platform that transforms the world’s oldest big game records database into an interactive analytics tool for hunters.

Lightweight AR-10: Building a Hunt-Focused Backcountry Rifle (Part 1)

Curious how to create a .308-chambered AR-10 that *doesn't* suck to carry into the backcountry? Dennis Bradley does just that, off a DPMS-pattern lower, and comes it at a shocking weight (read on for the exact number, but it is sub 2). Read on, to see how he does it.

ScentLok Launches Realtree XT-3 Apparel

ScentLok is going all-in on Realtree's new XT-3 pattern, dropping it onto more than half of its latest product introductions. This new look is headlined by the Savanna Fuse, Ridge and BE:1 collections.

New for 2026: Latitude Outdoors Whitetail Frame Packs

Mobile whitetail hunters have long faced a familiar compromise: carry a lightweight pack for the hunt, or haul a frame pack for the pack out. Latitude Outdoors has released a pack to solve that problem, with a frame system built from the ground up for the mobile whitetail hunter.

The Problem with Pressures: A +Peak Revolution?

The history of the projectile, and of the centerfire cartridge, is fascinating, and it seems as though we are ready to take the next step forward. Or are we? Let's take a look at how pressures have affected cartridges throughout history, and the evolution that seems to be currently starting.

More than $1.3 Billion Raised by Duck Stamp Sales

On June 26 the 2026-2027 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, aka Duck Stamp, went on sale. The fact it raises about $40 million for conservation annually gets the headlines, but there are underpublicized benefits for making the $25 purchase—even non-hunters.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.