In a Sept. 24 news release, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed the winner of the 2022 Duck Stamp Contest.
The top three entries in this year's contest were winner Joseph Hautman, of Plymouth, Minn.; second-place winner Frank Mittelstadt of Beaver Dam, Wis.; and third-place winner Robert Hautman of Delano, Minn., according to a Sept. 24 news release.
“The Duck Stamp Contest is one of my very favorite events every year," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in the release. "I am always impressed with the caliber of the art submitted, and each and every entry reminds us of the beauty of the natural world the Duck Stamp is designed to protect. I encourage everyone to buy a Duck Stamp as it makes a real impact in conserving wetlands habitats for waterfowl and many other wildlife species.”
There were 187 entries this year and 54 made it to the final round of judging, the release reported. Eligible species for this year’s Federal Duck Stamp Contest were the tundra (whistling) swan, mottled duck, American green-winged teal, American wigeon and Barrow’s goldeneye.
Since 1934, sales of the federal Duck Stamp to hunters, bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts and collectors have generated more than $1.1 billion to preserve more than 6 million acres of habitat for birds and other wildlife and provide countless opportunities for wildlife-oriented recreation on our public lands, according to the release.
Waterfowl hunters ages 16 and older must purchase and carry the current federal Duck Stamp, the release reported. Many individuals also buy the stamp in support of habitat conservation. Further, a current federal Duck Stamp can be used for free admission to any national wildlife refuge that charges an entry fee.
